Global Burden and Incidence Trends in Cancers Associated with Human Papillomavirus Infection: A Population-Based Systematic Study.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for a substantial fraction of anogenital and head and neck cancers (HNC). HPV-related cancers cause a heavy burden globally, with disparities across different cancers. We aimed to present an up-to-date global view of the patterns and incidence trends among HPV-related cancers.

Methods: We collected data on HPV-related cancers from the GLOBOCAN 2022 database and the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents plus Compendium. Age-standardized incidence and mortality rate (ASIR and ASMR) were calculated to estimate the cancer burden. Spearman's correlation tests were used to evaluate the associations with the Human Development Index (HDI). Joinpoint regression was conducted to evaluate the incidence trends in ASIR.

Results: In 2022, 1,505,394 HPV-related cancer cases and 755,303 deaths were newly estimated worldwide, corresponding to an overall ASIR and ASMR of 20.9 and 10.2 per 100,000 people, respectively. Africa had the highest ASIR and ASMR compared with Asia, accounting for the most new cases and deaths. The primary cause was cervical cancer (ASIR 14.1 per 100,000 people); however, HNC exhibited the largest number of cases (685,204 cases). The total rates of HPV-related cancers were 1.3 times higher for ASIR and nearly three times higher for ASMR in low-HDI countries than in very high-HDI countries. A decreasing trend was observed for the ASIR of cervical cancer in most studied countries, compared to the increasing trends in HNC in females and anal cancer in both sexes.

Conclusions: The global burden and trends of HPV-related cancers vary significantly among different cancer types according to region and sex. Particularly, cervical, HNC, and anal cancers should attract global attention. However, specific cancer types contributing to the heaviest burden should be identified at the country level to adjust resource allocation and improve access to quality health services.