Head and neck cancer epidemiology and demographics

Epidemiology
The number of new cases of head and neck cancers in the United States was 40,490 in 2006, accounting for about 3% of adult malignancies. 11,170 patients died of their disease in 2006. The worldwide incidence exceeds half a million cases annually. In North America and Europe, the tumors usually arise from the oral cavity, oropharynx, or larynx, whereas nasopharyngeal cancer is more common in the Mediterranean countries and in the Far East. In Southeast China and Taiwan, head and neck cancer, specifically Nasopharyngeal Cancer is the most common cause of death in young men. African Americans are disproportionately affected by head and neck cancer, with younger ages of incidence, increased mortality, and more advanced disease at presentation.


 * In the U.S. there were 28,900 people diagnosed with cancers of the throat and oral cavity in 2002.
 * Seventy-four hundred Americans are projected to die of these cancers.
 * More than 70% of throat cancers are at an advanced stage when discovered.
 * Men are 89% more likely than women to be diagnosed with, and are almost twice as likely to die of, these cancers.
 * African-American men are at a 50% higher risk of throat cancer than Caucasian males. undefined
 * Smoking and tobacco use are directly related to Oro-pharangeal (throat) cancer deaths.