Epidemiology of head and neck cancer in Thailand

Abstract

Cancer is the most common cause of death in Thailand, with the mortality almost doubled during 1998-2011 (from 48.4 to 95.2 per 100 000). The estimated number of new cancer cases in 2011 was 112 392. Our review provides baseline data on the current epidemiological situation with head and neck (HN) cancer in Thailand based on reports of the National Cancer Registry and findings from local and international publications. Collectively, HN cancer approaches agestandardized rate (ASR) incidence of 15.7 and 10.7 per 100 000 males and females, respectively, and is ranked among the top five dominant cancers in Thailand. The leading HN malignancies in men are oral (ASR incidence 4.6 per 100 000), nasopharyngeal (ASR 2.8) and laryngeal (ASR 2.7) cancers, while the most common cancers in women are thyroid (ASR 5.1) and oral (ASR 3.2) carcinomas. Some local habits (betel quid chewing, traditional cigarette smoking and alcohol intake) are associated with the high incidence of oral cancer in Northeast Thailand. Despite important prognostic significance, the role of human papillomavirus infection in various HN cancers from Thailand has been scarcely addressed. There is a growing incidence of thyroid cancer over the last two decades. The Thai population overall, compared to worldwide rates of HN malignancies, has a lower incidence of laryngeal and thyroid cancers but higher incidence of nasopharyngeal cancer. K E Y

Epidemiological and histopathological characteristics of head and neck cancers in Bhutan from 2011 to 2017: a retrospective descriptive study

“…For major salivary gland, the commonest histopathology is mucoepidermoid carcinoma, while for thyroid cancer the commonest is papillary thyroid cancer. Similar findings are reported by these studies [15,31].…”

“…The males are three times more prone than females for laryngeal, hypopharyngeal and oropharyngeal. This is similar to other studies as reported by Bhattacharjee et al [17]; Shunyu and Syiemlieh [6]; Tangjaturonrasme et al [15]; Delagranda et al [18]; Taziki et al [16]. This could be attributed mainly to the abuse of risk factors, such as tobacco, betel nut and alcohol consumption, where these risk factors were two times more prevalent in males than in females.…”

“…The top three sites for development of head and neck cancer are thyroid, oral cavity and hypopharynx. In Thailand, Tangjaturonrasme et al [15] found cancer of oral cavity, nasopharynx and larynx to be the commonest in males, while it is thyroid and oral cancers for females. Similarly, the commonest sites are oropharyngeal cancer in Northeast India [22], laryngeal cancer in London [23], nasopharyngeal cancer in Nigeria [24] and skin cancer of the head and neck region in Iran [25].…”

Comparison of 3-weekly cisplatin versus 3-weekly carboplatin in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy: A multicentre analysis

“…Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is endemic to Southern China, the Middle East, Alaska, Greenland and Southeast Asia, including Thailand (1,2). Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with high-dose cisplatin followed by three cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) containing cisplatin plus 5fluorouracil is considered the standard protocol for patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC), based upon the significant survival benefits demonstrated by the Intergroup (INT) 0099 study (3).…”

Validity and Reliability of the Thai Version of the Thyroid-Related Patient-Reported Outcome—A Thyroid-specific Quality of Life Questionnaire

“…5.1 per 100,000 of the male and female populations, respectively. 7 In some cases, either open or endoscopic thyroid surgery is necessary. [8][9][10] Patients with thyroid diseases are affected by the fluctuations in thyroid hormone levels, resulting in abnormal symptoms (e.g., dry skin, hair loss, irregular menstruation, and bradycardia), mental disorders (e.g., depression, loss of memory, and insomnia), and decreased quality of life.…”