Definition

Incidence rate of invasive oral cavity and pharynx cancer for a defined population in a specified time interval. Rates are age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. Standard Population. Rates are per 100,000 population.

Numerator

Number of new cases of oral cavity and pharynx cancer among a defined population in a specified time interval.

Denominator

Defined population in a specified time interval.

Why Is This Important?

During 2018, 898 male and 405 female New Jersey residents were diagnosed with cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx. The most common sites for oral cavity and pharynx cancers are the tongue, floor of the mouth, gums, lip, tonsil, or lower pharynx. The most common risk factors for getting cancer of the oral cavity are tobacco use (both cigarette smoking and smokeless/chewing tobacco) and drinking alcoholic beverages in excess.

How Are We Doing?

Between 1990 and 2018, the age-adjusted oral cavity and pharynx cancer rate in males averaged 15.9 cases per 100,000 population. In females, the age-adjusted oral cavity and pharynx cancer rate averaged 6.3 cases per 100,000 population. The lifetime risk of developing oral cavity and pharynx cancer is 1 in 60 for men and 1 in 141 for women.

What Is Being Done?

A Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan was developed by the Task Force on Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment in New Jersey which aims to reduce the incidence, illness and death due to cancer among New Jersey residents. [https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/ncccp/ccc_plans.htm]

Available Services

The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) has many programs and partnerships related to cancer data and information, cancer resources and cancer prevention. Cancer Epidemiology Services: [https://nj.gov/health/ces/] Interactive New Jersey cancer incidence and mortality data, as well as numerous publications, are available through the NJDOH website for cancer statistics and mapping. [https://www.nj.gov/health/ces/cancer-researchers/cancer-data/index.shtml] Office of Cancer Control and Prevention: [https://www.nj.gov/health/ces/public/resources/occp.shtml] NJ Cancer Education and Early Detection (NJCEED): [https://www.nj.gov/health/ces/public/resources/njceed.shtml] NJ Commission on Cancer Research: [https://www.nj.gov/health/ces/cancer-researchers/njccr.shtml]

Health Care System Factors

Since November 2018, the [https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Document/UpdateSummaryFinal/unhealthy-alcohol-use-in-adolescents-and-adults-screening-and-behavioral-counseling-interventions United States Preventive Services Task Force] has recommended screening for unhealthy alcohol use in primary care settings in adults 18 years or older and providing persons engaged in risky or hazardous drinking with brief behavioral counseling interventions to reduce unhealthy alcohol use. [Last reviewed: 1/21/20]

Risk Factors

While most cancers of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx are attributable to the use of '''tobacco products''', [https://www-doh.state.nj.us/doh-shad/query/builder/njbrfs/AlcoholChrnHvy/AlcoholChrnHvyCrude11_.html heavy alcohol use] is also a risk factor for the development of head and neck cancers and its effects are independent of those of tobacco use. According to the [https://www.cancer.gov/types/head-and-neck/hp/oral-prevention-pdq#_122_toc National Cancer Institute (NCI)], the risk for current cigarette smokers is about tenfold that of never-smokers while the risk for people who drink five or more alcoholic beverages per day is approximately fivefold compared with nondrinkers, and the risk is dose related in both cases. Moreover, when '''both risk factors''' are present, the risk of cancer is about two to three times greater for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers than the simple multiplicative effect, with risks for persons who both smoke and drink heavily approximately 35-fold that of persons who both never smoke and never drink. Other significant risk factors identified by the NCI include '''oral infection with HPV 16''', which confers about a 15-fold increase in risk of oropharyngeal cancer relative to individuals without oral HPV 16 infection. [Last reviewed: 1/27/20]

Health Status Outcomes

Using data from SEER 18 (2009-2015), the [https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/oralcav.html National Cancer Institute] found the five-year relative survival for people diagnosed with oral and pharyngeal cancer to be approximately 65% overall. [Last reviewed: 1/27/20]

Data Notes

Incidence rates (cases per 100,000 population per year) are age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population (19 age groups: <1, 1-4, 5-9, ..., 80-84, 85+). Rates are for invasive cancer only (except for bladder cancer which is invasive and in situ) or unless otherwise specified.

Data Notes

Incidence rates (cases per 100,000 population per year) are age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population (19 age groups: <1, 1-4, 5-9, ..., 80-84, 85+). Rates are for invasive cancer only (except for bladder cancer which is invasive and in situ) or unless otherwise specified. Number of cases (numerator) is the total count of cases in five years.

Data Notes

Incidence rates (cases per 100,000 population per year) are age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population (19 age groups: <1, 1-4, 5-9, ..., 80-84, 85+). Rates are for invasive cancer only (except for bladder cancer which is invasive and in situ) or unless otherwise specified. Number of cases (numerator) is the total count of cases in five years.

References and Community Resources

More information on oral cavity cancer is available from the NJ State Cancer Registry, [https://nj.gov/health/ces/documents/briefs/oral_pharyn_cancer.pdf].