Head and Neck Cancer in Southeast Asia: 2022 Incidence, Mortality, and Projections to 2050

Jenny Chen; Aryan Selokar; Frances Dominique V Ho; Luisa E Jacomina; Erin Jay G Feliciano; Julianna Marie Angeline de Luna Uy; James Fan Wu; Urvish Jain; Bhav Jain; Rod Carlo Columbres; Teeradon Treechairusame; Jonas Willmann; Frederic Ivan L Ting; Puneeth Iyengar; Fabio Ynoe Moraes; Bishal Gyawali; Enrico D Tangco; Jerickson Abbie Flores; Melvin L K Chua; Cherry Estilo; Michael Benedict A Mejia; Nancy Y Lee; Edward Christopher Dee

doi:10.1002/lary.32450

Head and Neck Cancer in Southeast Asia: 2022 Incidence, Mortality, and Projections to 2050

Jenny Chen
, Aryan Selokar
, Frances Dominique V Ho
, Luisa E Jacomina
, Erin Jay G Feliciano
, Julianna Marie Angeline de Luna Uy
, James Fan Wu
, Urvish Jain
, Bhav Jain
, Rod Carlo Columbres
, Teeradon Treechairusame
, Jonas Willmann
, Frederic Ivan L Ting
, Puneeth Iyengar
, Fabio Ynoe Moraes
, Bishal Gyawali
, Enrico D Tangco
, Jerickson Abbie Flores
, Melvin L K Chua
, Cherry Estilo

Michael Benedict A Mejia, Nancy Y Lee, Edward Christopher Dee

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York
University of California San Diego
University of the Philippines
University of Santo Tomas Hospital
Ateneo de Manila University
Medical College of Wisconsin
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Stanford University School of Medicine
National Cancer Institute
Division of Radiation Oncology
Department of Radiation Oncology
Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital
University of São Paulo Medical School
Queen's University
Dr Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center
Duke-NUS Medical School
University of Zürich

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the incidence, mortality, and disparities in head and neck cancer (HNC) across Southeast Asia (SEA) in 2022 and project trends to 2050 to inform cancer planning.

METHODS: We conducted a population-based analysis using 2022 Global Cancer Observatory data from 11 SEA countries. We analyzed cancers of the lip and oral cavity, salivary glands, oropharynx, nasopharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, and thyroid. Age-standardized incidence and mortality rates (ASIR and ASMR) were calculated using the Segi-Doll world standard. Projections to 2050 were based on demographic changes using UN World Population Prospects data, assuming stable incidence and mortality rates.

RESULTS: Myanmar had the highest oral cancer rates (ASIR: 6.6 males, 2.6 females; ASMR: 3.9 males, 1.6 females). Elevated salivary gland cancer incidence was observed in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore. Oropharyngeal cancers showed strong male predominance in Myanmar (ASIR ratio: 10:1). Nasopharyngeal cancer incidence in Brunei and Indonesia exceeded global averages (ASIR: 9.8 and 9.6 males). Projections to 2050 estimate 47,000 new male cases and 28,200 new female cases in Indonesia, with 30,600 male deaths and 12,200 female deaths. While SEA's overall ASIR for HNC (18.0) was comparable to the global average (18.9), the ASMR was significantly higher (9.5 vs. 5.3).

CONCLUSIONS: The rising burden of HNC in SEA highlights urgent disparities in incidence and mortality. Targeted prevention, early detection, and investment in cancer care systems are essential to mitigate future disease burden and improve outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-Epidemiologic study using population-based registry data.

Original language	English
Journal	Laryngoscope
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.32450
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 23 Jul 2025

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

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10.1002/lary.32450

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Chen, J., Selokar, A., Ho, F. D. V., Jacomina, L. E., Feliciano, E. J. G., Uy, J. M. A. D. L., Wu, J. F., Jain, U., Jain, B., Columbres, R. C., Treechairusame, T., Willmann, J., Ting, F. I. L., Iyengar, P., Moraes, F. Y., Gyawali, B., Tangco, E. D., Flores, J. A., Chua, M. L. K., ... Dee, E. C. (2025). Head and Neck Cancer in Southeast Asia: 2022 Incidence, Mortality, and Projections to 2050. Laryngoscope. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.32450

@article{a8486c9d68074dd2aedd00249b3c7186,

title = "Head and Neck Cancer in Southeast Asia: 2022 Incidence, Mortality, and Projections to 2050",

abstract = "OBJECTIVES: To characterize the incidence, mortality, and disparities in head and neck cancer (HNC) across Southeast Asia (SEA) in 2022 and project trends to 2050 to inform cancer planning.METHODS: We conducted a population-based analysis using 2022 Global Cancer Observatory data from 11 SEA countries. We analyzed cancers of the lip and oral cavity, salivary glands, oropharynx, nasopharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, and thyroid. Age-standardized incidence and mortality rates (ASIR and ASMR) were calculated using the Segi-Doll world standard. Projections to 2050 were based on demographic changes using UN World Population Prospects data, assuming stable incidence and mortality rates.RESULTS: Myanmar had the highest oral cancer rates (ASIR: 6.6 males, 2.6 females; ASMR: 3.9 males, 1.6 females). Elevated salivary gland cancer incidence was observed in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore. Oropharyngeal cancers showed strong male predominance in Myanmar (ASIR ratio: 10:1). Nasopharyngeal cancer incidence in Brunei and Indonesia exceeded global averages (ASIR: 9.8 and 9.6 males). Projections to 2050 estimate 47,000 new male cases and 28,200 new female cases in Indonesia, with 30,600 male deaths and 12,200 female deaths. While SEA's overall ASIR for HNC (18.0) was comparable to the global average (18.9), the ASMR was significantly higher (9.5 vs. 5.3).CONCLUSIONS: The rising burden of HNC in SEA highlights urgent disparities in incidence and mortality. Targeted prevention, early detection, and investment in cancer care systems are essential to mitigate future disease burden and improve outcomes.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-Epidemiologic study using population-based registry data.",

author = "Jenny Chen and Aryan Selokar and Ho, \{Frances Dominique V\} and Jacomina, \{Luisa E\} and Feliciano, \{Erin Jay G\} and Uy, \{Julianna Marie Angeline de Luna\} and Wu, \{James Fan\} and Urvish Jain and Bhav Jain and Columbres, \{Rod Carlo\} and Teeradon Treechairusame and Jonas Willmann and Ting, \{Frederic Ivan L\} and Puneeth Iyengar and Moraes, \{Fabio Ynoe\} and Bishal Gyawali and Tangco, \{Enrico D\} and Flores, \{Jerickson Abbie\} and Chua, \{Melvin L K\} and Cherry Estilo and Mejia, \{Michael Benedict A\} and Lee, \{Nancy Y\} and Dee, \{Edward Christopher\}",

note = "{\textcopyright} 2025 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.",

year = "2025",

month = jul,

day = "23",

doi = "10.1002/lary.32450",

language = "English",

journal = "Laryngoscope",

issn = "0023-852X",

publisher = "Wiley-Blackwell",

}

Chen, J, Selokar, A, Ho, FDV, Jacomina, LE, Feliciano, EJG, Uy, JMADL, Wu, JF, Jain, U, Jain, B, Columbres, RC, Treechairusame, T, Willmann, J, Ting, FIL, Iyengar, P, Moraes, FY, Gyawali, B, Tangco, ED, Flores, JA, Chua, MLK, Estilo, C, Mejia, MBA, Lee, NY & Dee, EC 2025, 'Head and Neck Cancer in Southeast Asia: 2022 Incidence, Mortality, and Projections to 2050', Laryngoscope. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.32450

TY - JOUR

T1 - Head and Neck Cancer in Southeast Asia

T2 - 2022 Incidence, Mortality, and Projections to 2050

AU - Chen, Jenny

AU - Selokar, Aryan

AU - Ho, Frances Dominique V

AU - Jacomina, Luisa E

AU - Feliciano, Erin Jay G

AU - Uy, Julianna Marie Angeline de Luna

AU - Wu, James Fan

AU - Jain, Urvish

AU - Jain, Bhav

AU - Columbres, Rod Carlo

AU - Treechairusame, Teeradon

AU - Willmann, Jonas

AU - Ting, Frederic Ivan L

AU - Iyengar, Puneeth

AU - Moraes, Fabio Ynoe

AU - Gyawali, Bishal

AU - Tangco, Enrico D

AU - Flores, Jerickson Abbie

AU - Chua, Melvin L K

AU - Estilo, Cherry

AU - Mejia, Michael Benedict A

AU - Lee, Nancy Y

AU - Dee, Edward Christopher

PY - 2025/7/23

Y1 - 2025/7/23

N2 - OBJECTIVES: To characterize the incidence, mortality, and disparities in head and neck cancer (HNC) across Southeast Asia (SEA) in 2022 and project trends to 2050 to inform cancer planning.METHODS: We conducted a population-based analysis using 2022 Global Cancer Observatory data from 11 SEA countries. We analyzed cancers of the lip and oral cavity, salivary glands, oropharynx, nasopharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, and thyroid. Age-standardized incidence and mortality rates (ASIR and ASMR) were calculated using the Segi-Doll world standard. Projections to 2050 were based on demographic changes using UN World Population Prospects data, assuming stable incidence and mortality rates.RESULTS: Myanmar had the highest oral cancer rates (ASIR: 6.6 males, 2.6 females; ASMR: 3.9 males, 1.6 females). Elevated salivary gland cancer incidence was observed in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore. Oropharyngeal cancers showed strong male predominance in Myanmar (ASIR ratio: 10:1). Nasopharyngeal cancer incidence in Brunei and Indonesia exceeded global averages (ASIR: 9.8 and 9.6 males). Projections to 2050 estimate 47,000 new male cases and 28,200 new female cases in Indonesia, with 30,600 male deaths and 12,200 female deaths. While SEA's overall ASIR for HNC (18.0) was comparable to the global average (18.9), the ASMR was significantly higher (9.5 vs. 5.3).CONCLUSIONS: The rising burden of HNC in SEA highlights urgent disparities in incidence and mortality. Targeted prevention, early detection, and investment in cancer care systems are essential to mitigate future disease burden and improve outcomes.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-Epidemiologic study using population-based registry data.

AB - OBJECTIVES: To characterize the incidence, mortality, and disparities in head and neck cancer (HNC) across Southeast Asia (SEA) in 2022 and project trends to 2050 to inform cancer planning.METHODS: We conducted a population-based analysis using 2022 Global Cancer Observatory data from 11 SEA countries. We analyzed cancers of the lip and oral cavity, salivary glands, oropharynx, nasopharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, and thyroid. Age-standardized incidence and mortality rates (ASIR and ASMR) were calculated using the Segi-Doll world standard. Projections to 2050 were based on demographic changes using UN World Population Prospects data, assuming stable incidence and mortality rates.RESULTS: Myanmar had the highest oral cancer rates (ASIR: 6.6 males, 2.6 females; ASMR: 3.9 males, 1.6 females). Elevated salivary gland cancer incidence was observed in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore. Oropharyngeal cancers showed strong male predominance in Myanmar (ASIR ratio: 10:1). Nasopharyngeal cancer incidence in Brunei and Indonesia exceeded global averages (ASIR: 9.8 and 9.6 males). Projections to 2050 estimate 47,000 new male cases and 28,200 new female cases in Indonesia, with 30,600 male deaths and 12,200 female deaths. While SEA's overall ASIR for HNC (18.0) was comparable to the global average (18.9), the ASMR was significantly higher (9.5 vs. 5.3).CONCLUSIONS: The rising burden of HNC in SEA highlights urgent disparities in incidence and mortality. Targeted prevention, early detection, and investment in cancer care systems are essential to mitigate future disease burden and improve outcomes.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-Epidemiologic study using population-based registry data.

U2 - 10.1002/lary.32450

DO - 10.1002/lary.32450

M3 - Article

C2 - 40698853

SN - 0023-852X

JO - Laryngoscope

JF - Laryngoscope

ER -

Head and Neck Cancer in Southeast Asia: 2022 Incidence, Mortality, and Projections to 2050

Abstract

UN SDGs

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