The incidence and trends of laryngeal malignancies in Sri Lanka from 2001 to 2019: a Joinpoint analysis of the national cancer database

Umesh Jayarajah; Ravindri Jayasinghe; Ashan Fernando; Sanjeewa Seneviratne

doi:10.1186/s43046-023-00163-6

The incidence and trends of laryngeal malignancies in Sri Lanka from 2001 to 2019: a Joinpoint analysis of the national cancer database

J Egypt Natl Canc Inst. 2023 Feb 21;35(1):3. doi: 10.1186/s43046-023-00163-6.

Authors

Umesh Jayarajah¹, Ravindri Jayasinghe², Ashan Fernando², Sanjeewa Seneviratne²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Kynsey Road, , P.O. Box 271, Colombo 8, Western Province, Sri Lanka. umeshe.jaya@gmail.com.
² Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Kynsey Road, , P.O. Box 271, Colombo 8, Western Province, Sri Lanka.

PMID: 36809602
DOI: 10.1186/s43046-023-00163-6

Abstract

Introduction: Laryngeal cancer is the ninth commonest cancer among Asian males. Global and regional epidemiological analyses have shown varying patterns in the incidence and risk factors for laryngeal cancer. Therefore, we aimed to analyse the trends in the incidence and histological patterns of laryngeal cancers for the first time in Sri Lanka.

Methods: We used the population-based Sri Lanka cancer registry data and pooled all newly diagnosed patients with laryngeal malignancies from 2001 to 2019 (a 19-year study period). The WHO age-standardised incidence rates (ASR) were calculated using the WHO standard pollution. We used the Joinpoint regression software to calculate the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) and analysed the trends in the incidence by different age categories and sex.

Results: From 2001 to 2019, 9808 new cases of laryngeal cancers (males = 8927, 91%, mean age = 62 years) were registered. The incidence of laryngeal cancers was greatest in the 70-74-year followed by 65-69-year age groups. Around 7.9% were reported as carcinoma not otherwise specified (NOS). Squamous cell carcinoma (90.1%) was the commonest documented histology type. A rise in the WHO-ASR was noted from 1.91 per 100,000 in 2001 [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.69-2.12] to 3.59 per 100,000 in 2017 [(95% CI: 3.34-3.84); EAPC: 4.4 (95% CI: 3.7-5.2), p < 0.05 for trend] followed by a decrease in the incidence [2.97 per 100,000 in 2019 (95% CI: 2.74-3.2), EAPC: - 7.2 (95% CI: - 21.1-9.1, p > 0.05)]. From 2001 to 2017, the proportional increase in incidence was greater in males than females [EAPC: 4.9 (95% CI: 4.1-5.7 vs. 3.7 (95% CI: 1.7-5.6)].

Conclusions: We identified an increasing incidence of laryngeal cancer in Sri Lanka from 2001 to 2017 followed by a slight decrease. Further studies are essential to identify the aetiological factors. Development of laryngeal cancer prevention and screening programmes for high-risk populations may be considered.

Keywords: Age-standardised rate; Incidence; Laryngeal cancer; National cancer registry; Sri Lanka.

MeSH terms

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell*
Female
Humans
Incidence
Laryngeal Neoplasms*
Male
Middle Aged
Registries
Risk Factors
Sri Lanka / epidemiology