Conclusion
Overall, this study demonstrates an increased proportion of older HNC patients that is consistent with the aging population. Oral cavity is the only cancer to demonstrate a true increase in the proportion of young patients, likely from the increased incidence of young women diagnosed with this cancer. Case reports citing more young patients becoming diagnosed with other types of HNC are not currently supported by the data.Lastly, the increased proportion of middle-age patients with oropharyngeal cancer likely reflects the increase in HPV-related cancers.
Keywords: head and neck cancer, proportional changes, age at diagnosis, age distribution
Level of Evidence: 3 Retrospective Cohort Study