Results from the Swedish Head and Neck Cancer Register for Oral Cancer

Abstract

Objective: The Swedish Head and Neck Cancer Register (SweHNCR) started in 2008. The purpose was to register all new patients with head and neck cancer and collect data about tumor stage, planned and received treatment, relapse and survival. Data for oral cancer from the first 3 years will be presented.

Method: The SweHNCR is covering more than 95% of all HN cancers in Sweden. Between 2008 and 2010, 3701 new cases were registered including 1029 of oral cancers (28%). The most common location was tongue (42%), followed by gingival (21%), buccal mucosa (19%), floor of the mouth (14%), and hard palate (3%). Less than 10% were treated with palliative intent.

Results: Sixty percent of all gingival cancers were diagnosed as T4 while 70% of the tongue cancers were diagnosed as T1-T2. A total of 25% had lymphnode metastasis, range 27% (tongue) to 12% (hard palate). Surgery was the most common treatment (38%), followed by combinations of surgery and radiotherapy (36%), 19% were treated with radiotherapy alone or combined with chemotherapy, and 7% did not receive any treatment. The 2-year survival was 69% (hard palate 83%, buccal mucosa 74%, gingival 70%, tongue 69%, and floor of the mouth 63%). Data regarding treatment and stage of the disease will be further analyzed together with survival data.

Conclusion: Oral cancer is the most common HN cancer location in Sweden. Almost all patients are given curative treatment (90%) consisting of surgery alone or in combination with radiotherapy (70%). The 2-year survival rate varied between 63% to 83%. Different treatment policies and survival rate was found within the country.