Head and neck cancer in Australia statistics
The following material has been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Head and neck cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer codes C00–C14 (Malignant neoplasm of lip, oral cavity and pharynx) and C30–32 (Malignant neoplasms of respiratory and intrathoracic organs).
Estimated number of new cases of head and neck cancer diagnosed in 2020
5,168= 
3,721 males + 
1,448 females
Estimated % of all new cancer cases diagnosed in 2020
3.6%
Estimated number of deaths from head and neck cancer (with lip) in 2020
1,151 = 848 males + 
303 females
Estimated % of all deaths from cancer in 2020
2.4%
Chance of surviving at least 5 years (2012–2016)
71%
People living with head and neck cancer (with lip) at the end of 2015 (diagnosed in the 5 year period 2011 to 2015)
16,891
New cases
In 2016, head and neck cancers (with lip) when grouped were the 7th most commonly diagnosed cancers in Australia in 2016. It is estimated that they will remain the 7th most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2020.
In 2016, there were 4,565 new cases of head and neck cancer (with lip) diagnosed in Australia (3,363 males and 1,202 females). In 2020, it is estimated that 5,168 new cases of head and neck cancer (with lip) will be diagnosed in Australia (3,721 males and 1,448 females).
Figure 1. Estimated most common cancers diagnosed, 2020
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about incidence rates for the most common cancers diagnosed can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)
In 2016, the age-standardised incidence rate was 17 cases per 100,000 persons (26 for males and 8.4 for females). In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will remain at 17 cases per 100,000 persons (26 for males and 9.3 for females). The incidence rate for head and neck cancer (with lip) is expected to increase with age.
Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for head and neck cancer (with lip), 1982 to 2016, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about incidence rates for head and neck cancer (with lip) over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)
The number of new cases of head and neck cancer (with lip) diagnosed increased from 2,477 (1,946 males and 531 females) in 1982 to 4,565 in 2016. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate decreased slightly from 19 cases per 100,000 persons (32 for males and 7.9 for females) in 1982 to 17 cases per 100,000 in 2016.
Deaths
In 2018, there were 1,115 deaths from head and neck cancer (with lip) in Australia (823 males and 292 females). In 2020, it is estimated that there will be 1,151 deaths (848 males and 303 females).
Figure 3. Estimated most common causes of cancer death, 2020
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about mortality rates for the most common causes of cancer death can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality)
In 2018, the age-standardised mortality rate was 3.7 deaths per 100,000 persons (5.9 for males and 1.8 for females). In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 3.6 deaths per 100,000 persons (5.7 for males and 1.7 for females). The mortality rate for head and neck cancer (with lip) is expected to increase with age.
Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for head and neck cancer (with lip), 1982 to 2018, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about mortality rates for head and neck cancer (with lip) over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality)
The number of deaths from head and neck cancer (with lip) increased from 752 (570 males and 182 females) in 1982 to 1,115 in 2018. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 6.1 deaths per 100,000 persons (10 for males and 2.8 for females) in 1982 to 3.7 deaths per 100,000 in 2018.
Survival
In 2012–2016, individuals diagnosed with head and neck cancer (with lip) had a 71 % chance (70% for males and 74% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1987–1991 and 2012–2016, five-year relative survival for head and neck cancer (with lip) improved from 62% to 71%.
Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for head and neck cancer (with lip), 1987–1991 to 2012–2016, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about 5-year relative survival rates for head and neck cancer (with lip) over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Relative survival rate’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/relative-survival-rate/5-year-relative-survival)
Prevalence
At the end of 2015, there were 4,355 people living who had been diagnosed with head and neck cancer (with lip) that year, 16,891 people living who had been diagnosed with head and neck cancer (with lip) in the previous 5 years (from 2011 to 2015) and 45,919 people living who had been diagnosed with head and neck cancer (with lip) in the previous 34 years (from 1982 to 2015).
For more information, see Head and neck cancer on the NCCI website
The National Cancer Control Indicators (NCCI) are a set of indicators across the continuum of cancer care, from Prevention and Screening through to Diagnosis, Treatment, Psychosocial care, Research and Outcomes. The NCCI website allows users to see visual representations of data on each indicator through interactive charts.
