The following material has been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Head and neck cancer (including lip) 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).
New cases
In 2021, there were 5,097 new cases of head and neck cancer (including lip) diagnosed in Australia (3,663 males and 1,432 females). In 2025, it is estimated that 5,577 new cases of head and neck cancer (including lip) will be diagnosed in Australia (4,030 males and 1,547 females). In 2025, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 59 (or 1.7%) risk of being diagnosed with head and neck cancer (including lip) by the age of 85 (1 in 40 or 2.5% for males and 1 in 112 or 0.90% for females).
Graph: statistics-head-and-neck-cancer-figure-1-estiamted-cancer-incidence-persons-2025.csv
In 2021, the age-standardised incidence rate was 20 cases per 100,000 persons (30 for males and 11 for females). In 2025, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will remain at 20 cases per 100,000 persons (31 for males and 11 for females). The incidence rate for head and neck cancer (including lip) is expected to increase with age, up to 80–84 years.
Graph: statistics-head-and-neck-cancer-figure-2-age-standardised-incidence-rates-2025
The number of new cases of head and neck cancer (including lip) diagnosed increased from 2,474 (1,942 males and 532 females) in 1982 to 5,097 in 2021. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate decreased from 23 cases per 100,000 persons (39 for males and 9.7 for females) in 1982 to 20 cases per 100,000 persons in 2021.
Deaths
In 2023, there were 1,372 deaths from head and neck cancer (including lip) in Australia (968 males and 404 females). In 2025, it is estimated that there will be 1,377 deaths (988 males and 389 females). In 2025, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 248 (or 0.40%) risk of dying from head and neck cancer (including lip) by the age of 85 (1 in 167 or 0.60% for males and 1 in 484 or 0.21% for females).
Graph: statistics-head-and-neck-cancer-figure-3-estimated-cancer-mortality-persons-2025
In 2023, the age-standardised mortality rate was 5.2 deaths per 100,000 persons (7.9 for males and 2.8 for females). In 2025, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 5.0 deaths per 100,000 persons (7.7 for males and 2.6 for females). The mortality rate for head and neck cancer (including lip) is expected to increase with age.
Graph: statistics-head-and-neck-cancer-figure-4-age-standardised-mortality-rates-2025
The number of deaths from head and neck cancer (including lip) increased from 752 (570 males and 182 females) in 1982 to 1,372 in 2023. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 7.5 deaths per 100,000 persons (12 for males and 3.5 for females) in 1982 to 5.2 deaths per 100,000 persons in 2023.
Survival
In 2017–2021, individuals diagnosed with a head and neck cancer (including lip) had a 72% chance (72% for males and 74% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1987–1991 and 2017–2021, five-year relative survival for head and neck cancer (including lip) increased from 62% to 72%.
Graph: statistics-head-and-neck-cancer-figure-5-5-year-relative-survival-2025
Prevalence
At the end of 2021, there were 4,624 people living who had been diagnosed with head and neck cancer (including lip) that year, 18,757 people living who had been diagnosed with head and neck cancer (including lip) in the previous 5 years (from 2017 to 2021) and 55,020 people living who had been diagnosed with head and neck cancer (including lip) in the previous 40 years (from 1982 to 2021).
For more information on cancer data, see 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.
