Cancer Australia is currently updating the statistics on this page in alignment with the new Cancer Data in Australia report published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare on 8 October 2025.
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).
New cases
In 2020, there were 5,038 new cases of head and neck cancer (including lip) diagnosed in Australia (3,637 males and 1,399 females). In 2024, it is estimated that 5,531 new cases of head and neck cancer (including lip) will be diagnosed in Australia (4,046 males and 1,485 females). In 2024, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 58 (or 1.7%) risk of being diagnosed with head and neck cancer (including lip) by the age of 85 (1 in 39 or 2.5% for males and 1 in 112 or 0.9% for females).
Graph: statistic-head-and-neck-incidence-counts-2024
In 2020, the age-standardised incidence rate was 20 cases per 100,000 persons (30 for males and 11 for females). In 2024, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will increase to 20 cases per 100,000 persons (31 for males and 8.3 for females). The incidence rate for head and neck cancer (including lip) is expected to increase with age, up to 80–84 years.
Graph: statistic-head-and-neck-age-standardised-incidence-rate-2024
The number of new cases of head and neck cancer (including lip) diagnosed increased from 2,473 (1,941 males and 532 females) in 1982 to 5,038 in 2020. 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 2020.
Deaths
In 2022, there were 1,290 deaths from head and neck cancer (including lip) in Australia (951 males and 339 females). In 2024, it is estimated that there will be 1,318 deaths (958 males and 360 females). In 2024, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 253 (or 0.4%) risk of dying from head and neck cancer (including lip) by the age of 85 (1 in 168 or 0.6% for males and 1 in 512 or 0.2% for females).
Graph: statistic-head-and-neck-mortality-counts-2024
In 2022, the age-standardised mortality rate was 5.0 deaths per 100,000 persons (7.9 for males and 2.4 for females). In 2024, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 4.9 deaths per 100,000 persons (7.6 for males and 2.5 for females). The mortality rate for head and neck cancer (including lip) is expected to increase with age.
Graph: statistic-head-and-neck-age-standardised-mortality-rate-2024
The number of deaths from head and neck cancer (including lip) increased from 752 (570 males and 182 females) in 1982 to 1,290 in 2022. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 7.5 deaths per 100,000 persons (12.3 for males and 3.5 for females) in 1982 to 5.0 deaths per 100,000 persons in 2022.
Survival
In 2016–2020, individuals diagnosed with 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 1991–1995 and 2016–2020, five-year relative survival for head and neck cancer (including lip) improved from 65% to 72%.
Graph: statistic-head-and-neck-5-year-relative-survival-2024
Prevalence
At the end of 2020, there were 4,627 people living who had been diagnosed with head and neck cancer (including lip) that year, 18,450 people living who had been diagnosed with head and neck cancer (including lip) in the previous 5 years (from 2016 to 2020) and 53,542 people living who had been diagnosed with head and neck cancer (including lip) in the previous 39 years (from 1982 to 2020).
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.
Useful links
- Head and neck cancer care pathways
- American Cancer Society, Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer
- American Cancer Society, Nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer
- American Cancer Society, Nasopharyngeal cancer
- American Cancer Society, Oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer
- American Cancer Society, Salivary gland cancer
- National Cancer Institute (US), Head and neck cancers
Last updated 09 June 2025
