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 2017, there were 4,489 new cases of head and neck cancer (including lip) diagnosed in Australia (3,355 males and 1,134 females). In 2021, it is estimated that 5,104 new cases of head and neck cancer (including lip) will be diagnosed in Australia (3,755 males and 1,349 females). In 2021, 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 2.6% for males and 1 in 114 or 0.87% for females).

Figure 1. Estimated most common cancers diagnosed, 2021

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 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 2017, the age-standardised incidence rate was 16 cases per 100,000 persons (25 for males and 7.7 for females). In 2021, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will increase to 17 cases per 100,000 persons (26 for males and 8.4 for females). The incidence rate for head and neck cancer (including lip) is expected to increase with age, peaking at age group 80–84 years.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for head and neck cancer (including lip), 1982 to 2017, by sex

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
• More information about incidence rates for head and neck cancer (including 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 (including lip) diagnosed increased from 2,473 (1,942 males and 531 females) in 1982 to 4,489 in 2017. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate decreased from 19 cases per 100,000 persons (32 for males and 7.9 for females) in 1982 to 16 cases per 100,000 in 2017.

Deaths

In 2019, there were 1,215 deaths from head and neck cancer (including lip) in Australia (905 males and 310 females). In 2021, it is estimated that there will be 1,201 deaths (888 males and 313 females). In 2021, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 253 (or a 0.39%) risk of dying with head and neck cancer (including lip) by the age of 85 (1 in 166 or 0.60% for males and 1 in 542 or 0.18% for females).

Figure 3. Estimated most common causes of cancer death, 2021

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 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 2019, the age-standardised mortality rate was 3.9 deaths per 100,000 persons (6.3 for males and 1.8 for females). In 2021, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 3.7 deaths per 100,000 persons (5.9 for males and 1.8 for females). The mortality rate for head and neck cancer (including lip) is expected to increase with age.

Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for head and neck cancer (including lip), 1982 to 2019, by sex

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
• More information about mortality rates for head and neck cancer (including 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 (including lip) increased from 752 (570 males and 182 females) in 1982 to 1,215 in 2019. 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 3.9 deaths per 100,000 in 2019. 

Survival

In 2013–2017, individuals diagnosed with head and neck cancer (including lip) had a 72 % chance (71% for males and 75% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1988–1992 and 2013–2017, five-year relative survival for head and neck cancer (including lip) improved from 63% to 72%.

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for head and neck cancer (including lip), 1988–1992 to 2013–2017, by sex

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
• More information about 5-year relative survival rates for head and neck cancer (including 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 2016, there were 4,241 people living who had been diagnosed with head and neck cancer (including lip) that year, 17,220 people living who had been diagnosed with head and neck cancer (including lip) in the previous 5 years (from 2012 to 2016) and 47,240 people living who had been diagnosed with head and neck cancer (including lip) in the previous 35 years (from 1982 to 2016).

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.