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 2018, there were 4,884 new cases of head and neck cancer (including lip) diagnosed in Australia (3,591 males and 1,292 females). In 2022, it is estimated that 5,189 new cases of head and neck cancer (including lip) will be diagnosed in Australia (3,822 males and 1,367 females). In 2022, 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 112 or 0.89% for females).

Figure 1. Estimated cancer incidence in Australia, 2022

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 2018, the age-standardised incidence rate was 17 cases per 100,000 persons (26 for males and 8.6 for females). In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will remain at 17 cases per 100,000 persons (25 for males and 8.3 for females). The incidence rate for head and neck cancer (including lip) is expected to increase with age, highest for those aged 80–84 years.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for head and neck cancer (including lip), 1982 to 2018, by sex

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 2,472 (1,941 males and 531 females) in 1982 to 4,884 in 2018. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate remained similar from 19 cases per 100,000 persons (32 for males and 7.9 for females) in 1982 to 17 cases per 100,000 in 2018.

Deaths

In 2020, there were 1,177 deaths from head and neck cancer (including lip) in Australia (873 males and 304 females). In 2022, it is estimated that there will be 1,247 deaths (922 males and 325 females). In 2022, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 252 (or 0.40%) risk of dying from head and neck cancer (including lip) by the age of 85 (1 in 165 or 0.61% for males and 1 in 533 or 0.19% for females).

Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia, 2022

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 2020, the age-standardised mortality rate was 3.6 deaths per 100,000 persons (5.8 for males and 1.7 for females). In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 3.7 deaths per 100,000 persons (5.8 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 2020, by sex

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 1,177 in 2020. 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 3.6 deaths per 100,000 in 2020. 

Survival

In 2014–2018, individuals diagnosed with head and neck cancer (including lip) had a 72% chance (71% for males and 74% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1989–1993 and 2014–2018, five-year relative survival for head and neck cancer (including lip) improved from 64% to 72%. 

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for head and neck cancer (including lip), 1989–1993 to 2014–2018, by sex

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 2017, there were 4,083 people living who had been diagnosed with head and neck cancer (including lip) that year, 17,374 people living who had been diagnosed with head and neck cancer (including lip) in the previous 5 years (from 2013 to 2017) and 48,577 people living who had been diagnosed with head and neck cancer (including lip) in the previous 36 years (from 1982 to 2017).

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.