Trends in incidence, mortality, and prevalence of malignant tumors of the head and neck, laryngeal cancer, and thyroid cancer in the Czech Republic between 1977 and 2023

Czech version

Authors: Jan Mejzlík ^1,2; P. Čelakovský ^1,2; P. Kordač ¹; M. Vošmik ^2,3; M. Hodek ^2,3; L. Hruška ^2,3; K. Zapomělová ⁴; H. Kučerová ⁴; M. Cvanová ^4,5; J. Mužík ^4,5; K. Hejduk ^4,5; Viktor Chrobok ^1,2
Authors‘ workplace: Klinika otorinolaryngologie a chirurgie hlavy a krku, Fakultní nemocnice Hradec Králové ¹; Univerzita Karlova, Lékařská fakulta v Hradci Králové ²; Klinika onkologie a radioterapie, Fakultní nemocnice Hradec Králové ³; Ústav zdravotnických informací a statistiky České republiky, Praha ⁴; Institut bio statistiky a analýz, Lékařská fakulta Masarykovy univerzity, Brno ⁵
Published in: Otorinolaryngol Foniatr, 74, 2025, No. 4, pp. 292-301.
Category: Original Article
doi: https://doi.org/10.48095/ccorl2025292

Overview

Introduction: The Czech National Cancer Registry provides important epidemiological data on malignant tumours of the head and neck. The aim of the analysis is to evaluate the development of incidence, mortality, and prevalence of head and neck, larynx, and thyroid cancers in 1977–2023. The increasing number of patients with these diagnoses suggests possible changes in risk factors, including the impact of papillomavirus infection. Objectives: The main objective of the study is to analyse long-term trends in head and neck cancer in the Czech Republic, including changes in five-year survival of patients and the impact of treatment in comprehensive cancer centres. The study also focuses on the importance of correct reporting of diagnoses according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and Tumour, Node, Metastases (TNM) classification, which are crucial for accurate statistical evaluation of health data. Methods: The analysis is based on data from the Institute of Health Information and Statistics of the Czech Republic and the National Cancer Registry of the Czech Republic in 1977–2023. Diagnoses of malignant neoplasms of the upper respiratory tract, swallowing tract, and thyroid carcinoma were evaluated. Epidemiological parameters included incidence, mortality, and prevalence of these diagnoses. To assess the effectiveness of treatment, the results of five-year survival in patients treated in comprehensive cancer centres were compared with those treated outside these centres. Results: The incidence of pharyngeal cancer (C01, C09–C10) increased from 211 cases in 1989 to 856 cases in 2023. The study shows a significant increase in the incidence of thyroid cancer, with the number of patients increasing from 301 in 1989 to 1,244 in 2023. The five-year survival rate for patients with thyroid cancer was around 93%, while for laryngeal cancer it was around 49%. A significantly higher five-year survival was recorded in patients treated in comprehensive cancer centres. Conclusion: The results confirm an increasing incidence of head and neck cancer. The improvement in five-year survival indicates the positive impact of modern treatment strategies and specialized care. For further optimization of cancer care, consistent reporting of diagnoses according to ICD and TNM is crucial, which will enable accurate statistical evaluation.

Keywords:

head and neck cancer – thyroid carcinoma – National Cancer Registry – laryngeal carcinoma – complex oncological centre

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Prohlášení o střetu zájmu

Autor práce prohlašuje, že v souvislosti s tématem, vznikem a publikací tohoto článku není ve střetu zájmu a vznik ani publikace článku nebyly podpořeny žádnou farmaceutickou firmou. Toto prohlášení se týká i všech spoluautorů.

Grantová podpora

Tento výstup vznikl v rámci programu Cooperatio, vědní oblasti SURG.

Přijato k recenzi: 13. 6. 2025

Přijato k tisku: 12. 9. 2025

doc. MUDr. Jan Mejzlík, Ph.D.

Klinika otorinolaryngologie a chirurgie hlavy a krku

LF UK a FN Hradec Králové

Sokolská 581

500 05 Hradec Králové

jan.mejzlik@fnhk.cz