The incidence of oropharyngeal cancer is not well documented as it is rarely described according to the anatomic definition but usually grouped with oral cavity subsites. The aim of this study was to calculate oropharyngeal cancer incidence and compare it to oral cavity cancer incidence. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASR) of oropharyngeal cancer were calculated for the period between 1998 and 2002, based on data from Cancer Incidence in 5 Continents, Volume IX (CI5-IX). These ASRs were compared with previously published oral cavity cancer data. Among males, the highest ASRs were observed in France, Slovakia, Slovenia and Brazil. The highest oral cavity/oropharyngeal cancer rate ratio was observed in Pakistan, among males (6.2) and females (13.5). The results provide an overview of oropharyngeal cancer incidence and constitute a basis for the development of primary and secondary prevention, according to geographical variations and topography.
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