Global trend and risk factors of the disease burden for pharynx and larynx cancers between 1990 and 2019: A systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Abstract Background: Pharynx and larynx cancers (PLCs) are the most frequent cancers in head and neck and significantly affect the quality of life of patients. A detailed study examining the mortality rate and etiology of PLCs is lacking.Methods: Data on mortality and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was calculated to explain the dynamic change in age-standardized mortality and DALY rates at multiple levels. Results: Between 1990 and 2019, the total number of deaths due to PLCs increased by 60.7%, from 192.38 thousand in 1990 to 309.16 thousand in 2019, and the total DALYs due to PLCs increased by 49.41%, from 5.91 million in 1990 to 8.83 million in 2019. The age-standardized mortality rate declined for larynx cancer and nasopharynx cancer but increased slightly for other pharynx cancer. The global burden of PLCs was significantly higher in men aged 50 to 70 years. Countries with relatively low sociodemographic index (SDI) had the greatest disease burden. The leading risk factors for mortality due to PLCs were smoking and alcohol use in different SDI regions, and the influence of risk factors was significant in men.Conclusion: Countries with relatively low SDI and middle-aged and older men had the greatest burden of PLCs. Building better health care systems in relatively low SDI countries and improving strategies of alcohol control should be a priority in health policy.