Recommended Citation
Vemulapalli N, Ali R, Ehrenpreis E. Epidemiology of Oral Cavity Cancer in Women: Identifying Age Groups at Risk. Presented at Scientific Day; May 20, 2026; Milwaukee, WI.
Abstract
Background/Significance:
Oral cavity cancer has historically been more prevalent in men, largely attributed to tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and human papillomavirus (HPV). Emerging data, however, suggests shifting patterns with a rising disease burden among women. This study aims to identify the age groups of women contributing most to this trend.
Purpose:
To evaluate age-specific incidence trends of oral cavity cancer among women over time.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective, population-based analysis using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program, Registry 17. In our analysis, female patients diagnosed with oral cavity cancer between 2000 and 2022 were included. Cases were stratified by age group, and age-adjusted incidence rates were calculated for each group using SEER*Stat software for two time periods: 2000-2010 and 2010-2022. Trends within each age group were assessed using annual percentage change (APC) estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CI). APCs were considered statistically significant if the CI did not cross zero. Analyses were further stratified by tumor behavior to determine contributors to observed incidence trends.
Results:
Women aged 60 years and older accounted for the observed increase in oral cavity cancer incidence among women from 2000 to 2022. A statistically significant rise was observed in this age group from 2010 to 2022 (APC 0.4%; 95% CI 0.1–0.7; p<0.05). While no increase occurred from 2000–2010 (APC 0.2%; 95% CI −0.4–0.7; p=0.05). In contrast, women younger than 60 years did not demonstrate a statistically significant change over the same period (APC 0.1%; 95% CI −0.2–0.5; p=0.05). When stratified by tumor behavior, the increase among women aged 60 years and older was driven primarily by malignant oral cavity cancers (APC 0.4%; 95% CI 0.1–0.8; p<0.05), while benign and in situ lesions showed no significant temporal trends (APC 0.7%; 95% CI −0.7–2.1).
Conclusion:
Our study shows a growing burden of malignant oral cavity cancer among women aged 60 years and older. Compared with prior SEER analyses suggesting increased incidence in women aged 50–64 years, our study refines this to those aged 60 years and older and highlights invasive malignancies as the primary driver. This pattern suggests potential gaps in early detection and underscores the need for age-targeted screening and prevention strategies. Future studies can further explore associations with risk factors particular to middle-aged women such as HPV vaccination and lifestyle exposure.
Presentation Notes
Presented at Scientific Day; May 20, 2026; Milwaukee, WI.
Full Text of Presentation
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Document Type
Oral/Podium Presentation
Epidemiology of Oral Cavity Cancer in Women: Identifying Age Groups at Risk
Background/Significance:
Oral cavity cancer has historically been more prevalent in men, largely attributed to tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and human papillomavirus (HPV). Emerging data, however, suggests shifting patterns with a rising disease burden among women. This study aims to identify the age groups of women contributing most to this trend.
Purpose:
To evaluate age-specific incidence trends of oral cavity cancer among women over time.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective, population-based analysis using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program, Registry 17. In our analysis, female patients diagnosed with oral cavity cancer between 2000 and 2022 were included. Cases were stratified by age group, and age-adjusted incidence rates were calculated for each group using SEER*Stat software for two time periods: 2000-2010 and 2010-2022. Trends within each age group were assessed using annual percentage change (APC) estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CI). APCs were considered statistically significant if the CI did not cross zero. Analyses were further stratified by tumor behavior to determine contributors to observed incidence trends.
Results:
Women aged 60 years and older accounted for the observed increase in oral cavity cancer incidence among women from 2000 to 2022. A statistically significant rise was observed in this age group from 2010 to 2022 (APC 0.4%; 95% CI 0.1–0.7; p<0.05). While no increase occurred from 2000–2010 (APC 0.2%; 95% CI −0.4–0.7; p=0.05). In contrast, women younger than 60 years did not demonstrate a statistically significant change over the same period (APC 0.1%; 95% CI −0.2–0.5; p=0.05). When stratified by tumor behavior, the increase among women aged 60 years and older was driven primarily by malignant oral cavity cancers (APC 0.4%; 95% CI 0.1–0.8; p<0.05), while benign and in situ lesions showed no significant temporal trends (APC 0.7%; 95% CI −0.7–2.1).
Conclusion:
Our study shows a growing burden of malignant oral cavity cancer among women aged 60 years and older. Compared with prior SEER analyses suggesting increased incidence in women aged 50–64 years, our study refines this to those aged 60 years and older and highlights invasive malignancies as the primary driver. This pattern suggests potential gaps in early detection and underscores the need for age-targeted screening and prevention strategies. Future studies can further explore associations with risk factors particular to middle-aged women such as HPV vaccination and lifestyle exposure.
Affiliations
Advocate Lutheran General