Photo Credit: Mr. Suphachai Praserdumrongchai

During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of head and neck cancer (HNC) decreased, according to a study published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. Jason Semprini, PhD, and colleagues examined the change in localized versus advanced HNC incidence rates before and during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in a cross-sectional study of US patients diagnosed with HNC from 2017-2020. In 2019, an estimated 21,664 patients were diagnosed with oral cavity and pharynx cancer, compared with 20,390 in 2020. From 2019-2020, there was a decrease in the HNC incidence rate from 11.6% to 10.8 cases per 100,000 people. During the same period, the incidence rate of localized cancer decreased 7.9% to 8.8 cases per 100,000 people. The researchers observed no changes for advanced HNC. “This current analysis provides baseline data for how the COVID-19 pandemic potentially affected HNC incidence and highlights areas in which interventions and research may be needed to improve future outcomes for patients with HNC,” Dr. Semprini and colleagues wrote.