Trends in Head and Neck Cancer incidence in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam between 1995-2015

Abstract Background In Southeast Asia, the epidemiological profile of Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) remains under-researched. This study delineates the incidence and subtype-specific burdens of HNC in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (1996–2015).Methods We conducted a population-based retrospective analysis using the Ho Chi Minh City Cancer Registry. The study estimated the 5-year point incidence for four HNC subtypes over 20 years. Age-standardised rates (ASR) were determined using national population metrics. Joinpoint regression analysis was executed to discern patterns over time.Results HNC incidence in Ho Chi Minh City escalated between 1996 and 2015, with nasopharyngeal and oral cancers demonstrating pronounced prevalence. Male diagnoses constituted 73%. The median age of HNC diagnosis in the Vietnamese cohort was approximately a decade earlier than global averages.Conclusions The marked variance in HNC trends in Ho Chi Minh City from global patterns underscores the urgency for implementing effective healthcare strategies in Vietnam.