The pattern of lip cancer occurrence over the 1990–2011 period in public hospitals in Madrid, Spain

Abstract

Background: Some regions of Spain along with Canada and Australia have the highest rates of lip cancer in the world. The objective of this study was to examine the trends in the pattern of occurrence of lip cancer in Madrid, Spain.

Methods: Data were extracted from the Central Tumour Registry of Madrid, between 1990 and 2011. Variables examined were age, sex, topographic and morphological location and tumour histology. Two consecutive periods, 1990-2001 and 2002-2011, were studied by descriptive and analytical methods, and the data from the two periods were statistically compared.

Results: A total of 881 cases were registered during the period 1990-2011. Comparing data between the two periods (1990-2001 and 2002-2011), subtle variations in age, histology and location were noted. Gender ratios remained constant. The mean age increased from 66.3 to 69.7 years (P < 0.05). In the second period, the histological distribution showed an increase in frequency of basal cell carcinoma, from 2.1% to 4.7%, while the frequency of squamous cell carcinomas remained constant. Basal cell carcinoma no longer predominantly occurred in women, decreasing from 80% to 21.1% (P < 0.001). The distribution by gender of squamous cell carcinoma had become more equal due an increase in its frequency in women (P < 0.001). Frequency of tumours on lip mucosa and commissure had increased between the two periods (P < 0.004).

Conclusions: The pattern of lip cancer reported to Public Hospitals of Madrid is changing: declining rates are noted since 2001-02. However, it is necessary to monitor these data to confirm the observed trends in future years.