Background: Head and neck cancer is 1 of the major global health issues but received limited attention, and its incidence has rarely been systematically studied in China.
Methods: The population-based cancer registry of the urban Tianjin was used to examine the changing pattern of incidence rates and its potential causes in China.
Results: Between 1981 and 2002, the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of head and neck cancer decreased by 1.39% per year among males and 2.20% among females. Significant decreasing trends were found for the age group of 45 to 54 years in women and for the age group of 55 to 64 years in both men and women. Slight increasing trends were found in the age group of 0 to 44 years.
Conclusions: The data suggest that the overall head and neck cancer incidence was declining in Tianjin between 1981 and 2002; however, there was a possible increasing trend of risk for the younger population.