Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Incidence and Survival Trends in the United States: A Population‐Based Analysis of Two Decades

ABSTRACT Importance Laryngeal cancer has undergone a complex evolution in incidence, management, and standards of care over the past 20 years. Disease‐wide demographic and survival risk factors have yet to be elucidated. Objective Examine incidence, management, and survival trends in laryngeal cancer from 2000 to 2019. Design, Setting, and Participants The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was utilized to identify age‐adjusted incidence rates (AAIRs) of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCCa) from 2000 to 2019. Joinpoint regression was conducted to identify annual percentage changes (APCs). Chi‐squared analysis was used to find changes in demographic, clinicopathologic, and treatment changes over the study period. Finally, univariate Kaplan–Meier and COX multivariate regressions were conducted to identify survival differences. Results There were 46 266 cases of LSCCa identified between 2000 and 2019 with AAIR of 2.7 per 100 000 person‐years with APC of −2.6% [95% CI: −2.8% to 2.4%]. These rates have largely been down‐trending among demographic substratifications. Age at initial diagnosis has been increasing (64.6 → 66.0, p < 0.001). Higher median household income was associated with lower AAIR (35 000 5.3; > $75 000 2.2) and increased annual percentage decrease (< $35 000, −1.1%*; > $75 000, −3.2%*). There were no other clinically significant differences in demographic and clinicopathologic trends although persistent demographic differences were noted. Late T‐stage at diagnosis has increased over the study period (T3, 18% → 23%, p < 0.001). Treatment with primary chemoradiotherapy has increased significantly (20.0% → 27.0%, p < 0.001). On univariate analysis, there were no significant differences in survival; however, on multivariate analysis, there has been a progressive improvement in disease‐specific and overall survival over 5‐year bins. Late‐stage disease had a progressive improvement in survival with each treatment period on both univariate and multivariate analysis. Conclusions and Relevance There has been a progressively significant decrease in age‐adjusted incidence of LSCCa with increased utilization of primary chemoradiotherapy. When adjusted for associated characteristics, there has been a continuing improvement in survival over the study period, primarily in late‐stage disease.