Global Statistics for Lip, Oral Cavity, Salivary Glands, and Oropharyngeal Cancers by Age Group: A Population-Based Study

Background Accurate, up-to-date estimates of the burden of the lip, oral cavity, salivary glands, and oropharynx (LOC-SG-OP) cancers by age group are scarce. This study aims to evaluate the global burden of LOC-SG-OP cancers in different age groups, with a focus on sex, regional, and socioeconomic disparities, to provide references for cancer control. Methods Based on data from the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) 2022 project, this study analyzed LOC-SG-OP cancers data for age groups 15–29, 30–44, 45–59, and 60–74 years. The study examined the global burden of LOC-SG-OP cancers stratified by age, sex, geographical region, and Human Development Index (HDI). The primary outcome measures included the number of incident cases, number of deaths, age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR), absolute concentration index (ACI) and relative concentration index (RCI). Results In 2022, global LOC-SG-OP cancers accounted for 454,807 new cases and 210,802 deaths among individuals aged 15–74 years. Lip and oral cavity (LOC) cancer was the most common subtype, accounting for approximately 70% of total cases and deaths. The burden of LOC-SG-OP cancers demonstrated a clear age-dependent increase across all subgroups, with cases predominantly concentrated in males. A strong geographical overlap was observed between high-incidence and high-mortality regions. Regarding HDI-related disparities, India exhibited the highest ASIR and ASMR across all age groups. A significant negative correlation was observed between the national MIR of LOC-SG-OP cancers and the HDI across all age groups (Spearman’s ρ range: -0.65 to -0.79; all p  < 0.001). Notably, HDI-related inequalities in MIR were most pronounced in the 15–29 years group and females. Conclusion Age-stratified analysis confirms that LOC-SG-OP cancers impose a global burden on individuals aged 15–74 years, with marked disparities across sex, geography, and HDI. Policymakers should consider implementing targeted interventions for high-burden regions and populations, with particular attention to young and female populations in low-HDI settings.