Changes in the Incidence and Human Papillomavirus-Positive Portion of Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Hong Kong.

The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is rising in the West, but little is known in Asia. This study elucidated changes in the incidence and HPV-positive portion of OPSCC in Hong Kong. Data from population-based cancer registry were used to analyze the incidence of OPSCC in association with other head and neck cancers. Archived tumor tissues were tested for HPV. From 1986 to 2020, there was a marked decrease in the incidence of nasopharyngeal and laryngeal cancers, but a persistent increase in OPSCC from 36 cases in 1986 to 116 cases in 2020. The average positive rate for high-risk HPV was 36.1% (112/310) among OPSCC diagnosed in 2010-2020. The HPV-positive rate in recent years was significantly higher than earlier cases (tonsil SCC: 64.7% (55/85) in 2016-2020 vs. 40.4% (19/47) in 2010-2015, p = 0.007). Patients with HPV-positive tonsil cancers were significantly younger than those negative (mean [SD]: 58.9 [9.9] vs. 64.3 [13.3] years, p = 0.006), but no significant difference was observed between genders. A persistent increase in the incidence of oropharyngeal cancer over the last few decades was observed in Hong Kong, which can be explained by the remarkable increase in HPV-positive tonsil cancers.

The human oral cavity microbiota composition during acute tonsillitis: a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Microbial culture-based investigations of inflamed tonsil tissues have previously indicated enrichment of several microorganisms such as Streptococcus, Staphylococcus and Prevotella. These taxa were also largely reflected in DNA sequencing studies performed using tissue material. In comparison, less is known about the response of the overall oral cavity microbiota to acute tonsillitis despite their role in human health and evidence showing that their compositions are correlated with diseases such as oral cancers. In addition, the influence of subject-specific circumstances including consumption of prescription antibiotics and smoking habits on the microbiology of acute tonsillitis is unknown. METHODS: We collected oral rinse samples from 43 individuals admitted into hospital for acute tonsillitis and 165 non-disease volunteers recruited from the public, and compared their microbial community compositions using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We assessed the impact of tonsillitis, whether subjects were prescribed antibiotics, the presence of oral abscesses and their smoking habits on community composition, and identified specific microbial taxa associated with tonsillitis and smoking. RESULTS: Oral rinse community composition was primarily associated with disease state (tonsillitis vs non-tonsillitis) although its effect was subtle, followed by smoking habit. Multiple Prevotella taxa were enriched in tonsillitis subjects compared to the non-tonsillitis cohort, whereas the non-tonsillitis cohort primarily showed associations with several Neisseria sequence variants. The presence of oral abscesses did not significantly influence community composition. Antibiotics were prescribed to a subset of individuals in the tonsillitis cohort but we did not observe differences in community composition associated with antibiotics consumption. In both tonsillitis and non-tonsillitis cohorts, smoking habit was associated with enrichment of several Fusobacterium variants. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that the oral cavity microbial community is altered during acute tonsillitis, with a consistent enrichment of Prevotella during tonsillitis raising the possibility of targeted interventions. It also supports the possible link between smoking, Fusobacteria and oral cancers.

Sex Differences in Time Trends on Incidence Rates of Oropharyngeal and Oral Cavity Cancers in Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVES:: Worldwide studies have shown an increasing trend of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) but a decreasing trend of oral cavity cancers over the past 2 decades, particularly in developed countries with successful tobacco control. This trend has been attributed to the increase in the incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated OPSCC. The aim of this study was to examine sex differences in incidence trends of oropharyngeal and oral cavity cancers in Hong Kong from 1983 to 2014. METHODS:: Using data from the Hong Kong Cancer Registry from 1983 to 2014, age-standardized incidence rates for potentially HPV-associated sites (oropharyngeal) and non-HPV-associated sites (oral cavity) were calculated, stratified by sex and age groups. Joinpoint regression and an age-period-cohort model were used to assess incidence trends. RESULTS:: A total of 1,972 cases of oropharyngeal cancer and 7,389 cases of oral cavity cancer were diagnosed from 1983 to 2014. The male/female ratios were 4.16:1 for oropharyngeal cancers and 1.63:1 for oral cavity cancers. A significant increasing trend was observed in oropharyngeal cancers from 1994 to 2014 (average annual percentage change = 2.66, P < .05). In contrast, a significant decreasing trend was observed in oral cavity cancers from 1983 to 1994 (average annual percentage change = -5.36, P < .05). The trends were more significant in men and in patients aged 45 to 69 years. A positive birth cohort effect was observed for oropharyngeal cancer in men. CONCLUSIONS:: The rising trend of oropharyngeal cancer and decreasing trend of oral cavity cancer in Hong Kong from 1983 to 2014 are consistent with worldwide trends. Increase in high-risk sexual behaviors and oral HPV infection may influence the difference in trends.