We examine trends in incidence, mortality and survival of penile squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in Norway over 60 years. Data on all cases of penile cancer diagnosed in Norway during 1956-2015 was obtained from the Cancer Registry of Norway. Trends in age-standardised rates of penile SCC incidence, mortality and 5-year relative survival were assessed by the annual percentage change statistic and joinpoint regression. A total of 1596 penile cancer cases were diagnosed during 1956-2015, among which 1474 (92.4%) were SCC. During 2011-2015, the age-standardised incidence and mortality of penile SCC were 0.91 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.78;1.05) and 0.50 (0.42;0.60) per 100,000, respectively, and the 5-year relative survival was 61.6% (41.9;76.4). The incidence of SCC increased during 1956-2015, with an average annual percentage change (AAPC) of 0.80% (0.46;1.15). The increase was strongest among men diagnosed at a relatively early age (age<=64 years; AAPC: 1.47% (0.90;2.05)). Mortality also increased over the study period (AAPC: 0.47% (0.10;0.85)), whereas 5-year relative survival did not change (AAPC: 0.08% (-0.19; 0.36)). We conclude that the incidence of penile SCC has increased at a moderate and constant rate during 1956-2015, and that the most consistent increase occurred among younger men. Mortality also increased during the study period. However, survival did not change, thus changes in diagnostics and treatment had little impact on survival from penile SCC. Since a substantial proportion of penile SCC is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), the incidence increase may in part be attributed to increased exposure to HPV in the population. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
International journal of cancer. 2017 Dec 04 [Epub ahead of print]
Bo T Hansen, Madleen Orumaa, A Kathrine Lie, Bjørn Brennhovd, Mari Nygård
Department of Research, Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway., Section for Pathology, Center for Laboratory Medicine, Østfold Hospital Trust, Norway., Division of Cancer Medicine, Transplantation and Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.