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Oral cavity and pharynx (ICD-9 143-149) Oral cavity (ICD-9 143-145) and pharynx (ICD-9 146-149) were analysed both as separate categories but were finally combined because of comparability problems. Cancers of the nasopharynx were excluded. In males, the highest incidence rates were in Saarland (101/10 6), Estonia, and parts of Russia (especially Kola peninsula). The lowest incidence rates were in Iceland (15/106), Sweden, mid-Norway and most of Finland. The mortality rates were highest in Estonia (51/106) and in southern Germany, and lowest in the Nordic countries (14-23/106). There was rather little variation in the mortality/incidence ratio.The higher rates both in incidence and mortality in Estonia and Saarland were attributable to markedly higher rates in ages between 40 and 65. After age of about 50 years the increase in the incidence and mortality rates levelled-off in the Nordic countries, and there was no increase at all by age in the other countries. In females, there was rather little variation between the national rates. The incidence rate was highest in Denmark (19/10 6), especially in Copenhagen. Some local high rates were found, e.g., in Finland. The incidence rates were low in most parts of the post-socialistic countries. There was almost no variation in the mortality/incidence ratio. A stable increase in incidence with increasing age was found in the Nordic countries but no increase after the age of about 50 in the other countries.Comment The most important aetiological factor for cancers of both the oral cavity and pharynx is the combined effect of alcohol and tobacco. Many of the high and low-risk areas for these sites are the same as those seen in the maps of other alcohol and smoking related cancers.
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