BURDEN OF HPV-RELATED CANCERS IN EUROPE: INCIDENCE ACROSS 27 COUNTRIES
Author(s)
Ugne Sabale, MSc1, Daniela Alfonso, MSc2, Sarah Medland, MSc2, Aimee Fox, PhD3, Anne Meiwald, MSc4.
1Value & Implementation Outcomes Research, MSD Lithuania, Vilnius, Lithuania, 2Adelphi Values PROVE, Cheshire, United Kingdom, 3Adelphi Values PROVE, Bollington, United Kingdom, 4Adelphi Values, Bollington, United Kingdom.
1Value & Implementation Outcomes Research, MSD Lithuania, Vilnius, Lithuania, 2Adelphi Values PROVE, Cheshire, United Kingdom, 3Adelphi Values PROVE, Bollington, United Kingdom, 4Adelphi Values, Bollington, United Kingdom.
OBJECTIVES: Several cancers with significant clinical and economic burden are attributed to human papillomavirus (HPV) with declining cervical cancer incidence but rising rates of other HPV-related cancers. This analysis estimates the annual incidence of HPV-related cancer across 27 European countries.
METHODS: A modeling framework was used to estimate the annual incidence (2022) of HPV-related cancers across 27 European countries. The framework incorporated country-specific epidemiological data and HPV attributable fractions to estimate the annual incidence of ten cancer types (oropharynx, oral cavity, nasopharynx, hypopharynx, anal, larynx, vulval, vaginal, cervical, and penile). Country-specific number of incidence cases were sourced from GLOBOCAN and adjusted using previously published European attributable fractions to estimate HPV-related cancers. Descriptive analyses were conducted. Results were stratified by cancer type, country, and sex.
RESULTS: Across 27 European countries included, the total annual incidence of HPV-related cancers was estimated at 50,437 new cases, equivalent to an average of 138 cases/day. Female-related cancers comprised 80% of total cases (40,539) with cervical cancer representing the largest share of female-related cancers (73%) followed by anal cancers (13%). Among male-related cancers, anal (37%) and oropharyngeal cancers (30%) accounted for the largest share of cases. Incidence varied considerably across countries, with the highest HPV-related cancer annual incidence rates estimated in Romania (21.94/100,000) followed by Serbia (17.06/100,000), Latvia (16.62/100,000), and Bulgaria (16.43/100,000), while the lowest rates were estimated in Finland (6.22/100,000), Spain (7.28/100,000), and Ireland (7.62/100,000).
CONCLUSIONS: HPV-related cancers incur a substantial burden across Europe, with marked heterogeneity between countries. While cervical cancers continue to account for the largest share of HPV-related cancers, non-cervical cancers such as anal and oropharyngeal cancers substantially contribute to overall incidence. Reducing the incidence of HPV-related cancers in Europe requires sustained commitment to prevention.
METHODS: A modeling framework was used to estimate the annual incidence (2022) of HPV-related cancers across 27 European countries. The framework incorporated country-specific epidemiological data and HPV attributable fractions to estimate the annual incidence of ten cancer types (oropharynx, oral cavity, nasopharynx, hypopharynx, anal, larynx, vulval, vaginal, cervical, and penile). Country-specific number of incidence cases were sourced from GLOBOCAN and adjusted using previously published European attributable fractions to estimate HPV-related cancers. Descriptive analyses were conducted. Results were stratified by cancer type, country, and sex.
RESULTS: Across 27 European countries included, the total annual incidence of HPV-related cancers was estimated at 50,437 new cases, equivalent to an average of 138 cases/day. Female-related cancers comprised 80% of total cases (40,539) with cervical cancer representing the largest share of female-related cancers (73%) followed by anal cancers (13%). Among male-related cancers, anal (37%) and oropharyngeal cancers (30%) accounted for the largest share of cases. Incidence varied considerably across countries, with the highest HPV-related cancer annual incidence rates estimated in Romania (21.94/100,000) followed by Serbia (17.06/100,000), Latvia (16.62/100,000), and Bulgaria (16.43/100,000), while the lowest rates were estimated in Finland (6.22/100,000), Spain (7.28/100,000), and Ireland (7.62/100,000).
CONCLUSIONS: HPV-related cancers incur a substantial burden across Europe, with marked heterogeneity between countries. While cervical cancers continue to account for the largest share of HPV-related cancers, non-cervical cancers such as anal and oropharyngeal cancers substantially contribute to overall incidence. Reducing the incidence of HPV-related cancers in Europe requires sustained commitment to prevention.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
EPH85
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Disease
Oncology, Reproductive & Sexual Health