Analysis of lip and oral cavity cancer burden between China and the global from 1990 to 2021 and projections for the next fifteen years

From 1990 to 2021, the incidence and prevalence rates of lip and oral cavity cancer increased in both China and globally, while mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) experienced a slight decline. The burden of the disease was strongly associated with sex and age, with males exhibiting significantly higher incidence, prevalence, and mortality rates than females, and older adults demonstrating substantially higher rates compared to younger age groups. Over the next 15 years, the prevalence and DALY burden in China are projected to increase, while global incidence and prevalence are also expected to rise. Given China's rapidly aging population, these findings highlight growing public health challenges that call for sustained, coordinated efforts to mitigate the future burden.