Hospitalization and mortality burden of human papillomavirus-associated cancers among men in Ecuador: a nationwide population-based study
- 1Centro de Investigación para la Salud en América Latina (CISeAL), Community and Primary Care Research Group Ecuador (CPCRG-E), Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador
- 2Outcomes Research Latin America, MSD Brazil
- 3Outcomes Research Latin America, MSD IA LLC
Abstract
Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers in men contribute substantially to cancer-related morbidity and mortality, yet population-based evidence from Latin America remain limited, particularly in Ecuador.
Materials and methods: Using nationwide hospital discharge and mortality databases from Ecuador for 2015–2019, this retrospective secondary data analysis quantified the burden of HPV-associated cancers among men and estimated the HPV-attributable burden using published site-specific attributable fractions. Crude and age-specific rates were calculated, and age-standardized rates (ASRs) were obtained using the World Health Organization (WHO) World Standard Population.
Results: During 2015–2019, 3,442 hospitalizations due to HPV-associated cancers were recorded (ASR: 9.7 per 100,000 men), with head and neck cancers accounting for 66.4% of hospitalizations, followed by penile cancer (24.0%) and anal cancer (9.6%). Although hospitalization and mortality rates increased markedly with age, more than half of hospitalizations and approximately one-third of deaths from oropharyngeal, penile, and anal cancers occurred among men aged <60 years. Applying published site-specific attributable fractions, 1,002 hospitalizations were estimated to be HPV-attributable (ASR: 2.8 per 100,000 men), with penile cancer contributing the largest share. A total of 575 deaths due to HPV-associated cancers were identified (ASR: 1.7 per 100,000 men), of which 134 were estimated to be HPV-attributable (ASR: 0.4 per 100,000 men). Mortality rates increased progressively with age.
Conclusion: HPV-associated cancers impose a substantial hospitalization and mortality burden among men in Ecuador. Although the highest burden was observed among older adults, a considerable burden was also evident among men aged <60 years. These findings provide a national baseline for surveillance and may inform future evaluations of HPV prevention strategies, alongside efforts to achieve high and equitable HPV vaccination coverage, earlier diagnosis, timely treatment, and improved access to cancer care.
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BibTeX
@article{sanchez2026hospitalization,
title = {{Hospitalization and mortality burden of human papillomavirus-associated cancers among men in Ecuador: a nationwide population-based study}},
author = {Xavier Sánchez and Ruth Jimbo-Sotomayor and Zira Mendes da Silva and Paula Cristina Pungartnik and Juan Carlos Orengo and Cintia Irene Parellada},
journal = {Frontiers in Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2026.1980521},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1980521/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Hospitalization and mortality burden of human papillomavirus-associated cancers among men in Ecuador: a nationwide population-based study
AU - Xavier Sánchez
AU - Ruth Jimbo-Sotomayor
AU - Zira Mendes da Silva
AU - Paula Cristina Pungartnik
AU - Juan Carlos Orengo
AU - Cintia Irene Parellada
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/27
JO - Frontiers in Public Health
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1980521
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1980521/full
AB - Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers in men contribute substantially to cancer-related morbidity and mortality, yet population-based evidence from Latin America remain limited, particularly in Ecuador. Materials and methods: Using nationwide hospital discharge and mortality databases from Ecuador for 2015–2019, this retrospective secondary data analysis quantified the burden of HPV-associated cancers among men and estimated the HPV-attributable burden using published site-specific attributable fractions. Crude and age-specific rates were calculated, and age-standardized rates (ASRs) were obtained using the World Health Organization (WHO) World Standard Population. Results: During 2015–2019, 3,442 hospitalizations due to HPV-associated cancers were recorded (ASR: 9.7 per 100,000 men), with head and neck cancers accounting for 66.4% of hospitalizations, followed by penile cancer (24.0%) and anal cancer (9.6%). Although hospitalization and mortality rates increased markedly with age, more than half of hospitalizations and approximately one-third of deaths from oropharyngeal, penile, and anal cancers occurred among men aged <60 years. Applying published site-specific attributable fractions, 1,002 hospitalizations were estimated to be HPV-attributable (ASR: 2.8 per 100,000 men), with penile cancer contributing the largest share. A total of 575 deaths due to HPV-associated cancers were identified (ASR: 1.7 per 100,000 men), of which 134 were estimated to be HPV-attributable (ASR: 0.4 per 100,000 men). Mortality rates increased progressively with age. Conclusion: HPV-associated cancers impose a substantial hospitalization and mortality burden among men in Ecuador. Although the highest burden was observed among older adults, a considerable burden was also evident among men aged <60 years. These findings provide a national baseline for surveillance and may inform future evaluations of HPV prevention strategies, alongside efforts to achieve high and equitable HPV vaccination coverage, earlier diagnosis, timely treatment, and improved access to cancer care.
SN - 2296-2565
ER -