Incidence, mortality, and DALYs of global pharyngeal cancer: systematic analysis and projections Based on global burden of disease study 2021

Compared to other head and neck cancers, pharyngeal cancer (PC) has poorer survival, representing a significant health burden. This study aimed to assess the burden and trends of PC at global, regional, and national levels and analyze mortality-related factors. Data on PC, including incidence, mortality, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and death-related risk factors from 1990 to 2021, were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were calculated to assess trends. In 2021, PC incidence was 169,820, with 98,435 deaths and 2,843,781 DALYs. Age-standardized rates for incidence, death, and DALYs were 1.93, 1.13, and 32.30 per 100,000, respectively. South Asia had the highest death and DALYs rates (3.23 and 93.00). Low-middle socio-demographic index (SDI) regions showed the highest death rate (2.19) and the greatest EAPC for death rates (0.684%). A positive correlation between SDI and death rates was observed globally (<i>R</i> = 0.26, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05), particularly in males (<i>R</i> = 0.3, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05), but not in females. Males exhibited a trend toward younger ages at death by aclohol, peaking in the 35–39-year group. In 2021, global PC incidence, deaths, and DALYs increased significantly, with notable regional disparities, especially in low-middle SDI regions. Alcohol-related mortality disproportionately affected younger males. Strengthening oral health resources, controlling alcohol and tobacco use are essential to reducing the global PC burden.