Differences in HPV-related gynaecological malignancies incidence and survival by individual and contextual variables: a population-based study

Vulvar, vaginal and cervical cancers are gynaecological malignancies that share a key risk factor: infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). As an HPV vaccine is available, many tumours are considered preventable. This study analysed the incidence and survival of vulvar, vaginal and cervical cancers in women living in the Community of Madrid (CM) from 2018–2020, by socioeconomic status and stage. Data of invasive tumours were extracted from the Population-Based Cancer Registry of Madrid (PBCR-CM). Descriptive analyses were performed for sociodemographic and tumour characteristics. Crude, age-specific and age-standardised incidence rates were calculated. Five-year observed and net survival were calculated, globally and stratified by socioeconomic status and stage. Flexible parametric models were adjusted to determine differences in the risk of death by stage. Between 2018–2020, 954 patients were diagnosed, corresponding to an age-standardised rate of 10.8 cases per 100 000 women-years. Most tumours are squamous cell carcinomas, grade II, and diagnosed at early stages. Cervical cancer patients showed greater survival results (71% vs 50% for vulvar/vaginal cancer). Survival was lowest among patients with grade-III and metastatic tumours. This study provides an overview of HPV-related gynaecological cancers in CM. To address inequalities, PBCR plays an indispensable role by ensuring high-quality epidemiological surveillance.