Differential characteristics of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck with no history of tobacco or alcohol use.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aims to analyse the differential characteristics of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) without a history of consumption of toxic substances such as tobacco and alcohol.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We carried out a retrospective study of 4694 patients with HNSCC located in the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx or larynx treated in our centre during the period 1985-2019.

RESULT

7.7% of the patients (n = 363) did not report a history of consumption of toxic substances. The group of patients with no toxic history was older, had a higher proportion of women, a higher frequency of cases located in the oral cavity, a higher proportion of cases diagnosed in early stages, and a lower incidence of second neoplasms. The percentage of patients with no history of consumption of toxic substances increased significantly over the study period. The overall survival of patients with no history of consumption of toxic substances was significantly higher than that of patients with toxic substances use. Specific survival for patients with tumours located in the oral cavity without a history of consumption of toxic substances was significantly lower than that of patients with toxic substances use, whereas for patients with oropharyngeal carcinomas the absence of a history of consumption of toxic substances was associated with a better prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

There were differences in the epidemiological and prognostic characteristics of patients with HNSCC according to the history of consumption of toxic substances such as tobacco and alcohol.