Prognostic Factors in Head and Neck Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 3052 Patients in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle characteristics at head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) diagnosis and their impact on overall survival (OS) across different anatomical sites.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective cohort study (2011-2021) at Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, involving 3052 HNSCC patients. Survival analyses utilized the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals, incorporating significant variables from univariate analysis.

RESULTS

The five-year OS for all HNSCC sites (n = 3052) was 31.4%, with specific rates of 37.0% for laryngeal cancer (n = 935), 35.8% for oral cancer (n = 762), 26.6% for oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) (n = 1189), and 14.8% for hypopharyngeal cancer (n = 166). HPV-positive OPC had a higher five-year OS (59.3%; n = 127) compared to HPV-negative (35.4%; n = 226). Multivariable analysis identified older age (≥ 70 years) and advanced TNM stage (IV) as adverse prognostic factors for oral cavity, oropharynx, and larynx sites. Male gender was associated with poorer prognosis in the oral cavity, while alcohol consumption was linked to worse outcomes in oropharynx and larynx sites.

CONCLUSION

HNSCC OS remains low at a public cancer center in São Paulo. Older age, advanced tumor stage, and alcohol consumption are independent adverse prognostic factors, particularly in oropharynx and larynx sites.