Premium
Psychosocial functioning and vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with head and neck cancer
Author(s) -
Fang Carolyn Y.,
Egleston Brian L.,
Ridge John A.,
Lango Miriam N.,
Bovbjerg Dana H.,
Studts Jamie L.,
Burtness Barbara A.,
Einarson Margret B.,
Klein–Szanto Andres J. P.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.23421
Subject(s) - psychosocial , medicine , anxiety , odds ratio , oncology , vascular endothelial growth factor , head and neck cancer , confidence interval , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , social support , cancer , vegf receptors , psychology , psychiatry , psychotherapist
Background Psychosocial functioning is associated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in various patient populations. This study examined whether psychosocial functioning in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is associated with tumor VEGF expression, a protein that stimulates angiogenesis and is associated with poor prognosis. Methods Forty‐two newly diagnosed patients completed assessments of psychosocial functioning (ie, depressive symptoms, perceived stress, anxiety, social support) before surgery. Tumor samples were obtained for VEGF analysis and human papillomavirus (HPV)‐typing. Results Poorer psychosocial functioning was associated with greater VEGF expression controlling for disease stage (odds ratio [OR], 4.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.72–12.0; p < .01). When examined by HPV status, the association between psychosocial functioning and VEGF remained significant among patients who were HPV negative (OR, 5.50; 95% CI, 1.68–17.3; p < .01), but not among patients who were HPV positive. Conclusion These findings inform our understanding of the biobehavioral pathways that may contribute to poor outcomes in non‐HPV‐associated HNSCCs. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 36: 1113–1119, 2014