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Epidemiologic factors in patients with advanced head and neck cancer treated with radiation therapy
Author(s) -
Brennan Michael T.,
Treister Nathaniel S.,
Sollecito Thomas P.,
Schmidt Brian L.,
Patton Lauren L.,
Yang Yi,
Lin Alexander,
Elting Linda S.,
Hodges James S.,
Lalla Rajesh V.
Publication year - 2021
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.26468
Subject(s) - medicine , head and neck cancer , cancer , radiation therapy , disease , cohort , prospective cohort study , oncology , cohort study , medicaid , health care , economics , economic growth
Abstract Background Approximately 50% of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) initially were seen with advanced disease. We aimed to evaluate the association of epidemiologic factors with advanced HNC at diagnosis. Methods The OraRad multicenter prospective cohort study enrolled HNC patients receiving curative‐intent radiation therapy. Factors assessed for association with advanced HNC presentation at diagnosis included demographics, social and medical history, cancer characteristics, human papilloma virus (HPV) status, and dental disease measures. Results We enrolled 572 participants; 77% male and mean (SD) age of 61.7 (11.2) years. Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (88% HPV‐related) were seen with smaller tumors, but more frequent nodal involvement. Private medical insurance and no Medicaid were associated with smaller tumors. A higher dental disease burden was associated with larger tumors. Conclusions Insurance status, cancer type/location, and dental disease are associated with advanced HNC and may represent potentially modifiable factors or factors to be considered in the screening process of new lesions.