Specimen oriented intraoperative margin assessment in oral cavity and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the oncologic outcomes and cost analysis of transitioning to a specimen oriented intraoperative margin assessment protocol from a tumour bed sampling protocol in oral cavity (OCSCC) and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series and subsequent prospective cohort study SETTING: Tertiary care academic teaching hospital SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Retrospective case series of all institutional T1-T2 OCSCC or OPSCC treated with primary surgery between January 1st 2009 - December 31st 2014. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates with log rank tests were used to compare patients based on final margin status. Cost analysis was performed for escalation of therapy due to positive final margins. Following introduction of a specimen derived margin protocol, successive prospective cohort study of T1-T4 OCSCC or OPSCC treated with primary surgery from January 1st 2017 - December 31st 2018. Analysis and comparison of both protocols included review of intraoperative margins, final pathology and treatment cost. RESULTS: Analysis of our intra-operative tumour bed frozen section protocol revealed 15 of 116 (12.9%) patients had positive final pathology margins, resulting in post-operative escalation of therapy for 14/15 patients in the form of re-resection (7/14), radiation therapy (6/14) and chemoradiotherapy (1/14). One other patient with positive final margins received escalated therapy for additional negative prognostic factors. Recurrence free survival at 3 years was 88.4 and 50.7% for negative and positive final margins respectively (p = 0.048). Implementation of a specimen oriented frozen section protocol resulted in 1 of 111 patients (0.9%) having positive final pathology margins, a statistically significant decrease (p < 0.001). Utilizing our specimen oriented protocol, there was an absolute risk reduction for having a final positive margin of 12.0% and relative risk reduction of 93.0%. Estimated cost avoidance applying the specimen oriented protocol to our previous cohort was $412,052.812017 CAD. CONCLUSION: Implementation of a specimen oriented intraoperative margin protocol provides a statistically significant decrease in final positive margins. This change in protocol leads to decreased patient morbidity by avoiding therapy escalation attributable only to positive margins, and avoids the economic costs of these treatments.

The impact of inequalities and health expenditure on mortality due to oral and oropharyngeal cancer in Brazil.

This study aims to assess the magnitude and trend of mortality rates due to oral (OC) and oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) in the 133 Intermediate Geographic Regions (IGR) of Brazil between 1996 and 2018 and to analyze its association with sociodemographic variables and provision of health services. It also aims to compare the trend of mortality from neoplasms that have been reported as associated with HPV (OPC) with the trend of neoplasms that have been reported as not associated with HPV (OC). We obtained mortality data from the Mortality Information System in Brazil and analyzed the trends using the Prais-Winsten method. Then, we assessed the relationship between mortality trends and socioeconomic, health spending, and health services provision variables. The median of the annual percent change of the country's mortality rates was 0.63% for OC and 0.83% for OPC. Trends in mortality in the IGRs correlated significantly with the Human Development Index and government expenditure on ambulatory health care and hospitalizations. Mortality from both types of cancer decreased in those IGR in which the government spent more on health and in the more socioeconomically developed ones. This study found no epidemiological indication that HPV plays the leading etiological factor in OPC in Brazil.

Disease Profile and Oncologic Outcomes After Delayed Diagnosis of Human Papillomavirus-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Diagnostic delay in human papillomavirus-associated oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma (HPV(+)OPSCC) is common due to nonspecific symptoms. We aim to describe the disease burden and oncologic outcomes of patients with HPV(+)OPSCC diagnosed >12 months after symptom onset. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study of HPV(+)OPSCC patients receiving intent-to-cure treatment (including surgery ± adjuvant therapy or primary chemoradiation). SETTING: 2006-2016, tertiary care center. METHODS: Tumor stage was compared between patients with and without delayed diagnosis using χ2 tests. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with univariate and multivariable Cox regressions were used to determine the effect of diagnostic delay on oncologic outcomes. RESULTS: In total, 664 patients were included. Compared to patients diagnosed <12 months from symptom onset (n = 601), those diagnosed at >12 months (n = 63) were more likely to have T4 disease and higher overall American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) clinical stage at presentation (P < .01 for both). At 5 years, rates of overall survival, cancer-specific survival, progression-free survival, and distant metastases-free survival in the delayed diagnosis cohort were 80%, 90%, 80%, and 89%, respectively. A >12-month delay in diagnosis did not significantly impact overall survival (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.16; 95% CI, 0.58-2.31), cancer-specific survival (aHR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.29-2.39), progression-free survival (aHR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.56-2.37), or distant metastases-free survival (aHR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.42-2.40) after adjusting for age, sex, and clinical AJCC stage (P > .05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed diagnosis of HPV(+)OPSCC is associated with greater burden of disease at presentation, but oncologic outcomes remain favorable across treatment modalities. When appropriate, intent-to-cure therapy should be pursued despite diagnostic delay. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Gender and race interact to influence survival disparities in head and neck cancer.

Gender and race disparities in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HSNCC) survival are independently well documented, but no prior studies have examined the joint effect of these factors on HSNCC outcomes. We aim to comprehensively estimate the effect of gender and race on overall survival in HNSCC. We constructed a retrospective cohort from the National Cancer Database for primary HNSCC of the larynx, hypopharynx, oral cavity, and oropharynx from 2010 to 2015. We used Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards regressions to calculate hazard ratios adjusting for treatment type, age, insurance, staging classifications, and comorbidities. Oral cavity cancer was significantly more common among Hispanic and White females compared to other sites. Female non-oropharyngeal HNSCC cases had better five-year overall survival than males (56.3% versus 54.4%, respectively), though Black females (52.8%) had poorer survival than both White (56.2%) and Hispanic (57.9%) males. There were significant differences in oropharyngeal cancer by HPV status. Notably, Black females with HPV-positive oropharyngeal OPSCC had far worse survival than any other race and gender group. These results persisted even when adjusting for potential mediating factors. Clearly gender is a significant prognosticator for HNSCC and has meaningful interactions with race. The distinct site distributions across gender and race reveal important insights into HNSCC among females. Taking into account these gender disparities while considering race is essential to providing appropriate care to head and neck patients and accurately counselling these individuals on prognosis and outcomes.

Decreased overall survival in black patients with HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer.

PURPOSE: Racial disparities for overall survival (OS) in head and neck cancer have been well described. However, the extent to which these disparities exist for HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), and the contribution of demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic status (SES) variables, is unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were identified from the Carolina Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology Study (CHANCE), a population-based study in North Carolina. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for OS in black versus white patients with sequential adjustment sets. RESULTS: A total of 157 HPV-associated OPSCC patients were identified. Of these, 93% were white and 7% were black. Black patients with HPV-associated OPSCC were more likely to be younger, have an income <$20,000, live farther away from clinic where biopsy was performed, and have advanced T stage at diagnosis. Black patients had worse OS in the unadjusted analysis (HR 4.9, 95% CI 2.2-11.1, p < 0.0001). The racial disparity in OS slightly decreased when sequentially adjusting for demographic, clinical, and SES variables. However, HR for black race remained statistically elevated in the final adjustment set which controlled for age, sex, stage, smoking, alcohol use, and individual-level household income, insurance, and education level (HR 3.4, 95% CI 1.1-10.1, p = 0.028). CONCLUSION: This is the first population-based study that confirms persistence of racial disparities in HPV-associated OPSCC after controlling for demographic, clinical, and individual-level socioeconomic factors.

Days alive and out of hospital after treatment for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma with primary transoral robotic surgery or radiotherapy - a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: With the rising incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer, there is a need to assess the burden of treatment. AIMS/OBJECTIVES: This study assessed 'days alive and out of hospital' (DAOH) in a cohort of patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) treated with either transoral robotic surgery (TORS) or radiotherapy (RT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study conducted between May 2017-June 2019. Primary outcome was DAOH in the first 30 days after treatment (DAOH30). The secondary outcome was DAOH180. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were included, 31 treated with TORS and 13 with RT. Patients treated with TORS had a median DAOH30 of 25 (IQR 22.8-26) including a required four-day postoperative stay- and a median DAOH180 of 168 (IQR 163-171.3). In contrast, patients treated with RT had a median DAOH30 of 30 (IQR 26-30) and a DAOH180 of 143 days (IQR 135.5-149). CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: DAOH has not been examined in oropharyngeal cancer before. We found, patients overall spent 92.5% of the first 180 days alive and out of hospital. Patients treated with TORS had high DAOH30, which remained high in DAOH180, while patients treated with RT with reduced DAOH30, had reduced DAOH180 calling for further large-scale studies.

Socioeconomic and Racial Disparities and Survival of Human Papillomavirus-Associated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate differences in epidemiology of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) with regards to human papillomavirus (HPV), race, and socioeconomic status (SES) using the National Cancer Database (NCDB). STUDY DESIGN: Population-based cohort study. SETTING: Racial and socioeconomic disparities in survival of OPSCC have been previously acknowledged. However, the distribution of HPV-related cancers and its influence on survival in conjunction with race and SES remain unclear. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: All patients with OPSCC in the NCDB with known HPV status from 2010 to 2016 were included. Differences in presentation, HPV status, treatment, and outcomes were compared along racial and socioeconomic lines. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression survival analyses were performed. RESULTS: In total, 45,940 patients met criteria. Most were male (38,038, 82.8%), older than 60 years (23,456, 51.5%), and white (40,156, 87.4%), and lived in higher median income areas (>$48,000, 28,587, 62.2%). Two-thirds were HPV positive (31,007, 67.5%). HPV-negative disease was significantly more common in lower SES (<$38,000, 2937, 41.5%, P < .001) and among blacks (1784, 55.3%, P < .001). Median follow-up was 33 months. Five-year overall survival was 81.3% (95% CI, 80.5%-82.1%) and 59.6% (95% CI, 58.2%-61.0%) in HPV-positive and HPV-negative groups, respectively. In univariable and multivariable analyses controlling for HPV status, age, stage, and treatment, black race (hazard ratio [HR], 1.22; 95% CI, 1.11-1.34; P < .001) and low SES (HR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.45-1.72; P < .001) were associated with worse survival. CONCLUSION: Significant differences in HPV status exist between socioeconomic and racial groups, with HPV-negative disease more common among blacks and lower SES. When controlling for HPV status, race and SES still influence outcomes in oropharyngeal cancers.

Insurance Status as a Predictor of Treatment in Human Papillomavirus Positive Oropharyngeal Cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The link between human papillomavirus (HPV) and oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) is well known. Locally advanced, HPV-positive OPC (HPV OPC) can be treated with either chemoradiation or primary surgery with or without adjuvant therapy. Head and neck cancer patients with government insurance or uninsured have been shown to have worse prognosis than similar patients with private insurance. In this study, we aimed to determine if insurance status would predict treatment modality in patients with HPV OPC. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis using the National Cancer Database (NCDB). METHODS: The National Cancer Database was used to identify patients with HPV OPC who underwent primary surgery or primary chemoradiation from 2010-2015. Insurance status was categorized as government, private, or no insurance. The relationship between insurance status and treatment was investigated using Chi square and multivariate regression models. Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed comparing overall survival (OS) by insurance status. RESULTS: There were 10,606 patients were included. There was a statistically significant correlation between insurance status and primary treatment modality for HPV OPC (P < .001). Patients with government insurance were 19.3% less likely to undergo surgery and uninsured patients were 36.9% less likely to undergo primary surgery when compared to those with private insurance (P < .001), even after correcting for TNM stage in multivariate analysis. There was an improved 5-year OS for patients with private insurance (86.6%) versus both government insurance (68.4%) and no insurance (69.9%) (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with private insurance are more likely to undergo primary surgery in HPV OPC and have improved overall survival. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:776-781, 2021.

Analyzing oropharyngeal cancer survival outcomes: a decision tree approach.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze survival outcomes in patients with oropharygeal cancer treated with primary intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) using decision tree algorithms. METHODS: A total of 273 patients with newly diagnosed oropharyngeal cancer were identified between March 2010 and December 2016. The data set contained nine predictor variables and a dependent variable (overall survival (OS) status). The open-source R software was used. Survival outcomes were estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. Important explanatory variables were selected using the random forest approach. A classification tree that optimally partitioned patients with different OS rates was then built. RESULTS: The 5 year OS for the entire population was 78.1%. The top three important variables identified were HPV status, N stage and early complete response to treatment. Patients were partitioned in five groups on the basis of these explanatory variables. CONCLUSION: The proposed classification tree could help to guide future research in oropharyngeal cancer field. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Decision tree method seems to be an appropriate tool to partition oropharyngeal cancer patients.

Prognostic value of nodal involvement in patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma according to the HPV status. / Valoración de la capacidad pronóstica de la afectación ganglionar de los pacientes con carcinoma de orofaringe en función del estatus HPV.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Different studies performed in populations with a high incidence of HPV infection have found no prognostic capacity of clinical nodal involvement (cN+) in patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal carcinomas. The objective of this study was to assess the prognostic ability of nodal involvement in patients with oropharyngeal carcinomas according to HPV status in a cancer population with a low incidence of HPV infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of a cohort of 420 patients with oropharyngeal carcinomas treated during the period 1990-2016 for whom information on HPV status was available. RESULTS: 14.8% of the patients included in the study had HPV-positive tumours. In relation to patients without nodal involvement (cN0), nodal involvement at diagnosis (cN+) significantly decreased the specific survival of patients with HPV-negative oropharyngeal carcinomas. Conversely, no differences in survival were found for patients with HPV-positive tumours according to the presence of nodal involvement. A history of toxic consumption did not change the absence of prognostic significance of nodal involvement for patients with HPV-positive tumours. CONCLUSIONS: Regional involvement at the time of diagnosis is not a prognostic variable for patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal carcinomas.

Concurrent cisplatin or cetuximab with radiotherapy for HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer: Medical resource use, costs, and quality-adjusted survival from the De-ESCALaTE HPV trial.

BACKGROUND: The De-ESCALaTE HPV trial confirmed the dominance of cisplatin over cetuximab for tumour control in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Here, we present the analysis of health-related quality of life (HRQoL), resource use, and health care costs in the trial, as well as complete 2-year survival and recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Resource use and HRQoL data were collected at intervals from the baseline to 24 months post treatment (PT). Health care costs were estimated using UK-based unit costs. Missing data were imputed. Differences in mean EQ-5D-5L utility index and adjusted cumulative quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and linear regression, respectively. Mean resource usage and costs were compared through two-sample t-tests. RESULTS: 334 patients were randomised to cisplatin (n = 166) or cetuximab (n = 168). Two-year overall survival (97·5% vs 90·0%, HR: 3.268 [95% CI 1·451 to 7·359], p = 0·0251) and recurrence rates (6·4% vs 16·0%, HR: 2·67 [1·38 to 5·15]; p = 0·0024) favoured cisplatin. No significant differences in EQ-5D-5L utility scores were detected at any time point. At 24 months PT, mean difference was 0·107 QALYs in favour of cisplatin (95% CI: 0·186 to 0·029, p = 0·007) driven by the mortality difference. Health care costs were similar across all categories except the procurement cost and delivery of the systemic agent, with cetuximab significantly more expensive than cisplatin (£7779 [P < 0.001]). Consequently, total costs at 24 months PT averaged £13517 (SE: £345) per patient for cisplatin and £21064 (SE: £400) for cetuximab (mean difference £7547 [95% CI: £6512 to £8582]). CONCLUSIONS: Cisplatin chemoradiotherapy provided more QALYs and was less costly than cetuximab bioradiotherapy, remaining standard of care for nonsurgical treatment of HPV-positive OPSCC.

Mortality from oral and oropharyngeal cancer in Brazil: impact of the National Oral Health Policy.

The objective was to investigate if there is an association between the mortality rates due to oral and oropharyngeal cancer in Brazil and the expansion of access to public primary and specialized dental care services that resulted from the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, between 2000 and 2013. The mortality data were obtained from the records of the Mortality Information System and the exposure variables were obtained from databases of the Brazilian Ministry of Health and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. The main exposures investigated were "coverage of primary dental care" and "number of specialized dental care centers". Additional covariates included "Gini index of household income", "average number of years of study", "proportion of unemployed people" and "proportion of smokers". For the statistical analysis, a random coefficient model was used. There was a statistically significant association between the mortality rates by oral and oropharyngeal cancer with coverage by primary dental care and the number of specialized dental care centers with males. This study found that the expansion of the coverage of primary dental care and the number of specialized dental care centers are associated with the reduction of mortality rates due to oral and oropharyngeal cancer in Brazil. There is plausibility for the association found, which needs to be confirmed by implementation studies.

Quality of care and short and long-term outcomes of oropharyngeal cancer care in the elderly.

OBJECTIVE: To examine associations between quality, short-term and long-term treatment-related outcomes, and costs in elderly patients treated for oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer (OPSCC). METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare data from 666 patients diagnosed with OPSCC from 2004 to 2007 using multivariate regression and survival analysis. Quality indicators were derived from guidelines for recommended care and performance measures. RESULTS: Higher quality care was associated with lower risk of death in patients with dysphagia (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.44 [0.32-0.60]), weight loss (HR = 0.42 [0.28-0.62]), gastrostomy (HR = 0.47 [0.33-0.68]), airway obstruction (HR = 0.41 [0.27-0.62]), tracheostomy (HR = 0.17 [0.05-0.67]), and pneumonia (HR = 0.53 [0.33-0.85]). There were no significant differences in mean incremental costs associated with airway and swallowing impairment for patients receiving higher quality care. CONCLUSIONS: Higher quality OPSCC care was associated with improved survival in elderly patients with airway and swallowing impairment. These data suggest that greater adherence to evidence-based guidelines has favorable implications for long-term outcomes.

Radiological assessment of mandibular invasion in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative assessment of mandibular bone invasion in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx is crucial for optimizing bone resection. The principal aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of CT and MR imaging for the diagnosis of mandibular bone invasion compared to the histological reference. In addition, we assessed the survival impact of bone invasion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective study included all consecutive patients treated by mandibular bone interruption for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and/or oropharynx. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients were included. Prevalence of bone invasion on histology was 43%. Sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive value were respectively 70%, 71%, 66% and 76% for CT compared with histologic analysis, 83%, 50%, 59% and 78% for MRI, and 83%, 62% 62%, 83% for associated CT and MRI. The two tests showed good agreement, with kappa index 0.69 (95% CI, 0.49-0.89) (P<0.0001). There was no difference in overall survival (log-rank>0.70) between the groups with and without bone invasion. CONCLUSION: CT and MRI are complementary for preoperative assessment of mandibular bone invasion, be it cortical and/or medullary, and in some cases may allow mandibular bone-sparing.

Influence of municipal socioeconomic indices on mortality rates for oral and oropharyngeal cancer in older adults in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. / Influência dos índices socioeconômicos municipais nas taxas de mortalidade por câncer de boca e orofaringe em idosos no estado de São Paulo.

INTRODUCTION: Oral and oropharyngeal cancer are diseases strongly influenced by socioeconomic factors. The risk of developing these diseases increases with age and most cases occur in the elderly, with higher mortality rates. This study aimed to analyze the influence of municipal socioeconomic indices on mortality rates for oral (OC) and oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) in elderly residents from 645 cities in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, from 2013 to 2015. METHOD: Secondary data on deaths were obtained in the Mortality Information System from the Brazilian Ministry of Health. The number of elderly, as well as per capita median income values and Human Development Index by municipality (HDI-M) values were obtained from data by the SEADE Foundation. Descriptiveand exploratory analysis of data was performed, followed by negative binomial models described by the Proc Genmod procedure and evaluated by the corrected AIC (Akaike Information Criterion), the likelihood level, and the Wald test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Around 30% of the cities notified deaths in 2013, 16.74% in 2014, and 18.61% in 2015. Founded mortality mean rates from OC and OPC were, respectively, 20.0 (± 430.9) and 10.7 (± 17.5) deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. Meanincome ranged, in local currency, from 434.2 to 2,009.00. HDI-M ranged from 0.65 to 0.89. There was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in mortality rates for OC and OPC in elderly with the increase in the cities' mean income and HDI-M values. CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic inequalities in the cities the on mortality rates for OC and OPC in elderly residents.

INTRODUÇÃO: O câncer de boca e o câncer de orofaringe são doenças influenciadas por fatores socioeconômicos. O risco de desenvolver essas doenças aumenta com a idade, e a maioria dos casos ocorre em idosos, com elevadas taxas de mortalidade. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a influência dos índices socioeconômicos municipais nas taxas de mortalidade por câncer de boca (CB) e de orofaringe (CO) em idosos nas 645 cidades do estado de São Paulo, Brasil, nos anos de 2013 a 2015. MÉTODO: Dados secundários de óbitos foram obtidos pelo Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM) do Ministério da Saúde. O número de idosos e os valores da renda média per capita e do índice de desenvolvimento humano por município (IDH-M) foram obtidos a partir dos dados da Fundação SEADE. Realizou-se a análise descritiva e exploratória dos dados, seguida de modelos binomiais negativos descritos pelo procedimento PROC GENMOD e avaliados pelo critério de informação de Akaike corrigido (AICc), pelo grau de liberdade e pelo teste de Wald (α=0,05). RESULTADOS: Cerca de 30% das cidades notificaram óbitos em 2013, 16,74% em 2014 e 18,61% em 2015. Astaxas médias de mortalidade por CB e CO foram, respectivamente, de 20,0 (± 30,9) e 10,7 (± 17,5) por 100milhabitantes. A renda média variou de R$ 434,20 a R$ 2.009,00 e o IDH-M, de 0,65 a 0,89. Houve decréscimo significativo (p < 0,05) nas taxas de mortalidade por CB e CO em idosos com o aumento dos valores das rendas médias e do IDH-M. CONCLUSÃO: As desigualdades socioeconômicas das cidades influenciam nas taxas de mortalidade por CB e CO em idosos.

Comparative effectiveness of primary radiotherapy versus surgery in elderly patients with locally advanced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the comparative effectiveness of primary radiotherapy (RT) and primary surgery (PS) for locally advanced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eligible individuals were patients in the SEER-Medicare registry diagnosed with locally advanced OPSCC between 2000 and 2011. Patients were categorized as receiving either primary RT ±â€¯chemotherapy, or PS ±â€¯adjuvant RT or chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Overall survival (OS) was analyzed using Cox multivariable analysis (MVA). Risks of gastrostomy dependence (GD), esophageal stricture (ES), and osteoradionecrosis (ORN) were analyzed using logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 2754 patients (69% RT, 31% PS) were included in this cohort, with a median age of 72 years. Patients treated with RT, CRT and PS experienced 3-year OS outcomes of 36.1%, 52.8%, and 54.9%, respectively (p < 0.001). Increasing age, unmarried status, increasing comorbidity, lower income, base of tongue (BOT) site, higher stage, no prior PET, and RT alone (but not CRT) were associated with inferior OS. Independent predictors of GD at 6 months included black race, BOT site, advanced stage, and CRT. The risks of ORN and stricture were not associated with treatment modality. Concurrent chemotherapy improved OS with definitive RT but had no impact in adjuvant RT. Only cisplatin- and taxane-containing regimens improved OS, but all concurrent agents, including cetuximab, significantly worsened GD. CONCLUSION: Local therapy decisions for locally advanced OPSCC must be individualized, with CRT increasing acute and chronic GD. The differential survival impact of concurrent chemotherapy in the definitive and adjuvant setting may be a consideration in decision-making.

Racial disparities and human papillomavirus status in oropharyngeal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study used a meta-analysis to quantify the degree to which the racial disparity in overall survival for black versus white Americans with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) persists after adjusting for human papillomavirus (HPV) status. METHODS: PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and CINAHLA were searched through November 2017. The PRISMA statement was followed. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) was calculated using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Five studies met the inclusion criteria and had suitable data for pooling into the meta-analysis (N = 1153). The pooled HR for overall survival in black versus white Americans with OPSCC after adjusting for HPV status was calculated to be 1.45 (95% confidence interval, 0.87-2.40). CONCLUSIONS: The difference in survival for black versus white Americans with OPSCC is not significant after adjusting for HPV status but still trends in the direction of a disparity. Additional studies are needed to better characterize this disparity.

Mortality from oral and oropharyngeal cancer in Brazil: impact of the National Oral Health Policy / Mortalidade por câncer de boca e orofaríngeo no Brasil: o impacto da Política Nacional de Saúde Bucal / Mortalidad por cáncer oral y orofaríngeo en Brasil: impacto de la Política Nacional de Salud Oral

Abstract: The objective was to investigate if there is an association between the mortality rates due to oral and oropharyngeal cancer in Brazil and the expansion of access to public primary and specialized dental care services that resulted from the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, between 2000 and 2013. The mortality data were obtained from the records of the Mortality Information System and the exposure variables were obtained from databases of the Brazilian Ministry of Health and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. The main exposures investigated were "coverage of primary dental care" and "number of specialized dental care centers". Additional covariates included "Gini index of household income", "average number of years of study", "proportion of unemployed people" and "proportion of smokers". For the statistical analysis, a random coefficient model was used. There was a statistically significant association between the mortality rates by oral and oropharyngeal cancer with coverage by primary dental care and the number of specialized dental care centers with males. This study found that the expansion of the coverage of primary dental care and the number of specialized dental care centers are associated with the reduction of mortality rates due to oral and oropharyngeal cancer in Brazil. There is plausibility for the association found, which needs to be confirmed by implementation studies.

Resumo: O estudo teve como objetivo investigar a presença de associação entre as taxas de mortalidade por câncer de boca e de orofaringe no Brasil e a ampliação do acesso aos serviços odontológicos de atenção primária e especializados na rede pública, resultado da implementação da Política Nacional de Saúde Bucal entre 2000 e 2013. Os dados de mortalidade foram obtidos dos registros do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade e as variáveis de exposição foram extraídas das bases de dados do Ministério da Saúde e do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. As principais variáveis de exposição foram "cobertura por equipes de saúde bucal" e "número de centros de especialidades odontológicas". As outras variáveis foram "índice Gini de renda domiciliar", "média de anos de escolaridade", "proporção de pessoas desempregadas" e "proporção de fumantes". A análise estatística usou um modelo de coeficientes aleatórios. Houve uma associação estatisticamente significativa entre as taxas de mortalidade por câncer de boca e orofaríngeo e a cobertura por equipes de saúde bucal e o número de centros de especialidades odontológicas, entre os indivíduos do sexo masculino. O estudo mostrou que a ampliação da cobertura de atenção primária em odontologia e o número de centros de especialidades odontológicas estão associados a uma redução nas taxas de mortalidade por câncer de boca e orofaríngeo no Brasil. Há plausibilidade na associação estatística, que deve ser confirmada através de estudos de implementação.

Resumen: El objetivo fue investigar si había una asociación entre las tasas de mortalidad, debidas al cáncer oral y orofaríngeo en Brasil, y la expansión del acceso a los servicios públicos de atención primaria y servicios especializados en atención dental que fueron resultado de la implementación de la Política Nacional de Salud Oral, entre el año 2000 y el 2013. Los datos sobre mortalidad se obtuvieron de los archivos del Sistema de Informaciones sobre Mortalidad y las variables de exposición se obtuvieron de bases de datos del Ministerio de Salud de Brasil y del Instituto Brasileño de Geografía y Estadística. Las exposiciones principales investigadas fueron "cobertura de la atención primaria dental" y "número de centros especializados en atención dental". Las covariables adicionales incluyeron: "índice de Gini de ingresos por hogar", "promedio del número de años de estudio", "proporción de individuos desempleados" y "proporción de fumadores". Para el análisis estadístico, se utilizó un modelo de coeficiente aleatorio. Hubo una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre las tasas de mortalidad por cáncer oral y orofaríngeo con cobertura por parte de la atención primaria dental y el número de centros especializados en cuidado dental, con hombres. Este estudio descubrió que la expansión de la cobertura del cuidado dental primario y del número de centros especializados en cuidado dental están asociados con la reducción de las tasas de mortalidad, causadas por cáncer oral y orofaríngeo en Brasil. Es plausible por la asociación hallada, pero necesita confirmarse mediante estudios de implementación.

Influência dos índices socioeconômicos municipais nas taxas de mortalidade por câncer de boca e orofaringe em idosos no estado de São Paulo / Influence of municipal socioeconomic indices on mortality rates for oral and oropharyngeal cancer in older adults in the State of São Paulo, Brazil

RESUMO: Introdução: O câncer de boca e o câncer de orofaringe são doenças influenciadas por fatores socioeconômicos. O risco de desenvolver essas doenças aumenta com a idade, e a maioria dos casos ocorre em idosos, com elevadas taxas de mortalidade. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a influência dos índices socioeconômicos municipais nas taxas de mortalidade por câncer de boca (CB) e de orofaringe (CO) em idosos nas 645 cidades do estado de São Paulo, Brasil, nos anos de 2013 a 2015. Método: Dados secundários de óbitos foram obtidos pelo Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM) do Ministério da Saúde. O número de idosos e os valores da renda média per capita e do índice de desenvolvimento humano por município (IDH-M) foram obtidos a partir dos dados da Fundação SEADE. Realizou-se a análise descritiva e exploratória dos dados, seguida de modelos binomiais negativos descritos pelo procedimento PROC GENMOD e avaliados pelo critério de informação de Akaike corrigido (AICc), pelo grau de liberdade e pelo teste de Wald (α=0,05). Resultados: Cerca de 30% das cidades notificaram óbitos em 2013, 16,74% em 2014 e 18,61% em 2015. Astaxas médias de mortalidade por CB e CO foram, respectivamente, de 20,0 (± 30,9) e 10,7 (± 17,5) por 100milhabitantes. A renda média variou de R$ 434,20 a R$ 2.009,00 e o IDH-M, de 0,65 a 0,89. Houve decréscimo significativo (p < 0,05) nas taxas de mortalidade por CB e CO em idosos com o aumento dos valores das rendas médias e do IDH-M. Conclusão: As desigualdades socioeconômicas das cidades influenciam nas taxas de mortalidade por CB e CO em idosos.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Oral and oropharyngeal cancer are diseases strongly influenced by socioeconomic factors. The risk of developing these diseases increases with age and most cases occur in the elderly, with higher mortality rates. This study aimed to analyze the influence of municipal socioeconomic indices on mortality rates for oral (OC) and oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) in elderly residents from 645 cities in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, from 2013 to 2015. Method: Secondary data on deaths were obtained in the Mortality Information System from the Brazilian Ministry of Health. The number of elderly, as well as per capita median income values and Human Development Index by municipality (HDI-M) values were obtained from data by the SEADE Foundation. Descriptiveand exploratory analysis of data was performed, followed by negative binomial models described by the Proc Genmod procedure and evaluated by the corrected AIC (Akaike Information Criterion), the likelihood level, and the Wald test (α = 0.05). Results: Around 30% of the cities notified deaths in 2013, 16.74% in 2014, and 18.61% in 2015. Founded mortality mean rates from OC and OPC were, respectively, 20.0 (± 430.9) and 10.7 (± 17.5) deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. Meanincome ranged, in local currency, from 434.2 to 2,009.00. HDI-M ranged from 0.65 to 0.89. There was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in mortality rates for OC and OPC in elderly with the increase in the cities' mean income and HDI-M values. Conclusion: Socioeconomic inequalities in the cities the on mortality rates for OC and OPC in elderly residents.

Commercial Claims-Based Comparison of Survival and Toxic Effects of Definitive Radiotherapy vs Primary Surgery in Patients With Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Importance: Definitive radiotherapy (RT) and primary surgery (PS) are considered to be equally viable local therapy modalities for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). The comparative effectiveness of these therapies is often debated, and treatment decisions are based on a paucity of comparative data. Objective: To examine the differences in overall survival and key toxic effects in patients with OPSCC treated with RT and PS. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort analysis used the HealthCore Integrated Research Database to identify 884 patients diagnosed with OPSCC from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2014. Patients were categorized as receiving definitive RT (with or without chemotherapy) or PS (with or without adjuvant RT or chemoradiotherapy). Administrative claims data were linked with state cancer registries from California, Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, New York, and Ohio. Data analysis was performed from February 29, 2016, to February 6, 2018. Exposures: Definitive RT or PS. Main Outcomes and Measures: Overall survival was analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression. Risks of gastrostomy dependence, esophageal stricture, and osteoradionecrosis were determined through claims and analyzed using logistic regression. Results: A total of 884 patients (608 [68.8%] in the RT group and 276 [31.2%] in the PS group; mean [SD] age, 61.5 [10.7] years; 727 [82.2%] male; 842 [95.3%] white) were included in this study. The 3-year overall survival was 76% among patients treated with RT and 81% among patients treated with PS (hazard ratio, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.54-1.01). On multivariable analysis, increasing age, female sex, and low income were associated with inferior survival; treatment type was not. Patients treated with RT were more likely to have gastrostomy dependence within the first year (391 [64.3%] vs 127 [46.0%]; adjusted OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.42-0.77). After treating chemotherapy as an effect modifier, there was no difference between modalities. Treatment type was not associated with esophageal stricture or osteoradionecrosis risk. Mean costs were approximately $100 000 for payers and $5000 for patients, with no adjusted differences between RT and PS. Conclusions and Relevance: This study suggests that RT and PS are equally viable treatment options for OPSCC; therefore, local therapy decisions may be individualized to each patient. However, the frequent addition of chemotherapy was associated with increased gastrostomy dependence among patients undergoing RT, which may be relevant in clinical decision making.