Neighborhood-Level Disadvantage and Delayed Adjuvant Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer.

Importance: For patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), initiation of postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) within 6 weeks of surgery is recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines and the Commission on Cancer. Although individual-level measures of socioeconomic status are associated with receipt of timely, guideline-adherent PORT, the role of neighborhood-level disadvantage has not been examined. Objective: To characterize the association of neighborhood-level disadvantage with delays in receiving PORT. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study included 681 adult patients with HNSCC undergoing curative-intent surgery and PORT from 2018 to 2020 at 4 US academic medical centers. The data were analyzed between June 21, 2023, and March 5, 2024. Main Outcome Measures and Measures: The primary outcome was delay in initiating guideline-adherent PORT (ie, >6 weeks after surgery). Time-to-PORT (TTP) was a secondary outcome. Census block-level Area Deprivation Index (ADI) scores were calculated and reported as national percentiles (0-100); higher scores indicate greater deprivation. The association of ADI scores with PORT delay was assessed using multivariable logistic regression adjusted for demographic, clinical, and institutional characteristics. PORT initiation across ADI score population quartiles was evaluated with cumulative incidence plots and Cox models. Results: Among 681 patients with HNSCC undergoing surgery and PORT (mean [SD] age, 61.5 [11.2] years; 487 [71.5%] men, 194 [29.5%] women) the PORT delay rate was 60.8% (414/681) and median (IQR) TTP was 46 (40-56) days. The median (IQR) ADI score was 62.0 (44.0-83.0). Each 25-point increase in ADI score was associated with a corresponding 32% increase in the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of PORT delay (aOR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.07-1.63) on multivariable regression adjusted for institution, age, race and ethnicity, insurance, comorbidity, cancer subsite, stage, postoperative complications, care fragmentation, travel distance, and rurality. Increasing ADI score population quartiles were associated with increasing TTP (hazard ratio of PORT initiation, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.53-0.96; 0.59; 95% CI, 0.44-0.77; and 0.54; 95% CI, 0.41-0.72; for ADI quartiles 2, 3, and 4 vs ADI quartile 1, respectively). Conclusions and Relevance: Increasing neighborhood-level disadvantage was independently associated with a greater likelihood of PORT delay and longer TTP in a dose-dependent manner. These findings indicate a critical need for the development of multilevel strategies to improve the equitable delivery of timely, guideline-adherent PORT.

Trends in ototoxicity monitoring among cisplatin-treated patients with cancer.

PURPOSE: This study aims to characterize patterns in ototoxicity monitoring and identify potential barriers to audiologic follow-up. METHODS: We performed a single-institution retrospective cohort study on adult (≥ 18 years old) cancer patients treated with cisplatin from January 2014 to September 2021. Our primary outcomes were rates of baseline and post-treatment audiograms at the following time points: 3, 6, 12, and greater than 12 months. Time-to-event analyses were performed to describe additional insights to ototoxicity monitoring patterns. RESULTS: Nine hundred fifty-five patients with cancer were included for analysis. The most common primary cancer sites were head and neck (64%), followed by cervical (24%). Three hundred seventy-three patients (39%) underwent baseline audiometric assessment, 38 patients (4%) received audiologic evaluation during chemotherapy, and 346 patients (36%) obtained at least one post-treatment audiogram. Audiologic follow-up was greatest within 3 months of completing chemotherapy (26%), but this tapered dramatically to less than 10% at every other post-treatment time point. Patients with head and neck cancer achieved higher rates of audiologic follow-up at every time point than patients with non-head and neck cancer except for during treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Ototoxicity monitoring is an inconsistent practice, particularly during chemotherapy and for long-term surveillance of hearing loss. Patients with non-head and neck cancer may be at increased risk for loss of audiologic follow-up. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Cisplatin ototoxicity is a common occurrence that can be effectively managed with auditory rehabilitation. Therefore, referrals to audiology and counseling on treatment-related ototoxicity are recommended throughout chemotherapy and cancer survivorship.

Risk and predictors of penile cancer in US Veterans with HIV.

OBJECTIVES: People living with HIV (PWH) may have an increased burden of penile cancer. We aimed to evaluate the risk of penile cancer in PWH compared to that of the general population. DESIGN: We conducted a nationwide retrospective matched cohort study of penile cancer incidence among veterans living with HIV (VWH) compared to veterans without HIV. METHODS: We compared penile cancer incidence rates in 44,173 VWH to those of veterans without Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (N = 159,443; 4:1 matched in age. We used Cox regression models to estimate Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations with HIV infection and for penile cancer risk factors. RESULTS: HIV positivity was associated with an increased risk of penile cancer, with adjusted hazard ratios (HR) of 2.63 (95% CI: 1.64-4.23) when adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, baseline BMI, smoking and alcohol use, economic means test, and history of condyloma. The risk increased to HR = 4.25 (95% CI: 2.75-6.57) when adjusting for all factors except history of condyloma. Risk factors for penile cancer in VWH included lower nadir CD4 count, <50% of follow-up time with undetectable HIV viral load, and history of condyloma. CONCLUSIONS: VWH--particularly those with low CD4 counts, detectable HIV viral loads, or history of condyloma--are at increased risk of penile cancer, suggesting the penile cancer prevention activities are needed in this population.

Poor Dental Health as a Risk Factor for Alveolar Ridge Malignancies.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between poor dental health and risk of oral cavity squamous cell cancer (OCSCC) at individual tumor subsites. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control and cross-sectional METHODS: A case-control study was performed using a population-based cohort in North Carolina (Carolina Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology Study [CHANCE]). A secondary cross-sectional analysis was performed with an institutional cohort (WashU/Siteman). Cases were adults with primary OCSCC and an identifiable tumor subsite. In the CHANCE cohort, controls were adults without head and neck cancer. In the Washington University/Siteman cohort, patients with tongue cancer served as the comparator group. We used number of missing teeth (categorized 0-6, 7-24, 25-28) as a surrogate for poor dental health, which was self-reported in CHANCE and measured on a pretreatment computed tomography scan in the WashU/Siteman study. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for missing teeth were estimated for each tumor subsite using binomial logistic regression models. RESULTS: Near complete tooth loss (25-28 teeth) was associated with a 3.5-fold increased risk of alveolar ridge malignancy (aOR: 3.51; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14-11.01, P = .03) in the CHANCE study. This association was confirmed in our cross-sectional analysis (WashU/Siteman study) where missing 25-28 teeth was associated with an increased risk of alveolar ridge compared to tongue cancer (aOR: 4.60; 95% CI: 1.97-11.10, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests an association between poor dental health and risk of alveolar ridge cancer independent of smoking, alcohol use, age, race, and sex. Future prospective and translational studies are needed to confirm this association and elucidate the mechanism of dental disease in alveolar ridge malignancies.

Neighborhood socioeconomic status and race are associated with incidence disparities in oral cavity cancers.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the association between neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES), race and incidence rate trends of oral cavity cancer (OCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used data from the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) 18 Census Tract-level SES and Rurality Database (2006-2018) database of the National Cancer Institute to create cohorts of OCC patients between 2006 and 2018. Annual incidence rates were calculated and trends in rates were estimated using joinpoints regression. RESULTS: The incidence of OCC is the highest among low nSES White Americans (2.86 per 100 000 persons) and the lowest among high nSES Black Americans (1.17 per 100 000 persons). Incidence has significantly increased among Asian Americans (annual percent change [APC]: low nSES-2.4, high nSES-2.6) and White Americans (APC: low nSES-1.4, high nSES-1.6). Significant increases in the incidence of oral tongue cancer in these groups primarily drive this increase. Other increases were noted in alveolar ridge cancer among White Americans and hard palate cancer among Asian Americans. OCC incidence decreased significantly in Hispanic Americans of high nSES (APC: -2.5) and Black Americans of low nSES (APC: -2.7). Floor of mouth cancer incidence decreased among most groups. CONCLUSION: Despite the overall decreasing incidence of OCC, these trends are inconsistent among all OCC subsites. Differences are seen by race, nSES, and subsite, indicating intersectional barriers that extend beyond nSES and race and ethnicity alone. Further research on risk factors and developing interventions targeting vulnerable groups is needed.

Barriers to Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Initiation and Completion among Adults Aged 18-26 Years in a Large Healthcare System.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection, with over 40% prevalence in the US. Oropharyngeal cancers (OPCs) driven by high-risk HPV are increasing (up to 90%), with HPV vaccination being the only prevention available. The aim of this study was to investigate HPV vaccination among patients aged between 18 and 26 years old with at least one encounter at a large healthcare system and identify sociodemographic factors associated with vaccine initiation and completion. A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted between 2018 and 2021, including 265,554 patients identified from the Clinical Data Warehouse. HPV vaccination status by age, sex, race/ethnicity, insurance type, primary care (PCP) visits in the past year, alcohol, tobacco, illicit drug use, and age at vaccination was examined. Overall, 33.6% of females and 25.4% of males have completed the HPV vaccine. Black Americans were 35% more likely to initiate the vaccine than White Americans but were less likely to complete the entire course. Overall, HPV vaccination prevalence was far below the Health People 2030 goal of 80%, especially in young males. This low rate is troubling, since many patients had a PCP visit and remained unvaccinated, which serves as a missed opportunity for vaccination.

Audiologic Follow-up in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Treated With Cisplatin and Radiation.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate factors associated with adherence to ototoxicity monitoring among patients with head and neck cancer treated with cisplatin and radiation therapy at a tertiary care center. METHODS: We performed a single-institution retrospective cohort study on adults with head and neck cancer treated with cisplatin and radiation therapy who participated in an ototoxicity monitoring program. The primary outcomes were rates of post-treatment audiograms at the following time points: one, three, six, 12, and greater than 12 months. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors associated with complete loss of follow-up after pre-treatment evaluation. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety-four head and neck cancer patients were analyzed. Overall, 220 (74.8%) patients had at least one post-treatment audiogram; 58 (20.0%) patients had more than one audiogram. The time point with the highest follow-up rate was at 3 months (n = 170, 57.8%); rates at the remaining times ranged from 7.1% to 14.3%. When controlling for covariates, patients without insurance and those with stage IV cancers were associated with complete loss of audiologic follow-up (aOR = 7.18, 95% CI = 2.75-19.90; aOR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.02-3.77, respectively). Among 156 patients recommended for a hearing aid, only 39 (24.8%) patients received one. CONCLUSIONS: Head and neck cancer patients enrolled in an ototoxicity monitoring program demonstrate moderately high follow-up rates for at least one post-treatment audiogram. However, follow-up tapers dramatically after 6 months, and overall hearing aid utilization is low. Further research is needed to understand barriers to long-term audiologic follow-up and hearing aid utilization to decrease untreated hearing loss in cancer survivorship. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3 Laryngoscope, 133:3161-3168, 2023.

Area deprivation index and segregation on the risk of HIV: a U.S. Veteran case-control study.

Background: Preventing HIV infection remains a critically important tool in the continuing fight against HIV/AIDS. The primary aim is to evaluate the effect and interactions between a composite area-level social determinants of health measure and an area-level measure of residential segregation on the risk of HIV/AIDS in U.S. Veterans. Methods: Using the individual-level patient data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, we constructed a case-control study of veterans living with HIV/AIDS (VLWH) and age-, sex assigned at birth- and index date-matched controls. We geocoded patient's residential address to ascertain their neighborhood and linked their information to two measures of neighborhood-level disadvantage: area deprivation index (ADI) and isolation index (ISOL). We used logistic regression to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for comparing VLWH with matched controls. We performed analyses for the entire U.S. and separately for each U.S. Census division. Findings: Overall, living in minority-segregated neighborhoods was associated with a higher risk of HIV (OR: 1.88 (95% CI: 1.79-1.97) while living in higher ADI neighborhoods was associated with a lower risk of HIV (OR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.84-0.92). The association between living in a higher ADI neighborhood and HIV was inconsistent across divisions, while living in minority-segregated neighborhoods was consistently associated with increased risk across all divisions. In the interaction model, individuals from low ADI and high ISOL neighborhoods had a higher risk of HIV in three divisions: East South Central; West South Central, and Pacific. Interpretation: Our results suggest that residential segregation may prevent people in disadvantaged neighborhoods from protecting themselves from HIV independent from access to health care. There is the need to advance knowledge about the neighborhood-level social-structural factors that influence HIV vulnerability toward developing interventions needed to achieve the goal of ending the HIV epidemic. Funding: US National Cancer Institute.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Prevalence and Disproportionate Cancer Burden Among US Veterans.

This cross-sectional study examines the rate of HPV vaccination and the number eligible for this vaccination among younger veterans and civilians.

Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status and Racial and Ethnic Survival Disparities in Oral Cavity and Laryngeal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Oral cavity cancer (OCC) and laryngeal cancer are among the most common cancers worldwide. This study investigated survival in non-Hispanic (NH) Black, NH White, Asian, and Hispanic patients with OCC and laryngeal cancer of low, intermediate, and high neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES). METHODS: We used data from the SEER 18 Census Tract-level SES and Rurality Database of the National Cancer Institute to create cohorts of OCC and laryngeal cancer patients from 2013 to 2018. Univariate survival analysis was performed with Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank P values by nSES and then the cross-classification of race, ethnicity, and nSES. We used Cox proportional hazards regression model for multivariable analysis. RESULTS: Higher nSES was associated with better OCC survival for NH White, NH Black, and Asian patients, and better laryngeal cancer survival for NH White, NH Black, Hispanic, and Asian patients. In the multivariable analyses of both OCC and laryngeal cancer survival, NH Black patients had worse survival than NH White patients in the high nSES tertile. NH Black patients with OCC were at higher risk of death than NH White patients at all nSES levels. Conversely, Asian patients with laryngeal cancer demonstrated better survival than other races within the high nSES. CONCLUSIONS: Overall survival differs between racial and ethnic groups of similar nSESs. These health disparities in patients with OCC and laryngeal cancer reflect broader inequities in the cancer control continuum. IMPACT: The cross-classification of race, ethnicity, and nSES revealed disparities in the 5-year overall survival of patients with OCC and laryngeal cancer and highlights the importance of intersectionality in the discussion of health equity.

Race and socioeconomic status interact with HPV to influence survival disparities in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is associated with a favorable prognosis, yet patients of color and low socioeconomic status (SES) continue to experience inferior outcomes. We aim to understand how the emergence of HPV has impacted race and SES survival disparities in OPSCC. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of 18,362 OPSCC cases from 2010 to 2017 was assembled using the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) database. Cox proportional regression and Fine and Gray regression models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) adjusting for race, SES, age, subsite, stage, and treatment. RESULTS: Black patients had lower overall survival than patients of other races in HPV-positive and HPV-negative OPSCC (HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.13-1.53 and HR 1.23, 95% CI 1.09-1.39, respectively). Higher SES was associated with improved survival in all patients. Race had a diminished association with survival among high SES patients. Low SES Black patients had considerably worse survival than low SES patients of other races. CONCLUSION: Race and SES interact variably across cohorts. High SES was protective of the negative effects of race, although there remains a disparity in outcomes among Black and non-Black patients, even in high SES populations. The persistence of survival disparities suggests that the HPV epidemic has not improved outcomes equally across all demographic groups.

Changing Epidemiology of Oral Cavity Cancer in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: We aim to more accurately characterize the current distribution and rates of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cases across various oral cavity subsites in the United States. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SETTING: Database study evaluating cancer incidence in the United States from 2001 to 2017. METHODS: We utilized the US Cancer Statistics Public Use Database, which includes deidentified cancer data reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Program of Cancer Registries and the National Cancer Institute's SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results), capturing 97% of newly diagnosed cancers. We restricted our analysis to SCC arising from oral cavity subsites from 2001 to 2017. We calculated trends in annual cancer incidence rates using SEER*Stat, as well as annual and average annual percentage change and joinpoints with the National Cancer Institute's Joinpoint program. RESULTS: Most oral cavity SCC cases arise from the oral tongue (41.7%), followed equally by lip and floor of mouth (each 16.5%), gingival (10.6%), buccal (6.7%), retromolar trigone (5.6%), and hard palate (2.3%) involvement. The overall incidence of oral tongue SCC continues to rise with an average annual percentage change of 1.8% (95% CI, 1.6%-2.1%; P < .001), with a 2.3% increase among women. This increase is seen among males and females of all age groups. Cancers involving the gum, buccal mucosa, and hard palate were also found to be increasing in rate, albeit to a lesser degree and with substantially lower incidence. CONCLUSIONS: The tongue is the most frequently involved subsite of oral cavity SCC and is increasing in incidence among males and females of all ages.

Disparities in head and neck cancer incidence and trends by race/ethnicity and sex.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of head and neck cancer (HNC) sites differ substantially. This study compares HNC incidence trends by site and demographic subgroups. METHODS: We used the U.S. Cancer Statistics Public Use Database to calculate HNC incidence rates per 100 000. We assessed trends with annual percent change (APC) longitudinally from 2001 to 2017. RESULTS: The oropharyngeal cancer incidence APC decreased from 4.38% (95% CI: 3.6, 5.1) to 2.93% (2.5, 3.3) in 2008 among White males. Oral cavity cancer incidence rose in Other race males (APC 2.5% [1.6, 3.36]) and White females (APC: 0.96% [0.7, 1.2]). Although decreasing (APC: -1.15% [-1.48, -0.83]), laryngeal cancer incidence remained disproportionately high among Black males. CONCLUSIONS: Notable incidence trends occurred in non-White groups at non-oropharyngeal sites. With parity of smoking rates by race, differing sexual behaviors, and shifting demographics by race and sex, future studies of HNC trends should consider stratifying analyses to understand health disparities.

No survival benefit in never-smoker never-drinker patients with oral cavity cancer.

BACKGROUND: Although strongly associated with tobacco and alcohol use, many oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) cases occur in patients without exposure to either, known as "never-smoker, never-drinkers" (NSND). We aimed to compare clinical outcomes between NSND and tobacco/alcohol-exposed populations and to define demographic characteristics of NSND. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, single-institution cohort study of 672 OCSCC patients. Cox models were used to estimate differences in overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) between NSND and tobacco/alcohol-exposed patients while adjusting for confounders. RESULTS: NSND represented 25.6% of our cohort and were older, more female, and more economically advantaged. Among NSND, oral tongue tumors dominated in younger patients, while alveolar ridge tumors dominated in elderly patients. Multivariate survival analysis revealed no differences in OS or RFS between NSND and tobacco/alcohol-exposed patients. CONCLUSION: When adjusted for independent biologic features, clinical outcomes in OCSCC are similar between NSND and tobacco/alcohol-exposed patients.

Quantifying Total and Out-of-Pocket Costs Associated With Head and Neck Cancer Survivorship.

Importance: Oncologic treatment is costly to the health care system and to individuals, but patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) also have long-term care needs after treatment. Survivors of HNC require specific consideration given their rapidly growing numbers. This subpopulation of cancer survivors often experiences long-term treatment-associated morbidity. Objective: To describe the total and out-of-pocket (OOP) costs associated with HNC survivorship and the risk factors for financial toxicity among this population. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a retrospective review and economic evaluation of a cohort of US adults with a diagnosis of HNC from 2006 to 2018. The study used data the from IBM MarketScan Commercial Claims Database. Data were analyzed from November 2020 to June 2022. Exposures: Treatment for HNC. Main Outcomes and Measures: Total and OOP medical costs were assessed monthly and reported relative to the date of HNC diagnosis. The primary outcome was the difference between a patient's mean monthly survivorship costs (13-60 months after diagnosis) and mean monthly baseline costs (7-12 months before diagnosis). Univariate and multivariable linear regression models were created for total and OOP costs to generate coefficient estimates with 95% CIs. Results: The study cohort of this economic evaluation included 19 098 patients with HNC (median [range] age, 56 [18-64] years; 14 144 [74.1%] men and 4954 [25.9%] women; race and ethnicity were not considered). Throughout the survivorship period, median total and OOP costs were $372 per month and $31 per month higher than baseline costs, respectively, with variation in expenses by demographic information, health plan type, and oncologic variables. In the multivariable model, greater total and OOP excess survivorship costs were associated with female sex ($343/mo; 95% CI, $126 to $560 and $9/mo; 95% CI, $4 to $14). Highest and lowest total excess survivorship costs associated with cancer site were seen for hypopharyngeal ($1908/mo; 95% CI, $1102 to $2714) and oropharyngeal cancers (-$703/mo; 95% CI, -$967 to -$439) vs oral cavity cancers. Compared with surgery or radiation therapy alone, multimodal treatment was generally associated with excess OOP survivorship costs. Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this retrospective economic evaluation review suggest that the costs of HNC survivorship remain persistently elevated above baseline costs for at least 5 years after diagnosis. High survivorship costs were associated with female sex, hypopharyngeal tumors, and treatment with multimodal therapy. Practitioners should seek to minimize costs for these patients at higher-risk of financial toxicity after treatment and work to provide directed supportive services.

Community access to primary care is an important geographic disparity among ovarian cancer patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery.

Objective: Given the importance of understanding neighborhood context and geographic access to care on individual health outcomes, we sought to investigate the association of community primary care (PC) access on postoperative outcomes and survival in ovarian cancer patients. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of Stage III-IV ovarian cancer patients who underwent surgery at a single academic, tertiary care hospital between 2012 and 2015. PC access was determined using a Health Resources and Services Administration designation. Outcomes included 30-day surgical and medical complications, extended hospital stay, ICU admission, hospital readmission, progression-free and overall survival. Descriptive statistics and chi-squared analyses were used to analyze differences between patients from PC-shortage vs not PC-shortage areas. Results: Among 217 ovarian cancer patients, 54.4 % lived in PC-shortage areas. They were more likely to have Medicaid or no insurance and live in rural areas with higher poverty rates, significantly further from the treating cancer center and its affiliated hospital. Nevertheless, 49.2 % of patients from PC-shortage areas lived in urban communities. Residing in a PC-shortage area was not associated with increased surgical or medical complications, ICU admission, or hospital readmission, but was linked to more frequent prolonged hospitalization (26.3 % vs 14.1 %, p = 0.04). PC-shortage did not impact progression-free or overall survival. Conclusions: Patients from PC-shortage areas may require longer inpatient perioperative care in order to achieve the same 30-day postoperative outcomes as patients who live in non-PC shortage areas. Community access to PC is a critical factor to better understanding and reducing disparities among ovarian cancer patients.

Risk and incidence of head and neck cancers in veterans living with HIV and matched HIV-negative veterans.

BACKGROUND: Persons living with HIV/AIDS have a higher incidence of virus-related and tobacco/alcohol-related cancers. This study is the first to estimate the effect of HIV versus HIV-negative veterans on the risk of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma incidence in a large retrospective cohort study. METHODS: The authors constructed a retrospective cohort study using patient data from 1999 to 2016 from the National Veterans Administration Corporate Data Warehouse and the VA Central Cancer Registry. This cohort study included 45,052 veterans living with HIV/AIDS and 162,486 HIV-negative patients matched by age, sex, and index visit (i.e., HIV diagnosis date or clinic visit date). The age-standardized incidence rates and estimated adjusted hazard ratios were calculated with a Cox proportional hazards regression for oropharyngeal and nonoropharyngeal head and neck cancer squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The authors also abstracted human papillomavirus (HPV) status from oropharyngeal HNSCC diagnosed after 2010. RESULTS: Veterans living with HIV/AIDS (VLWH) have 1.71 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36, 2.14) times the risk of oropharyngeal cancer and 2.06 (95% CI, 1.76, 2.42) times the hazard of nonoropharyngeal cancer compared with HIV-negative veterans. VLWH with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) were more likely to be HPV-positive (N = 30 [81.1%]) than the HIV-negative veterans with OPSCC (N = 50 [67.6%]), although this difference was not significant (p = .135). For nonoropharyngeal cancer, the increased risk of oral cavity cancer among VLWH drove the increased risk. CONCLUSIONS: The study results suggest that HIV may play a role in virally mediated and nonvirally mediated HNSCC. As the HIV prevalence rises in the United States due to better survival and the incidence of HPV-positive oropharyngeal HNSCC increases, the interaction between HPV and HIV becomes increasingly relevant.

Inferior outcomes associated with emergency department presentation for head and neck cancer surgery☆.

PURPOSE: Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients frequently require care through emergency departments (ED) due to lack of access or symptom acuity, however, the frequency and implications of this occurrence have not been delineated. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between emergency department admission of HNC surgery with length of stay (LOS) and total costs (TC). METHODS: A cohort of 12,920 adult HNC patients admitted to acute care hospitals receiving ablative surgery during index admission was identified using the New York State Inpatient Database from 2006 to 2016. Outcomes included LOS, TC, 90-day complications, and inpatient mortality. RESULTS: Eight percent of the cohort was admitted through the ED, which increased over the study period from 6.52% (95% CI: 5.05-7.99) to 17.0% (95% CI: 14.9-19.1). ED admission was associated with a longer LOS (11 days longer, 95% CI 10.3-11.7) and higher mean TC ($43,197) versus non-ED admission ($19,010), with a mean difference of $24,191 (95% CI 20,713-27,669). After controlling for covariates, ED admission was associated with an 81.6% (95% CI 76.8-86.5) and 80.4% (95% CI 70.5-90.8) increase in LOS and TC, respectively, and decreased survival with a hazard ratio of 1.97 (95% CI 1.60-2.42). CONCLUSIONS: Rates of ED admission for HNC diagnoses requiring surgical intervention during index admission are rising and associated with longer LOS higher TC, more postoperative complications, and increased inpatient mortality after accounting for patient and facility differences. Striving for high-quality HNC cancer care demands addressing barriers to care that contribute to patients relying on the ED for access.

Free Flap Reconstruction of the Anterior Skull Base: A Systematic Review.

Objectives Given the limitations in the available literature, the precise indications, techniques, and outcomes of anterior skull base free flap reconstruction remain uncertain. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review of published literature and evaluate indications, methods, and complications for anterior skull base free flap reconstruction. Methods A systematic review of the literature was performed using a set of search criteria to identify patients who underwent free flap reconstruction of the anterior skull base. Articles were reviewed for inclusion based on relevance, with the primary outcome being surgical complications. Results After a comprehensive search, 406 articles were obtained and 16 articles were ultimately found to be relevant to this review-79 patients undergoing free flap reconstruction were identified. Overall complication rates were 17.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 16.6-33.1%) for major complications and 19.0% (95% CI: 17.8-35.5%) for minor complications. Conclusion Microvascular reconstruction of the anterior skull base is feasible with high reliability reported in the literature.