Increasing radiation therapy and lower survival for human papillomavirus-related oropharynx cancer associated with a shift to community cancer center care.
J Natl Cancer Inst
; 116(7): 1051-1062, 2024 Jul 01.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38167712
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Studies have shown lower overall survival for patients with head and neck cancer treated at low-volume or community cancer centers. As the incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma steadily rises in the United States, we hypothesized that a greater proportion of patients with HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is being treated at community cancer centers, with a shift toward primary nonsurgical treatment.METHODS:
This cohort study included patients from the US National Cancer Database who received a diagnosis of HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma from 2010 to 2019 and underwent treatment at a community cancer center or academic cancer center. The proportion of patients with HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated at community cancer centers and receiving primary nonsurgical treatment was analyzed over time. Four-year overall survival was compared between community cancer centers and academic cancer centers.RESULTS:
The majority (67.4%) of 20â298 patients were treated at an academic cancer center, yet the proportion of patients treated at community cancer centers increased by 10% from 2010 to 2019 (P < .01 for trend). The proportion of patients undergoing primary nonsurgical treatment increased from 62.1% to 73.7% from 2010 to 2019 (P < .01 for trend), and patients were statistically significantly more likely to undergo nonsurgical treatment at community cancer centers than at academic cancer centers (adjusted odds ratio = 1.20, 95% confidence interval = 1.18 to 1.22). Treatment at community cancer centers was associated with worse survival overall (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.19, 95% confidence interval = 1.09 to 1.31), specifically for patients receiving primary nonsurgical treatment (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.22, 95% confidence interval = 1.11 to 1.34).CONCLUSIONS:
Treatment of HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma has recently shifted to community cancer centers, with an increase in the proportion of nonsurgical treatment and worse overall survival at these centers compared with academic cancer centers. Concentration of care for HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma at academic cancer centers and dedicated head and neck cancer centers may increase access to all available treatment modalities and improve survival.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Cancer Care Facilities
/
Oropharyngeal Neoplasms
/
Papillomavirus Infections
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
America do norte
Language:
En
Journal:
J Natl Cancer Inst
/
J. natl. cancer inst
/
Journal of the national cancer institute
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Country of publication: