Five-year survival and prognostic factors for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: retrospective cohort of a cancer center

Introduction Oropharyngeal cancer is characterized by high morbidity and mortality. Prognostic factors for this cancer are therefore useful to predict overall survival and may provide additional therapeutic targets. Objective To evaluate the 5-year overall survival and prognostic factors for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods Retrospective cohort (2008-2018) of a cancer referral center. The population of the study was a hospital-based cohort consisting of patients diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer who underwent surgery and/or adjuvant therapy (radio- and/or chemotherapy). Results A total of 253 patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma were analyzed. The mean age was 59.811.9 years and there was a male predominance (81.8%). Smoking and alcohol consumption were found in 88.0% and 84.2% of the sample, respectively. The combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy was the treatment modality in 42.7% of the sample, followed by surgery combined with radio- and chemotherapy in 15.8%. There were 143 deaths (events), the mean survival was 11.55 +/- 9.69 months, and the 5-year overall survival rate was 1.1%. Overall survival was lower for clinical stage III/IV (p<0.001), HPV p16-negative status (p=0.019), and an interval>4 weeks between diagnosis and the beginning of treatment (p<0.007). Conclusion Among the prognostic factors analyzed in this cohort, p16-negative status as a poor prognostic indicator and tumor stage III/IV and an interval longer than 4 weeks between diagnosis and the beginning of treatment were significantly associated with lower overall survival.

Automated summary

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma has a low 5-year overall survival rate. Poor prognostic factors include tumor stage III/IV, HPV p16-negative status, and an interval longer than 4 weeks between diagnosis and treatment initiation.