Survival inequalities in head and neck cancers: A hospital-based cohort study

BackgroundWe investigated whether the socioeconomic status (SES) influenced survival rates in oropharynx cancers (OPC), oral cavity cancers (OCC), and larynx cancers (LC) in Brazilian patients. MethodsThis hospital-based cohort study assessed the age-standardized 5-year relative survival (RS) using the Pohar Perme estimator. ResultsOverall, we identified 37 191 cases, and 5-year RS were 24.4%, 34.1%, and 44.9% in OPC, OCC, and LC, respectively. In multiple Cox regression, the highest risk of death occurred in the most vulnerable social strata for all subsites-that is, illiterates or patients relying on publicly funded healthcare services. Disparities increased over time by 34.9% in OPC due to the rising of survival rates in the highest SES, whereas they reduced by 10.2% and 29.6% in OCC and LC. ConclusionsThe potential inequities were more significant for OPC than for OCC and LC. It is urgent to tackle social disparities to improve prognoses in highly unequal countries.

Automated summary

A hospital-based cohort study in Brazil found that socioeconomic status (SES) influenced survival rates in oropharynx cancers (OPC), oral cavity cancers (OCC), and larynx cancers (LC). The highest risk of death was observed in the most vulnerable social strata, such as illiterates or patients relying on publicly funded healthcare services. Disparities in survival rates increased over time in OPC due to improvements in the highest SES, while they decreased in OCC and LC.