Positive factors on survival of head and neck cancer of unknown primary: what the clinician can do

Khalil F, Koch M, Iro H, Sievert M, Haderlein M, Semrau S, Fietkau R, Agaimy A, Scherl C (2023)


Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2023

Journal

DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2023.2265937

Abstract

Background: Management of patients with head and neck cancer of unknown primary (HNCUP) is challenging. Aims/Objectives: To provide a long-term analysis focusing on protective survival factors for clinical decision-making. Furthermore, the prognostic value of the current N classification system was evaluated. Material and methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with HNCUP between 2003 and 2016. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to investigate predictors of overall survival (OS). Results: A primary tumor was found in 67 of 290 patients with suspected HNCUP, leaving after exclusion 141 HNCUP cases for analysis, who received multi-step therapy (MST) (n = 108) or single therapy (n = 28). Chemotherapy (CT) (n = 101), curative MST, ≤3 positive lymph nodes (LN) (n = 33), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (n = 123), HPV+ (n = 21), M0 (n = 70) increased OS by 21.8%, 24.4%, 12.7%, 6.8%, 18.7%, 29.6%, respectively. 5- and 10-year OS was 78.1%/66.6%. The number of metastatic LNs predicted OS is better than N classification. Conclusion and significance: Aspects for clinical decision-making: Curative MST and SCC histology were the most significant predictors for improved OS. Categorizing LN into 1, 2-3, and >3 LNs was more significant than the traditional N classification. The addition of CT to curative MST has a stronger impact on survival than HPV and N classifications.

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How to cite

APA:

Khalil, F., Koch, M., Iro, H., Sievert, M., Haderlein, M., Semrau, S.,... Scherl, C. (2023). Positive factors on survival of head and neck cancer of unknown primary: what the clinician can do. Acta Oto-Laryngologica. https://doi.org/10.1080/00016489.2023.2265937

MLA:

Khalil, Firas, et al. "Positive factors on survival of head and neck cancer of unknown primary: what the clinician can do." Acta Oto-Laryngologica (2023).

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