Association of pretreatment body mass index and survival in human papillomavirus positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Oral Oncol. 2016 Sep:60:55-60. doi: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2016.07.003. Epub 2016 Jul 7.

Abstract

Background: Pretreatment body mass index (BMI) >25kg/m(2) is a positive prognostic factor in patients with head and neck cancer. Previous studies have not been adequately stratified by human papilloma virus (HPV) status or subsite. Our objective is to determine prognostic significance of pretreatment BMI on overall survival in HPV+ oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).

Methods: This is a retrospective review of patients with HPV+ OPSCC treated between 8/1/2006 and 8/31/2014. Patients were stratified by BMI status (>/<25kg/m(2)). Univariate and multivariate analyses of survival were performed.

Results: 300 patients met our inclusion/exclusion criteria. Patients with a BMI >25kg/m(2) had a longer overall survival (HR=0.49, P=0.01) as well as a longer disease-specific survival (HR=0.43, P=0.02). Overall survival remained significantly associated with high BMI on multivariate analysis (HR=0.54, P=0.04).

Conclusions: Pre-treatment normal or underweight BMI status is associated with worse overall survival in HPV+ OPSCC.

Keywords: Body mass index; Human papillomavirus; Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma; Survival.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alphapapillomavirus / isolation & purification*
  • Body Mass Index*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / virology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / virology
  • Preoperative Period
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Analysis
  • Young Adult