Increased body mass index predicts prolonged survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Eric L Wu; Tejasvi Peesay; James A Randall; Lacey L Nelson; Sarah C Shearer; Bria C Johnson; Jessica H Maxwell

doi:10.1002/hed.26922

Increased body mass index predicts prolonged survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Head Neck. 2022 Feb;44(2):325-331. doi: 10.1002/hed.26922. Epub 2021 Nov 12.

Authors

Eric L Wu¹, Tejasvi Peesay², James A Randall³, Lacey L Nelson², Sarah C Shearer¹, Bria C Johnson², Jessica H Maxwell^{1

4}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
² Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
³ Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
⁴ Department of Surgery, Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.

PMID: 34773312
DOI: 10.1002/hed.26922

Abstract

Background: Higher body mass index (BMI) may have a protective effect on survival in patients with head and neck cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of BMI on overall survival (OS) in veterans with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods: A cohort of 702 patients diagnosed with HNSCC between 1995 and 2019 were identified at the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and 342 patients were included for analysis. Records were queried for clinical-demographic data, BMI, and outcomes.

Results: HNSCC patients categorized as overweight or obese at time of diagnosis had a lower 3-year risk of death (p = 0.033) and improved OS (p < 0.001) compared to patients who were underweight or normal weight. The majority of locoregional recurrences occurred in patients with low or normal pretreatment BMI.

Conclusions: Higher BMI at diagnosis may have a protective effect on OS in veterans with HNSCC.

Keywords: BMI; oropharyngeal cancer; squamous cell carcinoma; survival; veterans.

MeSH terms

Body Mass Index
Head and Neck Neoplasms* / therapy
Humans
Neoplasm Recurrence, Local*
Obesity / complications
Obesity / epidemiology
Prognosis
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck