Influence of Race, Sex on Overall Survival in HNSCC

Background: Disparities in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are common but limited data are available on how sex and race interact to influence disparities in HNSCC. Objective: To understand sex-based disparities in HNSCC outcomes and determine the interaction between sex and race. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Patients at a single institution were identified from February 1, 2001, to December 31, 2020, if they had biopsy-proven mucosal HNSCC. They must have also had curative treatment intent. Primary outcome was overall survival based on sex and race. Results: 452 patients were identified. Males were more likely to have advanced cancer on presentation. African American females had the best prognosis and survival, followed by white females, while African American males had the worst survival, even when controlling for confounding variables. Human papillomavirus (HPV)–negative tumors had a higher sex–race disparity. Conclusions: Among patients w more...