Disparities in Survival Outcomes among Racial/Ethnic Minorities with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer in the United States

Examining the Impact of Race and Sex on the Incidence of Positive Surgical Margins in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of positive surgical margins (PSMs) between different races and sexes in a national cohort.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, we analyzed the association between race and sex disparities and the incidence of PSMs based on data from the 2004-2016 National Cancer Database (NCDB). The NCDB includes deidentified data collected from over 1500 hospitals as part of the Commission on Cancer approvals program and represents over 70% of new cancer cases in the United States. This analysis provides minimally adjusted and further adjusted multivariate analyses of the incidence of positive surgical margins in OCSCC stratified by sex and race, disease characteristics, other demographics, comorbidities, and social determinants of health (SDOH).

RESULTS

The incidence of PSMs was found to be elevated in black males of any age, black males under the age of 45, and in Indigenous American and native Alaskan males under the age of 45, independent of clinicopathologic factors. Specifically, black patients had a significantly higher incidence of PSMs when controlling for age, subsite, stage, grade, LVI, and CDCS. Our results remained unchanged after adjusting for the SDOH variables of insurance coverage, level of education, income, metropolitan versus urban versus rural location, distance from treatment center, and facility type.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study suggest that black males of any age, black males under 45, and Indigenous American and native Alaskan males under 45 have a higher incidence of PSMs, independent of clinicopathologic factors and SDOH. Our findings may help inform clinicians and hospitals of lapses in our healthcare system that perpetuate these inequities and further the goal of tackling disparities in surgical care.

Demographics and Trends in Outpatient Surgery for Laryngeal Cancer: 2016-2021

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the utilization patterns of outpatient laryngoscopic excision procedures for laryngeal cancer in the United States, examining procedural costs and patient demographics to identify disparities in healthcare access.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

National Ambulatory Surgery Sample database of major ambulatory surgeries in the United States, 2016-2021.

METHODS

Encounters for endoscopic resection of laryngeal cancers were identified focusing on patient demographics and procedural costs. Analysis was performed regarding trends over time.

RESULTS

Of 11,371 encounters in 2016-2021, patients were mostly male (82.6%), White (75.3%), and living in metropolitan areas with greater than 1 million residents (54.1%), with an even distribution between income quartiles. Predictors of utilization at urban teaching hospitals progressively decreased in patients residing in smaller metropolitan areas (250-999,000 residents (odds ratio [OR] = 0.451, P ≤ .0001) and 50-249,000 residents (OR = 0.193, P ≤ .0001). Higher utilization was found in non-White patients (Black [OR = 1.673, P = .0075], Hispanic [OR = 1.752, P = .0118]), and those with patients with higher income (2nd quartile [OR = 1.411, P = .0058], 3rd quartile [OR = 2.017, P ≤ .0001], and 4th quartile [OR = 4.422, P < .0001]). These findings were consistent on multivariate analysis, however belonging to a racial minority lost significance (Black patients [P = .0508], Hispanic [P = .3008]).

CONCLUSION

There are existing disparities in endoscopic resection of laryngeal cancers. Our findings add to the literature underscoring the importance of expanding access to minimally invasive laryngeal preserving surgical treatment.

Patient-centered communication and its impact on minority health competence and outcomes in the United States

While patient-centered communication (PCC) has been recognized for its potential to enhance health and well-being, existing research presents mixed findings, partly due to limited attention to intermediary processes. Additionally, disparities in communication quality leave minority populations at a disadvantage, experiencing less effective communication and lower levels of patient-centeredness. This study addresses these gaps by examining how different PCC functions influence both general and mental health outcomes within minority populations. Furthermore, it investigates the role of health competence as a potential mediator, given its importance in navigating the healthcare system. This study used secondary data from four iterations spanning from 2011 to 2022 (HINTS 4 Cycle 1 - 2011, HINTS 5 Cycle 1 - 2017, HINTS 5 Cycle 4 - 2020, HINTS 6 Cycle 1 - 2022) with a sample size of n = 5501, focusing exclusively on individuals from minority racial backgrounds. The study used ANOVA, chi-square tests, and multiple linear regressions to investigate how different PCC functions and sociodemographic factors affect general health, health competence, and mental health within these populations. The present study revealed that PCC has varying impacts on the reporting of general and mental health within minority populations. Although we observed positive associations, they were not consistent across all the patients. In certain years, specific PCC dimensions demonstrated significant relationships with mental health, emphasizing their influence on mental well-being. Health competence emerged as a crucial mediator between PCC and health outcomes, particularly in terms of general health. This study provides valuable insights into the relationships between PCC and health competence and health outcomes among minority populations. These findings emphasize the importance of tailored healthcare approaches for minority populations, recognizing the multifaceted nature of healthcare interactions.

Disparities in Survival of Head and Neck Cancer in the Hispanic Population: Systematic-Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The Hispanic health paradox (HHP), the observation that Hispanic people in the United States often experience better health outcomes than non-Hispanic people despite having worse prognostic factors, has not been evaluated for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), a malignancy with marked racial disparities in outcomes. The objective of this study is to evaluate the HHP within the context of HNSCC.

DATA SOURCES

CINAHL, PubMed, and Scopus.

REVIEW METHODS

Studies that compared survival between Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients with HNSCC in the United States were included. Meta-analysis of adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was conducted to compare overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) between Hispanic white (HW) and non-Hispanic white (NHW) patients with HNSCC.

RESULTS

Of 2106 unique abstracts reviewed, 25 studies were included in the systematic review and 22 in the meta-analysis. Among the 657,185 patients in the meta-analysis, 6.9% (95% CI: 5.8%-8.3%) were of Hispanic ethnicity. HW patients had improved OS relative to NHW patients (aHR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.86-0.94) among the 17 studies reporting OS and improved CSS relative to NHW patients (aHR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.80-0.94) among the 4 studies reporting this outcome.

CONCLUSION

HW people with HNSCC exhibit improved survival relative to NHW people with HNSCC, supporting the HHP in the context of HNSCC. Research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms, which could provide insights into improving outcomes for all patients with HNSCC.

Role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the management of head and neck cancer patients with persistent cervical lymphadenopathy following chemoradiation

BACKGROUND

We aim to describe the management and outcomes of patients with persistent lymphadenopathy (LAD) after primary chemoradiation for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) based on post-treatment PET/CT results.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review was conducted of all patients who underwent primary concurrent chemoradiation for HNSCC at a tertiary care center from 2010 to 2022 and had persistent post-treatment LAD.

RESULTS

Nearly 62% of patients were managed conservatively, and 27.0% underwent neck dissection. PET-positive patients were more likely to undergo neck dissection than PET-negative patients (p = 0.042). Positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) of PET/CT in detecting residual disease in the neck were 48.0% and 73.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

PPV and NPV of PET/CT for detecting residual neck disease in patients with post-treatment LAD was lower than those of HNSCC patients with and without persistent LAD reported in other studies.

Racial and ethnic disparities in treatment refusal for head and neck cutaneous malignancies

Racial and ethnic minorities with skin cancer experience disproportionately worse prognoses and adverse outcomes compared to non-Hispanic, White patients. We analyzed patients diagnosed with any cutaneous malignancies of the head and neck between 2010 to 2021 using the data from the National Cancer Database to quantify disparities. The primary outcome variable was treatment refusal, and secondary variables included days from diagnosis to treatment, tumor depth, and mortality. Among the 151,733 patients analyzed, most were non-Hispanic White (99%) and male (71%). Black patients had the greatest odds of treatment refusal (4.166, 95% CI: 2.054-8.452, p < 0.001) across all cutaneous malignancies of the head and neck. Black and Hispanic patients also had increased times from diagnosis to treatment (p < 0.001). Black patients had higher odds of 90-day mortality compared to non-Hispanic White patients (p < 0.001). This coincided with greater tumor depth in Black and Hispanic patients compared to that of non-Hispanic White patients (p < 0.001). Black patients were more likely to refuse treatment for head and neck cutaneous malignancies. Moreover, Black and Hispanic patients experienced more treatment delays. These findings may relate to the increased 90-day mortality among Black patients and increased tumor depth in Black and Hispanic patients. Further investigation into the quality of life and functional impairment is warranted alongside interventions to reduce these disparities.

Exploring patient stratification in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma using machine learning techniques: Preliminary results

BACKGROUND

Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) presents a significant challenge in oncology due to its inherent heterogeneity. Traditional staging systems, such as TNM (Tumor, Node, Metastasis), provide limited information regarding patient outcomes and treatment responses. There is a need for a more robust system to improve patient stratification.

METHOD

In this study, we utilized advanced statistical techniques to explore patient stratification beyond the limitations of TNM staging. A comprehensive dataset, including clinical, radiomic, genomic, and pathological data, was analyzed. The methodology involved correlation analysis of variable pairs and triples, followed by clustering techniques.

RESULTS

The analysis revealed that HNSCC subpopulations exhibit distinct characteristics, which challenge the conventional one-size-fits-all approach.

CONCLUSION

This study underscores the potential for personalized treatment strategies based on comprehensive patient profiling, offering a pathway towards more individualized therapeutic interventions.

Disparities in Care for Patients with Head and Neck Cancer

This article examines disparities in head and neck cancer across the cancer care continuum. It provides a public health lens to understand multilevel determinants of health behavior and the importance of social determinants of health. This article reviews the evidence base showing profound differences in incidence, treatment, and survival for patients with head and neck cancer by race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geography. Continued research is needed to understand and address disparities for patients with head and neck cancer.

Impact of Adjuvant Radiotherapy Setting on Quality-of-Life in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To determine differences in post-treatment QoL across treatment settings in patients receiving adjuvant radiation therapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

METHODS

This was a prospective observational cohort study of patients with HNSCC initially evaluated in a head and neck surgical oncologic and reconstructive clinic at an academic medical center (AMC). Participants were enrolled prior to treatment in a prospective registry collecting demographic, social, and clinical data. Physical and social-emotional QoL (phys-QoL and soc-QoL, respectively) was measured using the University of Washington-QoL questionnaire at pre-treatment and post-treatment visits.

RESULTS

A cohort of 177 patients, primarily male and White with an average age of 61.2 ± 11.2 years, met inclusion criteria. Most patients presented with oral cavity tumors (n = 132, 74.6%), had non-HPV-mediated disease (n = 97, 61.8%), and were classified as Stage IVa (n = 72, 42.8%). After controlling for covariates, patients treated at community medical centers (CMCs) reported a 7.15-point lower phys-QoL compared with those treated at AMCs (95% CI: -13.96 to -0.35, p = 0.040) up to 12 months post-treatment. Additionally, patients who were treated at CMCs had a 5.77-point (-11.86-0.31, p = 0.063) lower soc-QoL score compared with those treated at an AMC, which was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that HNSCC patients treated with radiation at AMCs reported significantly greater phys-QoL in their first-year post-treatment compared to those treated at CMCs, but soc-QoL did not differ significantly. Further observational studies are needed to explore potential factors, including treatment planning and cancer resource engagement, behind disparities between AMCs and CMCs.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3 Laryngoscope, 134:3645-3655, 2024.

Neighborhood Deprivation and Symptoms, Psychological Distress, and Quality of Life Among Head and Neck Cancer Survivors

Importance

Socioeconomic deprivation is associated with increased risk of poor health and quality-of-life (QOL) outcomes in head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors. However, there are few data on how neighborhood deprivation affects patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in HNC survivors.

Objective

To investigate whether neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation is associated with symptom burden, psychological distress, and QOL among HNC survivors.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study used prospectively collected data from patients seen in a university-affiliated multidisciplinary HNC survivorship clinic between September 2018 and September 2021 who received radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, and larynx or hypopharynx.

Exposure

Neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation, measured using the Area Deprivation Index (ADI).

Main Outcomes and Measures

The PROMs pertaining to symptom burden and severity of psychological distress were measured using the Neck Disability Index, Insomnia Severity Index, the 10-item Eating Assessment Tool, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale, and the 8-item Patient Health Questionnaire. Physical and social-emotional QOL were obtained using the University of Washington QOL questionnaire. Multivariable linear regression analysis adjusting for individual-level sociodemographic, comorbidity, and treatment characteristics investigated the association between ADI and PROMs. A subgroup analysis was performed to compare the lowest (most affluent areas: ADI, 0%-20%) and highest (most deprived areas: ADI, 80%-100%) ADI quintiles.

Results

A total of 277 patients were included in the final analysis (mean [SD] age, 64.18 [9.60] years; 215 [77.6%] male). Cancer sites were the oral cavity (52 [18.8%]), oropharyngeal area (171 [61.7%]), and larynx or hypopharynx (54 [19.5%]). Multivariable analysis showed that for every 1-point increase in ADI, social-emotional QOL changed by -0.14 points (95% CI, -0.24 to -0.05 points), anxiety increased by 0.03 points (95% CI, 0.01-0.06 points), and neck disability worsened by 0.05 points (95% CI, 0.01-0.10 points). Compared with patients in the most affluent areas, those in the most deprived areas had significantly lower physical (-15.89 points; 95% CI, -25.96 to -2.31 points; Cohen d = -0.83) and social-emotional (-13.57 points; 95% CI, -22.79 to -3.49 points; Cohen d = -0.69) QOL and higher depression (2.60 points; 95% CI, 0.21-4.40 points; Cohen d = 0.52), anxiety (3.12 points; 95% CI, 1.56-4.66 points; Cohen d = 0.61), insomnia (3.55 points; 95% CI, 0.33-6.41 points; Cohen d = 0.54), and neck disability (5.65 points; 95% CI, 1.66-9.55 points; Cohen d = 0.66) scores.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cross-sectional study, a higher ADI score was associated with higher risk of increased psychological distress, higher symptom burden, and decreased QOL after treatment among HNC survivors. These findings suggest that proactive, patient-centered interventions are needed to address these disparities.

Promoter DNA methylation patterns in oral, laryngeal and oropharyngeal anatomical regions are associated with tumor differentiation, nodal involvement and survival

Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) can be used as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic targets in precision medicine workflows. DNA from 21 HNSCC and 10 healthy oral tissue samples was hybridized to a genome-wide tiling array to identify DMRs in a discovery cohort. Downstream analyses identified differences in promoter DNA methylation patterns in oral, laryngeal and oropharyngeal anatomical regions associated with tumor differentiation, nodal involvement and survival. Genome-wide DMR analysis showed 2,565 DMRs common to the three subsites. A total of 738 DMRs were unique to laryngeal cancer (n=7), 889 DMRs were unique to oral cavity cancer (n=10) and 363 DMRs were unique to pharyngeal cancer (n=6). Based on the genome-wide analysis and a Gene Ontology analysis, 10 candidate genes were selected to test for prognostic value and association with clinicopathological features. TIMP3 was associated with tumor differentiation in oral cavity cancer (P=0.039), DAPK1 was associated with nodal involvement in pharyngeal cancer (P=0.017) and PAX1 was associated with tumor differentiation in laryngeal cancer (P=0.040). A total of five candidate genes were selected, DAPK1, CDH1, PAX1, CALCA and TIMP3, for a prevalence study in a larger validation cohort: Oral cavity cancer samples (n=42), pharyngeal cancer tissues (n=25) and laryngeal cancer samples (n=52). PAX1 hypermethylation differed across HNSCC anatomic subsites (P=0.029), and was predominantly detected in laryngeal cancer. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (P=0.043) and Cox regression analysis of overall survival (P=0.001) showed that DAPK1 methylation is associated with better prognosis in HNSCC. The findings of the present study showed that the HNSCC subsites oral cavity, pharynx and larynx display substantial differences in aberrant DNA methylation patterns, which may serve as prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Reduced Racial Disparity as a Result of Survival Improvement in Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a cancer type associated with a high level of racial and socioeconomic disparities as reported by many previous studies. However, the changes in these disparities in the past two decades have not been systematically studied. In this study, we investigated the Surveillance Epidemiology End Results (SEER) data for prostate cancer patients diagnosed during 2004-2018. African Americans and Asians showed significantly better and worse cancer-specific survival (CSS), respectively, compared to non-Hispanic white individuals after adjusting for confounding factors such as age and cancer stage. Importantly, the data indicated that racial disparities fluctuated and reached the highest level during 2009-2013, and thereafter, it showed a substantial improvement. Such a change cannot be explained by the improvement in early diagnosis but is mainly driven by the differential improvement in CSS between races. Compared with Asians and non-Hispanic whites, African American patients achieved a more significant survival improvement during 2014-2018, while no significant improvement was observed for Hispanics. In addition, the SEER data showed that high-income patients had significantly longer CSS than low-income patients. Such a socioeconomic disparity was continuously increasing during 2004-2018, which was caused by the increased survival benefits of the high-income patients with respect to the low-income patients. Our study suggests that more efforts and resources should be allocated to improve the treatment of patients with low socioeconomic status.