Vahl JM, Nagel G, Abou Kors T, Brand M, von Witzleben A, Sonntag M, Grages A, Theodoraki MN, Greve J, Denkinger M, Dallmeier D, Idel C, Stilgenbauer S, Hoffmann TK, Laban S. Regional outcome disparities in German head and neck cancer patients: Shorter survival in Eastern Germany.
Cancer Med 2023;
12:21426-21435. [PMID:
38037808 PMCID:
PMC10726835 DOI:
10.1002/cam4.6690]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Demographics are important prognostic factors in malignant diseases. A nationwide analysis concerning the prognostic impact of demographics in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients (HNCP) has not been performed previously.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis of data from the Center for Cancer Registry Data (ZfKD) and the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) between 2002 and 2017 was performed. A total of 212'920 HNCP were included. Incidence, tumor stage, age development, sex distribution, age-, residence-, and diagnosis-time-specific survival were examined.
RESULTS
Mean age of HNCP increased more rapidly than in the general population (slope coefficient: 0.29 vs. 0.20; p < 0.0001). Higher age and male sex were associated with a worse prognosis. Whereas overall survival (OS) increased from the early to the later observation period for HNCP <70 years, no OS improvement for HNCP >70 years was found. Furthermore, an OS disadvantage was observed for East Germany compared to West Germany (median 47 vs. 60 months; p < 0.0001). This disparity was associated with a disproportionately high ratio of men in East Germany (men/women: 4.4 vs. 3.1; p < 0.0001) and a lower mean age (61 vs. 63 years; p < 0.0001). In addition to stage, age and sex, residence in East Germany were confirmed as an independent factor for OS in a multivariate analysis.
CONCLUSION
Finally, three decades after the German reunion, a survival disadvantage for patients in East Germany still exists. This discrepancy may be a result of socioeconomic disparities.
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