Impact of p16 expression, nodal status, and smoking on oncologic outcomes of patients with head and neck unknown primary squamous cell carcinoma. Issue 9 (22nd March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dixon, Peter R.; Au, Michael; Hosni, Ali; Perez–Ordonez, Bayardo; Weinreb, Ilan; Xu, Wei; Song, Yuyao; Huang, Shao Hui; O'Sullivan, Brian; Goldstein, David P.; de Almeida, John R.
• Is Part Of: Head & neck. Volume 38:Issue 9(2016)
• Page Start: 1347
• Page End: 1353
• Publication Date: 2016-03-22
• Subjects: unknown primary neoplasms -- head and neck neoplasms -- squamous cell carcinoma -- human papilloma virus -- p16; Head -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neck -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Head -- Periodicals; Neck -- Periodicals; Face -- Periodicals; 617.51059
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.24441
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-3074

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The prognostic significance of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the context of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) of cancer of unknown primary (CUP) origin is unclear. Methods: Patients treated for CUP at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre between 2001 and 2013 were stratified by p16 status and retrospectively reviewed. Results: Of the 73 patients included, those with p16‐positive tumors (63%) had less advanced nodal status (N1–N2b; 52% vs 89%; p = .035) and less aggressive treatment. Patients with p16‐positive tumors had improved 3‐year disease‐free survival (DFS; 79% vs 56%; p = .012) independent of nodal status and treatment in multivariable analysis (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.27; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.08–0.95). Conclusion: Among patients with CUP, p16‐positive status is an independent predictor of DFS but not overall survival (OS). © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2016 © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 1347–1353, 2016