Postdiagnosis Smoking Cessation and Survival Outcomes of Head and Neck Cancer Patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Post-diagnosis smoking remains prevalent among head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. Smoking cessation may improve patient outcomes.

Methods

A prospective longitudinal cohort study (2008-2014) included 835 newly diagnosed HNSCC patients and followed up for 7 years. Participants were categorized by smoking behavior (never smokers, former smokers, quitters, continuing smokers, and intermittent smokers). The primary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS).

Results

Smoking cessation after diagnosis was associated with significantly improved OS. Quitters had a 61% reduction in mortality risk compared to continuing smokers (HR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.69), with the greatest benefit in oral cavity cancer patients (HR:

SUBMITTER: Mohebbi E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12434553 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature