Improved survival with HPV among African Americans with oropharyngeal cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

A major limitation of studies reporting a lower prevalence rate of human papilloma virus (HPV) in African American patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer (OPSCC) than Caucasian Americans, with corresponding worse outcomes, was adequate representation of HPV-positive African American patients. This study examined survival outcomes in HPV-positive and HPV-negative African Americans with OPSCC.

Experimental design

The study cohort of 121 patients with primary OPSCC had 42% African Americans. Variables of interest included age, race, gender, HPV status, stage, marital status, smoking, treatment, and date of diagnosis.

Results

Caucasian Americans are more likely to be HPV positive (OR = 3.28; P = 0.035), as are younger age (age < 50 OR = 7.14; P = 0.023 c

SUBMITTER: Worsham MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3644015 | biostudies-literature | 2013 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature