Smoking and papillomavirus DNA in patients with p16‐positive N3 oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Background

We investigated the survival of patients with a p16‐positive N3 oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and the prognostic significance of patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients treated at our Cancer Center for a p16‐positive N3 OPSCC between 2003 and 2016. End points were overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS).

Results

A total of 29 patients were included. The 5‐year OS and PFS were 67.5% and 59.1%, respectively. Smoking history above 10 pack‐years and the absence of human papillomavirus DNA were associated with worse OS (P = .02 and P = .03, respectively) and PFS (P = .02 and P = .02, respectively). Induction chemotherapy or radical neck dissection were not associated with different treatment outcomes.

Conclusion

Patients with an N3 p16‐positive oropharyngeal cancer in our series had a 5‐year OS rate of 67.5%. Smoking history and viral DNA were prognostic factors associated with survival.

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