Behavioral analysis of HPV+ oropharyngeal cancer: Do you know your patients?

Publication date: Available online 18 February 2019

Source: American Journal of Otolaryngology

Author(s): Annika Meyer, Daniel A. Alicea, Rocco M. Ferrandino, Brett A. Miles

Abstract

Objective

Evaluate the epidemiologic makeup of a population of HPV+ OPSCC patients treated at one institution over approximately a decade.

Study design

Prospective survey study of HPV+ OPSCC treated between 2007 and 2016.

Setting

Mount Sinai Health System

Subjects and methods

Patients aged 18+ who underwent treatment for HPV+ OPSCC. 223 patients were asked to complete a health survey including substance use and sexual history in order to specifically characterize the social behaviors of patients with HPV + OPSCC.

Results

Eighty-two patients responded, 70 male (85.4%) and 12 female (14.6%). While half of patients were nonsmokers, 18.3% had a smoking history of <15 pack years, and 32.9% had a 15+ pack-year smoking history. Nearly 25% reported significant drinking history (3+ drinks/day). Males had an average of 18 lifetime sexual partners, and females had 7 partners. Eight patients reported >100 sexual partners.

Conclusions

HPV+ OPSCC was more prevalent in white males with a high number of lifetime sexual partners, as expected. Careful evaluation revealed other findings of significance that are not generally associated with this population. Half of our patients had significant historical tobacco and alcohol consumption. One quarter of patients had a history of another malignancy. These findings highlight the importance of taking a comprehensive history when determining appropriate treatment or designing future de-escalation trials in HPV+ OPSCC.

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