Abstract
The clinical characteristics of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) may be different between endemic and non-endemic regions of betel nut chewing. The impact of combined alcohol drinking/betel quid chewing/cigarette smoking (ABC) exposure on the survival of OPSCC remains unclear. We reviewed the medical records of OPSCC patients between 1999 and 2013. Immunohistochemical staining of p16 and HPV genotype detection by DNA Polymerase chain reaction were both performed for each tumor. A total of 300 eligible patients including 74 HPV+ OPSCC patients and 226 HPV− OPSCC patients were enrolled. The 5-year disease-free survival rates for the HPV−, HPV+ OPSCC with and without ABC patients were 49.8%, 58.4% and 94%, respectively. The 5-year overall survival rates for the patients with HPV−, HPV+ OPSCC with and without ABC patients were 46%, 57.4% and 86%, respectively. Advanced locoregionally disease (T3/T4, N2/N3), HPV- OPSCC, combined 2 or all ABC exposure were the independent adverse prognostic factors for disease-free and overall survival. Therefore, our data suggest that in an endemic region of betel quid chewing, HPV− OPSCC comprises the majority of OPSCC and has a worse survival. Combined 2 or all ABC exposure had a significant negative impact on disease-free and overall survival.
Highlights
The clinical characteristics of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) may be different between endemic and non-endemic regions of betel nut chewing
The Human papillomavirus (HPV)+ OPSCC is a subtype of OPSCC, which is associated with a better response to treatment and a better outcome
It has been demonstrated that each of alcohol drinking/betel quid chewing/cigarette smoking (ABC) exposures is strongly associated with the risk for OPSCC13,14
Summary
The clinical characteristics of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) may be different between endemic and non-endemic regions of betel nut chewing. The impact of combined alcohol drinking/betel quid chewing/cigarette smoking (ABC) exposure on the survival of OPSCC remains unclear. Most of the patients with HPV− OPSCC and many patients with HPV+ OPSCC in Taiwan have two or all exposures of alcohol drinking, betel quid chewing and cigarette smoking (ABC), which all are the risk factors strongly associated with OPSCC13. Clinical characteristics and treatment outcome of OPSCC in Taiwan may be different from www.nature.com/scientificreports those in other populations with only single or two exposures of alcohol drinking and cigarette smoking, without betel quid chewing. The aims of this study are to show the clinical characteristics of OPSCC in an endemic region of betel quid chewing and to analyse the impacts of ABC exposure on the survival of the OPSCC patients
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
