Predictors of all-cause early mortality and cancer-specific early mortality in patients with nasopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas.

BACKGROUND

This research aimed to quantify the incidence and risk factors for all-cause early mortality (defined as death within 3 months of diagnosis) versus cancer-specific early mortality in patients with nasopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (NPSCC).

METHODS

Data on NPSCC patients diagnosed between 2004 and 2014 were retrieved from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Early mortality was defined as survival less than or equal to 3 months. Logistic regression was employed to identify determinants associated with both overall and cancer-specific early mortality.

RESULTS

Among 1891 eligible patients, 176 (9.3%) died within 3 months of diagnosis, including 156 (8.2%) whose deaths were cancer-related. Univariate analysis revealed that older age, single/divorced/widowed status, poorly differentiated histology, advanced T category, advanced N category, and distant metastasis were significantly linked to both overall and cancer-specific early mortality. After multivariable adjustment, older age, unmarried status, lower histologic grade, high T stage, and metastatic disease remained independent predictors of overall and cancer-specific early mortality. The advanced nodal stage was additionally associated with cancer-specific early mortality (all P  < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Elderly patients, aggressive tumor biology (poor differentiation, advanced T/N stage, distant metastasis), and unmarried status independently predict early mortality in NPSCC.