Early-Stage Glottic Carcinoma in the United States: Demographics and Treatment Choice.

OBJECTIVE

Limited investigation of factors potentially contributing to treatment choice in early-stage glottic carcinoma (EGC) has been performed with large-scale data. The National Cancer Database (NCDB) represents >72% of all new cancer cases in the United States. We hypothesized that NCDB variables may lend insight into treatment decisions between surgery and radiation for EGC.

METHODS

The NCDB was queried for all cases of T1-2  N0  M0 glottic carcinoma from 2004 to 2016. We used multivariable logistic regression analysis to examine factors associated with first-line treatment modality: radiation therapy (RT) versus surgery. All reported odds ratios (OR) were adjusted for age, gender, race, insurance, residence in a metropolitan area, region, and facility volume.

RESULTS

34,991 EGC patients received treatment: 6,687 (19%) surgery; 20,289 (58%) RT; and 8,015 (23%) surgery and RT. OR for receiving RT (vs. surgery alone) were >2 for: more advanced T stage cancers (OR 2.5 [95%CI: 2.3, 2.7]), treatment at non-academic facilities (OR 2.8, [95%CI: 2.6, 3.0]), and shorter travel distances to treatment centers (OR 2.2, [95%CI: 2.0, 2.4]). Surgery was more likely with treatment in the western US, higher income, private insurance, living in a metropolitan (vs. non-metropolitan) area, female gender, older age, and low facility volume. Hispanic ethnicity, education level, and race were not associated with treatment type in the multivariable model.

CONCLUSION

Most patients in the NCDB receive first-line treatment with radiation for EGC, and this decision is associated with various tumor, patient, and treatment facility characteristics.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 133:901-907, 2023.