Treatment modality and outcomes in larynx cancer patients: A sex-based evaluation.

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the differences in treatment modality and outcomes between male and female patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the United States.

METHODS

Data were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database for patients with laryngeal SCC (2004-2013). Overall survival (OS), disease specific survival (DSS), and multivariate analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

Among women, supraglottic cancers were the most prevalent (61.2%); whereas the majority of men developed glottic cancers (64.2%; P < .001). Women with T4 disease were more likely to undergo primary radiation (56.8% vs 45.3%; P < .001) and less likely to undergo open surgery were than men (37.1% vs 48.2%; P < .001). Women had significantly better OS in glottic and supraglottic cancers, and comparable survival in subglottic cancer. Sex remained an independent prognostic factor for both DSS and OS.

CONCLUSION

Sex is an independent prognostic factor for DSS and OS in patients with laryngeal SCC.