242P - Epidemiology and survival analysis of head and neck cancer: Results from a comprehensive care center in North India

Background

In India head and neck cancers (HNCs) are the most common cancer among male and rank 2^nd overall. There is wide variation in the incidence and anatomic distribution of HNCs in India compared to western countries. This variation is mostly due to demographic differences in cigarette and alcohol consumption behaviours, which lead to the development of over 80% of all HNCs diagnosed worldwide. The purpose of this study was to understand the epidemiology of HNCs in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics at the time of diagnosis and their survival.

Methods

This was a retrospective single-center, hospital-based cancer registry study which included all primary diagnosed HNCs cases attending various departments of our hospital during the time 1st January 2016 – 31st December 2020. Patients’ sociodemographic characteristics, clinicopathological details, such as stage of cancer, treatment received and follow up details were extracted from medical records. All statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2016 and R software (Rx 64 version 3.6.2). Survival was estimated by the Kaplan Meier method and compared by the log-rank test.

Results

A total of 574 confirmed cases of HNCs were include in this study. Baseline characteristics of patients are listed in the table. Majority of the patients presented as locally advanced disease. The treatment intent was curative in 80% and palliative for 20%. The median follow up period was 20.0 months (inter quartile range of 12.0). After 18 months of follow up 58.5% of the cases survived. There was no statistically significant difference in survival between male and female, tobacco users and non-tobacco users, age below and above 60 years. The survival was statistically significant in patients with histological grade I and II compared to grade III tumours.

Conclusions

This study reports the demographic profile and pattern of care of patients with HNCs from a comprehensive care center in North India. Table: 242P

Baseline distribution of HNCs (N = 574)

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.