Abstract
Objective: To measure comorbidity in patients with oral or oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
Method: Prospective cohort study performed in 2 hospitals in Santos. A total of 116 adult patients treated for a newly diagnosed oral or oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma were evaluated on this study from 1996 to 2007. We measured comorbidity illness applying the some validated scales.
Results: After 4 years of follow-up the mortality rate was 47.4%. Patients with high values in ACE-27 and WUHNCI showed increased absolute risk of death in 25% and 31%, respectively. Of the 55 deaths in the period, 30.9% were due to other causes than cancer. Four indexes had predictive value on mortality due to other causes than cancer. Thus, patients who have high indexes on CIRS, KFC, ACE-27, and WUHNCI had increased risk of death of 33%, 23%, 44%, and 51%, respectively. Thirty-eight patients (69.1%) presented cancer-related mortality. Only the WUHNCI presented significant difference capable of predicting mortality.
Conclusion: Comorbidity is an independent prognostic factor in patients with oral or oropharyngeal cancer. Higher values in ACE-27 and WUHNCI showed increased absolute risk of death. WUHNCI were capable of predicting cancer-related mortality. Patients who have high indexes on CIRS, KFC, ACE-27 and WUHNCI had increased risk of death due to noncancer causes.
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