A new study by Peterson and colleagues investigated associations between a
history of tobacco use and survival outcomes. The researchers from the Department of Otolaryngology, University
of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan surveyed 687 previously
untreated patients with cancer of the oral cavity (n = 271), oropharynx (n =
257), larynx (n = 135), or hypopharynx (n = 24). They explored the associations
of tobacco use intensity (packs/day), duration (years of use), and timing
before diagnosis with overall survival, disease-specific survival, and
recurrence-free survival.
The
study showed that cigarette use duration, timing, and intensity were significant
predictors for all adverse outcomes. Never smoking and pack-years were not
significantly associated with outcomes after adjustment for prognostic factors,
such as stage, comorbidities, and human papillomavirus (HPV) status, which were
strongly associated with clinical outcomes.
The
authors concluded that their findings confirm the association between smoking
history and survival and the importance of clinical variables in evaluating
smoking as a prognostic factor. They also stated that timing, intensity, and
duration of cigarette use should be considered with other prognostic factors
when considering risk stratification for treatment planning.
