Obesity and head and neck cancer risk and survival

Authors: Xinmiao Tan Heather H Nelson Scott M Langevin Michael McClean Carmen J Marsit Tim Waterboer Michael Pawlita Karl T Kelsey Dominique S Michaud

Publish Date: 2014/11/15

Volume: 26, Issue: 1, Pages: 111-119

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Abstract

Previous studies examining the association of body mass index BMI with risk of and survival from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma HNSCC have been inconsistent although an inverse association has been noted for obesity and risk of HNSCC in several studies Previous studies have not examined whether these associations differ by human papillomavirus HPV statusWe utilized the resources of a populationbased case–control study of HNSCC from the greater Boston area 959 cases and 1208 controls were eligible for this analysis Anthropometric history was collected through personal interviews and HPV status was assessed using serology We analyzed the association between BMI assessed 5 years prior to disease incidence and disease risk and survival using logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression respectivelyAfter adjusting for known risk factors the association between obesity and overall risk of HNSCC was not significant OR 079 95  CI 060–104 However obesity BMI ≥30 kg/m2 was inversely associated with HNSCC risk among HPVseronegative cases OR 048 95  CI 032–070 but not among HPVseropositive cases OR 091 95  CI 068–121 BMI was not associated with survival overall or by HPV status However being overweight BMI 25–299 kg/m2 was associated with longer survival among HPVseropositive smokers HR 048 95  CI 031–074Our findings are consistent with previous observations that obesity is inversely associated with the risk of HNSCC however this association appears to be confined to HPVseronegative cases Overall obesity was not associated with HNSCC survival overall or by HPV status

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