National Cancer Database Analysis of the effect of brachytherapy on overall survival in patients with base of tongue cancer. Journal Article


Authors: Silva, SR; Martin, B; Choi, M; Emami, B; Hurst, NJ
Article Title: National Cancer Database Analysis of the effect of brachytherapy on overall survival in patients with base of tongue cancer.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: We performed an analysis of the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to evaluate overall survival (OS) in patients with base of tongue (BOT) cancer treated with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) combined with brachytherapy (BT). METHODS: The tongue NCDB Participant User File was used to obtain demographic and clinical patient data. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to determine OS. Significance was determined using univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: At 3 years, OS was 69.6%, 77.1%, and 63.7% for patients treated with EBRT (n =?27?954), EBRT?+?BT (n =?209), or BT alone (n =?154), respectively (P =?.01). On multivariable analysis, the instantaneous hazard of death for patients receiving EBRT?+?BT was 25% (Hazard ratio [HR]?= 0.75, 95% CI: 0.58-0.98) lower than patients receiving only EBRT (P =?.03). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of BT to EBRT in BOT cancer has an OS benefit.
Journal Title: Head neck
ISSN: 1097-0347; 1043-3074
Publisher: Wiley Periodicals, Inc  
Date Published: 2019