[Stage grouping for head and neck cancer: a meta-analysis]

To compare the correlation of TANIS and 1997 UICC stage grouping with survival rate in head and neck carcinoma.

A series of 820 patients affected by primary carcinoma of paranasal sinuses (43 patients), oral cavity (100 patients), oropharynx (64 patients), larynx (599 patients) and parotid gland (134 patients) was considered in this retrospective study for a minimum follow-up of 5 years. The data set was classified according to 1997 UICC T-category and then grouped as recommended by the two systems. Data were analyzed by means of survival analyses (Kaplan-Meier and Cox algorithms).

The total disease-specific survival rate at 5 years was 44% for paranasal sinuses, 54% for oral cavity, 28% for oropharynx, 86% for larynx and 65% for parotid gland. Globally, univariate analysis by means of Log Rank Test yielded significant p-values both for TANIS and 1997 UICC systems. Multivariate analysis (Cox regression adjusted for age and gender) showed a significant correlation between the two staging systems with the mortality rate. However, TANIS resulted in a higher prognostic value in oral cavity, oropharynx and larynx that are three sites affected by a homogeneous histological type of carcinoma (i.e. squamous cell carcinorna).

TANIS stage grouping better defines the prognosis for head and neck cancer than the 1997 UICC system.