A population-based analysis of verrucous carcinoma of the oral cavity

To describe the incidence and determinants of survival of patients with verrucous carcinoma (VC) of the oral cavity between the years of 1973 and 2012 using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.

Retrospective cohort study using a national database.

The SEER registry was utilized to calculate survival trends for patients with VC of the oral cavity between 1973 and 2012. Patient data was then analyzed with respect to histopathology, age, sex, race, stage, grade, and treatment modalities (surgery and radiation therapy). Overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were calculated.

A total of 1,481 cases of VC of the oral cavity were identified. The cohort was composed of 50.5% males. The mean age at diagnosis was 69.5 years. The oral tongue was the most common primary site (28.9%), followed by the alveolar ridge (21.4%) and buccal mucosa (19.0%). The vast majority of cases (79.1%) presented with stage I and stage II disease. Nodal disease was present in only 1.6% of cases. The median OS was 94.6 months. Eighty-seven percent of cases underwent surgery, and 11.5% received both surgery and radiation therapy. Overall survival at 2, 5, and 10 years was 83%, 64%, and 42%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, advanced age (P < 0.001) and stage (P < 0.001) were associated with worse OS, whereas surgery improved OS (P = 0.047).

We provide the first population-based analysis of prognostic factors affecting survival outcomes in patients with oral cavity VC. Verrucous carcinoma of the oral cavity is associated with a generally favorable prognosis. Age, stage, nodal status, and surgical therapy are independent predictors of OS.

4. Laryngoscope, 128:393-397, 2018.