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Updated: Jan 6, 2026

Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: April 20, 2018
Factors predicting for patient refusal of head and neck cancer therapy
Arya Amini1, Vivek Verma2, Richard Li1
1Department of Radiation Oncology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, California.
Background:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the national rate of treatment refusal in head and neck cancer (HNC).
Methods:
The National Cancer Database was queried for nonmetastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Oncologic therapy referred to receipt of surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy.
Results:
Compared to the 230 424 patients who received treatment, 2965 (1.3%) were reported to have refused definitive therapy. Predictors included older age, female sex, African-American/other race, nonprivate insurance, greater comorbidities, more advanced disease, and residence closer to the treating facility (P < .05). Patients with a prior history of cancer, Hispanic race, those treated at academic centers, and those from higher income counties were less likely to refuse therapy (P < .05). Patients who refused definitive therapy experienced poorer survival (median 79.1 vs 8.7 months, P < .001).
Conclusions:
Refusing oncologic therapy is relatively rare in HNC and appears to be multifocal in nature.
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