Prognostic Indicators in Base of Tongue Adenocarcinoma: A Population-Based Analysis

The objectives of this investigation are to characterize the epidemiology of base of tongue adenocarcinoma utilizing a population-based database and to identify prognostic factors that may affect survival.

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate Cox-regression analysis were performed to evaluate the association of suspected prognostic factors with survival. Overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were the primary outcome measures.

A total of 176 cases were eligible based on inclusion criteria. The 5-year OS and DSS were 49% and 66%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, surgical management was associated with improved OS and DSS (OS hazard ratio [HR]: 0.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.20-0.58, P < .001; DSS HR: 0.20, 95% CI: 0.09-0.48, P < .001), while higher tumor grade was associated with worse OS and DSS (OS HR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.14-2.19, P = .006; DSS HR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.01-2.79, P = .045). Administration of chemotherapy or radiation did not have a significant association with OS or DSS.

This investigation is the largest to date to analyze the base of tongue adenocarcinoma as its own entity. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment, and lower tumor grade is associated with improved survival in these patients. Administration of radiation or chemotherapy was not associated with improved survival.