Disparities in Mortality from Larynx Cancer: Implications for Reducing Racial Differences

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Race is a known predictor of overall mortality (OM) in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) in the United States.
• Understanding racial disparities in cancer-specific mortality (CSM) is crucial for equitable cancer care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess whether racial disparities influence cancer-specific mortality (CSM) in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).
• To analyze the impact of sociodemographic and clinical factors on LSCC outcomes across different racial groups.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database for adult LSCC patients diagnosed between 2004 and 2015.
• Employed univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards and Fine-Gray competing-risks regression analyses, adjusting for clinicodemographic factors.

Main Results:

• Identified 14,506 LSCC patients; Black patients exhibited higher OM than white patients (aHR 1.10).
• Black patients showed higher univariable CSM but not multivariable CSM (aHR 1.01) compared to white patients.
• Multivariable analysis revealed diagnosis year, age, stage, treatment, and sociodemographic factors significantly predicted CSM.

Conclusions:

• Racial differences in OM for LSCC were observed, but not in CSM, after controlling for key variables.
• Black patients presented with more advanced stage cancers and socioeconomic factors linked to poorer outcomes.
• Targeting sociodemographic disparities is essential for reducing racial inequalities in LSCC outcomes.