[Prognostic factors of head and neck cancer]

A multivariate analysis of survival in 403 cases of head and neck cancer was carried out. Primary sites of the 403 cases were, oral cavity, larynx, hypopharynx, mesopharynx, epiharynx and maxillary sinus. The purpose of the analysis was to determine patient and tumor factors that influence survival. The patient factor observed to influence survival was patient age (p = 0.0009), however, patient gender was not significantly related to survival. Tumor factors were evaluated by T, N classification, histological type and the location of primary site. Although location of primary site was not related to survival, primary site (T) and lymph node (N) classification did influence survival rate (T; p = 0.0001, N; p = 0.0000). A significant correlation was also recognized between histological type and prognosis (p = 0.0189).