Prognostic Utility of Controlling Nutritional Status Score in Patients With Oral Cavity Cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Oncology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) is a significant health concern.
• Prognostic markers are crucial for tailoring OCSCC treatment and management.
• Nutritional status is increasingly recognized as a factor influencing cancer outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the preoperative Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score as a prognostic marker in OCSCC.
• To assess the association between the CONUT score and survival outcomes in OCSCC patients.
• To determine if the CONUT score can independently predict prognosis in OCSCC.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 352 OCSCC patients who underwent primary surgical treatment.
• Categorization of patients based on preoperative CONUT scores (0-1 for normal nutrition, ≥2 for undernutrition).
• Statistical analysis to examine relationships between CONUT score, clinicopathological factors, and survival (Overall Survival and Disease-Free Survival).

Main Results:

• Higher CONUT scores (≥2) were significantly associated with poorer 5-year Overall Survival (OS) and Disease-Free Survival (DFS) (p < 0.001).
• Multivariable analysis identified a CONUT score ≥2 as an independent adverse prognostic factor for OS (HR=1.963) and DFS (HR=2.026).
• A nomogram incorporating the CONUT score demonstrated reliable OS prediction (C-index=0.772).

Conclusions:

• The preoperative CONUT score is a potential prognostic marker for surgically treated OCSCC patients.
• The CONUT score effectively identifies patients at higher risk of adverse survival outcomes.
• A CONUT score-based nomogram can aid in predicting survival and managing OCSCC.