Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Young Patients: A Multi-Institutional Study of the Canadian Head & Neck...

ImportanceOral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) is rare in patients ≤40 years, and their risk factors, presentation, and outcomes may differ from older patients.ObjectiveTo assess the epidemiology, risk factors, and oncologic outcomes of young patients (≤40 years) with OCSCC compared to those >40 years.DesignA multi-institutional retrospective cohort study.SettingNine Canadian institutions from 2005 to 2019.ParticipantsIn total, 4506 adults with OCSCC, of whom 205 (4.55%) were young and 4301 were older than 40.Interventions or ExposuresThe primary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), comparing young and older patients. The identification of risk factors for OCSCC development in young patients was a secondary outcome.Main Outcome MeasuresOS, DFS, and risk factor identification.ResultsOral tongue cancer was the most common subsite (48.9%), with a significantly higher proportion of cases in young patients (73.4% vs 47.7%, P < .01). Young patients were more likely to present at an earlier clinical stage (T1: 44% young vs 31% old, P < .01) and were less likely to smoke (57% young vs 31% old, P < .01) or consume alcohol (72% young vs 58% old, P < .01). Multivariable analysis showed that smoking status, previous head and neck cancer, and advanced stage were significantly associated with decreased OS and DFS (P < .05). No significant differences were found in local (P = .61), regional (P = .67), or distant (P = .50) disease failure between age groups.Conclusions and RelevanceYoung patients with OCSCC were less likely to smoke or drink and presented at earlier stages, but they did not experience improved OS or DFS compared to older patients. These findings emphasize the need for further research into biological differences in OCSCC between young and older patients.