Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: April 20, 2018
External Validation of Pre-Treatment Primary Tumor Volume as a Prognostic Factor in Head and Neck Cancer Treated With
Gabriel Adrian1,2,3, Andre Haraldsson Änghede1, Lachlan McDowell2
1Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Radiation Physics, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Background:
Primary tumor volume (GTVp) is a key prognostic factor in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) treated with radiotherapy. We aimed to externally validate this association and assess its relevance in other head and neck sites.
Methods:
Patients from the RADCURE dataset were analyzed using Cox regression for local failure, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Subgroup analyses included HPV status, chemotherapy use, and separate evaluations for hypopharyngeal and laryngeal cancers. Model performance was assessed using the concordance index (C-index).
Results:
Among 1286 OPSCC patients, increasing GTVp was associated with a higher risk of local failure and reduced PFS and OS, consistent across HPV and chemotherapy subgroups. Similar associations were observed in hypopharyngeal (n = 157) and laryngeal (n = 803) cancers. Model performance was strong (C-index up to 0.82).
Conclusion:
Primary tumor volume is a robust prognostic factor across head and neck cancer sites, supporting risk stratification in curative radiotherapy.
