22 Nov Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Lip Predominantly Affects White Men in Their Mid-60s
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Albert Han
Albert Yoon-Kyu Han, PhD
Class of 2017
Medical Scientist Training Program
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lip makes up a large portion of oral cancers (25%). Most of the demographic and prognostic indicators for lip SCC are only available through retrospective case series. Thus, we used the national cancer database (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results, or SEER) to examine the incidence, treatment, and survival of patients with lip SCC.
The main findings of this study were that lip Squamous cell carcinoma predominantly affects white men in their mid-60s. We also found that the determinants of survival for lip SCC include age at diagnosis, primary site, T stage, and N stage. More specifically, on the primary site, SCC of the upper and lower lip had similar survival, whereas SCC of the oral commissure was associated with decreased survival.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: In this population-based cohort analysis, which included 15,832 cases of lip Squamous cell carcinoma, the mean age at diagnosis was 66.1 years. Most cases of lip SCC presented in the lower lip. The most salient conclusion from this study is that lip SCC involving the oral commissure was associated with worst prognosis. Lip SCC at the commissure may warrant more aggressive treatment than lip SCC at other subsites.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: This is an exciting time for epidemiologic studies, as electronic medical records and national databases have become more readily available. Characteristics of rare pathologic entities are only now beginning to be understood as the databases bring together clinical cases from all participating hospitals in the United States. There is still great value in conducting multi-institutional retrospective studies, as they can capture clinical and pathological features often omitted in large databases. Future studies should clarify the optimal modality of treatment for advanced lip SCC, especially those involving the oral commissure. I am looking forward to exciting new findings from future studies of lip SCC at UCLA and other institutions.
MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Citation:
JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2016 Nov 10. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2016.3455. [Epub ahead of print]
Epidemiology of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lip in the United States: A Population-Based Cohort Analysis.
Han AY1, Kuan EC1, Mallen-St Clair J2, Alonso JE1, Arshi A3, St John MA4.
Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.
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Last Updated on November 22, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD