Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients who are current smokers when diagnosed have inferior clinical outcomes compared to never-smokers or previous smokers.
A retrospective, case-control study (n = 134) showed that (1):
- odds of complete response to first-line therapy were 3.7 times higher among smokers at diagnosis who quit before treatment initiation (quitters; n = 55) than among those continuing to smoke (p = 0.03)
- disease-free survival was also higher among quitters (aHR, 0.33; 95 % CI, 0.12–0.90; p = 0.029)
- quitters were 67 % less likely to die of all causes than active smokers (aHR, 0.33; 95 % CI, 0.15–0.71; p = 0.004)
A systematic review and meta-analysis found (2):
- smoking cessation reduces risk of head & neck cancer by ~half with strong effect on duration of cessation.
- a protective effect is apparent within first 5 years of cessation
- risk of head of neck cancers is comparable to non-smokers after 20 years of cessation
Reference:
- Krutz M et al. Tobacco cessation after head and neck cancer diagnosis is an independent predictor of treatment response and long-term survival. Oral Oncol. 2022 Nov;134:106072. doi: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2022.106072.
- Khalifeh M, Ginex P, Boffetta P Reduction of head and neck cancer risk following smoking cessation: a systematic review and meta-analysis BMJ Open 2024;14:e074723. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-074723