Impact of comorbidity and anemia in patients with oropharyngeal cancer primarily treated with surgery in the human papillomavirus era

Background. Comorbidity and anemia strongly influence treatment and outcome of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), but respective data are frequently lacking in clinical studies. We evaluated 149 cases of oropharyngeal SCC primarily treated with surgery regarding the impact of these factors on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Methods. Data were recorded during treatment and follow-up visits. Human papillomavirus (HPV) association of oropharyngeal SCC was detected by p16 immunohistochemistry. Results. Patients with p16-positive disease were significantly less comorbid and anemic, and treated more aggressively. Comorbidity and anemia, but not p16 status, signi…