Socioeconomic Status and Survival in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Population-Based Study

Abstract

Objectives/hypothesis: To evaluate survival for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in relation to socioeconomic status.

Study design: Retrospective cohort study using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Census Tract-level Socioeconomic Status Database (2000-2016).

Methods: Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma diagnosed between 2000 and 2016 were identified. Data were stratified based on socioeconomic status, divided into three groups: group 1 being the poorest and group 3 the wealthiest. Univariate analysis as well as multivariate Cox regression analysis adjusted for individual variables was performed.

Results: A total of 5,527 patients were included in the study, with 33% in group 1, 34% in group 2, and 33% in group 3. There was a significant difference between groups in regard to age at diagnosis, race, histologic subtype, overall stage, tumor stage, nodal stage, and whether or not they received radiation. Patients in group 1, the poorest socioeconomic status, were more likely to be young (P = .003), black (P < .0001), present with higher overall stage (P = .009), tumor stage (P = .01), and nodal stage (P = .02), and less likely to receive radiation (P = .005). In multivariate analysis, there was a significant difference in survival between the groups, with group 1 patients less likely to survive compared to group 3 (hazard ratio = 1.28; 95% CI 1.07-1.57).

Conclusions: Patients in the poorest socioeconomic status presented with more advanced nasopharyngeal cancer and were less likely to receive radiation when compared with individuals of higher socioeconomic status. The poorest socioeconomic status groups were less likely to survive from their disease when controlling for other variables.

Level of evidence: NA Laryngoscope, 131:2719-2723, 2021.

Keywords: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma; SEER database; socioeconomic status; survival.