Differences in survival outcome between stage i and stage II glottic cancer: A SEER-based analysis

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the cause-specific survival (CSS) of stage I (tumor [T]1 node [N]0 metastasis [M]0) versus stage II (T2N0M0) glottic cancer in a large population cohort. Study Design We analyzed data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 18 database from 1973 to 2009, comprising patients diagnosed with T1N0M0 or T2N0M0 squamous cell glottic cancer. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, and competing-risks survival regression were used for statistical analysis. Results There were 4,422 patients who met all inclusion criteria. The 36-month CSS was 93.9% for stage I verus 86.5% for stage II, with P<0.0001. Stage II status conferred a 2.494 hazard ratio for increased risk of cause-specific death compared to stage I. Conclusions Stage II glottic cancers have a significantly worse prognosis and may need a different approach to management than stage I tumors. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 125:2093-2098, 2015.