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Published in: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 1/2024

15-02-2023 | Human Papillomavirus | Research

Association between tonsillectomy and oropharyngeal cancer risk: a retrospective cohort study

Authors: Hamad Alharbi, Wafaa Saleh, Sijia Yue, Rui P. Fernandes

Published in: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | Issue 1/2024

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Abstract 

Background

The purpose of this retrospective cohort study is to describe the association between the history of tonsillectomy and the risk of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSSC), using a large cohort of patients.

Materials and methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study with 3620 patients diagnosed with OPٍSCC from 2010 to 2021. We utilized the University of Florida patients’ registry i2b2 system. Three subsets of OPSSC were defined, base of tongue(BOT) cancer, tonsillar cancer, and other OPSSC. Tumor demographics and history of tonsillectomy were collected. Odds ratio for OPSSC were assessed utilizing a logistic regression model with adjusting for gender, race, and age. P < 0.05 was deemed significant.

Results

Of the 3620 OPSSC patients were BOT cancer (N = 964), tonsillar cancer (N = 995), and other OPSSC (N = 1661). There was a statistically significant reduction in tonsillar cancer and BOT cancer odds ratio in patients with a history of tonsillectomy vs. patients without tonsillectomy (0.086 and 0.117), respectively, with a P value < .0001. The odds ratio of OPSSC in patients with a history of tonsillectomy vs. patients without tonsillectomy is 1.031.

Conclusion

This study showed that the OPSSC and previous history of tonsillectomy are associated. Our results showed a significant reduction in BOT and tonsillar cancer risk in patients with a history of tonsillectomy and an insignificant decrease in other OPSSC. This study could emphasize the importance of the development of future clinical trials to investigate the role of prophylactic tonsillectomy as a secondary preventive strategy to reduce OPSSC.
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Metadata
Title
Association between tonsillectomy and oropharyngeal cancer risk: a retrospective cohort study
Authors
Hamad Alharbi
Wafaa Saleh
Sijia Yue
Rui P. Fernandes
Publication date
15-02-2023
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery / Issue 1/2024
Print ISSN: 1865-1550
Electronic ISSN: 1865-1569
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10006-023-01139-5

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