Prognostic factors in head and neck oncology: a critical appraisal for use in clinical practice.
BACKGROUND
An ideal prognostic factor would provide information about the biological behaviour of a tumour, permitting the prediction of the outcome and response to therapy. Nowadays there is a considerable confusion concerning the value, significance and use of the know prognostic factors in head and neck cancer.


METHODS
A meta-analysis of works published in literature between 1993 and August 1997 on prognostic factors in head and neck oncology was carried out.


RESULTS
Prognostic factors were analysed and classified according to Wennenberg in the following groups: patient-related factors, tumour-related factors and factors predicting response to therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
We propose a classification of prognostic factors in head and neck cancer according to their significance and reliability: factors of proven significance and experimental factors. This classification might be useful to select guidelines to use in clinical practice.
Chiesa
F
F
Head and Neck Unit, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy. fchiesa@ieo.it
Tradati
N
N
Mauri
S
S
Calabrese
L
L
Grigolato
R
R
Giugliano
G
G
Zurrida
S
S
Chiesa
E
E
Squadrelli
M
M
Viale
G
G
Maiorano
E
E
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011379:Prognosis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor