[Influence of comorbidity on the prognosis of squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck].
BACKGROUND
The influence of comorbidity on the healing process and the prognosis of patients with carcinoma of the head and neck region undergoing surgical treatment is not clear.


METHODS
In a retrospective study we examined the influence of coexistent diseases in 203 patients, hospitalized for curative surgical treatment. Findings on admission, supplemented by medical, anaesthesiological and neurological assessments, helped to form two subgroups: one of patients with minimal comorbidity (n = 135) and one with high comorbidity (n = 68). Subsequently the duration of hospitalization, incidence of complications, disease-free interval and survival was statistically compared.


RESULTS
The duration of hospitalization, the incidence and degree of complications, the disease-free interval and the overall survival differed significantly, showing better results in the group with low comorbidity.


CONCLUSIONS
Coexistent, mainly medical, diseases had a significant influence on the results of surgical treatment and prognosis of head and neck cancer.
Stein
M
M
Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenkranke der Universität Bonn. dr.stein@uni-bonn.de
Herberhold
C
C
Walther
E K
EK
Langenberg
S
S
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery; D015897:Comorbidity; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors