title: Small cell carcinoma of the head and neck: A comparative study by primary site based on population data.
abstract: Small cell carcinoma (SmCC) of the head and neck is an extremely rare neuroendocrine malignancy. In this study, we describe the incidence and determinants of survival of patients with SmCC of the head and neck between the years of 1973 and 2012 using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database as differed by primary site.
  
  
  
  Retrospective, population-based cohort study.
  
  
  
  A total of 237 cases of SmCC of the head and neck were identified, which was divided into sinonasal primaries (n = 82) and all other head and neck primaries (n = 155). Clinicopathologic and epidemiologic variables were analyzed as predictors of overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) based on the Kaplan-Meier method.
  
  
  
  More than half of sinonasal primaries presented with Kadish stage C or D. On multivariate analysis, surgery was the only independent predictor of improved DSS (P = .008) for sinonasal primaries; in contrast, radiation therapy was a favorable prognosticator for OS (P = .007) and DSS (P = .043) in extrasinonasal sites. Comparison of survival between sinonasal primaries and all other sites demonstrated that sinonasal SmCC had uniformly better OS (P = .002) and DSS (P = .006).
  
  
  
  SmCC in the head and neck remains rare, and sinonasal primaries appear to have improved survival compared to other sites. Based on these results, optimal treatment for sinonasal SmCC appears to be surgical therapy, whereas radiation therapy is the preferred treatment for SmCC of other primary sites, particularly the larynx.
  
  
  
  4. Laryngoscope, 127:1785-1790, 2017.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Edward C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Kuan
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Jose E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Alonso
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Bobby A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Tajudeen
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arshi
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco, California, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mallen-St Clair
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.|Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.|University of California, Los Angeles Head and Neck Cancer Program, University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Maie A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: St John
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018426:SEER Program; D015996:Survival Rate; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Small cell carcinoma; head and neck surgery; otolaryngology