Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection and its impact on the prognosis of head and neck cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE:Several studies have shown a higher prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) compared to the general population. In Brazil, the prevalence of HCV infection is considered low (1.38%). The aim of this study was to determine HCV prevalence and how this can modify outcomes of patients with HNC. STUDY DESIGN:Retrospective cohort. METHODS:Patients with a diagnosis of malignant neoplasm in the head and neck (HN) region and who had serology performed for HCV were included. Patients were classified into two groups: head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and other head and neck malignant neoplasms (OHNMN). Descriptive statistics were performed for all variables of interest. Means were compared using ANOVA and proportions using chi-square tests. Survival data were compared by Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank test. RESULTS:Global HCV prevalence in patients with HNC was 7.8%, reaching 12.8% in HNSCC and 3.4% in OHNMN (p = 0.003). There was a higher risk of developing a second primary neoplasm in HNSCC compared to OHNMN patients (20.6% versus 4.6%; p = 0.001). The mean survival was not different between HCV-positive and HCV-negative patients (6.0 years versus 6.6 years, respectively, p = 0.516). CONCLUSION:The prevalence of HCV infection was higher in HNC patients compared to the general Brazilian population. It seems reasonable to consider that HCV infection is associated with an increased risk of HNC, but HCV infection does not worsens the prognosis of HNC patients.