Investigating Disparities in Hypopharyngeal/Laryngeal Cancer Survival in Florida With Geospatial Mapping Analysis

Objective: Identify predictors of overall survival (OS) after hypopharyngeal/laryngeal cancer in Florida.

Material And Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the Florida Cancer Data System (FCDS) on patients diagnosed with hypopharyngeal or laryngeal cancer from 2010-2017. Primary outcome was OS. Hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated from univariable and multivariable Cox regression models for OS. Data was analyzed from November 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023.

Results: We analyzed 6771 patients, who were primarily male (81.2%), White non-Hispanic (WNH) (78.2%), publicly insured (70.1%), married (51.8%), and residents of urban counties (73.6%). Black patients were more likely to be younger at diagnosis (38.9%), single (43.4%), to have distant SEER stage disease (25.6%). Median OS were lowest among patients who were uninsured (34 months), with hypopharyngeal site disease (18 months), and a smoking history (current: 34 months, former: 46 months, no smoking: 63 months). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed worse OS for single/unmarried vs married (HR 1.47 [95%CI: 1.36-1.59], < .001), history of tobacco use (current: HR 1.62 [95%CI: 1.440-1.817], < .001; former smokers: (HR 1.28 [95%CI: 1.139-1.437], < .001) vs no history). Improved OS was observed among White Hispanics (WH) vs WNH (HR .73 [95%CI: .655-.817], < .001) and women vs men (HR .88 [95%CI: .807-.954], = .002). Geographical mapping showed that mortality rates were highest in census tracts with low income and education.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that sociodemographic and clinical factors impact OS from hypopharyngeal/laryngeal cancer in Florida and vary geographically within the state. These results will help guide future public health interventions.