Prognostic value of tumor volume in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with primary surgery

Background Tumor volume in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) was mainly measured in nonsurgically treated patients. We analyzed the influence of tumor volume on complete response (CR), overall survival (OS), and clear surgical margins also in primarily surgically treated patients. Methods In contrast‐enhanced CTs, the tumor volumes of patients with incident HNSCC were measured. Results The tumor volumes of 259 patients were measured, of which 125 patients (48%) underwent primary surgery and 102 patients (84%) had clear margins. The tumor volume was not an independent factor for CR at the primary tumor site. Risk of death increased by 1.4% per mL of tumor volume (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.8%‐2.0%; P