Neighborhood deprivation and clinical outcomes among head and neck cancer patients

The unique effects of neighborhood-level economic deprivation on survival, recurrence, and second primary malignancy development were examined using adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models among 1151 incident squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck patients. Cancer site was examined as a potential moderator. Main analyses yielded null results; however, interaction analyses indicated poorer overall survival [HR=1.59 (1.00–2.53)] and greater second primary malignancy development [HR=2.99 (1.46–6.11)] among oropharyngeal cancer patients from highly deprived neighborhoods relative to less deprived neighborhoods. Results suggest a dual focus on individual and neighborhood risk factors could help improve clinical outcomes among oropharyngeal cancer patients. ► Neighborhood economic deprivation may have a unique effect on cancer outcomes. ► We examine this among head and neck cancer patients from a large treatment center. ► Neighborhood deprivation predicted poorer survival among oropharyngeal patients. ► It also predicted more secondary malignancies among oropharyngeal patients. ► Oropharyngeal cancer patients from deprived areas may need additional interventions.