Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in Ontario, Canada, and in southeastern Norway.

Abstract

Reports comparing case mix, treatments, and outcomes between different countries are uncommon in head and neck oncology. Prospective databases of unselected patients from regional cancer centers in southeastern Ontario, Canada, and southeastern Norway were compared. Retrospective comparative study of two prospective databases. The case mix, treatments, and disease-specific mortality were compared using frequency tables, Kaplan-Meier survival curves, and the log rank test. RESULTSThe case mix, except for differences in oral cavity, oropharynx, and the recorded tumor (T) category, was similar, and the treatments were different. There was no statistical difference in overall survival for all patients, as well as for some sites. The results of treatments, based on different overall treatment polices, for all patients were similar. The differences in recorded T category with no statistical difference in overall survival suggest a difference in staging assignment and raises a question about the reliability of the TNM staging process.