Clinical-Pathological profile of head and neck cancers other than squamous cell carcinoma - A retrospective 20-year follow-up study

Q: Why focus on head and neck cancers other than squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)?

Although SCC is the main histological type, tumors other than SCC—such as salivary gland carcinomas, lymphomas, and sarcomas—can also involve the oral cavity. Low frequency of non-SCC tumors limits available clinical and epidemiological data.

Q: How was the study designed and analyzed?

The study used a quantitative, retrospective, observational cross-sectional design. Medical records of 395 non-SCC cases from 2000 to 2020 were analyzed, with chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests for comparisons and Kaplan-Meier plus Mantel-Cox log-rank for survival.

Q: What factors predicted survival in the results?

Lymph node metastasis was the main independent predictor of survival and death. Schooling showed an inverse association with overall survival, and age helped differentiate tumor groups.

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Jasmine

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the dominant histological type of head and neck cancer, yet tumors other than SCC can still affect the oral cavity, including salivary gland carcinomas, lymphomas, and sarcomas. Material and Methods: A quantitative, retrospective, observational cross-sectional analysis evaluated 395 non-SCC head and neck tumor cases diagnosed or treated from 2000 to 2020, with survival assessed using Kaplan-Meier and log-rank testing. Results: Non-SCC frequency was very low, and lymph node presence predicted death; multimodal therapy was common. Conclusions: Age differentiates tumor groups and lymph node metastasis is the main survival predictor.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

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Pages9

Reading Time23 min

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Abstract

Background

Material and Methods

Results

Conclusions

Introduction

Journal section: Oral Medicine and Pathology Publication Types: Research doi:10.4317/jced.62968 [https://doi.org/10.4317/jced.62968](https://doi.org/10.4317/jced.62968) Clinical-Pathological profile of head and neck cancers other than squamous cell carcinoma: A retrospective 20-year follow-up study Paulo Goberlânio de Barros Silva 1, Mikaele Zizuino da Silva 1, GiuliannaAparecida Vieira Barreto 1, Ana Beatriz Silva Marques Araújo 1, Thinali Sousa Dantas 2, Cássia Emanuella Nobrega Malta 1, Fabrício Bitu Sousa 2, Marcelo Gurgel Carlos da Silva 1 1 Hospital Haroldo Juaçaba, Ceará Cancer Institute, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil 2 Christus University Center, Ceara, Brazil Correspondence: Paulo Goberlânio de Barros Silva Hospital Haroldo Juaçaba Ceará Cancer Institute, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil Rua Papi Junior, 1222, Rodolfo Teófilo 60430-230-Fortaleza-CE, Brazil [paulo_goberlanio@yahoo.com.br](paulo_goberlanio@yahoo.com.br) [Received: 19/05/2025](Received: 19/05/2025) [Accepted: 08/06/2025](Accepted: 08/06/2025) Silva PGB, da Silva MZ, Barreto GAV, Araújo ABSM, Dantas TS, Malta CEN, Sousa FB, da Silva MGC. Clinical-Pathological profile of head and neck cancers other than squamous cell carcinoma: A retrospective 20-year follow-up study. J Clin Exp Dent. 2025;17(8):e903-11 . Article Number: 62968 [http://www.medicinaoral.com/odo/indice.htm](http://www.medicinaoral.com/odo/indice.htm) © Medicina Oral S. L. C.I.F. B 96689336-eISSN: 1989-5488 eMail: jced@jced.es Indexed in: Pubmed Pubmed Central® (PMC) Scopus DOI® System Abstract Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck is the main histological type and the sixth most common cancer in the world. However, tumors other than squamous cell carcinoma can affect the oral cavity, such as salivary gland carcinomas, lymphomas and sarcomas. Material and Methods: A quantitative, retrospective, observational and cross-sectional study, in which 395 medical records of patients diagnosed/treated with non-SCC head and neck tumors from 2000 to 2020 at the Haroldo Juaçaba Hospital/Ceará Cancer Institute (HHJ/ICC) were analyzed. The data was compared using Pearson’s chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test, Kaplan-Meier overall survival curves were constructed and the Mantel-Cox log-rank test was used. Results: Salivary gland tumors (1st = Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma), followed by sarcomas (1st = Kaposi’s Sarcoma) and lymphoproliferative tumors (1st = Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma). The majority of the sample were women, with a mean age of 56 and a low level of education. Median overall survival was (95%CI = 57.29-101.71) months, with no difference between the lesion groups (p=0.727) . Salivary gland tumors and sarcomas affected significantly younger age groups (p=0.011) . Most of the sample was N0 (p=0.006) and multimodal therapy was the preferred choice, especially for salivary gland tumors, sarcomas and melanomas (p<0.001) . Schooling (p=0.007) was inversely associated with overall survival and the independent predictor of death was the presence of lymph nodes (p=0.039) . Conclusions: The frequency of non-SCC head and neck tumors is very low. There is no difference between men and women, age is a determining factor in differentiating tumors and lymph node metastasis is the main predictor of survival. In addition, schooling is an important risk factor for mortality in these patients. Key words: Head and Neck Neoplasms, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Salivary Gland Neoplasms, Survival. Introduction Head and neck cancer is the fifth most common type of cancer in the world. It is more prevalent in males and its occurrence increases with age. The overall survival rate for this cancer is variable, depending on the primary site and the stage of the disease. The development of these head and neck cancers is the result of multifactorial interactions. It is known that tobacco use associated with alcohol consumption is a well-established risk facto

FAQs

Why focus on head and neck cancers other than squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)?

Although SCC is the main histological type, tumors other than SCC—such as salivary gland carcinomas, lymphomas, and sarcomas—can also involve the oral cavity. Low frequency of non-SCC tumors limits available clinical and epidemiological data.

How was the study designed and analyzed?

The study used a quantitative, retrospective, observational cross-sectional design. Medical records of 395 non-SCC cases from 2000 to 2020 were analyzed, with chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests for comparisons and Kaplan-Meier plus Mantel-Cox log-rank for survival.

What factors predicted survival in the results?

Lymph node metastasis was the main independent predictor of survival and death. Schooling showed an inverse association with overall survival, and age helped differentiate tumor groups.

Sep 23, 2026

Uploaded by Jasmine