Article Abstract

Glasgow prognostic score after concurrent chemoradiotherapy is a prognostic factor in advanced head and neck cancer

Authors: Pei-Hung Chang, Cheng-Hsu Wang, Eric Yen-Chao Chen, Shih-Wei Yang, Wen-Chi Chou, Jason Chia-Hsun Hsieh, Feng-Che Kuan, Kun-Yun Yeh

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the impact and potential prognostic roles of the pre- and post-treatment Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) and the change thereof in patients with advanced head and neck cancer undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).
Methods: We collected GPS and clinicopathological data of 139 stage III, IVA, and IVB head and neck cancer patients who underwent CCRT between 2008 and 2011. Their GPSs pre- and post-CCRT and the change thereof were analyzed for correlations with recurrence and survival.
Results: The GPS changed in 72 (51.8%) patients, with worse scores observed post-CCRT in 65 (90.3%) of the GPS changed patients. Patients in the improved GPS group showed a tendency toward better survival. From the multivariate analysis, the post-CCRT GPS level was an independent prognostic factor in addition to tumor stage.
Conclusions: After CCRT, a high GPS was revealed to be an important predictor of survival for advanced head and neck cancer.

Keywords: Glasgow prognostic score (GPS); head and neck cancer; chemoradiation; inflammation; cachexia; nutrition