by Lori Solomon

Smoking cessation for >10 years is significantly associated with reduced overall mortality and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)-specific mortality, according to a study published online Jan. 18 in Cancer.

John J.W. Lee, M.D., from University of Toronto, and colleagues assessed whether smoking cessation and increased duration of abstinence were associated with improved overall and HNSCC-specific survival. The analysis included prospective data from 2,482 patients with HNSCC (2006 to 2019).

The researchers found that former smokers had a lower risk for overall mortality versus current smokers (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.71). Former smokers who quit >10 years before diagnosis (long-term abstinence) had the most improved overall survival (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.72) compared with current smokers. While former smokers had reduced HNSCC-specific mortality versus current smokers (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.71), there was no difference seen for noncancer mortality. Similarly, abstinence for >10 years was associated with lower HNSCC-specific death versus current smoking (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.64).

"These findings contribute to the importance and urgency of smoking-cessation interventions, with an emphasis to encourage quitting even if it feels too late," the authors write.

Two authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

More information: John J. W. Lee et al, Cigarette smoking cessation, duration of smoking abstinence, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma prognosis, Cancer (2023). DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34620

Journal information: Cancer 

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