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Summary: This population-based study investigated the relationship between individual and neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) and oral cancer mortality. A population-based follow-up study was conducted of 3607 oral cancer patients (predominantly male) who were diagnosed between 2004 and 2005. Each patient was traced to death or for 2years. Individual SES was defined by enrollee category. Neighborhood SES was defined by income, and numbers of doctors, and neighborhoods were grouped into advantaged and disadvantaged areas. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to compare the death-free survival rate between the different SES groups after adjusting for possible confounding and risk factors. In oral cancer patients aged below 65years, death rates among those with low SES were highest in disadvantaged neighborhoods. After adjusting for patient characteristics (age, gender, Charlson Comorbidity Index Score, urbanization, and area of residence), tumor extent, treatment modalities (operation, adjuvant therapy), hospital characteristics (ownership, teaching level, caseload), and year of diagnosis, oral cancer patients with low individual SES in disadvantaged neighborhoods conferred a 1.46- to 1.64-fold higher risk for death, compared with patients with high individual SES in advantaged neighborhoods. No statistically significant difference was found in risk of death between different SES groups in patients aged 65 and above. Our findings indicate that oral cancer patients with low individual SES have the highest risk of mortality even under a universal health-care system. Public health strategies and welfare policies must continue to focus on this vulnerable group. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Background: Chemo-radiotherapy-induced carotid stenosis and cerebrovascular events in head and neck cancer patients can cause severe disability and death. We aimed to estimate the risk of stroke in such patients over a six-year follow-up period. Patients and methods: The study cohort consisted of head and neck cancer patients (n =10,172). Cox proportional hazard model was used to compare the stroke-free survival rate between the patients treated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy, surgery alone, and surgery with adjuvant therapy after adjusting for possible confounding factors. Results: At the end of follow-up, 384 patients had strokes: 126 (4.3%) from the surgery alone group, 167 (3.8%) from the radiotherapy or chemotherapy group, and 91 (3.2%) from the surgery with adjuvant therapy (P =0.222). Head and neck cancer patients aged less than 55years treated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy conferred a 1.8-fold higher risk for stroke (95% CI, 1.22–2.56; P =0.003) after adjusting for patient characteristics, co-morbidities, geographic region, urbanization level, and socio-economic status. There was no statistical difference in stroke risk between different treatment modalities in head and neck cancer patients aged 55years and more. Conclusions: Young head and neck cancer patients treated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy have higher risks for stroke. Different treatment strategies should be considered in such patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]