Frailty and the Survival Outcomes of Patients With Laryngeal Squamous Cell Cancer

ABSTRACT Background Frailty increases the risk of mortality in the head and neck cancer population. This study examines the association between frailty and survival outcomes in patients with laryngeal squamous cell cancer (LSCC). Method Retrospective data collection from patients in the West of Scotland diagnosed with LSCC between 2014 and 2020. The Modified Five Item Frailty Index (mFI‐5) measures frailty and categorizes patients according to their level of frailty. Statistical tests used were the Mann–Whitney U ‐test or ANOVA for differences in means and survival analyses for overall survival time. Results There were 867 patients included. Seventy‐eight percent ( n = 676) of patients were deemed frail. Median survival for “not frail” patients was 78 months and “severely frail” was 23 months. The palliative treatment group had worse overall survival outcomes compared to curative (hazard ratio (HR) of 7.96, p < 0.001). Conclusion This study demonstrates frailty is common in patients with LSCC and leads to worse mortality and survival outcomes.