Prognostic impact of autoimmune disease in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma

Background and Objectives Recent literature has highlighted the role of the host in the prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In this study, we retrospectively examined the impact of autoimmune (AI) disorders as an aspect of the host status on survival outcomes in OSCC patients. Methods From a departmental database of OSCC patients (n = 1369), 123 patients with an AI disorder were identified. AI and no-AI groups were compared for survival outcomes. Results There were no significant differences in survival between groups for overall survival, disease-specific survival, local, regional, and distant recurrence-free probabilities. However, survival and recurrence-free probabilities were poorer in the AI group versus the no AI group. Conclusion Patients with AI disease trended towards worse outcomes. This suggests immune dysregulation in these patients may impact oncologic outcomes.