Sexual behavior of HNSCC patients: A comparison with propensity score matched controls from a population-based cohort study

Introduction Based on a U.S. American case-control study (D‘Souza et al. 2007) an association between incidence of HPV-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and sexual behavior was suggested. As those study compared HNSCC patients and ENT patients without diagnosed malignancy a substantial bias may have occurred. Hence we compared within a prospective cohort study HNSCC patients and a population-based sample.

Material and Methods According to main risk factors for HNSCC (age, sex, tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption) propensity score (PS) matched controls from the population-based cohort study LIFE were interviewed by using the identical standardized questionnaires according to D‘Souza et al. Patterns of responses were compared utilizing chi-squared tests.

Results Significant differences between HNSCC patients and controls were recorded respective to medical history for sexually transmitted diseases (STD), presence of condyloma/papilloma of the partner, the number of oral sex and casual sex partners, and the age at first intercourse. Controls reported more often papilloma to be present in the partner as well as a positive history for STD. Controls had a higher number of oral sex and casual sex partners. In contrast, HNSCC patients had their first intercourse more frequently below the age of 18.

Conclusions Contrary to case-control study (D‘Souza et al. 2007) our HNSCC patients did not report higher frequency of sex partners than propensity score matched controls from the population-based cohort study LIFE.

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Conflict of interest

Der Erstautor gibt keinen Interessenskonflikt an.

Publication History

Article published online:
13 May 2021