The results revealed that CD44 expression predicted worse 5-year OS in HNSCC patients of the pharynx and larynx and that this result was similar for the studies in Asia (RR = 0.8, 95% CI 0.57 - 0.94) and Europe/USA (RR = 0.36, 95% CI 0.23 - 0.57). This evidence concerns the gene CD44 and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.