The final model of multivariate analysis using a Cox proportional hazards model for identification of fair recurrence-free survival of HNSCC showed that T1–3 stage (P=0.008; adjusted HR=2.61; 95% CI=1.29–5.29) and the combination of HPV DNA-positive status and p16INK4a overexpression (P=0.043; adjusted HR=7.81; 95% CI=1.07–57.19) predicted significantly better recurrence-free survival (Table VI). Here, CDKN2A is linked to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.