The results showed that XRCC1 Arg399Gln (HR = 1.31, 95% CIs: 1.03-1.66, p = 0.027) and XRCC1 high protein expression (HR = 2.32, 95% CIs: 1.55-3.48 p = 0.000) were significantly correlated with poor OS in HNSCC patients by the random-effects model. This evidence concerns the gene XRCC1 and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.