Submit to Cancers Review for Cancers Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Head and Neck Cancer: Epidemiology, Prevention, Treatment, and Quality of Life

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2024) | Viewed by 13843

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Melissa Henry

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

1. Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
2. Lady-Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada
Interests: oncology; cancer; quality of life; advanced cancer; head and neck cancer; sociobehavioural determinants of health; prevention
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cancers of the head and neck are the seventh most common cancers worldwide, with over 600,000 new cases annually. They represent different cancer sites including the oral cavity (lips, buccal mucosa, anterior tongue, hard palate, floor of mouth and retromolar trigone), nasopharynx, oropharynx (tonsils, base of tongue, soft palate, uvula, and posterior pharyngeal wall), hypopharynx, and larynx. Head and neck cancers are etiologically linked to the human papilloma virus (HPV) for oropharyngeal cancer and to health behaviors such as smoking and alcohol for non-HPV squamous cell carcinomas; the latter is known to be patterned with social disparities. Head and neck cancers carry an important burden of disease and treatments, with rehabilitation a mainstay as patients often experience disfigurement and dysfunction (e.g., eating, speech, breathing, mobility, distress). Treatments comprise a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or targeted therapies, with an attention to preserving function and quality of life. This Special Issue is designed to feature research on the epidemiology, prevention, treatment, and quality of life of head and neck cancers. We invite authors to contribute to this issue, which will allow more visibility to a population that is often under-served and -researched.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Current Oncology.

Dr. Melissa Henry
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cancers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

head and neck cancer
epidemiology
prevention
treatment
quality of life

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (9 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Other

10 pages, 1860 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Swallowing Functional Preservation by Surgical Versus CRT After Induction Chemotherapy for Oropharyngeal Cancer

by Yung-An Tsou, Wen-Dien Chang, Nai-Hsin Meng and Chun-Hung Hua

Cancers 2024, 16(21), 3658; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16213658 - 30 Oct 2024

Viewed by 448

Abstract

Objectives: This retrospective observational study investigated to determine whether surgery or chemoradiation therapy after induction chemotherapy leads to better swallow function for oropharyngeal cancer patients. Methods: We documented the treatment paths and results of 267 patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer (OPSCC). By quantifying nasogastric (NG) tube usage, surgery after induction chemotherapy (IC–surgery), and chemoradiation therapy after induction chemotherapy (IC-CRT) could be compared to determine the effectiveness of each. Cancer stages were also recorded concerning treatment options. The differences in NG tube usage IC–surgery and IC-CRT groups were compared. The NG tube dependence rates were also presented. Results: The prognosis and tube dependence differed significantly between the two groups. The IC–surgery had a better prognosis compared to IC-CRT for oropharyngeal cancer. The findings indicated that NG tube dependence was greater in advanced tumor stage 4 compared to stages 1–3, and NG tube dependence rates were higher for patients who underwent chemoradiation therapy after induction chemotherapy. Swallowing function was better in the IC–surgery group compared to the IC-CRT group. Conclusions: Higher NG tube retention rates and NG dependence are found in OPSCC patients who choose CRT as their treatment and also in the advanced-stage group. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Head and Neck Cancer: Epidemiology, Prevention, Treatment, and Quality of Life)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 2248 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Systemic Metabolic and Volumetric Assessment via Whole-Body [¹⁸F]FDG-PET/CT: Pancreas Size Predicts Cachexia in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

by Josef Yu, Clemens Spielvogel, David Haberl, Zewen Jiang, Öykü Özer, Smilla Pusitz, Barbara Geist, Michael Beyerlein, Iustin Tibu, Erdem Yildiz, Sam Augustine Kandathil, Till Buschhorn, Julia Schnöll, Katarina Kumpf, Ying-Ting Chen, Tingting Wu, Zhaoqi Zhang, Stefan Grünert, Marcus Hacker and Chrysoula Vraka

Cancers 2024, 16(19), 3352; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16193352 - 30 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1214

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Cancer-associated cachexia in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is challenging to diagnose due to its complex pathophysiology. This study aimed to identify metabolic biomarkers linked to cachexia and survival in HNSCC patients using [¹⁸F]FDG-PET/CT imaging and machine learning (ML) techniques. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 253 HNSCC patients from Vienna General Hospital and the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Automated organ segmentation was employed to quantify metabolic and volumetric data from [¹⁸F]FDG-PET/CT scans across 29 tissues and organs. Patients were categorized into low weight loss (LoWL; grades 0–2) and high weight loss (HiWL; grades 3–4) groups, according to the weight loss grading system (WLGS). Machine learning models, combined with Cox regression, were used to identify survival predictors. Shapley additive explanation (SHAP) analysis was conducted to determine the significance of individual features. Results: The HiWL group exhibited increased glucose metabolism in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue (p = 0.01), while the LoWL group showed higher lung metabolism. The one-year survival rate was 84.1% in the LoWL group compared to 69.2% in the HiWL group (p < 0.01). Pancreatic volume emerged as a key biomarker associated with cachexia, with the ML model achieving an AUC of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.77–0.80) and an accuracy of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.81–0.83). Multivariate Cox regression confirmed pancreatic volume as an independent prognostic factor (HR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.46–0.95; p < 0.05). Conclusions: The integration of metabolic and volumetric data provided a strong predictive model, highlighting pancreatic volume as a key imaging biomarker in the metabolic assessment of cachexia in HNSCC. This finding enhances our understanding and may improve prognostic evaluations and therapeutic strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Head and Neck Cancer: Epidemiology, Prevention, Treatment, and Quality of Life)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

19 pages, 688 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Role of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy for the Nutrition of Head and Neck Cancer Patients before and up to 6 Months after Cancer Treatment

by Mussab Kouka, Sophie Brand, Sven Koscielny, Thomas Bitter, Klaus Pietschmann, Thomas Ernst and Orlando Guntinas-Lichius

Cancers 2024, 16(18), 3138; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16183138 - 12 Sep 2024

Viewed by 774

Abstract

This retrospective monocentric cohort study analyzed patients with head and neck cancer according their nutritional status and association of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) from admission to six months after treatment at a tertiary hospital in Germany from 2017 to 2019. A total of 289 patients (76.5% men; median age 62 years; 63.3% stage IV) were included. Univariate analyses and ANOVAs with repeated measures were performed to analyze differences over time. The percentage of patients requiring PEG was 14.9% (43 of 289 patients) before start of treatment (Z0), 14% (40 of 286 patients alive) after one week (Z1), 22.7% (58 of 255 patients) after six weeks (Z2) and 23% (53 of 230 patients) after six months (Z3) from the end of treatment. PEG placement was associated with alcohol or nicotine consumption, in oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, cancer stage III/IV, chemotherapy and impairment of food intake (all p < 0.05). Weight loss between Z1 and Z3 with PEG did not differ from patients without PEG at Z0 (p = 0.074), although patients with PEG at Z0 had a lower mean weight at the beginning. PEG was important for a quarter of the patients alive at Z3 and helped to prevent weight loss. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Head and Neck Cancer: Epidemiology, Prevention, Treatment, and Quality of Life)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 6102 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Treatment on Quality of Life in Oropharyngeal Cancer Survivors: A 3-Year Prospective Study

by Victoria Nuñez-Vera, Alberto Garcia-Perla-Garcia, Eduardo Gonzalez-Cardero, Francisco Esteban and Pedro Infante-Cossio

Cancers 2024, 16(15), 2724; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16152724 - 31 Jul 2024

Viewed by 840

Abstract

(1) Background: This prospective study aimed to assess the impact on quality of life (QoL) from pretreatment to 3 years after treatment in oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) survivors. (2) Methods: QoL was measured with the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-H&N35 scales before treatment and in the first and third years. (3) Results: Of 72 patients, 51 completed all questionnaires over 3 years. A variable deterioration of QoL scores was detected before treatment. Most items worsened significantly after treatment and during the first year and improved in the third year. Advanced-stage cancer and definitive chemoradiotherapy treatment showed the worst scores. At 3 years, patients who underwent surgery with adjuvant radiation therapy/chemotherapy had significantly better scores on global QoL and emotional functioning compared to those treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy, who also reported problems with sticky salivation and dry mouth. Patients treated with an open surgical approach showed significantly greater deterioration in physical and role functioning compared to transoral surgery. (4) Conclusions: This long-term prospective study is the first in Spain to use EORCT scales in a homogeneous group of OPC survivors. QoL was generally good, although patients needed a long period of time to recover from both cancer and side effects of treatment. Advanced-stage cancer and definitive chemoradiotherapy showed the worst scores. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Head and Neck Cancer: Epidemiology, Prevention, Treatment, and Quality of Life)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 1447 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Head and Neck Cancer: A Potential Risk Factor for Parkinson’s Disease?

by Il Hwan Lee and Dong-Kyu Kim

Cancers 2024, 16(13), 2486; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16132486 - 8 Jul 2024

Viewed by 829

Abstract

Head and neck cancers (HNC) are frequently associated with neurodegeneration. However, the association between HNC and Parkinson’s disease (PD) remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between HNC and subsequent PD. This retrospective study used data from a nationally representative cohort. Patients with HNC were identified based on the presence of corresponding diagnostic codes. Participants without cancer were selected using 4:1 propensity score matching based on sociodemographic factors and year of enrollment; 2296 individuals without HNC and 574 individuals with HNC were included in the study. Hazard ratios (HR) for the incidence of PD in patients with HNC were calculated using 95% confidence intervals (CI). The incidence of PD was 4.17 and 2.18 per 1000 person-years in the HNC and control groups, respectively (adjusted HR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.08–3.33). The HNC group also showed an increased risk of subsequent PD development. The risk of PD was higher in middle-aged (55–69 years) patients with HNC and oral cavity cancer. Our findings suggest that middle-aged patients with HNC have an increased incidence of PD, specifically those with oral cavity cancer. Therefore, our findings provide new insights into the development of PD in patients with HNC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Head and Neck Cancer: Epidemiology, Prevention, Treatment, and Quality of Life)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 1166 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pre- and Post-Operative Quality of Life in Patients with Osteoradionecrosis of the Jaw

by Sven Otto, Shreeja Shreeja, Sara Carina Kakoschke, Mohammed Michael Albittar, Andreas Widenhorn and Tamara Katharina Kakoschke

Cancers 2024, 16(12), 2256; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16122256 - 18 Jun 2024

Viewed by 945

Abstract

Osteoradionecrosis of the jaw (ORNJ) is a feared complication following radiation therapy performed for oncological treatment of head and neck cancers (HNC). To date, there is no clear evidence regarding the impact of surgical treatment of ORNJ on the quality of life (QoL) of affected patients. However, understanding the significance of the surgical treatment approach and its effects on QoL is an essential factor in the decision-making process for optimal, individualized therapy. In this prospective clinical study, QoL was assessed in relation to health related QoL (HRQoL) and oral health related QoL (OHQoL) before and after surgical treatment of ORNJ using standardized questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-HN35, OHIP-14). The overall QoL scores as well as individual domains of the collected scales regarding functional and symptom-related complaints were statistically analyzed. Subgroups concerning age, gender, different risk factors and type of ORNJ therapy were compared using Kruskal Wallis test. In addition, clinical and demographic patient data were collected and analyzed. QoL improvement correlated with the type of surgical ORNJ and the length of hospitalization. Better QoL scores were achieved post-operatively regarding different symptoms like pain, swallowing and mouth opening. Long-term effects of radiation therapy remained visibly restrictive to QoL and worsen over time. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Head and Neck Cancer: Epidemiology, Prevention, Treatment, and Quality of Life)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 879 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predictive Factors for Critical Weight Loss in Saudi Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing (Chemo)Radiotherapy

by Alaa S. Redwan, Fayrooz A. Kattan, Maha A. Alidrisi, Gayur A. Ali, Mazen M. Ghaith, Ahmad F. Arbaeen, Hussain A. Almasmoum, Najlaa H. Almohmadi, Sarah O. Alkholy, Walaa E. Alhassani, Wafaa F. Abusudah, Abrar M. Babateen, Mai A. Ghabashi, Ahmad A. Obeidat, Azzam N. Al Yacoub, Awfa Y. Alazzeh and Firas S. Azzeh

Cancers 2024, 16(2), 414; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16020414 - 18 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1759

Abstract

Weight loss is a significant health problem among patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) that is attributable primarily to the tumor or tumor therapy. Critical weight loss (CWL) is defined as the unintentional loss of ≥5% of weight. Therefore, this study’s goal was to investigate and determine the possible factors influencing CWL among patients with HNC who have received radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). We conducted a retrospective analysis of 175 patients who received radiotherapy or CCRT as either their primary, adjuvant, or combined treatment at the Oncology Center in King Abdullah Medical City. All patients were ≥18 years of age and diagnosed with HNC with no metastasis. The study results showed that 107 patients (61%) had CWL, while 68 (39%) did not. The following factors were significantly predictive of CWL with a multivariate regression analysis: pretreatment BMI (AOR = 1.1, 95% CI = 1.02–1.17), oral cavity cancer (AOR = 10.36, 95% CI = 1.13–94.55), and male sex (AOR = 3.15, 95% CI = 1.39–7.11). In conclusion, weight loss is highly prevalent among HNC patients during treatment. Accordingly, pretreatment BMI, cancer in the oral cavity, and being male can be considered predictive factors for CWL. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Head and Neck Cancer: Epidemiology, Prevention, Treatment, and Quality of Life)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1423 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quality of Life for Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A 10-Year Bibliographic Analysis

by Siti Nur Akmal Ghazali, Caryn Mei Hsien Chan, Marfu’ah Nik Eezamuddeen, Hanani Abdul Manan and Noorazrul Yahya

Cancers 2023, 15(18), 4551; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15184551 - 14 Sep 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1895

Abstract

Head and neck cancers (HNCs) have a profound impact on patients, affecting not only their physical appearance but also fundamental aspects of their daily lives. This bibliometric study examines the landscape of scientific research pertaining to the quality of life (QoL) among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. By employing data and bibliometric analysis derived from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOS-CC) and employing R-package and VOSviewer for visualization, the study assesses the current status of and prominent areas of focus within the literature over the past decade. The analysis reveals noteworthy countries, journals, and institutions that have exhibited notable productivity in this research domain between 2013 and 2022. Notably, the United States, the Supportive Care in Cancer journal, and the University of Pittsburgh emerged as the leading contributors. Moreover, there was a discernible shift, with an increasing focus on the significance of QoL within the survivorship context, exemplified by the emergence and subsequent peak of related keywords in 2020 and the subsequent year, respectively. The temporal analysis additionally reveals a transition towards specific QoL indices, such as dysphagia and oral mucositis. Therefore, the increasing relevance of survivorship further underscores the need for studies that address the associated concerns and challenges faced by patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Head and Neck Cancer: Epidemiology, Prevention, Treatment, and Quality of Life)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research

13 pages, 600 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity, Oropharynx, and Larynx: A Scoping Review of Treatment Guidelines Worldwide

by Lady Paola Aristizabal Arboleda, Genival Barbosa de Carvalho, Alan Roger Santos-Silva, Gisele Aparecida Fernandes, Jose Guilherme Vartanian, David I. Conway, Shama Virani, Paul Brennan, Luiz Paulo Kowalski and Maria Paula Curado

Cancers 2023, 15(17), 4405; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15174405 - 3 Sep 2023

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3841

Abstract

Head and neck cancer (HNC) treatments have been based on single or multimodal therapies with surgery, radiotherapy (RT), chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. However, treatment recommendations among countries may differ due to technological/human resources and usual local practices. This scoping review aims to identify, compare, and map the clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for treating squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity, oropharynx, and larynx worldwide. A search strategy on global CPGs for HNC was performed by using five electronic databases and grey literature. CPGs were selected for inclusion using EndNote-20 and Rayyan online software. No language or publication date restrictions were applied. The results were analyzed descriptively considering the most updated CPG version. In total, 25 CPGs covering the head and neck region (10), the larynx (7), the oral cavity (5), and the oropharynx (3), were found in 13 geographical regions, and 19 were developed by medical societies from 1996 to 2023. Surgery and RT remain the main modalities for early-stage HNC, with surgery preferred in low-resource countries, and RT in selected cases, especially in the larynx/oropharynx aiming to achieve a cure with organ preservation. Human papillomavirus infection for oropharyngeal SCC is not tested in some Asian countries and there is still no consensus to treat p16-positive cases differently from p16-negative. Recommendations for larynx preservation vary according to facilities in each country, however, individualized choice is emphasized. Inequality across countries/continents is evident, with a similar pattern of recommendations among developed as well as developing ones. No CPGs were found in Latin America as well as Oceania countries, where the incidence of HNC is high and limitations of access to treatment may be encountered. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Head and Neck Cancer: Epidemiology, Prevention, Treatment, and Quality of Life)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Head and Neck Cancer: Epidemiology, Prevention, Treatment, and Quality of Life

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (9 papers)

Research

Other

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI