Cross-sectional study of stroke risk in survivors of head and neck cancer

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a heterogeneous group of cancers. With advancements in treatments, the number of survivors of HNC has been steadily increasing. Several studies have reported an increased risk of stroke in patients treated for HNC. A cross-sectional study included 9803 survivors of HNC and the entire Singapore population of 4 million. The age-standardized incidence of stroke among survivors of HNC was 2.5 times higher than that of the general population. The increased stroke risks were observed in most age groups, race and ethnicity groups, HNC subsites, stages, and treatment modalities. The authors conclude that these findings suggest that stroke prevention should be highlighted in HNC survivorship programs.