Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 9, 2026

Voluntary Breath-hold Technique for Reducing Heart Dose in Left Breast Radiotherapy

Voluntary Breath-hold Technique for Reducing Heart Dose in Left Breast Radiotherapy

Published on: July 3, 2014

Cardiovascular risk and prevention in patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy

Christian C Okoye¹, Jessica Bucher^2,3, Curtis Tatsuoka^2,3

¹Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.

|December 30, 2016

Abstract

Background:

The underlying contributors to cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are poorly characterized.

Methods:

Patients with HNSCC who underwent definitive or adjuvant (chemo)radiation between 2011 and 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. The 10-year risk estimates for a CVD event were calculated according to the Framingham Risk Score (FRS).

Results:

One hundred fifteen patients with predominantly stage III/IV HNSCC had a median follow-up of 2 years. At diagnosis, 23% of patients had CVD. The FRS was higher among patients with laryngeal cancer versus other sites (20.5% vs 14.4%). Twenty-four percent of all patients had uncontrolled blood pressure at diagnosis. Among the patients with CVD, 41% were not taking antiplatelet therapy and 30% were not taking statin therapy. Thirty-four percent of patients without CVD had indications for initiating statin therapy.

Conclusion:

Patients with HNSCC have a high baseline CVD risk and many do not receive optimal preventive care. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 527-532, 2017.

Keywords:

cardiovascular disease head and neck cancer primary prevention radiotherapy risk factors

More Related Videos

Proton Therapy Delivery and Its Clinical Application in Select Solid Tumor Malignancies

Proton Therapy Delivery and Its Clinical Application in Select Solid Tumor Malignancies

Published on: February 6, 2019

Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Published on: April 20, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Cancer Prevention

Cancer Prevention

Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...

Arteries of the Head and Neck

Arteries of the Head and Neck

The human body's intricate network of arteries ensures that every organ system receives the necessary oxygen and nutrients for optimal function. The arterial network in the head and neck region is particularly complex, providing vital blood flow to the brain, eyes, and other critical structures. Prominent arteries in this region include the internal carotid arteries and the vertebral arteries.
The internal carotid arteries supply blood to the anterior portion of the cerebrum. They enter the...

Cancer Therapies

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...

Biological Effects of Radiation

Biological Effects of Radiation

All radioactive nuclides emit high-energy particles or electromagnetic waves. When this radiation encounters living cells, it can cause heating, break chemical bonds, or ionize molecules. The most serious biological damage results when these radioactive emissions fragment or ionize molecules. For example, α and β particles emitted from nuclear decay reactions possess much higher energies than ordinary chemical bond energies. When these particles strike and penetrate matter, they...

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Tumor-adjacent B cell infiltration stratifies recurrence risk in localized prostate cancer.

medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·2026

Selection and Management of Patients With Resectable Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer Receiving Perioperative FLOT: A Modified Delphi Consensus Approach.

JCO oncology practice·2026

NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Esophageal and Esophagogastric Junction Cancers, Version 4.2026.

Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN·2026

Backfill Bayesian Ordered Lattice Design for Phase I Clinical Trials.

medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·2026

Brief Report: Multi-Institution Real-World Analysis Evaluating Safety, Efficacy, and ctDNA Dynamics After Tarlatamab in Patients With Previously Treated SCLC and LCNEC.

JTO clinical and research reports·2026

Patient-reported outcomes in NRG Oncology RTOG 1010: Phase 3 trial evaluating the addition of trastuzumab to trimodality treatment of HER2 overexpressing esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Cancer·2026

See all related articles