Familial and Prior History of Cancer and Risk of Head and Neck Cancers and Related Mortality: A Cohort Study

This study evaluated the impact of an individual's prior and familial cancer history on the risk of head and neck cancers (HNCs) and related mortality.

This observational cohort study utilized data from the Kangbuk Samsung Health Study. Familial history among first-degree relatives was self-reported via questionnaires. Incident HNC and prior cancer histories were identified through data linkage with the national cancer registry, and mortality was verified via the nationwide Statistic Korea death registry.

Among 341,789 participants, 253 developed HNC. A total of 85,519 individuals reported familial cancer histories (25.0%); of these, 73 developed HNCs. Familial history of HNC and leukemia was significantly associated with an increased HNC risk. Twenty-six participants had prior cancer histories, most commonly HNC. Multivariate logistic analyses demonstrated that a familial history of HNC and leukemia was significantly associated with HNC risk. Among the 253 HNC patients, 15 deaths (5.9%) were recorded. Notably, 4 occurred in individuals with a familial cancer history and 3 in those with a prior cancer history.

While limited by small event counts and wide confidence intervals, familial histories of HNC and leukemia may be associated with HNC development. A prior HNC history may also influence survival outcomes.