Suboptimally controlled cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and incident risk for stroke and myocardial infarction (MI) place considerable burden on patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), according to a study published in JAMA Otolaryngology- Head & Neck Surgery. Lova Sun, MD, and colleagues defined CV risk profiles, incident stroke, MI, and mortality in HNSCC in a retrospective, population-based cohort study with 35,857 US veterans. Most were taking risk-lowering medications, but 47% had one or more uncontrolled CV risk factor. Black race was associated with increased risk for uncontrolled CV risk factors (relative risk, 1.06). Higher rates of prevalent and uncontrolled risk factors were seen for patients with larynx cancer versus other cancer sites. The 10-year cumulative incidence of stroke and MI was 12.5% and 8.3%, respectively, considering death as a competing risk. “An improved understanding and focus on modifying CV risk is important in improving survivorship care and long-term outcomes for these patients,” Dr. Sun and colleagues wrote.
