Objective: To assess the incidence of vascular events in patients with head and neck cancer.
Review methods: Primary studies identified through April 2023. Meta-analysis was performed.
Results: There were 146 studies included in the systematic review. Rates of events were collected in the overall group, those with chemoprophylaxis, and those that underwent surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. Of 1 184 160 patients, 4.3% had a vascular event. Radiation therapy had highest risk of overall events and stroke when compared to surgery and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy had a higher risk of stroke and overall events when compared to surgery.
Conclusions: Vascular events occur in 4%-5% of patients with head and neck cancer. Our data does not support the use of routine anticoagulation. Patients undergoing radiation therapy had the highest frequency of events.
Keywords: head and neck cancer; hemorrhage; infarction; ischemia; thrombosis; vascular events.
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