Prevalence and correlates of high‐dose opioid use among survivors of head and neck cancer

This study examined the use of prescription opioids in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) up to two years after diagnosis. The researchers analyzed data from 5522 veterans who were treated for upper aerodigestive tract cancers between 2012 and 2019. They found that 7.8% of patients were still receiving moderate or high-dose opioid therapy two years after their HNC diagnosis. Patients with moderate or higher levels of pain were more likely to be prescribed moderate or high-dose opioids. The study suggests that HNC survivors with significant pain are at increased risk of long-term opioid use.