HPV Status and Oral Health Symptom Patterning During Treatment and Survivorship in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Longitudinal Analysis

Objectives: To describe longitudinal oral health symptom patterns of patients receiving concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy for head and neck cancer (HNC) and examine associations between phenotypic characteristics, including human papillomavirus (HPV) status and oral health symptoms.

Sample & Setting: A pilot retrospective longitudinal chart review (N = 270) of patients with HNC at a northeastern U.S. regional cancer institute.

Methods & Variables: HPV status and oral health symptoms (pain, mucositis, taste alteration, xerostomia, dysphagia, and candidiasis) were examined during treatment (six weeks) and survivorship (three months). Latent transition analysis was conducted across each time point.

Results: The latent transition analysis revealed classes with moderate to high symptom expression persisted into survivorship. The HPV-negative phenotype had higher symptom expression across treatment and survivorship.

Implications for Nursing: Patients with HPV-negative HNC may require early intervention, while considering social determinants of health to attenuate symptom expression and improve outcomes.