Relapse of Tobacco Consumption in Patients Treated for Head and Neck Cancer: a Cross Sectional Study

Head and neck cancers are a major healthcare burden in the Indian Subcontinent mainly due to tobacco consumption. While advances in treatment have resulted in better control rates and survival, relapse of tobacco consumption contributes to recurrences. The authors embarked upon a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study to assess the burden of tobacco relapse along with factors resulting into relapse. Patients on follow-up after treatment of tobacco-related head and neck cancers in a dedicated cancer institute were included in the study. Demographic data was noted, and responses were obtained on a five-point Likert's scale for reasons of relapse which were analyzed with a median and interquartile range. Predictors of relapse were assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. In our sample size of 500, relapse rate was 15%, majority of which occurred in the first year of follow-up when disease was loco-regionally controlled. Most common causative factor for relapse was lower motivation to quit. Care givers must incorporate tobacco cessation counseling as an integral part of head and neck cancer treatment.