Cannabis Use & Head Neck Cancer Recovery – Research Findings
## Cannabis Use and Head & Neck Cancer Recovery: A Groundbreaking Study Seeks Answers
Oklahoma City – A new, prospective study led by Lurdes Queimado, M.D., ph.D., at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center is investigating the impact of cannabis use on wound healing and recovery following head and neck cancer surgery. Funded by the Presbyterian Health Foundation, the research will follow 220 adult patients undergoing surgery for head and neck cancer and subsequent reconstruction. These complex surgeries frequently enough compromise both appearance and vital physiological functions like swallowing and breathing, making optimal healing crucial.
What sets this study apart is its prospective design - researchers will track patients for six months *from the time of their treatment* – a important improvement over studies that rely on retrospective data analysis.Furthermore, self-reported cannabis use will be rigorously verified through biochemical blood tests, bolstering the study’s scientific validity.
“research indicates a high rate of cannabis use among cancer patients – exceeding 50% in some studies, and reaching as high as 80% among those who also use tobacco,” explains Queimado, Professor of Otolaryngology. “However, the medical literature is strikingly sparse regarding how cannabis use affects wound healing.Critically, there are no prospective studies addressing this topic. We believe the data we gather will advance our understanding of how the diverse modes of cannabis use affect wound healing and establish a framework for related studies.”
Preliminary research by Queimado suggests a potential link between cannabis smoking and impaired healing. Her initial studies on non-cancer patients revealed that those who smoke cannabis exhibit increased inflammation and diminished immune system function - both factors known to hinder wound healing and elevate the risk of complications.
However, Queimado emphasizes the complexity of the issue. “There are many factors to consider, such as *how* patients consume cannabis and *how frequently enough*,” she says. To account for this,the trial is structured around four distinct patient groups: those who use cannabis alone,those who use both cannabis and tobacco,those who use tobacco only,and a control group who use neither.
The research team will meticulously monitor each group for infections, bleeding, medical complications, and the quality of scar healing. Crucially, they will also document the method of cannabis consumption – smoking, vaping, or edibles – recognizing that each delivery method has different physiological effects. “The ultimate goal is to provide patients with evidence-based information to guide their decisions,” Queimado states.
Mark Mims, M.D., a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and assistant professor of otolaryngology and surgery, highlights the clinical relevance of the study. “Patients frequently ask if cannabis use will impact their reconstructive surgery outcomes, and currently, we lack sufficient data to provide confident counseling,” he explains.
While the primary focus is on head and neck cancer patients, the study will also collect data on patients’ responses to other treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation. Queimado envisions broader implications for the research.
“I think this study has the potential to have major implications for other types of cancer and surgeries,but also for chronic diseases because inflammation and immunity play a significant role in many conditions,such as autoimmune diseases,” she says. “I think there will be many opportunities for growth into other areas once we have established the framework of this study.”
Queimado also directs the Tobacco Regulatory Science Lab at the TSET Health Promotion Research Center, a program of OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, further solidifying the study’s foundation in rigorous scientific inquiry.