Development of a communication platform for patients with head and neck cancer for effective information delivery and improvement of doctor-patient relationship: application of treatment journey-based service blueprint.

BACKGROUND: Effective communication and information delivery enhance doctor-patient relationships, improves adherence to treatment, reduces work burden, and supports decision-making. The study developed a head and neck cancer (HNC) communication platform to support effective delivery of information about HNC treatment and improve the doctor-patient relationship. METHODS: This study was structured in three main phases: 1) The requirement elicitation phase sought an understanding of the HNC treatment journey and service failure points (FPs) obtained through patient/medical staff interviews and observations, along with a review of the electronic health record system; 2) The development phase involved core needs analysis, solutions development through a co-creation workshop, and validation of the solutions through focus groups; and 3) the proposed HNC communication platform was integrated with the current treatment system, and the flow and mechanism of the interacting services were structured using a service blueprint (SB). RESULTS: Twenty-two service FPs identified through interviews and observations were consolidated into four core needs, and solutions were proposed to address each need: an HNC treatment journey map, cancer survivor stories, operation consent redesign with surgical illustrations, and a non-verbal communication toolkit. The communication platform was designed through the SB in terms of the stage at which the solution was applied and the actions and interactions of the service providers. CONCLUSIONS: The developed platform has practical significance, reflecting a tangible service improvement for both patients and medical staff, making it applicable in hospital settings.

Low-Grade Papillary Schneiderian Carcinoma in the Nasal Cavity.

Only a limited number of documented low-grade papillary Schneiderian carcinoma (LGPSC) cases have been reported since its initial description in 2015. In this study, the authors present a case report involving a young female patient who presented with this rare condition localized in the nasal cavity. On the basis of histologic examination of a small tumor sample, the initial diagnosis pointed to squamous cell carcinoma. After the surgery, however, the final histologic diagnosis was confirmed as LGPSC. Finally, after surgical intervention, the histologic diagnosis was confirmed as LGPSC. Remarkably, over a period of 22 months, the patient showed no signs of recurrence or metastasis. To achieve an accurate diagnosis and implement appropriate treatment strategies for LGPSC, a comprehensive understanding of both its clinical and histologic characteristics is necessary.

Effect of house dust mite allergen on sleep parameters and sleep quality.

PURPOSE: The role of nasal problems such as allergic rhinitis in the development of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is controversial. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of house dust mite (HDM) allergen on sleep-related problems. METHODS: In a retrospective study patients were classified according to the house dust mite (HDM)-related specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) level into a low HDM-IgE group (group A) and a high HDM-IgE group (group B). Polysomnographic indices, OSA severity, and self-administered questionnaire results were compared between groups. Correlational analysis was used to identify associations between specific IgE values and sleep parameters related to respiratory events. RESULTS: A total of 327 patients were enrolled. N1 stage ratio, apnea index, and apnea-hypopnea index were significantly higher in group B (P = 0.010, 0.003, and 0.002 respectively) than in group A. N2 stage ratio, and lowest and mean oxygen saturation were significantly lower in group B (P = 0.001, 0.001, and < 0.001 respectively). After propensity score matching, the apnea index and lowest and mean oxygen saturation remained significantly different (P = 0.005, 0.005, and 0.001 respectively). Patients in group B were more likely to have severe OSA and worse subjective sleep quality. In correlational analysis, lowest and mean oxygen saturation were significantly negatively correlated with specific IgE values. CONCLUSION: A high HDM-specific IgE level was associated with the occurrence of respiratory events and oxygen desaturation during sleep, and with the presence of severe OSA, as well as poorer subjective sleep quality.

Metachronously Occurring Carcinomas of Different Histological Types in Bilateral Parotid Glands.

The occurrence of multiple malignant tumors with varying histological characteristics in bilateral parotid glands has never been documented previously in the literature. Here, the authors present a noteworthy case of a patient who exhibited the sequential development of primary carcinomas, each displaying distinct histologic types within the bilateral parotid glands. This case concerns a 57-year-old male patient who initially underwent surgery, followed by adjuvant radiotherapy, for squamous cell carcinoma diagnosed in the right parotid gland. Approximately 3 years after this treatment, a novel salivary duct carcinoma emerged within the left parotid gland, prompting a second round of surgical intervention, again followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. Subsequently, a recurrent tumor was identified within the left Stensen duct, necessitating additional surgical intervention. While monitoring for recurrence or metastases remains an important aspect of post-treatment care for salivary gland cancer, it is also imperative to consider the potential for developing a second primary salivary gland cancer.

Prospective voice assessment after uncomplicated thyroidectomy: A comprehensive analysis of a single centre experience.

OBJECTIVES: Voice change after uncomplicated thyroidectomy has been an important issue in the field of thyroid surgery. The aim of this study was to promote understanding of voice change after uncomplicated thyroidectomy by analysing the results for a large number of patients from a single institute. DESIGN: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 2879 consecutive patients who underwent thyroidectomy and voice evaluation between January 2014 and December 2019 in a single institute. All the patients had their vocal status assessed using videostroboscopy, acoustic voice analyses, aerodynamic study, and Thyroidectomy-related Voice and Symptom Questionnaire (TVSQ) scores preoperatively and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. We analysed the pattern of voice changes over time and differences in voice parameters based on clinical factors. To confirm the usefulness of the TVSQ, the correlation between TVSQ scores and objective parameters was analysed. Lastly, predictive factors for persistent voice symptoms were analysed. SETTING: Tertiary referral hospital. RESULTS: The frequency ranges and TVSQ scores exhibited significant deterioration until 6 months following surgery. Among clinical factors, the extents of thyroidectomy and neck dissection were associated with worse voice parameters. The TVSQ score was significantly correlated with objective voice parameters. The extents of thyroidectomy and neck dissection were predictive of persistent voice symptoms at 6 months after thyroidectomy. CONCLUSION: After uncomplicated thyroidectomy, most voice parameters tended to recover, but some parameters remained aggravated even at 6 months after surgery. With more extensive surgery, worse voice quality and the higher risk of persistent voice symptoms may be anticipated.

Effects of an antiadhesive agent on functional recovery of the greater auricular nerve after parotidectomy: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Periauricular sensory deficit occurs frequently after parotidectomy even in cases with preservation of the greater auricular nerve (GAN). This study was performed to evaluate the effects of antiadhesive agent in functional recovery of the GAN after parotidectomy. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients undergoing partial parotidectomy for benign parotid tumors were prospectively enrolled in this multicenter, double-blind randomized controlled study and randomly assigned to either the study or control group. Antiadhesive agent was applied in the study group. The results of sensory tests (tactile, heat, and cold sensitivity) and a questionnaire on quality of life (QoL) were acquired at postoperative 1, 8, and 24 weeks after surgery. Clinical parameters, and the results of the sensory tests and the questionnaire, were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients were finally enrolled. On sensory evaluation, tactile sensation and warm sensation in the ear lobule, and warm sensation in the mastoid area, showed significant improvement at 24 weeks postoperatively in the study group. There were no significant differences between the two groups on any questions in the QoL questionnaire, at any follow-up time point. CONCLUSIONS: Antiadhesive agents have some positive effects on functional recovery of the GAN after parotidectomy. Therefore, applying antiadhesive agents after parotidectomy can reduce discomfort in patients.

Female sex, central lymph node metastasis and dissection are causes of globus symptom after thyroidectomy.

Globus symptoms are not uncommon after an uncomplicated thyroidectomy. However, their associated factors and etiology have not been investigated. We investigated the etiology and factors related to globus symptoms after thyroidectomy. The medical records of 289 patients who underwent thyroidectomy and completed a voice analysis, psychiatric screening, and voice-related questionnaires before and 1 month after the surgery were reviewed. Patients were excluded if they had globus symptoms before surgery or scored high on the psychiatric questionnaire. The selected patients were divided into two groups according to development of globus symptoms after surgery. Clinicopathological parameters and results of the voice analysis and voice-related questionnaires were compared between the two groups. A total of 157 patients were enrolled, and more than half (80/155, 51 %) showed development of globus symptoms 1 month after thyroidectomy. Female patients [hazard ratio (HR), 2.605; P = 0.010], patients who had central lymph node metastasis (HR, 3.533; P = 0.001), and patients who underwent central neck dissection (HR, 3.652; P = 0.014) had a higher probability of developing globus symptoms. Patients who developed globus symptoms scored higher on the voice-related questionnaire, and had a greater decrease in speaking fundamental frequency (P < 0.001). Globus symptoms developed after 1 month in more than half of patients who underwent thyroidectomy. Female sex and central lymph node metastasis and dissection increased the possibility of developing the symptoms.

Characteristics of thyroid nodules causing globus symptoms.

A globus sensation is one of the most common complaints in otolaryngologic clinics, and laryngopharyngeal reflux is the most common cause. However, thyroid nodules also can cause globus symptoms. The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of thyroid nodules that cause globus. We selected patients prospectively with a single thyroid nodule on ultrasonograms. Patients with other causes of globus symptoms were excluded using questionnaires, fiber optic laryngoscopic examinations, and a psychiatric screening tool. In total, 175 patients were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups according to globus symptoms. Ultrasonographic characteristics and clinicopathological parameters were compared between the groups. Among various clinicopathologic and ultrasonographic parameters, size and horizontal location of the thyroid nodule showed significant differences between the groups. Nodules larger than 3 cm and those located anterior to the trachea had a tendency to cause globus symptoms. Regarding horizontal location, nodules that all parts were located anterior to the trachea showed a higher tendency to cause globus symptoms than nodules that only some parts were located anterior to the trachea. In conclusion, thyroid nodules with specific size and location can cause globus symptoms, and this finding can be indicated in patient counseling. Also, conservative treatments or thyroidectomy may be helpful in relieving patients' globus symptoms.

The therapeutic decision making of the unilateral vocal cord palsy after thyroidectomy using thyroidectomy-related voice questionnaire (TVQ).

The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of early management of post-thyroidectomy unilateral vocal cord palsy (UVCP) and the clinical utility of the thyroidectomy-related voice questionnaire (TVQ) when planning UVCP treatment. The study group comprised 48 consecutive patients diagnosed with UVCP after thyroidectomy. Laryngoscopic examination and voice analysis were conducted, and the TVQ was administered pre-thyroidectomy and at 2 weeks and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-thyroidectomy. Twenty-five patients with aspiration symptoms and severe vocal difficulties received injection laryngoplasty, and 23 with no aspiration symptoms and relatively mild vocal difficulties underwent voice therapy. We performed a video fluoroscopic swallowing study on each patient 2 weeks after thyroidectomy and 1 month following the procedure. The average total TVQ scores 2 weeks post-thyroidectomy were 51.92 ± 11.42 in the injection laryngoplasty group and 35.78 ± 12.99 in the voice therapy group. Both subjective and objective parameters improved significantly at 1 month after treatment and continued to improve slowly over the next 12 months (p < 0.01) in both groups. TVQ scores were significantly lower in the injection laryngoplasty group than in the voice therapy group 1 month post-intervention (p < 0.01). At the study end point, the greatest improvement in subjective symptoms occurred in temporary VCP patients who underwent injection laryngoplasty. The optimal TVQ score cut-off distinguishing the two groups was 45 (68.0 % sensitivity, 78.3 % specificity). In conclusion, early management following timely diagnosis of post-thyroidectomy UVCP can improve symptoms within 1 month. Moreover, application of TVQ will aid clinicians to plan treatment for postoperative VCP patients.

Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy via the tri-vestibular routes: results of a preclinical cadaver feasibility study.

The concept of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is an emerging experimental alternative to conventional surgery that eliminates skin incisions using an endoscope passed through a natural orifice (e.g., mouth, urethra, or anus). This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of thyroid resection via an entirely transoral tri-vestibular route using endoscopy, and to introduce NOTES to the head and neck area of medicine. We performed ten complete endoscopic thyroid lobectomies with central lymph node dissection via a tri-vestibular approach in fresh-frozen cadavers. A 5-mm endoscope with a deflectable tip was used to visualize the surgical field. Three cannulas were inserted through the midline and bilateral incision sites in the vestibule to position the instruments and endoscope. We refined and described the surgical technique in each step using video clips. We identified and preserved neighboring critical structures during surgery. We also confirmed that there were no obvious remnant thyroid tissues and no injury to the neighboring structures after exploration. The transoral tri-vestibular approach seems to provide a good view and surgical field for endoscopic thyroidectomy. However, the transoral approach for thyroidectomy remains experimental, and the detailed surgical technique should be refined via further clinical studies.

Patients and Healthcare Providers' Perspectives on Patient Experience Factors and a Model of Patient-Centered Care Communication: A Systematic Review.

Effective communication between patients and healthcare providers is essential for a positive patient experience (PE), and improving patient-centered care (PCC) involves many factors. This study aimed to (1) identify the factors that affect PE improvement, (2) reflect patients and healthcare providers' perspectives on the factors' importance, and (3) present a structural model for improving PCC. A systematic review of empirical studies that specified PE factors was conducted. Studies that did not reflect users' perspectives and non-empirical studies were excluded. The literature was searched using Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Taylor and Francis online journal. The MMAT 2018 checklist was used to assess bias in the included studies, and frequency, content, and thematic analyses were employed to synthesize the results, yielding 25 articles. The 80 PE factors identified from the analyses were categorized into six categories: Practice, Physical Needs, Psychological Needs, Social Needs, Practical Needs, and Information Needs. From a user perspective, patients emphasized professional, continuous, and comprehensive service delivery, whereas healthcare providers stressed efficient system improvements and positive provider-patient relationships. We propose a structured model for PCC improvement using a service blueprint and system map. The PCC model provides an overview of the interactions and the roles of all stakeholders regarding quality of care to improve healthcare.

Towards the Improvement of Patient Experience Evaluation Items for Patient-Centered Care in Head and Neck Cancer: A Qualitative Comparative Study.

Owing to long-term treatment, frequent consultations, and complications, the evaluation of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) must be improved. This study explored an opportunity for improving patient experience (PE) evaluation of patients with HNC to achieve a patient-centered, integrative evaluation model based on patient needs. The study comprised four phases: (1) a systematic literature review of PE factors for patient quality of life (QoL) and establishment of PE factor categories as a framework, (2) a review of current cancer or HNC PE evaluation tools, (3) identification of potential PE evaluation items based on patient needs by conducting user research, and (4) suggestion of integrative HNC PE evaluation items through expert validation. As a result, the 39 potential items were initially identified from the literature review and user research. After conducting two survey rounds with experts, 25 items were suggested as HNC PE evaluation items. These underscore the importance of highlighting the patient's participation, the medical staff's comprehensive information delivery, empathy, and collaborative communication, the hospital's support of communication channels, the medical environment for patient emotional support, the education program, and systematic patient satisfaction data management. PE evaluation items that consider the diverse perspectives of stakeholders involved in HNC treatment and factors of comprehensive PE will contribute to improving HNC patient-centered care (PCC).

Therapeutic approach to patients with a lower-pitched voice after thyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND: A lower-pitched voice is one of the most common voice alterations after thyroidectomy without laryngeal nerve injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acoustic and stroboscopic changes and the treatment outcomes in patients with a lower-pitched voice with the goal of eventually establishing a therapeutic guideline. METHODS: Patients with a lower-pitched voice were selected according to the results of acoustic analysis among thyroidectomized patients. According to their pitch-gliding ability, patients were classified into a "gliding group" and "nongliding group," and direct voice therapy was performed. For those who did not respond, indirect voice therapy with subsequent identical direct voice therapy was performed. Video-stroboscopy, acoustic and perceptual analysis, and subjective analysis using a questionnaire were performed before and after treatment. The results of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Fifty patients were enrolled. Decreased vocal cord tension was the most common stroboscopic finding in these patients. After direct voice therapy, 87 % of patients in the gliding group showed restoration of pitch 2 months after thyroidectomy. None of the patients in the nongliding group showed improvement. After indirect voice therapy and subsequent direct voice therapy, these nonresponders finally showed improvement 4.5 months after thyroidectomy. Several characteristic stroboscopic findings of the nongliding group were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The pitch-gliding ability and several specific stroboscopic findings were predictive of a response to direct voice therapy. Based on these findings, an individualized therapeutic approach could be applied, and the pitch of patients with a lower-pitched voice after thyroidectomy was restored earlier than expected.

Effective Co-Creation Tool Development for Shared Understanding and Active Communication for Patients with Head and Neck Cancer.

To improve the quality of life of cancer patients, patient experience (PE) must be improved along with the overall treatment process. This study aimed to develop an effective and practical co-design tool to improve the healthcare service experience of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) in various factors. The research consisted of four phases: (1) HNC PE categories for healthcare improvement were identified through systematic review, user interviews, and observation; (2) a focus group meeting was held to materialize the card design; (3) a structured and visual card set was developed for stakeholders to share the content and discuss improvements in PE effectively; (4) to evaluate the feasibility of the developed cards, a co-creation workshop with HNC medical staffs was conducted. From the workshop using insight cards, we identified the differences in the medical staff's and patients' perspectives on the factors for improving HNC PE in each stage of the treatment journey. Pat Exp Insight Cards as experience-based co-design (EBCD) tools can be useful for stakeholders to empathize with the specific pain points and needs of patients with HNC and to discuss improvement plans efficiently.

Role of local flaps in the prevention of soft tissue necrosis after transoral robotic surgery for tonsillar cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Soft tissue necrosis (STN) can occur after transoral robotic surgery (TORS) with radiation therapy (RT). We investigated the usefulness of local flap reconstruction for preventing STN after TORS in patients with tonsillar cancer. METHODS: This case-control study retrospectively reviewed clinicopathological data of patients who underwent TORS for tonsillar cancer at a tertiary referral center. The incidence of STN was compared in patients who underwent secondary intention healing or local flap reconstruction, and factors predicting STN were identified. RESULTS: STN occurred in 20 (25%) of 80 patients in the study. The incidence of STN was higher in the secondary intention healing than the flap reconstruction group. Mucositis grade (odds ratio [OR] 3.694, p = 0.02), RT dose (OR 4.667, p = 0.001), and secondary intention healing (OR 14.985, p = 0.035) were predictive factors for STN. CONCLUSION: Flap reconstruction can prevent STN after TORS with RT in patients with tonsillar cancer. The use of local flaps preserves the minimally invasive nature of TORS.

Investigation of optimal convolutional neural network conditions for thyroid ultrasound image analysis.

Neural network models have been used to analyze thyroid ultrasound (US) images and stratify malignancy risk of the thyroid nodules. We investigated the optimal neural network condition for thyroid US image analysis. We compared scratch and transfer learning models, performed stress tests in 10% increments, and compared the performance of three threshold values. All validation results indicated superiority of the transfer learning model over the scratch model. Stress test indicated that training the algorithm using 3902 images (70%) resulted in a performance which was similar to the full dataset (5575). Threshold 0.3 yielded high sensitivity (1% false negative) and low specificity (72% false positive), while 0.7 gave low sensitivity (22% false negative) and high specificity (23% false positive). Here we showed that transfer learning was more effective than scratch learning in terms of area under curve, sensitivity, specificity and negative/positive predictive value, that about 3900 images were minimally required to demonstrate an acceptable performance, and that algorithm performance can be customized according to the population characteristics by adjusting threshold value.

The importance of preoperative laryngeal examination before thyroidectomy and the usefulness of a voice questionnaire in screening.

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to emphasize the importance of preoperative laryngeal examination before thyroidectomy by investigating the incidence of coincident abnormal laryngeal conditions that impair the quality of voice, and evaluate the usefulness of the "thyroidectomy-related voice questionnaire" as a screening tool. METHODS: Five hundred consecutive patients scheduled to undergo thyroidectomy underwent preoperative laryngeal examination and voice analysis and completed the questionnaire. According to the laryngeal examination results, patients were classified into normal and abnormal groups. Acoustic-analysis results and questionnaire scores were compared between the two groups, and correlations between acoustic parameters and questionnaire scores were evaluated. The cutoff score of the questionnaire that can effectively discriminate between the two groups was also determined. RESULTS: The incidence of abnormal laryngeal conditions was 35.8%. The most common finding was laryngopharyngeal reflux (27.2%) followed by vocal nodule (4.8%), vocal polyp (1.8%), vocal cord palsy (1.2%), Reinke's edema (0.4%), vocal cyst (0.2%), and vocal sulcus (0.2%). The perceptual grade of voice quality (0.33 ± 0.49 for normal group vs. 0.65 ± 0.62 for abnormal group, P = 0.000) and the questionnaire scores (3.21 ± 5.47 for normal group vs. 13.41 ± 11.67 for abnormal group, P = 0.000) of the two groups were significantly different, and there was a significant correlation between objective voice parameters and questionnaire scores. A questionnaire score of 5 showed the best sensitivity (74%) and specificity (71%) in discriminating between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of coincident abnormal laryngeal conditions is relatively high; therefore, voice screening before thyroidectomy is important. The "thyroidectomy-related voice questionnaire" is a simple and effective screening tool to detect preexisting laryngeal disorders that can affect the quality of voice.

Reframing Patient Experience Approaches and Methods to Achieve Patient-Centeredness in Healthcare: Scoping Review.

(1) There has been growing attention among healthcare researchers on new and innovative methodologies for improving patient experience. This study reviewed the approaches and methods used in current patient experience research by applying the perspective of design thinking to discuss practical methodologies for a patient-centered approach and creative problem-solving. (2) A scoping review was performed to identify research trends in healthcare. A four-stage design thinking process ("Discover", "Define", "Develop", and "Deliver") and five themes ("User focus", "Problem-framing", "Visualization", "Experimentation", and "Diversity"), characterizing the concept, were used for the analysis framework. (3) After reviewing 67 studies, the current studies show that the iterative process of divergent and convergent thinking is lacking, which is a core concept of design thinking, and it is necessary to employ an integrative methodology to actively apply collaborative, multidisciplinary, and creative attributes for a specific and tangible solution. (4) For creative problem-solving to improve patient experience, we should explore the possibilities of various solutions by an iterative process of divergent and convergent thinking. A concrete and visualized solution should be sought through active user interactions from various fields. For this, a specific methodology that allows users to collaborate by applying the integrative viewpoint of design thinking should be introduced.

Association of Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate with Risk of Head and Neck Cancer: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

In this study, through a cohort study of 10 million people, we investigated the association between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and head and neck cancer (HNC) incidence. This is an observational cohort study using data from the national health claims database established by the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). We selected 9,598,085 participants older than 20 years who had undergone health checkups in 2009. A health checkup involves the history of any diseases, current health status, and results of several physical and blood exams including eGFR. We investigated the presence of HNC diagnosis in their national health insurance data from 2010 to 2018. Of the 9,598,085 participants, 10,732 had been newly diagnosed with HNC in the 9-year follow-up. In the multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, participants with elevated eGFR were associated with a risk of HNC incidence (HR = 1.129; 95% CI = 1.075−1.186 for eGFR = 90−104 mL/min/1.73 m2 and HR = 1.129; 95% CI = 1.076−1.194 for eGFR ≥ 105 mL/min/1.73 m2) compared with those with eGFR 60−89 mL/min/1.73 m2. Among HNC, the incidences of oral cavity, oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal, and laryngeal cancers were significantly increased in the elevated eGFR group. According to the subgroup analysis, participants with eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 were correlated with risk of HNC incidence in middle age, non/mild drinker, low BMI, no diabetes, and no hypertension patients compared with those with eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Elevated eGFR was associated with the risk of some type of HNC, even in individuals with adjusted hypertension and diabetes without chronic diseases. The results of this study have implications for etiological investigations and preventive strategies.

Association between γ-Glutamyltransferase and Head and Neck Cancer in Korean Population: A National Population-Based Study.

BACKGROUND: Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) is positively associated with several cancer types. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between GGT and head and neck cancer (HNC) incidence in a cohort of 10 million people, considering effects of smoking and alcohol consumption. METHODS: All data used in this study were obtained from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. We analyzed subjects who underwent health check-ups in 2009 and monitored them until 2018 (n = 9,597,952). Using proportional hazards models, quartiles of GGT as independent predictors for HNC incidence were evaluated. RESULTS: The overall incidence of HNC increased in the highest quartile [r-GPT ≥ 40 U/L; HR, 1.452; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.354-1.557]. Among HNC cases, the HR for hypopharyngeal cancer (HR, 2.364; 95% CI, 1.818-3.074) was significantly higher. HRs for HNC (larynx, sino-nasal, oropharynx, oral cavity, and nasopharynx, except salivary glands) were also significant. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated GGT was associated with the risk of some types of HNCs, such as hypopharyngeal, laryngeal, sinonasal, oropharyngeal, oral cavity, and nasopharyngeal cancer. IMPACT: Results of this study have implications for etiologic investigations and preventive strategies.