Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38107064›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in oncology2023

Is ChatGPT accurate and reliable in answering questions regarding head and neck cancer?

Oğuz Kuşcu, A Erim Pamuk, Nilda Sütay Süslü, Sefik Hosal

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in oncology, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 53 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
53citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

53 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Beyond one-size-fits-all: mapping information-seeking and decision-making pathways in cancer care.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Article
  3. Article
  4. ChatGPT vs. multidisciplinary team decisions in auditory implantation: a concordance analysis of implant type and side selection.European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery · 2026
    Article
  5. Article
  6. Comparative evaluation of four large language models (ChatGPT-5, Gemini 2.5 Pro, Claude Sonnet-4, and DeepSeek-R1) for diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making in real-world otolaryngology scenarios.European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery · 2026
    Article
  7. Review
  8. Can a large language model inform patients about auditory brainstem implants?European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery · 2026
    Article
  9. Review
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  11. ChatGPT as an information source for cochlear implants: A study on accuracy and reproducibility.European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery · 2025
    Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Oğuz KuşcuDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Türkiye.
A Erim PamukDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Türkiye.
Nilda Sütay SüslüPrivate Practitioner, Ankara, Türkiye.
Sefik HosalDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medicine, Atılım University, Ankara, Türkiye.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background and objective: Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT) is an artificial intelligence (AI)-based language processing model using deep learning to create human-like text dialogue. It has been a popular source of information covering vast number of topics including medicine. Patient education in head and neck cancer (HNC) is crucial to enhance the understanding of patients about their medical condition, diagnosis, and treatment options. Therefore, this study aims to examine the accuracy and reliability of ChatGPT in answering questions regarding HNC. Methods: 154 head and neck cancer-related questions were compiled from sources including professional societies, institutions, patient support groups, and social media. These questions were categorized into topics like basic knowledge, diagnosis, treatment, recovery, operative risks, complications, follow-up, and cancer prevention. ChatGPT was queried with each question, and two experienced head and neck surgeons assessed each response independently for accuracy and reproducibility. Responses were rated on a scale: (1) comprehensive/correct, (2) incomplete/partially correct, (3) a mix of accurate and inaccurate/misleading, and (4) completely inaccurate/irrelevant. Discrepancies in grading were resolved by a third reviewer. Reproducibility was evaluated by repeating questions and analyzing grading consistency. Results: ChatGPT yielded "comprehensive/correct" responses to 133/154 (86.4%) of the questions whereas, rates of "incomplete/partially correct" and "mixed with accurate and inaccurate data/misleading" responses were 11% and 2.6%, respectively. There were no "completely inaccurate/irrelevant" responses. According to category, the model provided "comprehensive/correct" answers to 80.6% of questions regarding "basic knowledge", 92.6% related to "diagnosis", 88.9% related to "treatment", 80% related to "recovery - operative risks - complications - follow-up", 100% related to "cancer prevention" and 92.9% related to "other". There was not any significant difference between the categories regarding the grades of ChatGPT responses (p=0.88). The rate of reproducibility was 94.1% (145 of 154 questions). Conclusion: ChatGPT generated substantially accurate and reproducible information to diverse medical queries related to HNC. Despite its limitations, it can be a useful source of information for both patients and medical professionals. With further developments in the model, ChatGPT can also play a crucial role in clinical decision support to provide the clinicians with up-to-date information.

Indexed as

artificial intelligencechatbotChatGPT 4head and neckhead and neck (H&N) cancerinformation literacymachine learningnatural language processing

Identifiers

PMID38107064
PMCPMC10722294

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.