SynthesisPain medicine (Malden, Mass.)2025
Prevalence and characteristics of persistent pain among head and neck cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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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.
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.
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Effects of photobiomodulation on oral mucositis, oral pain, xerostomia, salivary flow rate, and quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026Pooled it
- Cancer pain.Nature reviews. Disease primers · 2026Review
- The mirrored burden and accountable handovers in cancer survivorship: co‑designing a post‑treatment transition standard.npj health systems · 2026Article
- Mapping the gaps: Multi-disciplinary chronic pain service provision for cancer-related pain across England.British journal of pain · 2026Article
- Transcriptomic Differences Related to Neck Pain in Patients with Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.Genes · 2025Article
- A Scoping Review of Clinical Features and Mechanisms of Orofacial Pain and Headache in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
Abstract
importanceThere are no updated systematic reviews examining the prevalence of persistent pain among head and neck cancer survivors.
objectivesThis systematic review aims to identify the prevalence and characteristics of persistent pain across locations among head and neck cancer survivors.
designA systematic review and meta-analysis.
participantsHead and neck cancer survivors with persistent pain.
methodsIt was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines on December 14th, 2023 (PROSPERO reference CRD42024494926). The MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, Ovid and Cochrane Library databases were searched. Studies had to report prevalence data on persistent pain in head and neck cancer survivors who completed cancer treatment at least 3 months ago. Quality of the included studies was assessed using the critical appraisal tool developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed prior to perform the meta-analysis using τ2, I2, and Q. Univariate meta-regression analyses were used to examine sources of heterogeneity.
results1713 records were retrieved. After removing duplicates 1385 articles were screened. Ultimately, 182 articles were assessed for full-text screening, of which 17 manuscripts were included for review. The prevalence of the studies was 31% (95% CI, 20 to 42). The meta-regression explained approximately 40% of the observed heterogeneity (R2 = 40.57).
conclusionsThis systematic review highlights that almost third of head and neck cancer survivors are under persistent pain after finishing cancer treatment. No final conclusions can be drawn as to which extent cancer location, cancer treatment, pain measurement method and timing of pain assessments could modify this prevalence. Results should be interpreted with caution since there is considerable variability in the methods.
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