Quality of Life for Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A 10-Year Bibliographic Analysis

SIMPLE SUMMARY: This article aims to investigate the changing focus in quality of life (QoL) studies for head and neck cancer (HNC) patients and foster global collaborations. The specific objectives are to understand the unique challenges faced by HNC patients through an analysis of key terms used in recent studies. By examining existing literature and analyzing keywords, the authors seek to identify critical areas for future research and highlight important topics. The findings from this research have significant potential to benefit the research community by providing insights into the specific needs of HNC patients, guiding future studies, and facilitating collaboration among researchers and policymakers. Ultimately, this research aims to enhance our understanding and support for HNC patients, ultimately improving their QoL. ABSTRACT: Head and neck cancers (HNCs) have a profound impact on patients, affecting not only their physical appearance but also fundamental aspects of their daily lives. This bibliometric study examines the landscape of scientific research pertaining to the quality of life (QoL) among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. By employing data and bibliometric analysis derived from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOS-CC) and employing R-package and VOSviewer for visualization, the study assesses the current status of and prominent areas of focus within the literature over the past decade. The analysis reveals noteworthy countries, journals, and institutions that have exhibited notable productivity in this research domain between 2013 and 2022. Notably, the United States, the Supportive Care in Cancer journal, and the University of Pittsburgh emerged as the leading contributors. Moreover, there was a discernible shift, with an increasing focus on the significance of QoL within the survivorship context, exemplified by the emergence and subsequent peak of related keywords in 2020 and the subsequent year, respectively. The temporal analysis additionally reveals a transition towards specific QoL indices, such as dysphagia and oral mucositis. Therefore, the increasing relevance of survivorship further underscores the need for studies that address the associated concerns and challenges faced by patients.