Radiotherapy Increases the Incidence of Herpes Zoster in Oral Cavity Cancer Patients - a National Population-based Cohort Study.

Abstract

Oral cavity cancer is a major health problem worldwide. The herpes zoster vaccine is an effective method to protect against herpes zoster infection. In this study we aimed to determine the relationship between herpes zoster and oral cavity cancer. The Longitudinal Generation Tracking Database in Taiwan was used to select oral and non-oral cavity cancer patients. The primary endpoint was herpes zoster. We included 3131 oral cavity cancer patients and 3131 non-oral cavity cancer patients. Patients with oral cavity cancer [adjusted hazard ratio (HR)=1.66, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.27-2.16] had a significantly higher risk of herpes zoster compared to the control group. The oral cavity patients who received radiotherapy (adjusted HR=1.79, 95%CI=1.12-2.86) had a significantly higher risk of herpes zoster compared to the oral cavity patients who did not receive radiotherapy. Radiotherapy increases the incidence of herpes zoster infection in oral cavity cancer patients.