Cause-specific mortality in patients with head and neck cancer: Long-term follow-up of a population-based cohort from 1986 to 2012 accounting for competing risks

The overall survival pattern of HNC patients depends not only on their cancer characteristics, but also varies greatly according to their age and comorbidities. Our findings support the need for individualized treatment and follow-up protocols, and active management of comorbid diseases. Appropriate methods for analyzing competing risks should be used when presenting survival estimates of cancer patients.