Talk about chronic relief.
Cancer patients tend to use cannabis to manage side effects of their treatment and ease symptoms such as nausea, pain, insomnia and anxiety.
“Research has shown that there is a high rate of cannabis use among cancer patients — more than 50% in some studies, and up to 80% among those who also use tobacco,” said Dr. Lurdes Queimado, a professor of otolaryngology at the University of Oklahoma.
“But there is very little in the medical literature about how cannabis use affects the healing of wounds.”
That’s why Queimado is conducting a first-of-its-kind study to figure out if smoking pot impacts the healing process for head and neck cancer surgery.
Head and neck cancers account for 4% of the cancers diagnosed in the US.
Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection are fueling a rise in these cases.
Surgery is often the primary treatment for head and neck cancers — it generally involves removing tumors in the mouth, throat, voice box, sinuses and related areas.
These operations tend to alter the appearance of the patient’s face and neck as well as their ability to swallow and breathe.
Often, reconstructive surgery is needed to restore the form and function of the head and neck area after cancer treatment.
“Patients come to my office and ask if using cannabis will affect their reconstructive surgery outcome, and we just don’t have enough data to counsel them with confidence,” said Dr. Mark Mims, a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and an OU assistant professor of otolaryngology and surgery.
The OU study will follow 220 adult patients as they undergo tumor removal surgery for head and neck cancers, reconstruction and a six-month recovery.
Participants will report their cannabis use, which will be verified through blood tests.
The patients will be divided into four groups — cannabis users, tobacco users, cannabis and tobacco users and those who don’t use either.
“We will monitor each group of patients for infections, bleeding, medical complications and scar healing,” Queimado said.
“And we will assess how they are using cannabis, whether it’s smoking, vaping or edibles, because they are very different in the effects they have,” she added. “The ultimate goal is to have information to guide the patient.”
Queimado told The Post that the study will also explore the effects of CBD products on wound healing.
CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are two of the main chemicals in cannabis. THC produces the marijuana high while CBD may help reduce anxiety.
“CBD and THC have known immune suppressant effects,” Queimado said.
Queimado’s hypothesis, based on limited data, is that weed smokers — even those without cancer — have more inflammation and less immune function, which could slow wound healing and increase complications.
The Presbyterian Health Foundation in Oklahoma City is funding the study.
The findings could add to growing evidence that smoking weed may be dangerous to health. Research has suggested that it can raise the risk of lung cancer and heart attacks.
And a study last year from the University of Southern California found that cannabis use elevates the odds of developing head and neck cancers.
Queimado’s team also plans to assess patients’ responses to chemotherapy and radiation, which may be needed to complement cancer surgery.
“I think this study has the potential to have major implications for other types of cancer and surgeries, but also for chronic diseases because inflammation and immunity play a significant role in many conditions, such as autoimmune diseases,” Queimado said.
“I think there will be many opportunities for growth into other areas once we have established the framework of this study.”
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