OU researchers launch first-of-its-kind study on cannabis use and wound healing after head and neck cancer surgery
University of Oklahoma researchers have launched a prospective study to determine whether cannabis use affects recovery from wounds after head and neck cancer surgery. The findings could have implications for healing in other types of surgery and for managing inflammatory and immune-related conditions.
Led by Lurdes Queimado, M.D., Ph.D., and Mark Mims, M.D., the study is funded by the Presbyterian Health Foundation in Oklahoma City. It will enroll 220 adult patients undergoing tumor removal and subsequent reconstruction, procedures that can impact both appearance and essential functions such as swallowing and breathing.
What makes the study unique is its prospective design: patients will be followed for six months from treatment, rather than looking back at past records. In addition, cannabis use will be verified through blood tests, strengthening the reliability of self-reported data.
Queimado, the lead principal investigator and a professor of Otolaryngology, said there is a high rate of cannabis use among cancer patients—more than half in some studies and up to 80% among those who also use tobacco—but there is little medical literature on how cannabis affects wound healing. There are no prospective studies on this topic yet, and the team hopes to establish a framework for related research across different modes of cannabis use.
The trial will stratify patients into four groups: cannabis users, cannabis users who also use tobacco, tobacco-only users, and those who use neither. Researchers will track infections, bleeding, medical complications, and the speed and quality of scar healing, while also categorizing how cannabis is consumed (smoking, vaping, or edibles) since these methods can have different physiological effects. The ultimate aim is to provide evidence that can guide patient counseling.
Mims, a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, noted that many patients ask whether cannabis will affect their reconstructive outcomes, and there is currently not enough data to offer confident guidance. He called the study timely and relevant.
Beyond wound healing, the researchers will collect information about how cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation interact with cannabis use and recovery. Queimado suggested that findings could influence understanding not only in head and neck cancers but also in other cancers and chronic diseases where inflammation and immune function play a role, helping to expand research opportunities once the study framework is established.
Context and potential impact
– The study addresses a gap in medical knowledge about cannabis and postoperative healing, a topic of growing interest as cannabis use becomes more common among patients undergoing various treatments.
– By prospectively tracking patients and biochemically verifying cannabis exposure, the research aims to produce more reliable guidance that clinicians can use when advising patients about surgical planning and recovery.
– If cannabis is shown to hinder healing, clinicians may adjust pre- and postoperative recommendations; if not, patients may gain clearer reassurance about sharing their cannabis use with their care team.
Summary
This six-month, prospective study at the University of Oklahoma will evaluate how cannabis use—varying by mode of consumption and combined with tobacco use—affects wound healing after head and neck cancer surgery, with the goal of improving patient counseling and informing care across surgeries and chronic diseases.
A hopeful note
The research has the potential to deepen clinicians’ understanding of how lifestyle factors intersect with cancer treatment and recovery, ultimately guiding personalized care plans that optimize healing and quality of life for patients facing complex surgeries.
Additional context for readers
While the study focuses on head and neck cancer patients at OU Health Sciences, its design and findings could pave the way for broader research on cannabis and healing in other surgical contexts, contributing to evidence-based guidelines in a field that has seen limited prospective data.