Determinants Associated With Pesticide Exposure in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: Protocol for a Systematic Review

Background: Currently, head and neck cancer (HNC) associated with pesticide exposure represents a global public health concern. However, there is no consensus regarding the specific determinants involved in this association. Moreover, there is a lack of scientific evidence to support the development of systematic reviews on this topic. Objective: This study aims to synthesize the methodology for conducting a systematic review to explore the current scientific evidence on the determinants of HNC associated with pesticides. Methods: The review will follow the PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols) guidelines to ensure methodological rigor. The protocol includes detailed steps for constructing a robust search strategy using relevant databases such as PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, LILACS, and AGRICOLA. Keywords and Medical Subject Headings terms related to “pesticides,” “exposure,” “head and neck neoplasms,” and related concepts will be used to capture the most relevant studies. Eligibility criteria will be clearly defined, including study design (eg, cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional), population characteristics, exposure assessment, and cancer outcomes. Studies published in any language that involve human participants will be included. The studies will be screened in 2 phases: first by title and abstract and then by full-text review. Two independent reviewers will assess the quality of each study and extract key data, such as exposure levels, cancer subtypes, and effect sizes. Any disagreements will be resolved through discussion or by a third reviewer. Results: This systematic review was initiated in February 2025 after protocol registration. The literature search and review process is ongoing at the time of submission of this paper. Data extraction and quality assessment have not yet been completed. Final results of the review, including a synthesis of determinants associated with pesticide exposure in patients with HNC, are expected to be completed and submitted for publication in June 2026. Conclusions: The necessary steps to conduct a systematic review must be concise and publicly available to ensure replicability within the scientific community.