Bibliometric analysis of laryngeal cancer treatment literature (2003-2023).

BACKGROUND

Despite advancements in medical science, the 5-year survival rate for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma remains low, posing significant challenges in clinical management. This study explores the evolution of key topics and trends in laryngeal cancer research. Bibliometric and knowledge graph analysis are utilized to assess contributions in treating this carcinoma and to forecast emerging research hotspots that may enhance future clinical outcomes. The findings aim to guide researchers by identifying new areas, providing valuable insights and innovative perspectives.

METHODS

Data were extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection database on December 1, 2023. Bibliometric and knowledge mapping analyses were conducted using software tools such as R-Studio 4.1.3, CiteSpace 6.1.R6, VOSviewer 1.6.18, and http://bibliometre.com.(Both CiteSpace 6.1.R6 and VOSviewer 1.6.18 are widely used bibliometric analysis software tools, each with distinct features and applications. CiteSpace primarily focuses on analyzing literature citation relationships and generating knowledge graphs to visualize research hotspots, trends, and knowledge structures. Its data sources include platforms such as Web of Science. While CiteSpace excels in presenting knowledge structures through its advanced visualization capabilities, it is relatively complex to operate and less efficient in processing large-scale datasets. As a result, it is frequently employed in exploring research trends across multiple disciplines. On the other hand, VOSviewer is designed to construct various types of bibliometric networks and is characterized by its intuitive and user-friendly interface. It supports a wide range of data sources and produces visually appealing and clear visualizations, making it particularly suitable for multi-disciplinary bibliometric research. Additionally, VOSviewer provides valuable insights that can inform scientific research decision-making. Overall, the two tools differ in terms of functionality, data sources, visualization effects, and operational complexity, offering researchers complementary options for bibliometric analysis based on their specific needs.) From this database, 800 papers were extracted using specific criteria. After narrowing the scope to English-language publications, this number was reduced to 775. To ensure data quality, conference papers, letters, and editorial materials were excluded, focusing only on original research papers and review articles.

RESULTS

The analysis showed that 760 theoretical works and review papers were published in 96 academic journals by 4210 authors from 1148 institutions across 60 countries/regions. The United States emerged as the most significant contributor to laryngeal cancer research. The Croatian Rudjer Boskovic Institute was notable for having the highest publication and citation counts. Among individual researchers, Osmak, M was identified as the most prolific and cited. Predominant international collaborations occurred between European and American countries. The Head and Neck Science Journal was the most frequently co-cited publication. Major research themes encompassed morphological aspects, chemotherapy, and molecular pathway mechanisms in laryngeal cancer treatment. Current research hotspots include disease prognosis, models, clinical trials, tumor recurrence, and surveillance. Notably, targeted therapy and immunotherapy are rapidly advancing fields.

CONCLUSIONS

There is an urgent need to enhance global scholarly communication as the pursuit of effective laryngeal cancer treatment progresses. Focused research on targeting indicators for this type of cancer remains vital. An impending surge in research is driven by investigations into biomarkers, microenvironmental genetic mechanisms, alternatives to systemic chemotherapy, minimally invasive surgery, and herbal medicine explorations.