Predicting the prognosis of patients with HNSCC using blood samples has been conducted for many years [1, 9]. Blood biomarkers, such as neutrophil count, monocyte count, platelet count, serum C-reactive protein level, serum albumin level, and interleukin-6 level, for the systemic inflammatory response are associated with cancer prognosis [4, 9–12]. Among the markers and scoring systems based on the inflammatory response, the Glasgow prognostic score, which is determined with serum albumin and C-reactive protein levels, is the most prevalent because of easy measurement and simplicity [13, 14]. The Glasgow prognostic score has been validated as a reliable prognostic factor of HNSCC ; however, its clinical utility is limited because it neither has better prognostic ability than the TNM staging nor provides additional prognostic information to the TNM staging. Furthermore, the serum tumor-specific markers, such as serum SCC antigen, have prognostic values but have similar problems as the Glasgow prognostic score . Therefore, no blood biomarkers for HNSCC affect treatment decision and have clinical significance. On the other hand, saliva and serum biomarkers for diagnostic purpose have been proven to be useful to some extent.  