ALB and periodontitis: This study evaluates the utility of the novel CARWL score-a combined index of the C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) and significant weight loss (SWL)-for stratifying the risk of RIP in LA-HNC patients without baseline periodontitis undergoing CCRT. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 67 LA-HNC patients who underwent CCRT and received detailed oral examinations before and after treatment; none had periodontitis at the initiation of CCRT.