Factors affecting timeliness in management of head and neck cancer.

Abstract

Timeliness in the management of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) can be affected by both patient and non-patient related factors. This study aims to investigate the factors associated with the timeliness of managing HNC. A retrospective review was conducted on Western Health medical records including all new patients presenting to the Western Health HNC surgical outpatient clinic in the five-year period from first January 2017 to 31st December 2021 with the diagnosis of a HNC. Both patient and non-patient related factors were compared with the duration between a patient's referral to a HNC service and the commencement of their treatment. Two hundred and twenty-eight patients were included in this study. The median duration from referral to the commencement of treatment was 48 days. Lack of radiological or pathological investigations prior to referral to a HNC service as well as early staging were found to significantly impact timeliness in management. Socioeconomic factors such as non-English speaking backgrounds, distance from the hospital and lack of social supports were not found to negatively impact timeliness of management. The management of patients with HNC require careful consideration of all patient and non-patient related factors which may affect timeliness in management, particularly investigations performed prior to their referral to a HNC service.