Reinhard E Friedrich1. 1. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Eppendorf University Hospital, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany. r.friedrich@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Abstract
UNLABELLED: Improvement in therapy for malignant diseases in the oral and maxillofacial (OMF) region rests mainly upon diagnosis at an early stage of the disease. This study performed an analysis of the delays between symptom onset and time taken for patients to seek medical advice and then their subsequent specialist referral to the Department of OMF Surgery at Eppendorf University Hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The files of 646 patients (males: 451, females: 195) with malignancies of the OMF region who were treated during an interval of 19 years were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: Localized swelling, pain and alterations of the mucosa were the predominant first signs and symptoms of disease. Stage grouping according to the TNM system (UICC, 1992) revealed advanced stages in the majority of cases (IV: 30%, III: 15%). The majority of patients were referred by residents in OMF surgery (31.7%) and dentists (28.8%) and were hospitalized within 4 months after notification of the first symptoms (66.9%). CONCLUSION: Both outreach work of public health institutions and continuous education during studies in both medicine and dentistry, and in further education play a key role in reducing diagnostic delay in OMF cancer.
UNLABELLED: Improvement in therapy for malignant diseases in the oral and maxillofacial (OMF) region rests mainly upon diagnosis at an early stage of the disease. This study performed an analysis of the delays between symptom onset and time taken for patients to seek medical advice and then their subsequent specialist referral to the Department of OMF Surgery at Eppendorf University Hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The files of 646 patients (males: 451, females: 195) with malignancies of the OMF region who were treated during an interval of 19 years were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: Localized swelling, pain and alterations of the mucosa were the predominant first signs and symptoms of disease. Stage grouping according to the TNM system (UICC, 1992) revealed advanced stages in the majority of cases (IV: 30%, III: 15%). The majority of patients were referred by residents in OMF surgery (31.7%) and dentists (28.8%) and were hospitalized within 4 months after notification of the first symptoms (66.9%). CONCLUSION: Both outreach work of public health institutions and continuous education during studies in both medicine and dentistry, and in further education play a key role in reducing diagnostic delay in OMF cancer.