Asmus Holmgaard Carlsen1, Jesper Grau Eriksen2, Christian Godballe3, Jørgen Johansen1, Jens Ahm Sørensen4, Kristine Bjørndal5. 1. Dept. of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark. 2. Dept. of Experimental Clinical Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Dept. of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark. 3. Dept. of ORL Head & Neck Surgery, Odense University Hospital, Denmark. 4. Dept. of Plastic Surgery, Odense University Hospital, Denmark. 5. Dept. of ORL Head & Neck Surgery, Odense University Hospital, Denmark. Electronic address: bjoerndal@dadlnet.dk.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Fast-track programs for diagnostic work-up and start of cancer treatment are defined by legislation in Denmark. The aim was to examine whether age, comorbidity or WHO performance status influence the time from referral due to suspicion of cancer to start of treatment (waiting time) in the Danish fast-track program. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For this descriptive cohort study, consecutive head and neck cancer (HNC) patients who underwent radiotherapy or surgery from January 2014 to July 2016 at Odense University Hospital (OUH) were identified in the database of the Danish Head and Neck Cancer group (DAHANCA). Age (<70 vs. ≥70 years), comorbidity (none vs. any), and WHO performance status (0-1 vs. 2-4) were correlated to waiting time. RESULTS: In total, 650 HNC-patients were included and of those, 92% were discussed at the multidisciplinary team conference. Patients ≥70 years were less frequently discussed in a multidisciplinary setting compared to younger patients (88% vs. 93%, p < 0.05). The time spent for diagnostic workup and treatment planning (waiting time) was longer for patients having primary radiotherapy than for primary surgery (p < 0.001), and 21% of patients treated with primary radiation exceeded the recommended maximum waiting time, whereas this was the case for only 7% of the patients treated with primary surgery. However, age ≥ 70 years, presence of comorbidity or poor performance status did not significantly influence the waiting time. CONCLUSION: Age ≥ 70 years, comorbidity and poor WHO performance status did not influence the waiting time among patients with head and neck cancer treated at OUH.
OBJECTIVES: Fast-track programs for diagnostic work-up and start of cancer treatment are defined by legislation in Denmark. The aim was to examine whether age, comorbidity or WHO performance status influence the time from referral due to suspicion of cancer to start of treatment (waiting time) in the Danish fast-track program. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For this descriptive cohort study, consecutive head and neck cancer (HNC) patients who underwent radiotherapy or surgery from January 2014 to July 2016 at Odense University Hospital (OUH) were identified in the database of the Danish Head and Neck Cancer group (DAHANCA). Age (<70 vs. ≥70 years), comorbidity (none vs. any), and WHO performance status (0-1 vs. 2-4) were correlated to waiting time. RESULTS: In total, 650 HNC-patients were included and of those, 92% were discussed at the multidisciplinary team conference. Patients ≥70 years were less frequently discussed in a multidisciplinary setting compared to younger patients (88% vs. 93%, p < 0.05). The time spent for diagnostic workup and treatment planning (waiting time) was longer for patients having primary radiotherapy than for primary surgery (p < 0.001), and 21% of patients treated with primary radiation exceeded the recommended maximum waiting time, whereas this was the case for only 7% of the patients treated with primary surgery. However, age ≥ 70 years, presence of comorbidity or poor performance status did not significantly influence the waiting time. CONCLUSION: Age ≥ 70 years, comorbidity and poor WHO performance status did not influence the waiting time among patients with head and neck cancer treated at OUH.
Authors: Robert P Takes; Gyorgy B Halmos; John A Ridge; Paolo Bossi; Matthias A W Merkx; Alessandra Rinaldo; Alvaro Sanabria; Ludi E Smeele; Antti A Mäkitie; Alfio Ferlito Journal: Curr Oncol Rep Date: 2020-07-10 Impact factor: 5.075
Authors: Rosanne C Schoonbeek; Suzanne Festen; Roza Rashid; Boukje A C van Dijk; György B Halmos; Lilly-Ann van der Velden Journal: Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg Date: 2022-01-19 Impact factor: 5.591