Association of treatment delays with survival for patients with head and neck cancer undergoing surgery and radiotherapy at the Philippine General Hospital
https://doi.org/10.32412/pjohns.v39i2.2177
- Author:
Nicole D. Sacayan-Quitay
1
;
Sean Patrick C. De Guzman
2
;
Johanna Patricia A. Cañal
2
,
3
;
Cesar Vincent L. Villafuerte, III
1
,
2
,
4
Author Information
1. Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila
2. Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiology, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila
3. Department of Radiology College of Medicine - Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila
4. Philippine National Ear Institute National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
adjuvant
- MeSH:
Head and Neck Neoplasms;
Radiotherapy;
Survival Rate;
Treatment Outcome;
Time-to-Treatment;
Surgery;
Disease-Free Survival;
Delayed Diagnosis;
Retrospective Studies;
Postoperative Care
- From:
Philippine Journal of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
2024;39(2):7-11
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective:To identify in what phases in the treatment of head and neck cancer do delays happen at a tertiary hospital and to determine the association between the length of treatment delays and the oncologic outcomes (disease-free survival and overall survival) for patients with head and neck cancer.
Methods
Design:Retrospective Cohort Study
Setting:Tertiary National University Hospital
Participants:Sixty-eight (68) patients who had surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy for invasive head and neck cancer at the Philippine General Hospital during the 5-year period of January 2014 to December 2019 were included in the initial consideration. Only 15 had survival data and were thus eligible for inclusion in this study.
Results:The median treatment package time for head and neck cancers in our institution was 27.6 weeks or 193 days. The treatment package time statistically correlated with both overall survival, F(1,13)=12.952, p <0.005, R2=0.499, and disease-free survival, F(1-13)=12.823, p <0.005, R2= 0.497. However, the independent effects of other predictors such as time interval between first consult to histopathologic diagnosis, diagnosis to surgery, and surgery to post-operative radiotherapy, showed no statistically significant association with overall survival and disease free survival.
Conclusion:All study patients experienced treatment delays from diagnosis to surgery, and surgery to adjuvant radiation therapy, and in their total treatment package time. The positive correlation among treatment package time, and disease-free and overall survival in this study must be further investigated in order to elucidate the true effect of delays across time intervals in the treatment of head and neck cancer in the Philippine General Hospital. Every effort should be made towards timely management of these patients.
- Full text:2024120309441705071A.pdf
