Impact of delay in the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer()()

INTRODUCTION: Head and neck tumors can be easily recognized through clinical evaluation. However, they are often diagnosed at advanced stages. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the delay from the patient's initial symptoms to the definitive treatment. METHODS: Retrospective study of patients enrolled in 2...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Felippu, André Wady Debes, Freire, Eduardo Cesar, de Arruda Silva, Ricardo, Guimarães, André Vicente, Dedivitis, Rogério Aparecido
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Elsevier 2015
Materias:
Original Article
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9449064/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26631328
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bjorl.2015.10.009
Descripción
Sumario:INTRODUCTION: Head and neck tumors can be easily recognized through clinical evaluation. However, they are often diagnosed at advanced stages. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the delay from the patient's initial symptoms to the definitive treatment. METHODS: Retrospective study of patients enrolled in 2011 and 2012. A questionnaire was filled in about socioeconomic aspects, patient history, tumor data, professionals who evaluated the patients, and the respective time delays. RESULTS: The following time delay medians were observed: ten months between symptom onset and the first consultation; four weeks between the latter and the first consultation with a specialist; four weeks between the specialist consultation and diagnosis attainment; and 12 weeks between diagnosis and the start of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Most head and neck tumors are diagnosed at advanced stages, due to patient and health care factors.

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