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Factors Associated with Adjuvant Treatment Delays in Patients Treated Surgically for Head and Neck Cancer
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  • Alan Sticker,
  • Sydney Thomas,
  • Greg Russell,
  • Joshua Waltonen
Alan Sticker
Ochsner Health

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Sydney Thomas
Wake Forest School of Medicine
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Greg Russell
Wake Forest School of Medicine
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Joshua Waltonen
Wake Forest School of Medicine
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Abstract

Objectives: To determine the patient and treatment characteristics associated with delay in post-operative radiation therapy (PORT) for patients treated surgically for head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) at our institution. Design: Single institution retrospective review Setting: Tertiary care academic medical center Participants: Patients treated surgically for HNSCC that underwent PORT between 2013-2016 Main outcomes measures: Time from surgery to initiation of PORT. Results: 140 patients met inclusion criteria. A majority did not start radiotherapy within six weeks. Factors associated with a delayed initiation of PORT included length of stay >8 days, 30-day readmission, no adjuvant chemotherapy, post-operative complications, and fragmented care. Conclusion: A majority of patients did not initiate PORT within the guideline-recommended 6 weeks. Modifiable risks factors that delay initiation of PORT were identified.
11 Jan 2021Submitted to Clinical Otolaryngology
16 May 2022Submission Checks Completed
16 May 2022Assigned to Editor
22 Jun 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
22 Sep 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
23 Oct 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Major
17 Feb 20231st Revision Received
30 Jan 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
24 Mar 2024Editorial Decision: Accept