Factors Associated with Adjuvant Treatment Delays in Patients Treated
Surgically for Head and Neck Cancer
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.