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Jabbour N, Mur T, Tracy JC, Tracy LF. Seasonality of head and neck cancers. Am J Otolaryngol 2023; 44:103745. [PMID: 36586316 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2022.103745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to investigate if the season of diagnosis is associated with patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics within head and neck cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS 1406 patients with a diagnosis of head and neck cancer (HNC) were identified from a HNC database (1996-2019). Patients were classified as receiving a diagnosis in the winter, spring, summer, or fall by calendar definition. Proportions and chi-squared analysis compared patient, tumor, and treatment factors for all diagnoses. Data was subdivided and analyzed based on the primary site. RESULTS From this cohort, 23 %, 27 %, 25 %, and 25 % of HNC patients were diagnosed in winter, spring, summer, and fall respectively with no statistically significant difference between seasons of diagnosis. When subdivided by primary site, oral cavity cancer was significantly more likely to be diagnosed in spring, salivary gland cancer was more likely to be diagnosed in winter and summer (p = 0.03 and p = 0.01 respectively). No other demographic, clinicopathologic, or management characteristics were associated with the season of diagnosis (p > 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS Diagnosis of head and neck cancer does not follow a seasonal pattern. Diagnosis of oral cavity and salivary gland cancer showed a seasonal pattern. The majority of patient, tumor and management characteristics were not associated with the.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolette Jabbour
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States of America.
| | - Taha Mur
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Jeremiah C Tracy
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Lauren F Tracy
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States of America
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Impact of the Presenting Symptom on Time Intervals and Diagnostic Routes of Patients with Symptomatic Oral Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205163. [PMID: 34680312 PMCID: PMC8533728 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This investigation was aimed at determining the time intervals from the presenting symptoms until the beginning of oral cancer treatment and their relative contribution to the total time, and to assess the impact of the presenting symptom on diagnostic timelines and patient referral routes. A cross-sectional, ambispective study was designed to investigate symptomatic incident cases. The Aarhus statement was used as a conceptual framework. Strategies for minimizing potential recall biases were implemented. A sample of 181 patients was recruited (power: 99.5%; α = 0.05). The patient interval reached 58.2 days (95% CI, 40.3-76.2), which accounted for 74% of the whole prereferral interval and for more than one third of the total time interval. The presenting symptom (trigger for consultation) influenced both the number of primary care consultations and the length of time to diagnosis. General dental practitioners generated longer intervals to diagnosis (p < 0.005) and needed more consultations before referring a patient (RR = 0.76; 95% CI, 0.61-0.93), than general medical practitioners. The current study identifies the patient as the main target for interventions to improve awareness and reinforces the need for increased alertness amongst healthcare professionals about presenting symptoms of oral cancer and to diminish the number of prereferral consultations in order to optimize the primary care interval.
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Lauritzen BB, Jensen JS, Grønhøj C, Wessel I, von Buchwald C. Impact of delay in diagnosis and treatment-initiation on disease stage and survival in oral cavity cancer: a systematic review. Acta Oncol 2021; 60:1083-1090. [PMID: 34043480 DOI: 10.1080/0284186x.2021.1931712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
AIM/OBJECTIVES This study aimed to systematically review the literature on the impact of delay in diagnosis and treatment of oral cavity cancer. METHODS PubMed and Embase were systematically searched for articles reporting impact of delay in diagnosis and treatment on cancer-stage and survival of oral cavity cancer. Studies comprising at least ten patients, and published since the year 2000, were included. RESULTS Sixteen studies (n = 45,001, range: 62-18,677 per study, 83% men), from Australia, Asia, Europe, North America and South America, met the inclusion criteria. Eleven studies (n = 1,460) examined delay in diagnosis, while five studies (n = 43,541) reported delay in treatment. Eight of the eleven studies, examining delay in diagnosis (n = 1,220), analyzed the correlation between delay in diagnosis and tumor stage at diagnosis. Three studies found a significant correlation between patient delay and advanced stage at diagnosis (p < 0.05), whereas three other studies did not. The studies reporting a significant correlation were from Asian countries, whereas the three studies that did not find a correlation were from other continents. Studies reporting on professional delay and total diagnostic delay, generally, did not find a significant correlation with advanced cancer at diagnosis. Time to treatment (TTI), defined as time from diagnosis to treatment, was found significantly correlated with survival in three studies (p < 0.01, p < 0.001, p < 0.05), and nonsignificant in two studies. CONCLUSION A significant correlation between patient delay and advanced stage cancer was reported in Asian studies only, while professional delay and total diagnostic delay were generally found to be non-correlated with advanced stage cancer at diagnosis. TTI was in some studies reported to be correlated with poorer outcome, while other studies did not report a correlation. One study presented that there was no clear advantage in overall survival (OS) for patients treated within 30 days, compared to patients treated between 30 and 44 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedicte Bitsch Lauritzen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jakob Schmidt Jensen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian Grønhøj
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Zealand University Hospital, Køge, Denmark
| | - Irene Wessel
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian von Buchwald
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Time-to-Treatment in Oral Cancer: Causes and Implications for Survival. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061321. [PMID: 33809427 PMCID: PMC8000007 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this review was to identify and describe the causes that influence the time-intervals in the pathway of diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer and to assess its impact on prognosis and survival. The review was structured according to the recommendations of the Aarhus statement, considering original data from individual studies and systematic reviews that reported outcomes related to the patient, diagnostic and pre-treatment intervals. The patient interval is the major contributor to the total time-interval. Unawareness of signs and/or symptoms, denial and lack of knowledge about oral cancer are the major contributors to the process of seeking medical attention. The diagnostic interval is influenced by tumor factors, delays in referral due to higher number of consultations and previous treatment with different medicines or dental procedures and by professional factors such as experience and lack of knowledge related to the disease and diagnostic procedures. Patients with advanced stage disease, primary treatment with radiotherapy, treatment at an academic facility and transitions in care are associated with prolonged pre-treatment intervals. An emerging body of evidence supports the impact of prolonged pre-treatment and treatment intervals with poorer survival from oral cancer.
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Metzger K, Moratin J, Horn D, Pilz M, Ristow O, Hoffmann J, Freier K, Engel M, Freudlsperger C. Treatment delay in early-stage oral squamous cell carcinoma and its relation to survival. J Craniomaxillofac Surg 2021; 49:462-467. [PMID: 33648813 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcms.2021.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 01/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of a prolonged treatment delay on survival in patients with primary oral squamous cell carcinoma. The investigators hypothesized that treatment delay affects survival, supposing a poor outcome in patients with prolonged treatment initiation. In addition, a critical treatment delay should be defined. Inclusion criteria were a histopathological diagnosis of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and a surgery-based treatment of the tumor. Patients with a history of previously diagnosed malignancies and patients with distant metastasis at the time of diagnosis were excluded from this protocol. Common clinical and histopathological data were assessed retrospectively. Treatment delay was analyzed for the interval between initial presentation and the date of surgery. A total of 484 patients could be included. Considering early-stage patients, the risk of death increases by 1.8% for each day that the treatment delay is prolonged if all other characteristics do not change (p = 0.0035). In patients with advanced disease, a prolonged treatment delay does not affect the risk of death (p = 0.9134). In terms of progression-free survival, treatment delay tends to be associated with a higher risk of recurrence in early-stage disease, but without being statistically significant (p = 0.0718). For patients with early-stage disease, a treatment delay of 20 days is critical regarding overall survival (p = 0.011). For patients with advanced-stage disease, no significant differences have been observed. As patients with early-stage oral squamous cell carcinoma profit from early treatment initiation, we suggest an acceptable maximum treatment delay of no more than 20 days in the surgical management of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl Metzger
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, D-69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Julius Moratin
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, D-69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dominik Horn
- Saarland University Hospital, Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Kirrberger Str. 100, D-66421, Homburg, Germany
| | - Maximilian Pilz
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Informatics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, D-69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Oliver Ristow
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, D-69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Hoffmann
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, D-69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kolja Freier
- Saarland University Hospital, Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Kirrberger Str. 100, D-66421, Homburg, Germany
| | - Michael Engel
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, D-69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Freudlsperger
- Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, D-69120, Heidelberg, Germany
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Thomas A, Manchella S, Koo K, Tiong A, Nastri A, Wiesenfeld D. The impact of delayed diagnosis on the outcomes of oral cancer patients: a retrospective cohort study. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2020; 50:585-590. [PMID: 32917484 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijom.2020.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The contemporary literature is discordant regarding the role of delayed diagnosis in the prognosis of patients with oral cancer. This study examined data on a previously reported cohort of 101 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma diagnosed at a single institution between 2008 and 2010. The time interval between symptom onset and initial histological diagnosis (diagnostic delay) was recorded for each patient, as were demographic data and cancer features such as T stage, nodal status, and smoking status. The mean follow-up period was 4 years 10 months. The mean diagnostic delay was 4 months, mean overall survival was 5years 6 months, and mean disease-specific survival was 4 years 9 months. No significant correlation was found between diagnostic delay and overall survival, disease-specific survival, or recurrence rates. Patients with node-positive disease were more likely to be diagnosed earlier, whereas women and non-smokers were more likely to have a delayed diagnosis. Inherent tumour biology is likely an important prognostic factor separate to diagnostic delay. Public education efforts should focus on symptom recognition and encourage early presentation for investigation of oral lesions, particularly for females and non-smokers, so that more aggressive tumours can be treated sooner to give the best chance at survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Thomas
- Head and Neck Tumour Stream, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - S Manchella
- Head and Neck Tumour Stream, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - K Koo
- Head and Neck Tumour Stream, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - A Tiong
- Head and Neck Tumour Stream, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - A Nastri
- Head and Neck Tumour Stream, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - D Wiesenfeld
- Head and Neck Tumour Stream, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Surgery, the University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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7
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Overall time interval ("Total diagnostic delay") and mortality in symptomatic oral cancer: A U-shaped association. Oral Oncol 2020; 104:104626. [PMID: 32146387 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2020.104626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the impact on survival of the total time interval since the first bodily change (sign/symptom) until the start of treatment in symptomatic oral cancer patients. METHODS Retrospective, hospital-based study designed within the "Aarhus Statement" conceptual framework, using the overall interval to treatment of 183 oral cancer patients to analyse their survival rates. RESULTS Overall time interval (T5): 107.1 ± 85.2 days. Overall survival rate: 58.4 (CI: 51.3-66.4%). Recurrence time (median): 724 days (IQR, 223-2963.5). Median survival time: 1744 days (IQR, 479.5-3438). Overall delay (T5) and mortality showed a U-shaped association, where patients with short (24.0-55.5 days) and long T5 intervals (127.5-420 days) had higher mortality than those with medium T5 intervals (55.5-127.5 days). CONCLUSION There is a non-monotonic association between time interval and mortality. Higher mortality rates are linked to shorter and longer time intervals. This may induce underestimation of the association when time intervals are considered dichotomously.
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8
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Schutte HW, Heutink F, Wellenstein DJ, van den Broek GB, van den Hoogen FJA, Marres HAM, van Herpen CML, Kaanders JHAM, Merkx TMAW, Takes RP. Impact of Time to Diagnosis and Treatment in Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2020; 162:446-457. [PMID: 32093572 DOI: 10.1177/0194599820906387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE An increased interval between symptomatic disease and treatment may negatively influence oncologic and/or functional outcomes in head and neck cancer (HNC). This systematic review aims to provide insight into the effects of time to treatment intervals on oncologic and functional outcomes in oral cavity, pharyngeal, and laryngeal cancer. DATA SOURCES PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library were searched. REVIEW METHODS All studies on delay or time to diagnosis or treatment in oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal cancer were included. Quality assessment was performed with an adjusted version of the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Outcomes of interest were tumor volume, stage, recurrence, survival, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), toxicity, and functionality after treatment. RESULTS A total of 51 studies were included. Current literature on the influence of delay in HNC is inconsistent but indicates higher stage and worse survival with longer delay. The effects on PROMs, toxicity, and functional outcome after treatment have not been investigated. The inconsistencies in outcomes were most likely caused by factors such as heterogeneity in study design, differences in the definitions of delay, bias of results, and incomplete adjustment for confounding factors in the included studies. CONCLUSION Irrespective of the level of evidence, the unfavorable effects of delay on oncologic, functional, and psychosocial outcomes are undisputed. Timely treatment while maintaining high-quality diagnostic procedures and decision making reflects good clinical practice in our opinion. This review will pose practical and logistic challenges that will have to be overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrieke W Schutte
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Floris Heutink
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - David J Wellenstein
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Guido B van den Broek
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Frank J A van den Hoogen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Henri A M Marres
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Carla M L van Herpen
- Department of Oncology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Johannes H A M Kaanders
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Thijs M A W Merkx
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Robert P Takes
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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Lopez-Cedrún JL, Otero-Rico A, Vázquez-Mahía I, Seoane J, García-Caballero L, Seoane-Romero JM, Varela-Centelles P. Association between hospital interval and survival in patients with oral cancer: A waiting time paradox. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224067. [PMID: 31652279 PMCID: PMC6814211 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In early diagnosis studies on symptomatic cancer, survival was the most recommended outcome. The magnitude and impact of the patient interval and primary care interval is well-known in oral cancer; however, the hospital interval and its influence on surviving this neoplasia are not well known. AIMS To quantify the interval between the first contact with the specialist and the start of treatment for patients with oral cancer and to evaluate whether there was a link between this interval and disease survival. METHODS We designed a hospital-based study that included 228 patients diagnosed with oral/oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma between 1998 and 2008 at A Coruña University Hospital (Spain) who were followed up until 2016. The data were extracted retrospectively from hospital medical charts. The study interval was defined in the context of the "pathways to treatment" model as the interval from the first specialist visit (start point) to the start of treatment (end point). We calculated the total interval (from first symptom to treatment) to evaluate the relative length of the hospital interval, and we considered the variables age, sex, location, comorbidity and tumour classification stage. Survival time was defined as the interval from the first treatment to death or censoring. RESULTS The median hospital interval was 20 days, with an interquartile range of 15-29.1 days. The most relevant prognostic variable was the tumour stage (III-IV: Exp. ß = 2.8, p = 0.001). The hospital interval was part of the multivariate model, and its association with mortality showed a V-shaped association, where patients with short hospital intervals (3-18 days) and those with long hospital intervals (26-55 days) had significantly higher mortality than those with medium hospital intervals (19-25 days). CONCLUSION The hospital interval represents a relevant interval for the patient's path towards treatment, has prognostic implications and is subject to a severity bias (waiting time paradox) that should be avoided.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Luis Lopez-Cedrún
- Service of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, A Coruña University Hospital (CHUAC), Galician Health Service, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Ana Otero-Rico
- Service of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, A Coruña University Hospital (CHUAC), Galician Health Service, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Inés Vázquez-Mahía
- Service of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, A Coruña University Hospital (CHUAC), Galician Health Service, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Juan Seoane
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialities, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Lucía García-Caballero
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialities, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Juan Manuel Seoane-Romero
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialities, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Pablo Varela-Centelles
- Praza do Ferrol Health Centre, EOXI Lugo, Cervo e Monforte de Lemos, Galician Health Service, Lugo, Spain
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10
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Gorin SS. Multilevel Approaches to Reducing Diagnostic and Treatment Delay in Colorectal Cancer. Ann Fam Med 2019; 17:386-389. [PMID: 31501198 PMCID: PMC7032906 DOI: 10.1370/afm.2454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sherri Sheinfeld Gorin
- Annals of Family Medicine
- Department of Family Medicine, The University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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11
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Webster JD, Batstone M, Farah CS. Missed opportunities for oral cancer screening in Australia. J Oral Pathol Med 2019; 48:595-603. [DOI: 10.1111/jop.12915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John D. Webster
- Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Brisbane Queensland Australia
- Mayne Medical School University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
| | - Martin Batstone
- Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Brisbane Queensland Australia
- Mayne Medical School University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
| | - Camile S. Farah
- Australian Centre for Oral Oncology Research & Education Nedlands Western Australia Australia
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12
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Gigliotti J, Madathil S, Makhoul N. Delays in oral cavity cancer. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2019; 48:1131-1137. [PMID: 30878273 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijom.2019.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
While the prognosis for early-stage oral cavity cancer is relatively good; the majority of patients are still diagnosed with advanced-stage disease on presentation with an associated poorer prognosis. The aims of this review are to summarize our current understanding of delays in oral cavity cancer and their impact on stage at diagnosis and survival. The delays pathway can be subdivided into three components: patient, professional, and treatment delays. Patient delay represents the longest interval in the delays pathway usually lasting between 2 and 5 months and being most influenced by cognitive and psychosocial factors. Professional and treatment delays are shorter in most studies, but highly variable depending on the respective healthcare system. Most studies indicate that advanced stage at diagnosis, primary treatment with radiotherapy, treatment at an academic center, and transitions in care are associated with an increased treatment delay. Based on our current understanding, a delay between definitive diagnosis and treatment of 4-6 weeks seems acceptable from an oncologic perspective. Further studies are needed to better define what a 'safe' waiting time is and to understand the psychological impact of delays for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Gigliotti
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - S Madathil
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - N Makhoul
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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13
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Varela-Centelles P, García-Martín JM, Seoane-Romero J. On the studies of time periods in head and neck cancer diagnosis and treatment. Oral Oncol 2018; 77:137. [PMID: 29289443 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2017.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Varela-Centelles
- CS Praza do Ferrol, EOXI Lugo, Cervo, e Monforte, Galician Health Service, Praza Ferrol 11, 27001 Lugo, Spain; Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialities, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Entrerríos s/n, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain.
| | - José M García-Martín
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oviedo, Avda Julián Clavería 8, 33006 Oviedo, Spain; CS Vallobin, Health Service of the Principality of Asturias, Plaza Manuel Herrero Zumalacárregui s/n, 33012 Oviedo, Spain.
| | - Juan Seoane-Romero
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oviedo, Avda Julián Clavería 8, 33006 Oviedo, Spain.
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14
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Leiva A, Esteva M, Llobera J, Macià F, Pita-Fernández S, González-Luján L, Sánchez-Calavera MA, Ramos M. Time to diagnosis and stage of symptomatic colorectal cancer determined by three different sources of information: A population based retrospective study. Cancer Epidemiol 2017; 47:48-55. [PMID: 28126583 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2016.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Revised: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Survival rates from colorectal cancer (CRC) are highly variable in Europe. This variability could potentially be explained by differences in healthcare system delays in diagnosis. However, even when such delays are reduced, the relationship of the diagnostic interval (time from presentation with symptoms to diagnosis) with outcome is uncertain. METHODS A total of 795 patients with CRC from 5 regions of Spain were retrospectively examined in this population-based multicenter study. Consecutive incident cases of CRC were identified from pathology services. The total diagnostic interval (TDI) was defined as the time from the first presentation with symptoms to diagnosis based on 3 different sources of information: (i) patient-recorded data (PR-TDI) by interview, (ii) hospital-recorded data (HR-TDI), and (iii) general practitioner-recorded data (GPR-TDI). Concordance correlation coefficients (CCCs) were used to estimate the agreement of 3 different TDIs. The TDIs of patients with different stages of CRC were also compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS The median TDI was 131days based on patient interview data, 91days based on HR data, and 111days based on GPR data. Overall, the agreement of these TDIs was poor (CCCPRvsHR=0.399, CCCPRvsGPR=0.518, CCCHRvsGPR=0.383). Univariate analysis indicated that the TDI was greater in those with less advanced CRC for all 3 methods of calculation, but this association was only statistically significant for the HR-TDI (p=0.021). CONCLUSION There is no evidence that patients with more advanced CRC have longer TDIs. In fact, we found an inverse relationship between the TDI and CRC stage, an example of the "waiting time paradox". This association may likely be due to the presence of unmeasured confounders as the stage when symptoms appear or the tumour aggressiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Leiva
- Primary Care Research Unit of Mallorca, Baleares Health Services-IbSalut, 07005 Palma, España, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Palma, 07010 Palma, Spain.
| | - Magdalena Esteva
- Primary Care Research Unit of Mallorca, Baleares Health Services-IbSalut, 07005 Palma, España, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Palma, 07010 Palma, Spain.
| | - Joan Llobera
- Primary Care Research Unit of Mallorca, Baleares Health Services-IbSalut, 07005 Palma, España, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Palma, 07010 Palma, Spain.
| | - Francesc Macià
- Evaluation and Clinical Epidemiology Department, Hospital del Mar, Passeig Marítim 25-29, 08003, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Salvador Pita-Fernández
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, A Coruña University, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña, Xubias de Arriba, 84, Hotel de los pacientes 7ª planta, 15006, A Coruña, Spain.
| | - Luis González-Luján
- Serreria II Primary Care Centre, Valencia Institute of Health, C/Pedro de Valencia 28, 46022, Valencia, Spain.
| | | | - María Ramos
- Department of Public Health, Balearic Department of Health, C/Jesus n 33, 07001, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Palma, 07010 Palma, Spain, Spain.
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Varela-Centelles P, López-Cedrún JL, Fernández-Sanromán J, Seoane-Romero JM, Santos de Melo N, Álvarez-Nóvoa P, Gómez I, Seoane J. Key points and time intervals for early diagnosis in symptomatic oral cancer: a systematic review. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2016; 46:1-10. [PMID: 27751768 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijom.2016.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Revised: 09/11/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify key points and time intervals in the patient pathway to the diagnosis of oral cancer, from the detection of a bodily change to the start of treatment. A systematic search of three databases was performed by two researchers independently. Articles reporting original data on patients with symptomatic primary oral or oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma that was pathologically confirmed were included. These articles had to include an outcome variable of 'diagnostic delay', 'time interval', or 'waiting time to diagnosis', or report time intervals from first symptom to treatment. Furthermore, the outcome variable had to have a clearly defined start point and end point, with the time measurement presented as a continuous or categorical variable. A total of 1175 reports were identified; 28 articles on oral cancer studies and 13 on oral and oropharyngeal cancer studies were finally included. These papers showed poor quality in terms of questionnaire validation, acknowledgement of biases influencing time-point measurements, and strategies for verification of patient self-reported data. They also showed great heterogeneity. The review findings allowed the definition of key points and time intervals within the Aarhus framework that may better suit the features of the diagnostic process of this neoplasm, particularly when assessing the impact of waiting time to diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Varela-Centelles
- Galician Health Service, EOXI Lugo, Cervo e Monforte, Lugo, Spain; Stomatology Department, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña), Spain
| | - J L López-Cedrún
- Service of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
| | - J Fernández-Sanromán
- Service of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Povisa Hospital, Vigo (Pontevedra), Spain
| | - J M Seoane-Romero
- Stomatology Department, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña), Spain
| | - N Santos de Melo
- Departamento de Odontologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário, Asa Norte, Brasília DF, Brazil
| | - P Álvarez-Nóvoa
- Stomatology Department, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña), Spain
| | - I Gómez
- Stomatology Department, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña), Spain
| | - J Seoane
- Stomatology Department, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña), Spain.
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16
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Kaing L, Manchella S, Love C, Nastri A, Wiesenfeld D. Referral patterns for oral squamous cell carcinoma in Australia: 20 years progress. Aust Dent J 2016; 61:29-34. [DOI: 10.1111/adj.12314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L Kaing
- The Royal Melbourne Hospital; Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - S Manchella
- The Royal Melbourne Hospital; Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - C Love
- The Royal Melbourne Hospital; Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - A Nastri
- The Royal Melbourne Hospital; Melbourne Victoria Australia
- Department of Surgery and Melbourne Dental School; The University of Melbourne; Victoria Australia
| | - D Wiesenfeld
- The Royal Melbourne Hospital; Melbourne Victoria Australia
- Department of Surgery and Melbourne Dental School; The University of Melbourne; Victoria Australia
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17
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Seoane J, Alvarez-Novoa P, Gomez I, Takkouche B, Diz P, Warnakulasiruya S, Seoane-Romero JM, Varela-Centelles P. Early oral cancer diagnosis: The Aarhus statement perspective. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Head Neck 2015; 38 Suppl 1:E2182-9. [PMID: 25783770 DOI: 10.1002/hed.24050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mortality is linked to diagnostic intervals in certain cancers. As symptom perception is conditioned by tumor site, a specific study on oral cancer is needed. METHODS This study's inclusion criteria were original data, symptomatic primary oral squamous cell carcinoma, and exposure of interest, diagnostic interval, or diagnostic delay. The outcome of interest was survival and disease stage. A meta-analysis was undertaken to investigate the relationship between intervals to diagnosis, TNM classification, and survival in oral cancer. RESULTS Regarding referral delay, the results present no heterogeneity and showed a risk increase in mortality of 2.48 (range = 1.39-4.42). The larger the diagnostic delay, the more advanced the stage at diagnosis. High quality studies reveal a higher risk increase than low quality studies (odds ratio [OR] = 2.44; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.36-4.36 vs OR = 1.53; 95% CI = 1.26-1.86). CONCLUSION A longer time interval from first symptom to referral for diagnosis is a risk factor for advanced stage and mortality of oral cancer. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E2182-E2189, 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Seoane
- Stomatology Department, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña), Spain
| | - Pablo Alvarez-Novoa
- Stomatology Department, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña), Spain
| | - Iria Gomez
- Stomatology Department, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña), Spain
| | - Bahi Takkouche
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña), Spain
| | - Pedro Diz
- Stomatology Department, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña), Spain
| | - Saman Warnakulasiruya
- Department of Oral Medicine, King's College, Dental Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Juan M Seoane-Romero
- Stomatology Department, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña), Spain
| | - Pablo Varela-Centelles
- Stomatology Department, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña), Spain.,Galician Health Service, EOXI Lugo, Cervo e Monforte de Lemos, Lugo, Spain
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18
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Neal RD, Tharmanathan P, France B, Din NU, Cotton S, Fallon-Ferguson J, Hamilton W, Hendry A, Hendry M, Lewis R, Macleod U, Mitchell ED, Pickett M, Rai T, Shaw K, Stuart N, Tørring ML, Wilkinson C, Williams B, Williams N, Emery J. Is increased time to diagnosis and treatment in symptomatic cancer associated with poorer outcomes? Systematic review. Br J Cancer 2015; 112 Suppl 1:S92-107. [PMID: 25734382 PMCID: PMC4385982 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2015.48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 638] [Impact Index Per Article: 70.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is unclear whether more timely cancer diagnosis brings favourable outcomes, with much of the previous evidence, in some cancers, being equivocal. We set out to determine whether there is an association between time to diagnosis, treatment and clinical outcomes, across all cancers for symptomatic presentations. METHODS Systematic review of the literature and narrative synthesis. RESULTS We included 177 articles reporting 209 studies. These studies varied in study design, the time intervals assessed and the outcomes reported. Study quality was variable, with a small number of higher-quality studies. Heterogeneity precluded definitive findings. The cancers with more reports of an association between shorter times to diagnosis and more favourable outcomes were breast, colorectal, head and neck, testicular and melanoma. CONCLUSIONS This is the first review encompassing many cancer types, and we have demonstrated those cancers in which more evidence of an association between shorter times to diagnosis and more favourable outcomes exists, and where it is lacking. We believe that it is reasonable to assume that efforts to expedite the diagnosis of symptomatic cancer are likely to have benefits for patients in terms of improved survival, earlier-stage diagnosis and improved quality of life, although these benefits vary between cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- R D Neal
- North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research, Bangor University, Bangor LL13 7YP, UK
| | - P Tharmanathan
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - B France
- North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research, Bangor University, Bangor LL13 7YP, UK
| | - N U Din
- North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research, Bangor University, Bangor LL13 7YP, UK
| | - S Cotton
- Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Wrexham LL13 7TD, UK
| | - J Fallon-Ferguson
- Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Group, School of Primary, Aboriginal, and Rural Healthcare, University of Western Australia, M706, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - W Hamilton
- University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
| | - A Hendry
- North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research, Bangor University, Bangor LL13 7YP, UK
| | - M Hendry
- North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research, Bangor University, Bangor LL13 7YP, UK
| | - R Lewis
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - U Macleod
- Centre for Health and Population studies, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK
| | - E D Mitchell
- Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9LJ, UK
| | - M Pickett
- Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Wrexham LL13 7TD, UK
| | - T Rai
- North Wales Organisation for Randomised Trials in Health, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2PZ, UK
| | - K Shaw
- Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Group, School of Primary, Aboriginal, and Rural Healthcare, University of Western Australia, M706, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - N Stuart
- School of Medical Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, LL57 2AS UK
| | - M L Tørring
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus University, Bartholins Alle 2, Aarhus DK-8000, Denmark
| | - C Wilkinson
- North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research, Bangor University, Bangor LL13 7YP, UK
| | - B Williams
- Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Group, School of Primary, Aboriginal, and Rural Healthcare, University of Western Australia, M706, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - N Williams
- North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research, Bangor University, Bangor LL13 7YP, UK
- North Wales Organisation for Randomised Trials in Health, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2PZ, UK
| | - J Emery
- Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Group, School of Primary, Aboriginal, and Rural Healthcare, University of Western Australia, M706, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
- General Practice & Primary Care Academic Centre, University of Melbourne, 200 Berkeley Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3053, Australia
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19
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Dave B. Why do GDPs fail to recognise oral cancer? The argument for an oral cancer checklist. Br Dent J 2013; 214:223-5. [DOI: 10.1038/sj.bdj.2013.214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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20
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Seoane-Romero JM, Vázquez-Mahía I, Seoane J, Varela-Centelles P, Tomás I, López-Cedrún JL. Factors related to late stage diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal 2012; 17:e35-40. [PMID: 21743390 PMCID: PMC3448190 DOI: 10.4317/medoral.17399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2010] [Accepted: 02/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS To identify factors related to advanced-stage diagnosis of oral cancer to disclose high-risk groups and facilitate early detection strategies. STUDY DESIGN An ambispective cohort study on 88 consecutive patients treated from January 1998 to December 2003. INCLUSION CRITERIA pathological diagnosis of OSCC (primary tumour) at any oral site and suffering from a tumour at any TNM stage. Variables considered: age, gender, smoking history, alcohol usage, tumour site, macroscopic pattern of the lesion, co-existing precancerous lesion, degree of differentiation, diagnostic delay and TNM stage. RESULTS A total of 88 patients (mean age 60±11.3; 65.9% males) entered the study. Most patients (54.5%) suffered no delayed diagnosis and 45.5% of the carcinomas were diagnosed at early stages (I-II). The most frequent clinical lesions were ulcers (70.5%). Most cases were well- and moderately-differentiated (91%). Univariate analyses revealed strong associations between advanced stages and moderate-poor differentiation (OR=4.2; 95%CI=1.6-10.9) or tumour site (floor of the mouth (OR=3.6; 95%CI=1.2-11.1); gingivae (OR=8.8; 95%CI=2.0-38.2); and retromolar trigone (OR=8.8; 95%CI=1.5-49.1)). Regression analysis recognised the site of the tumour and the degree of differentiation as significantly associated to high risk of late-stage diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Screening programmes designed to detect asymptomatic oral cancers should be prioritized. Educational interventions on the population and on the professionals should include a sound knowledge of the disease presentation, specifically on sites like floor of the mouth, gingivae and retromolar trigone. More studies are needed in order to analyse the part of tumour biology on the extension of the disease at the time of diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan-Manuel Seoane-Romero
- Stomatology Department, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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Trends in incidence, tumour sites and tumour stages of oral and pharyngeal cancer in Northern Germany. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2011; 138:431-7. [PMID: 22167338 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-011-1118-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2011] [Accepted: 12/05/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Oral and pharyngeal cancer is the seventh leading tumour in Europe. In Germany, more than 10,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed each year. This population-based project evaluated the available data to develop a more detailed epidemiological profile of oral and pharyngeal cancer. METHODS The data on incidence and mortality rates of the population-based Cancer Registry of Schleswig-Holstein were evaluated according to tumour sites, tumour stages and residential areas by age groups and gender from 2000 to 2006 and the tumour stages from 2000 to 2007. RESULTS From 2000 to 2006, 3,127 new cases of oral and pharyngeal cancer (72% in men vs. 28% in women) were registered. About 50% of all cases, in men and women, were between 60 and 79 years. This detailed analysis of tumour sites and tumour stages showed interesting differences and revealed considerable variations. The highest incidence rates for both men and women were diagnosed in stage IV for older people, in women for oral cancer and men for pharyngeal cancer. The highest incidence and mortality trends were observed in urban areas. CONCLUSIONS Detailed population-based results described important variations with regard to tumour sites, stages and areas. These data play a central role as they provide the epidemiological profile of a tumour. This profile, together with possible targeted knowledge evaluations of the public and the health care providers involved, can be used as a prerequisite for health care activities and for the development of preventive strategies for targeted public awareness campaigns.
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