Questionnaire Survey to Identify the Medical Departments That Patients With Possible Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) Symptoms Tend to Choose

In the treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC), any delay in omit initiation worsens the overall prognosis. Thus, the early start of HNC treatment is crucial. Unfortunately, treatment delays persist in clinical practice. There are several possible reasons for this. One reason is that patients with HNC do not visit an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor. This is because non-ENT doctors (e.g., general practitioners {GPs}) lack expertise in HNC and therefore may unrecognize it. Therefore, guiding patients with suspected HNC symptoms to an otorhinolaryngologist, an HNC specialist, is necessary. To determine the departments that patients with potential HNC symptoms tend to select, we administered a questionnaire survey to 140 participants. Fewer than 60% of respondents indicated they would consult an otorhinolaryngologist even when recognizing symptoms suggestive of HNC. Notably, a significantly low percentage of respondents mentioned they would consult an otorhinolaryngologist for neck masses. Public awareness of HNC symptoms, especially the association between a neck mass and HNC, is limited. The lack of understanding by the general public regarding the relationship between neck masses and HNC is a challenge to prompt initiation of treatment.

Survey of experiences and barriers to dental care post-head and neck cancer in OraRad study participants

PURPOSE

Dental care after head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment is crucial to maintaining oral health and preventing/treating oral complications. This survey investigated the experiences and barriers to dental care post-radiation therapy (RT).

METHODS

Participants of the Clinical Registry of Dental Outcomes in patients with head and neck cancer (OraRad) were surveyed at approximately 4 years post-RT. Participants completed a 20-question survey which assessed perceptions of dental care and education, barriers to receiving care, and ongoing physical symptoms post-RT.

RESULTS

One hundred fifty-three of the 505 available OraRad participants completed the survey. Almost all of the respondents (n = 141; 92%) either strongly agreed or agreed that they understand the effects of cancer and its treatment on the teeth, mouth, and jaws. The majority (n = 119; 80%) strongly agreed or agreed that their dentist provided them with information on how to keep teeth, mouth, and jaws healthy after treatment. Most participants reported dry mouth (n = 114; 75%). Other sequelae were problems swallowing (n = 57; 38%), dental caries (n = 33; 22%), and difficulty keeping their mouth open during dental procedures (n = 26; 17%).

CONCLUSIONS

The OraRad respondents reported few barriers to dental care post-HNC treatment. Patients continue to suffer oral/maxillofacial side effects of radiation treatment, most notably xerostomia.