DISPARITIES IN HEAD AND NECK CANCER: ASSESSING DELAY IN TREATMENT INITIATION

Objective: This study measures the latency from presentation to an Otolaryngologist for head and neck cancer (HNC)-related symptoms to the initiation of cancer treatment (PTI) at John H. Stroger Cook County Hospital (CCH), and creates a treatment timeline to identify factors that significantly contribute to prolonged latency to treatment. Methods: Retrospective chart review of 150 consecutive patients treated for HNC at Stroger between 2005 and 2007. Patients with non-squamous cell carcinoma (SCCa) pathology, previously treated HNC, or inadequate follow-up were excluded. Results: One hundred patients were included. CCH HNC treatment timeline: first physician visit (0 days), first Otolaryngology visit (7 days), date of biopsy (8 day), date pathology finalized (14 days), date of CT scans (18 days), date of diagnosis discussion with patient (23 days), and date of treatment initiation (56 days). DTI (interval between date of biopsy and date of treatment initiation) was 48 days; PTI 53 days. Treatment is more significantly delayed among patients receiving primar