Analysis of wait time in head and neck cancer in the San Juan de Dios Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Head and neck cancers (HNC) are recognizable by clinical and early minimally invasive tests, however, there is significant delay between the first symptoms and treatment. Aim: To describe the times involved between the first symptoms and treatment. Material and method: Descriptive and retrospective study, by evaluating records of patients diagnosed and treated for HNC in otolaryngology at the Hospital San Juan de Dios, for 18 months. Results: 33 cases were eligible. 93.7% corresponded to squamous cell carcinoma. The sites most committed were larynx (45.4%) and (24.2%); the diagnosis was made in advanced stages in 90.2% of the cases. The patients took 17 weeks to consult since their first symptoms. It took 1 week to be evaluated by the specialist. It took 1 week to get a biopsy. The histological result took 3 weeks and treatment was performed at 5 weeks. Who received surgery as first treatment took 4 weeks to receive it. Who went to chemo-radiotherapy as co-adjuvant waited 11.5 weeks. Those receiving chemo-radiotherapy as the only treatment, 8 weeks. Conclusion: The major delays are the patient delay in consulting, the time delay in the histological report and access to treatment when knowing the diagnosis, especially when treatment is radio-chemotherapy.