The effect of waiting time on local control and survival in head and neck carcinoma patients treated with radiotherapy

Purpose: To determine the influence of waiting time for radiotherapy on local control and survival in a cohort of patients with head and neck carcinoma of different locations and stages treated with radiotherapy. Material and methods: Retrospective study of 797 patients with squamous cell carcinoma...

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Published in:Radiotherapy and oncology 2003-03, Vol.66 (3), p.277-281
Main Authors: León, Xavier, de Vega, Manuel, Orús, César, Morán, Josep, Vergés, Juan, Quer, Miquel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Female
Head and neck carcinoma
Head and Neck Neoplasms - mortality
Head and Neck Neoplasms - pathology
Head and Neck Neoplasms - radiotherapy
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Multivariate Analysis
Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
Neoplasms, Squamous Cell - mortality
Neoplasms, Squamous Cell - pathology
Neoplasms, Squamous Cell - radiotherapy
Radiation Dosage
Radiotherapy
Retrospective Studies
Survival Analysis
Time Factors
Waiting time
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Summary:Purpose: To determine the influence of waiting time for radiotherapy on local control and survival in a cohort of patients with head and neck carcinoma of different locations and stages treated with radiotherapy. Material and methods: Retrospective study of 797 patients with squamous cell carcinoma located in the oral cavity, pharynx or larynx, treated with radiotherapy, and with a minimum follow-up of 3 years. Local recurrence and survival were analyzed in function of the waiting time, defined as the interval between date of histologic diagnosis and date of radiotherapy. A univariate and multivariate analysis was carried out. Results: Median waiting time to radiotherapy was 44 days (25 and 75% quartiles: 33 and 60 days). There were significant differences in the waiting time period in relation to the primary location and the local extension of the tumor. Both univariate and multivariate analysis showed that waiting time had no significant impact either on local control or survival. Conclusion: Within the range of the waiting time observed in our study, delay in the initiation of radiotherapy did not affect local control or survival in patients with head and neck carcinoma.
ISSN:0167-8140
1879-0887
DOI:10.1016/S0167-8140(03)00022-7