The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on the head and neck cancer pathway in the West of Scotland.
J Laryngol Otol
; 136(6): 535-539, 2022 Jun.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1852320
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has greatly disrupted head and neck cancer services in the West of Scotland. This study aimed to assess the impact of the first wave of the pandemic on cancer waiting times.METHODS:
A retrospective review of multidisciplinary team records was undertaken between March and May in 2019 and the same months in 2020. Time-to-diagnosis and time-to-treatment for new cancers treated with curative intent were compared between the study periods, and subclassified by referral pathway.RESULTS:
A total of 236 new cancer patients were included. During the pandemic, pathways benefitted from reduced diagnostic and treatment times resulting from the restructuring of service provisions. A 75 per cent reduction in secondary care referrals and a 33 per cent increase in urgent suspicion of cancer referrals were observed in 2020.CONCLUSION:
Head and neck cancer pathway times did not suffer because of the coronavirus pandemic. Innovations introduced to mitigate issues brought about by coronavirus benefitted patients, led to a more streamlined service, and improved diagnostic and treatment target compliance.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
COVID-19
/
Head and Neck Neoplasms
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
English
Journal:
J Laryngol Otol
Journal subject:
Otolaryngology
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
S0022215122000603
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