A delay in time to commence post-operative radiotherapy (PORT) has shown to be associated with reduced overall survival and higher recurrence rates in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).[1-3] However, studies have shown that >45% of patients undergoing surgery do not adhere to recommended guidelines.[4-5] Overall treatment time (OTT) has also been shown to affect overall survival and recurrence rates, whereby the threshold ranges between 77-100 days before outcomes are impacted.[6-7] The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate delays in...

This study included patients with histologically confirmed HNSCC treated with curative intent surgery and PORT at Townsville Cancer Centre between June 1, 2011 and June 30, 2019. The proportion of patients who experienced delays in commencing PORT (>42 days) and OTT (>12 weeks) were evaluated. The study also evaluated the key factors associated with these delays and the time points at which they occurred. Reasons for delays in surgery to RO (radiation oncology) consult of greater than 4 weeks were specifically explored recognising that at...

A total of 95 patients were included in the analysis. Overall, 71% (67/95) of patients experienced delay in starting PORT and 64% (61/95) had an OTT delay (Table 1). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients had a higher rate of PORT delay (89% vs 67%, n = 59, P = 0.204). Surgery at an external facility (tertiary referral hospital outside of Townsville) was significantly associated with a higher incidence of PORT delay (81% vs 58%, P = 0.016) (Table 2). Discharge to RO consult was...

These findings reinforce that PORT delay for patients with HNSCC remains a prevalent issue. This study demonstrated that there was a delay from surgery to RO consult, especially for patients who had surgery at an external facility, highlighting the need to improve communication and coordination of care. Strategies being implemented to improve this include automated referrals from the head and neck multidisciplinary team (HNMDT) meeting and email communication to cancer care coordinators at both centres at the time of referral, with a weekly task generated...

R. Marwah: Nothing to disclose

1) Harris JP, Chen MM. Association of Survival With Shorter Time to Radiation Therapy After Surgery for US Patients With Head and Neck Cancer. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018 Apr; 144(4): 349–359.doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2017.3406. 2) Rejane F, Marta GN. Timing factors as prognostic variables in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with adjuvant radiotherapy: a literature review. Rev Assoc Med Bras. 2020; 66(3):380-384. Doi: 10.1590/1806-9282.66.3.380. 3) National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology Head and Neck Cancers. Oral Cancer...