Back to Search
Start Over
Outcomes of a head and neck cancer screening clinic.
- Source :
-
Oral oncology [Oral Oncol] 2013 Dec; Vol. 49 (12), pp. 1136-40. Date of Electronic Publication: 2013 Sep 29. - Publication Year :
- 2013
-
Abstract
- Objective: To describe an institutional experience conducting an annual free head and neck (H&N) cancer screening clinic. Specific aims included: (1) identifying factors predicting which individuals will have findings suspicious for malignancy; and (2) evaluating potential barriers to subsequent follow-up among patients with suspicious findings.<br />Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study involved individuals presenting to an annual H&N cancer screening clinic (2001-2012). Original screening clinic data and electronic medical records were reviewed. Descriptive and comparative statistics were utilized in order to address the study aims.<br />Results: Of 1573 participants, 325 (21%) had abnormal findings on screening, of which 183 (12%) had findings suspicious for cancer. No demographic factors predicted a suspicion for cancer. The presence of patient-reported symptoms (16% vs. 8%; p<0.001) were significantly associated with a suspicion for cancer. Only 20% of individuals with a suspicion for cancer returned to our institution for recommended follow-up. Patients who did not complain of symptoms were less likely to return for follow-up (2% vs. 36%; p<0.001). Of the patients who returned for follow-up evaluation, malignancies were diagnosed in three patients.<br />Conclusion: Few individuals presenting to a H&N cancer screening clinic will have a malignancy detected, and barriers may influence patients' likelihood to present for subsequent evaluation. Due to self-selection among patients presenting for screening, traditional risk factors may not be associated with the likelihood of detecting a suspicion for H&N cancer. Head and neck cancer screening clinics should thus target patients at high risk, and attempt to ensure appropriate follow-up thereafter.<br /> (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Female
Head and Neck Neoplasms epidemiology
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Outcome Assessment, Health Care
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Young Adult
Ambulatory Care Facilities organization & administration
Early Detection of Cancer
Head and Neck Neoplasms diagnosis
Mass Screening organization & administration
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1879-0593
- Volume :
- 49
- Issue :
- 12
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Oral oncology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 24084407
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oraloncology.2013.09.007