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Interrupted RT in Head and Neck Cancer Patients
J Oncol Pract; ePub 2017 Mar 7; Thomas, et al
Survival in an indigent population of head and neck cancer patients was shorter than in those insured by commercial carriers or Medicare, according to a retrospective cohort study involving 564 individuals. Treatment interruption appeared to be the main culprit.
Participants were from 2 hospitals in Dallas County, TX, 1 of which serves indigent patients. Investigators looked at treatment interruptions over a 4-year period ending in 2014. Among the results:
- Three-fourths of those treated at the hospital that takes indigent patients experienced treatment delays, vs less than half in the second hospital.
- The population treated at the hospital taking indigent patients had more than twice the number of interrupted days.
- Patients at this hospital usually missed treatment for nonmedical or logistical reasons.
- Delay impacted local recurrence and overall survival.
- Noncompliant patients treated at the hospital that accepted the indigent had a higher likelihood for local recurrence.
Thomas K, Martin T, Gao A, Ahn C, Wilhelm H, Schwartz D. Interruptions of head and neck radiotherapy across insured and indigent patient populations. [Published online ahead of print March 7, 2017]. J Oncol Pract. doi: 10.1200/JOP.2016.017863.