Effect of delayed treatment on survival of patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer
In 2020, head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) ranked seventh in prevalence among malignant tumors worldwide1. In the US, HNSCC accounts for 3.4% of malignancies, with 15,400 deaths expected in 2023, increasing slightly from 3.3% of malignancies and 11,260 deaths in 20092,3,4. HNSCC involves malignancies originating from anatomic subsites, including the lip/oral cavity (OC), oropharynx, hypopharynx, nasopharynx, larynx, nasal cavity and sinuses, and salivary glands3,5. HNSCC is a relatively locally advanced and fast-growing disease compared with other tumors6. However, the waiting time for treatment increased in this population between 2004 and 20197. Previous studies showed that delays in treatment may affect survival outcomes. Thus, the impact of treatment delay on survival is an aspect of concern.
