Patient delay and its clinical significance among head and neck cancer patients in Hungary

Introduction: Head and neck cancers represent a major health problem in Hungary. With their high incidence mortality rates, Hungary is one of the world leaders these indicators. The length patient delay, defined as time from onset symptoms to first medical consultation, unknown Hungarian patients with head cancer. We aimed use representative sample cancer population determine delay according disease localization stage identify correlations other clinical parameters. Methods: In our retrospective study, we reviewed documentation. For inclusion, had be diagnosed malignant tumors oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx or larynx at Department Neck Surgery Semmelweis University between 2012 2017. Results: identified 236 who met inclusion criteria. median was 9.5 weeks (range 0–209 weeks) mean 17.57 (SD 23.67). There significant difference data by location. Among glottic cancers, most common diagnosis an early (67%), compared localizations, including commonly oropharynx (81%) (80%), where locoregionally advanced more frequent. Discussion: Compared different countries, significantly longer, which may contribute Screening education high-risk groups could earlier thus improve prognosis.