Accuracy of the Head and Neck Cancer Risk Calculator in identifying maxillofacial malignancies

The OMFS urgent suspicion of cancer (USOC) referral pathway for head and neck cancer is costly in terms of time and resources, and despite NICE referral guidance, it has a low conversion rate with many inappropriate referrals. The Head and Neck Cancer Risk Calculator version 2 (HaNC-RC-v2) gives recommendations to primary care referrers on appropriate referral priority. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the accuracy of the HaNC-RC-v2 in a cohort of maxillofacial referrals. Electronic patient records were reviewed for all malignancies diagnosed by OMFS in 2019 (n = 54), and a sample of USOC referrals to OMFS (n = 204). The HaNC-RC-v2 was applied to each patient, using information from the referral letter and the clinical notes from the new patient consultation. The mean and median HaNC-RC-v2 scores for patients with malignancy were 42.22% and 32.23%, respectively. For patients without malignancy, mean and median scores were 9.27% and 5.68%, respectively. There was a statistically significant relation between the presence/absence of malignancy and the recommendation made by the risk calculator (p = 0.0012). The calculator recommended USOC referral for 76% (41/54) of patients with malignancy, and only 41% (83/204) of patients without malignancy. The negative predictive value of the HaNC-RC-v2 was 99.2%. The calculator has the potential to reduce the number of inappropriate referrals to OMFS via the USOC pathway.     

上海市区近5年头颈恶性肿瘤流行病谱变迁及分析

目的:通过了解上海市区2005—2009年来,头颈部恶性肿瘤的流行病谱及发病变迁,为更好的制定预防头颈恶性肿瘤发生、发展的策略,提供理论依据。方法:对上海市疾控中心提供的2005-2009年,上海市区各项恶性肿瘤的数据资料进行描述性统计分析。结果:上海市区2005-2009年,头颈恶性肿瘤累计发病人数为7 264例,发病率呈上升趋势,男女年平均发病标化率分别为12.68/10万及16.07/10万,其中2009年标化率分别跃居全身恶性肿瘤的第5位以及第2位。头颈肿瘤内发病率居前3位的分别为甲状腺癌、鼻咽癌以及喉癌,其中以甲状腺癌上升趋势最为明显,而口腔癌的发展则趋向于平稳。结论:近5年来,上海市区头颈恶性肿瘤发病率整体呈上升趋势,其中以甲状腺癌上升最为明显,甲状腺癌的快速上升可能与电离辐射以及高碘摄入有关。而口腔癌的平稳趋势则提示近年来上海市区口腔卫生保健工作取得了一定的效果。     

A survey to ascertain peer support models available in Head and Neck cancer across the United Kingdom

In cancers and chronic conditions, peer support (PS) has been shown to improve quality of life (QOL) and provide an important coping mechanism for patients, however there is little evidence for this intervention in Head and Neck cancer (HNC). Peer support allows individuals to come together and share information, encouragement, and experiences. It is delivered in a variety of ways including one-to-one, online, and support groups. There is limited literature regarding the timing, barriers, and types of PS available for individuals with HNC across the United Kingdom (UK). The aim of this project was to survey healthcare professionals with respect to their experience regarding types, timings, and barriers to PS in HNC. The survey was developed based on the literature, feedback and advice from a HNC patient research group and healthcare professionals. It was conducted online and consisted of twelve questions. Eighty-eight individuals responded covering twenty-four of twenty-six cancer alliances across the UK. Three main themes with subthemes were identified: patient barriers (emotional barriers and patient limitations), organisational barriers (administrative problems, limited time and resources and COVID-19), and staff barriers (lack of departmental support, concerns with PS and matching and timing of support). The survey demonstrated the different types of PS available across the UK and the barriers faced when implementing this support. It highlighted the complexity of being able to satisfactorily deliver appropriate and effective PS in HNC and the challenges involved.