Study identifies care steps that start head and neck cancer patients on lifesaving treatment sooner
For patients with advanced head and neck cancer, surgery is often the first step in treatment. Many also need radiation therapy to destroy remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk that their cancer will return. Starting radiation within six weeks of surgery gives patients the best chance of beating their cancer. But for more than half of patients nationwide, that does not happen.
A new study from MUSC Hollings Cancer Center identifies specific care steps that enable head and neck cancer patients to start lifesaving treatment sooner. While surgery is often the first step in treatment for advanced head and neck cancer, many patients also require radiation therapy to reduce the risk of recurrence. Starting radiation within six weeks of surgery is associated with the best outcomes, yet more than half of patients nationwide fall short of this target.
The research, led by Dr. Evan Graboyes, a head and neck surgical oncologist at Hollings, reveals that an enhanced patient navigation program significantly improves these care steps. The program, titled Navigation for Disparities and Untimely Radiation Therapy (NDURE), provides structured support to coordinate appointments, referrals, and specialists between surgery and radiation therapy. By anticipating and ensuring the timely completion of care milestones, the program helps patients start radiation on time.
The study breaks down the period between surgery and radiation into five key care steps. Patients in the enhanced navigation program were nearly eight times more likely to complete these steps compared to those receiving standard care. Completing more steps increased the likelihood of starting radiation within six weeks. Notably, seeing a radiation oncologist within three weeks after surgery accounted for nearly a quarter of the program's overall benefit, emphasizing the importance of this milestone.
While the study focuses on the effectiveness of the NDURE program, Graboyes emphasizes that the findings highlight broader targets for improving cancer care delivery. These include ensuring patients see a radiation oncologist promptly after surgery and maintaining strong communication among various care teams. The study underscores the critical role of multiple professionals—surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, dentists, nurses, rehabilitation specialists, and patient navigators—in coordinating care within a few weeks post-surgery.
Ultimately, the research suggests that improving the efficiency of these care steps can significantly impact patient outcomes, regardless of the specific intervention used. By focusing on these key milestones, health systems can enhance the coordination and timeliness of cancer treatment, ultimately improving survival rates for head and neck cancer patients.
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