Premium
Factors predicting for patient refusal of head and neck cancer therapy
Author(s) -
Amini Arya,
Verma Vivek,
Li Richard,
Vora Nayana,
Kang Robert,
Ger Thomas J.,
Chang Sue,
Karam Sana,
Massarelli Erminia,
Maghami Ellie G.,
Glaser Scott
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.25966
Subject(s) - medicine , radiation therapy , head and neck cancer , cancer , head and neck , chemotherapy , basal cell , surgery
Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the national rate of treatment refusal in head and neck cancer (HNC). Methods The National Cancer Database was queried for nonmetastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Oncologic therapy referred to receipt of surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. Results Compared to the 230 424 patients who received treatment, 2965 (1.3%) were reported to have refused definitive therapy. Predictors included older age, female sex, African‐American/other race, nonprivate insurance, greater comorbidities, more advanced disease, and residence closer to the treating facility ( P < .05). Patients with a prior history of cancer, Hispanic race, those treated at academic centers, and those from higher income counties were less likely to refuse therapy ( P < .05). Patients who refused definitive therapy experienced poorer survival (median 79.1 vs 8.7 months, P < .001). Conclusions Refusing oncologic therapy is relatively rare in HNC and appears to be multifocal in nature.