Short summary

The fast-track program for head and neck cancer (HNC) was implemented in 2007 to ensure that all cancer patients are referred, diagnosed, and treated timely with a standardized high-quality approach. The purpose of the fast-track pathway is to detect cancer symptoms in primary healthcare, reduce waiting time for diagnostics and treatment and thereby improve prognosis.

Rationale

This project aims to investigate the effects of implementing the national Danish fast-track program for head and neck cancer by combining information on initial cancer symptoms, frequencies of contacts in primary care, referral, waiting time for diagnosis and treatment, the impact of socioeconomic position and comorbidities, changes in gross tumor volume in the waiting time for treatment and lastly how survival and the risk of recurrence have been affected throughout the first 15 years. The project consists of two register-based studies and one clinical study based on imaging.

Description of the cohort

All patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in the larynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx and oral cavity in the years 2008, 2013, 2018 and 2023 in all Danish centres are included for the register studies. Furthermore all patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and pharynx receiving radiotherapy in the years 2008 - 2018 nationally is included for the imaging study.

Data and biological material

Data is combination of DAHANCA (Danish Head and Neck Cancer Study Group) (RKKP) and registerdata from The National Patient Register, The Health Service Register and Statistics Denmark as well as imaging data from existing previously performed diagnostic scans (PET/CT, MRI, CT) and treatment planning scans (CT).

Collaborating researchers and departments

Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Odense University Hospital

• Kristine Bjørndal, professor, M.D.

Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital

• Jens Overgaard, professor, M.D.
• Jesper Grau Eriksen, professor, M.D.