Time to treatment patterns of head and neck cancer patients before and during the Covid-19 pandemic

The delivery of healthcare has changed significantly over the past decades. This study analyzes the clinicodemographic factors and treatment patterns of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients between 2004 and 2020. Retrospective cohort analysis of HNSCC patients from the National Cancer Data Base from 2004 to 2020. A total of 164,290 patients were included. Increased times from diagnosis to definitive surgery (TTS) were seen across all facility types (academic centers, AC; non-academic centers, NAC) between 2004 and 2019, with NAC affected more. TTS < 15 days (RR = 1.05, 95%CI:1.05–1.09) and > 75 days (1.07, 95%CI:1.05–1.09) were associated with increased mortality risk. This association was more prominent among HPV + HNSCC (RR = 1.45; 95%CI:1.18–1.78). Treatment in AC was associated with a decreased mortality risk (RR = 0.94, 95%CI:0.93–0.95). Despite the universal increase in wait times from 2004 to 2019, short-term mortality was significantly decreased from 2016 to 2019, relative to 2004–2007 (3-month mortality: RR = 0.77, 95%CI:0.70–0.85; 12-month mortality: RR = 0.80, 95%CI:0.77–0.84). Wait times decreased in 2020. TTS increased between 2004 and 2019, with NAC affected more. However, despite longer wait times, short-term survival increased significantly. Very short (<15 days) and very long (>75 days) TTS were associated with increased mortality risk. Patients with HPV + HNSCC have the highest increase among those treated > 75 days from diagnosis. Treatment at AC was associated with improved survival, which could be explained by the presence of multidisciplinary teams and subspecialists that may be less available at NAC. The 2021 NCDB data are required for a comprehensive analysis of wait times in 2020.