Delay in diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma; A report from The Netherlands

European Journal of Cancer Part B Oral OncologyPublished 1 July 1992

Andreas Jovanovic, Pieter J. Kostense, E.A.J.M. Schulten, Gordon B. Snow, I. van der Waal

DOI10.1016/0964-1955(92)90009-p

Citations82

TL;DR

The referral pattern, patients' and doctors' delay of 50 patients suffering from oral squamous cell carcinoma have been investigated and measures directed to the early detection of oral cancer should place special emphasis on the patients' delay.

Abstract

The referral pattern, patients' and doctors' delay of a limited number of 50 patients suffering from oral squamous cell carcinoma have been investigated. The majority of the patients consulted the family doctor as the first source of help. The mean patients' and doctors' delay was 103 and 22 days, respectively the median being 35 and 11 days, respectively. The gender, dental status, site and tumour size did not show a significant correlation with the delay. Measures directed to the early detection of oral cancer should place special emphasis on the patients' delay.

Keywords

DentistryMedicine

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