Delays in the treatment of head and neck cancer in Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District

Objective The purpose of the study was to compare professional delays related to head and neck cancers in HUS and compare these to the recommendations in other Nordic countries.

Materials and methods Suitable patients were selected through the meetings of the multidisciplinary board for head and neck cancer in 2018. A total of 310 patients were suitable for the research. The acceptable delays were decided based on Denmark’s and Sweden’s set points so that the results are comparative.

Results The professional delays in treatment of head and neck cancer in Finland are longer than the recommendations in other Nordic countries.

Conclusions At this moment the professional delay in Finland is too long for head and neck cancer patients and this worsens their prognosis despite the development of surgical and oncological treatments.