Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34938875›Full record

ReviewLaryngoscope investigative otolaryngology2021

An equity-based narrative review of barriers to timely postoperative radiation therapy for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Elizabeth A Noyes, Ciersten A Burks, Andrew R Larson, Daniel G Deschler

Open access · goldAbstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Laryngoscope investigative otolaryngology, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 17 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
17citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
3.3field-weighted citation impact, top 6% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

17 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 23 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Factors Associated with Head and Neck Cancer Postoperative Radiotherapy Delays: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery · 2024
    Pooled it
  2. Delays Starting Postoperative Radiotherapy Among Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery · 2024
    Pooled it
  3. Trial
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  7. Implementation Mapping to Identify Strategies to Increase Timely Postoperative Radiotherapy Initiation for Head/Neck Cancer.Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery · 2025
    Article
  8. Disparities in Care for Patients with Head and Neck Cancer.Surgical oncology clinics of North America · 2024
    Review
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  10. Review
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  16. Racial survival disparities in head and neck cancer clinical trials.Journal of the National Cancer Institute · 2023
    Article
  17. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Elizabeth A NoyesHarvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4656-4269
Ciersten A BurksDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9377-5715
Andrew R LarsonDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA.
Daniel G DeschlerDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA.
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary · USHarvard University · US

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesThe majority of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) do not commence postoperative radiation treatment (PORT) within the recommended 6 weeks. We explore how delayed PORT affects survival outcomes, what factors are associated with delayed PORT initiation, and what interventions exist to reduce delays in PORT initiation.

methodsWe conducted a PubMed search to identify articles discussing timely PORT for HNSCC. We performed a narrative review to assess survival outcomes of delayed PORT as well as social determinants of health (SDOH) and clinical factors associated with delayed PORT, using the PROGRESS-Plus health equity framework to guide our analysis. We reviewed interventions designed to reduce delays in PORT.

resultsDelayed PORT is associated with reduced overall survival. Delays in PORT disproportionately burden patients of racial/ethnic minority backgrounds, Medicaid or no insurance, low socioeconomic status, limited access to care, more comorbidities, presentation at advanced stages, and those who experience postoperative complications. Delays in PORT initiation tend to occur during transitions in head and neck cancer care. Delays in PORT may be reduced by interventions that identify patients who are most likely to experience delayed PORT, support patients according to their specific needs and barriers to care, and streamline care and referral processes.

conclusionsBoth SDOH and clinical factors are associated with delays in timely PORT. Structural change is needed to reduce health disparities and promote equitable access to care for all. When planning care, providers must consider not only biological factors but also SDOH to maximize care outcomes.

Indexed as

adjunctive radiationhead and neck cancerhealth disparitiessquamous cell carcinomatreatment delay

Identifiers

PMID34938875
PMCPMC8665479
OpenAlexW3212097828

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.