St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne (SVHM) has a long history of Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) surgery, and in August 2016 acquired the ability to deliver radiotherapy. Thus, SVHM can now offer head and neck (H+N) cancer patients both adjuvant and definitive radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment. The treatment of locally advanced H+N cancer is complex and is associated with significant morbidity. To ensure optimal outcomes, an integrated care program with a multi-modal, multidisciplinary team is required. To assess our performance so far, we carried out an audit of the first twelve months of this new H+N service at SVHM.
Aim:
To determine the percentage of patients discussed at the multidisciplinary meeting (MDM) prior to treatment, the rate of adherence to the internationally accepted standard treatment guidelines, and the extent of treatment related complications and toxicities including admission rates.
Method:
All patients who received combined chemoradiotherapy between the 20th of July 2016 and 31st July 2017 were identified from the SVHM cancer centre database. The digital medical records were assessed to collect the data from diagnosis through to treatment response.
Results:
38 patients were identified. Of these, 9 underwent adjuvant treatment and 29 underwent definitive intent treatment. 18 patients were HPV positive. 35 patients had been discussed in the MDM prior to initiating treatment and all patients were seen and managed by a dietician and speech pathologist throughout the course of their treatment. 25 patients required admission due to treatment side effects. Disease demographics and outcomes for those with sufficient follow up will also be presented.
Conclusion:
The new comprehensive H+N cancer service at SVHM provided the patients with a high standard of care in line with international guidelines.