title: Diagnostic and therapeutic delay in patients with larynx cancer at a reference public hospital.
abstract: Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma is very often diagnosed at advanced stages. The time interval between the specialist consultation and the start of treatment may contribute to better outcomes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  the interval assessment between the first specialist evaluation and the treatment of patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  longitudinal historical cohort.
  
  
  METHODS
  272 consecutive patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma seen between January, 1996 and December of 2004. Clinical and epidemiological data were evaluated, as well as their association with the time interval between the first specialist visit and the start of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  the median time between first evaluation and treatment was 49 days. There was no relationship with gender, age, birth place, disease stage or education.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  the treatment median delay was 49 days, similar to what has been reported in other studies.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Heliópolis, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amar
authors.forename: Helma Maria
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Chedid
authors.forename: Sergio Altino
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Franzi
authors.forename: Abrão
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rapoport
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome