Emergency presentations of head and neck cancer: a modern perspective.
BACKGROUND
Head and neck cancer emergency presentations are uncommon but persistent. However, there is little published literature on this aspect of cancer and patient demographics. This study aimed to assess the incidence, patient profile, tumour site and stage of emergency cancer presentations in our region.


METHODS
Retrospective review of regional cancer database over a five-year period.


RESULTS
Emergency presentations accounted for 7 per cent of all cases. There was no difference in patient age and risk factors between the emergency and non-emergency presentations. The emergency presentation group showed a greater proportion of female patients compared to the non-emergency presentation group (30 vs 15 per cent). In all emergency presentations, the cancer was at advanced stages. Oropharyngeal cancer was the commonest emergency presentation of cancer, but the third commonest in the non-emergency group.


CONCLUSIONS
Emergency presentations are increasing annually. Female patients and oropharyngeal cancer showed greater representation compared to male patients and laryngeal cancer.
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery,Aberdeen Royal Infirmary,Scotland,UK.
M
M
Bannister
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery,Aberdeen Royal Infirmary,Scotland,UK.
V
V
Vallamkondu
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery,Aberdeen Royal Infirmary,Scotland,UK.
K W
KW
Ah-See
D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016208:Databases, Factual; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D004630:Emergencies / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011379:Prognosis; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D015996:Survival Rate; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
Head And Neck Neoplasms; Laryngeal Neoplasms; Oropharyngeal Neoplasms; Otolaryngology