Oral cancer: evaluation of the time from detection to treatment initiation at oncology center of Maceió

Abstract

The delay in the diagnosis of oral cancer is the leading cause of a poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the time elapsed between the detection of cancer to the beginning of the treatment at an oncology center in Maceio. We evaluated 50 patients between 2007 and 2008. The analysis was conducted in four stages. The profile of patients corresponded to older men, low income, illiterate and living in the countryside. The longest delays were identified between the detection of the lesion and specialized care. The results indicate the need to expand the knowledge of patients on risk factors, a rapid search for specialized care, and greater professional involvement in early diagnosis.