Methods and materials
This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at [Blinded for review]. Records of all patients with HNC (cancers of the lip, oral cavity, oropharynx, nasopharynx, hypopharynx and larynx) between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2017 (3-year period) were reviewed. Variables analysed were age, sex, HIV status, p16 status (for oropharyngeal cancers), the Eastern Cooperative Oncology group (ECOG) performance status and socio-economic status.
The uniform patient fee schedule (UPFS) was used as a surrogate for socioeconomic status. This allocated category depends on the individual’s/household’s income per annum (in South African Rands/Euros) (See table 1). Tumours were classified according to anatomical site, and histologic type.Staging was done according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM 7th edition.
Treatment intent was described as radical or palliative. Radical treatment modalities consisted of surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy alone or in combination. Palliative treatment modalities consisted of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and/or best supportive care. Surgery is seldom used as a treatment modality in patients with palliative intent.
Data was extracted from routine patient files, and entered into a customised data collection sheet. Data from data collection sheets was entered into Microsoft Excel 2013. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel.