Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic telephone two-week-wait referrals in head and neck cancer - how safe were they?

OBJECTIVE

During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, ENT-UK recommended a move from face-to-face clinics to telephone appointments. This study reviewed the safety of telephone clinics for urgent two-week-wait cancer referrals.

METHODS

Patients consulted in telephone clinics between April and November 2020 were identified from an electronic database. Study patients included those diagnosed with malignant disease at six months. The Head and Neck Cancer Risk Calculator version 2 score, outcome of the initial clinic and final diagnoses were reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 1062 patients were triaged in clinic; 9.2 per cent ( = 98) were diagnosed with cancer at 6 months. Of these 98 patients, 69 received an urgent face-to-face appointment, 26 underwent urgent scans and 3 had a delayed telephone review. Twenty patients (20.4 per cent) diagnosed with cancer had a low-risk Head and Neck Cancer Risk Calculator score.

CONCLUSION

The late diagnosis rate of 0.28 per cent suggests a small proportion of cancer could have been missed. Telephone clinics, whilst a pragmatic means to maintain patient flow during the pandemic, could result in late diagnoses.