Antibiotic prescriptions linked to significant delays in head and neck cancer diagnosis
Source: www.healio.com Author: Drew Amorosi Key takeaways: Researchers reported increased rates of antibiotic prescriptions in the 3 months prior to head/neck cancer diagnosis. Antibiotic prescriptions appeared linked to longer time between symptom onset and diagnosis. Approximately 15% of individuals with head and neck cancer received an antibiotic prescription within 3 months of diagnosis, study results showed. Those who received antibiotic prescriptions had significantly longer time to head and neck cancer diagnosis than those who did not receive antibiotics, findings published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery showed. “These patients have been through the health care system for many months without an accurate diagnosis,” Sean T. Massa, MD, assistant professor in the department of otolaryngology — head and neck surgery at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, told Healio. “Prescribing antibiotics is a common practice and was associated with a delay in diagnosis,” he added. “For adults with a neck mass or swelling lasting more than 2 weeks, the most likely cause is a tumor, so patients should be evaluated through further testing and referral to a specialist.” Background Head and neck specialists have observed a steady stream of patients with neck masses mistakenly prescribed antibiotics because symptoms mirror that of infection, Massa said. This occurs despite 2017 guidelines from American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) for evaluation of neck mass among adults. The guidelines recommend against prescribing antibiotics without other infectious symptoms. “We wanted to see if patients who received antibiotics took longer to get from [...]