- Junn, Jacqueline C;
- Kim, Irene A;
- Zahurak, Marianna L;
- Tan, Marietta;
- Fan, Katherine Y;
- Lake, Spencer T;
- Zaboli, David;
- Messing, Barbara P;
- Ulmer, Karen;
- Harrer, Karen B;
- Gold, Dorothy;
- Ryniak, Keri L;
- Zinreich, Eva S;
- Tang, Mei;
- Levine, Marshall A;
- Blanco, Ray G;
- Saunders, John R;
- Califano, Joseph A;
- Ha, Patrick K
Purpose. To analyze the patterns and associations of adjunctive service visits by head and neck cancer patients receiving primary, concurrent chemoradiation therapy. Methods. Retrospective chart review of patients receiving adjunctive support during a uniform chemoradiation regimen for stages III-IV head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Univariate and multivariate models for each outcome were obtained from simple and multivariate linear regression analyses. Results. Fifty-two consecutive patients were assessed. Female gender, single marital status, and nonprivate insurance were factors associated with an increased number of social work visits. In a multivariate analysis, female gender and marital status were related to increased social work services. Female gender and stage IV disease were significant for increased nursing visits. In a multivariate analysis for nursing visits, living greater than 20 miles between home and hospital was a negative predictive factor. Conclusion. Treatment of advanced stage head and neck cancer with concurrent chemoradiation warrants a multidisciplinary approach. Female gender, single marital status, and stage IV disease were correlated with increased utilization of social work and nursing services. Distance over 20 miles from the center was a negative factor. This information may help guide the treatment team to allocate resources for the comprehensive care of patients.