Observational analysis highlighted treatment disparities in head and neck cancer patients from low-income counties, suggesting a need for improved access.
Key Points
Patients in low-income counties were less likely to receive surgery only, indicating significant disparities in treatment options.
Adjuvant or definitive treatment showed no place-based differences, suggesting systemic issues persist across treatment types.
Analysis utilized SEER case data from 2018 to 2022, adjusting for factors like tumor site, stage, and geography.
Findings support the need for interventions to enhance timely treatment access for head and neck cancer patients.