Objectives: This study aims to investigate the factors that lead to poor compliance in initiating the treatment in patients with newly diagnosed head and neck cancers. Methods: A total of 193 patients from the head and neck cancer database dated from January 1, 2018 to September 30, 2020, were analyzed. Variables analyzed included age, gender, primary cancer site, T stage, N stage, M stage, overall stage (I-IV), patient's residential distance, and the impact of COVID-19. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the significance of these variables in relation to the time to receiving on-time treatment as recommended by specialists. Results: Upon multivariate analysis, the advanced stage and residential distance were significantly associated with initial compliance (P < .09). The impact of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and COVID-19 shows a borderline significance (P = .224 and P = .184). Conclusions: The overall stage and patient living distance to the healthcare facility, patient with NPC, and the impact of COVID-19 might affect the compliance of initiating a curative-intent treatment in patients with newly diagnosed head and neck cancers.
Keywords: COVID-19; compliance; distance; head and neck cancer; treatment.