Finding solutions for the endless wait--reducing waiting times for radiotherapy.

摘要

We congratulate Jensen et al. for providing an excellent objective evaluation of the negative impact of long waiting time before initiation of treatment in head and neckcancers. The findings reflect the clinical progression we often observe among locally advanced cancers in resource-poor settings in developing countries . Mackillop et al. had earlier authored a model of the negative impact of waiting times on tumor control , and he complements this article with a comprehensive yet succinct editorial . There may be several approaches to reduction of the waiting period before radiotherapy. Expansion of the existing infrastructure is an obvious solution. However, such an approach may be impractical on financial or technical grounds in many countries. Streamlining and improving the utilization of manpower - by the use of multiple shifts or longer treatment hours (especially on cobalt machines in developing countries) is another approach.