Observed-to-expected ratio for adherence to treatment guidelines as a quality of care indicator for laryngeal cancer.

Objectives/hypothesis: To examine associations between survival and adherence to National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) treatment guidelines using an observed-to-expected (O/E) ratio for greater adherence as a risk-adjusted hospital measure of quality care in elderly patients treated for larynx cancer.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare data.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with larynx cancer from 2004 to 2007 were evaluated using multivariate regression and survival analysis.

Flexible model for patient engagement: Achieving quality outcomes and building a research agenda for head and neck cancer.

Background: This article describes the benefits of patient-driven research in the field of head and neck oncology, reviews lessons learned from establishing partnerships with patients and caregivers, and serves as a model for further patient-driven research endeavors.

Methods: Head and neck cancer survivors underwent training including that of effective communication and the basics of research methodology. They then drove the agendas for monthly meetings that included a multidisciplinary team of providers, facilitated by a physician champion (S.

Socioeconomic Factors Affect Outcomes in Well-Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

Objectives: The effects of socioeconomic status (SES) on the incidence of well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC) are well researched. However, the association between SES and outcomes is not delineated. Our objective was to determine if SES affected outcomes of WDTC.