Letter to the editor in reference to: "A web-based prediction score for head and neck cancer referrals"

Theofano Tikka*, Vinidh Paleri

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalLetterpeer-review

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    Abstract

    Sir, We read with interest the article by Lau et al (2018) on the design of a web‐based prediction score for head and neck cancer (HNC) referrals. The authors state that there are no similar scoring systems available in the literature that are web‐based and applicable to the two‐week‐wait referrals. Over the last years, risk calculators for common cancer have been extensively explored and are available online, aiming to improve cancer referral pathways and detection.1, 2 A HNC risk calculator (HNC‐RC) based on symptoms and demographics has also been developed and is available online (Sensitivity: 74.8%; specificity: 65.9%; and overall predictive power (AUC): 0.77).3 It has also been externally validated maintaining its discriminatory ability (sensitivity: 79.3%; specificity: 68.6%; and AUC: 0.81). In their abstract, Lau et al have stated that logistic regression and artificial network machine approached have been used. Despite this, only the former was employed, as mentioned in their methodology section, due to time‐related restrictions and effort required to ensure an error‐free algorithm.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)156-156
    Number of pages1
    JournalClinical Otolaryngology
    Volume45
    Issue number1
    Early online date17 Oct 2019
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 31 Jan 2020

    Keywords

    • triage
    • head and neck cancer
    • waiting time

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