External validation of a cancer risk prediction model for suspected head and neck cancer referrals

Abstract

Head and neck cancer (HNC) affects more than 9000 new patients every year in England and Wales with an additional 1200 in Scotland. ^1,2 Patients are urgently referred to head and neck clinics for further assessment when a suspicion of cancer is raised in the primary care setting. In England, the referral criteria are based on the NICE recommendations for symptoms associated with HNC. ² A different combination of symptoms is described in the Scottish cancer referral guidelines. ³ There is currently no unified referral proforma across the different UK cancer networks.

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