[A computerized database for managing otorhinolaryngologic oncology patients]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Medical Informatics

Context:

• Oncological patient management has become increasingly complex due to advancements in diagnosis and therapy.
• Traditional methods of data management are insufficient for handling the volume and complexity of modern cancer patient information.

Purpose:

• To develop a user-friendly computerized database for organizing, storing, and analyzing head and neck tumor patient data.
• To facilitate both clinical practice and scientific research in oncology.
• To enable data sharing and potential integration with other centers and image management systems.

Summary:

• The database system, developed on a personal computer, includes routines for data table management, clinical data entry, statistical processing, and basic computer services.
• It supports clinical tasks such as scheduling check-ups, tracking lost patients, generating patient summaries, and producing automated reports.
• The system serves as a research tool, providing oncological data for analysis, including tables, diagrams, correlations, and survival curves.

Impact:

• The database has been operational since 1995, managing over 1200 oncological cases with daily use by medical and paramedical staff.
• It processes approximately 15 new cases and 80 updates monthly, demonstrating its utility and scalability.
• The system streamlines data management, improving efficiency in clinical workflows and supporting robust oncological research.