Lung cancer: "Median delay between the first abnormal imaging to the first day of treatment was 75.5 days"

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23015117

Bull Cancer. 2012 Sep 27. [Epub ahead of print]

Delays in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer for patients treated with radiation therapy.

Rivera C, Mathiaux J, Haaser T, Begueret H, Jougon J, Trouette R.

Source

CHU de Bordeaux, hôpital Saint-André, service de radiothérapie, 1, rue Jean-Burguet, 33000 Bordeaux, France, CHU de Bordeaux, hôpital Haut-Lévêque, service de chirurgie thoracique, 1, avenue de Magellan, 33604 Pessac, France, Centre hospitalier de la côte Basque, service de chirurgie thoracique et vasculaire, 13, avenue de l'Interne-Jacques-Loëb, BP 8, 64109 Bayonne cedex, France.

Abstract

To describe delays in diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer in patients treated by radiotherapy from the first abnormal imaging to the first day of treatment. Our retrospective single-center study included all patients treated for primary lung cancer in our center receiving radiotherapy alone or in association to chemotherapy or surgery, between 1st May and 15th September 2011. We included 40 patients. Mean age was 65.3 years and sex ratio was 4 (32 males). In 72.5% (n = 29) of the cases, the objective of the treatment was palliative. Median delay between the first abnormal imaging to the first day of treatment was 75.5 days (CI 95% [63.6-134.4]). Median diagnostic delay to obtain a pathological proof was 38 days (CI 95% [27.9-100]). Median therapeutic delay to start treatment was 31 days (CI 95% [24.6-38.5]). When considering radiotherapy, median delay between multidisciplinary staff decision and first radiotherapy session was 26 days (CI 95% [22.4-33.3]). The study of the delays in diagnosis and treatment is the first step to reduce them. Detailed analysis helps to propose some measures to improve these delays.