BACKGROUND: This study intends to evaluate the delays in the diagnostic pathways for primary lung cancer in Southern Norway, and to compare results with recommendations from the British Thoracic Society (BTS) and the Swedish Lung Cancer Group (SLCG). DESIGN: A questionnaire-based prospective study of all patients diagnosed with primary lung cancer in Southern Norway from June 14, 2002 to June 13, 2005. RESULTS: Half of the 479 patients were referred to a specialist in pulmonology within 3 weeks (median) of first seeing their doctor concerning symptoms of malignant pulmonary disease. 71% of patients were seen by pulmonologist within 1 week of received referral, and not 100% as proposed by the BTS. 52% of the patients were diagnosed and informed of their disease within 2 weeks (BTS recommend 100%) of having received the referral letter, and 68% within 3 weeks (SLCG recommend 80%). 62% started treatment within 1 month of first contact with pulmonologist (SLCG 80%). CONCLUSION: The delays in diagnosing lung cancer in the Agder region were within BTS and Swedish recommendations in 52-71% of cases. Although our results show good standings compared to other studies, the potential improvements for both the referring GP and the specialist investigators are discussed.
BACKGROUND: This study intends to evaluate the delays in the diagnostic pathways for primary lung cancer in Southern Norway, and to compare results with recommendations from the British Thoracic Society (BTS) and the Swedish Lung Cancer Group (SLCG). DESIGN: A questionnaire-based prospective study of all patients diagnosed with primary lung cancer in Southern Norway from June 14, 2002 to June 13, 2005. RESULTS: Half of the 479 patients were referred to a specialist in pulmonology within 3 weeks (median) of first seeing their doctor concerning symptoms of malignant pulmonary disease. 71% of patients were seen by pulmonologist within 1 week of received referral, and not 100% as proposed by the BTS. 52% of the patients were diagnosed and informed of their disease within 2 weeks (BTS recommend 100%) of having received the referral letter, and 68% within 3 weeks (SLCG recommend 80%). 62% started treatment within 1 month of first contact with pulmonologist (SLCG 80%). CONCLUSION: The delays in diagnosing lung cancer in the Agder region were within BTS and Swedish recommendations in 52-71% of cases. Although our results show good standings compared to other studies, the potential improvements for both the referring GP and the specialist investigators are discussed.
Authors: Francisco Javier González-Barcala; José María García-Prim; José Manuel Alvarez-Dobaño; Milagros Moldes-Rodríguez; María Teresa García-Sanz; Antonio Pose-Reino; Luis Valdés-Cuadrado Journal: Clin Transl Oncol Date: 2010-12 Impact factor: 3.405
Authors: M Elisabeth Del Giudice; Sheila-Mae Young; Emily T Vella; Marla Ash; Praveen Bansal; Andrew Robinson; Roland Skrastins; Yee Ung; Robert Zeldin; Cheryl Levitt Journal: Can Fam Physician Date: 2014-08 Impact factor: 3.275
Authors: F J Gonzalez-Barcala; J A Falagan; J M Garcia-Prim; L Valdes; J M Carreira; A Puga; P Martín-Lancharro; M T Garcia-Sanz; D Anton-Sanmartin; J C Canive-Gomez; A Pose-Reino; R Lopez-Lopez Journal: Ir J Med Sci Date: 2013-10-04 Impact factor: 1.568
Authors: Usha Menon; Peter Vedsted; David Weller; Alina Zalounina Falborg; Henry Jensen; Samantha Harrison; Irene Reguilon; Andriana Barisic; Rebecca J Bergin; David H Brewster; John Butler; Odd Terje Brustugun; Oliver Bucher; Victoria Cairnduff; Anna Gavin; Eva Grunfeld; Elizabeth Harland; Jatinderpal Kalsi; Anne Kari Knudsen; Mats Lambe; Rebecca-Jane Law; Yulan Lin; Martin Malmberg; Donna Turner; Richard D Neal; Victoria White Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-11-27 Impact factor: 2.692