S Tyldesley1, T W Roques, S Erridge. 1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Vancouver Cancer Clinic, British Columbia Cancer Agency, 600 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4E6, Canada. styldesl@bccancer.bcc.ca
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Stage, weight loss, and performance status (PS) are important prognostic factors and eligibility factors for curative intent therapy for lung cancer patients. Details of stage, weight loss, and PS are often not collected until referral to a cancer specialist, and since not all patients are referred to cancer specialists these important variables are not well defined at a population level. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data on stage, weight loss, PS and referral pattern were requested from general practitioners (GPs) on all lung cancer patients diagnosed between May and June of 2002 in the province of British Columbia, Canada. Outcomes were analyzed in relation to survival and referral to a cancer centre. RESULTS: 395 patients were identified, and GP questionnaires were returned on 85% of the cases. Patients referred to a cancer centre shortly after diagnosis differed from those who were not referred. Patients who were not referred to a cancer centre consisted of two groups-patients with localized disease and good PS who tended to have a better survival than those who were referred, and patients with advanced disease and poor performance status who tended to have a worse survival than those who were referred. GP assessed stage and PS are prognostic factors for survival. CONCLUSIONS: GP assessed stage and PS are prognostic factors for survival in lung cancer patients. The case mix of patients who are not referred to a cancer centre shortly after their diagnosis differs from those that are referred.
BACKGROUND: Stage, weight loss, and performance status (PS) are important prognostic factors and eligibility factors for curative intent therapy for lung cancerpatients. Details of stage, weight loss, and PS are often not collected until referral to a cancer specialist, and since not all patients are referred to cancer specialists these important variables are not well defined at a population level. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data on stage, weight loss, PS and referral pattern were requested from general practitioners (GPs) on all lung cancerpatients diagnosed between May and June of 2002 in the province of British Columbia, Canada. Outcomes were analyzed in relation to survival and referral to a cancer centre. RESULTS: 395 patients were identified, and GP questionnaires were returned on 85% of the cases. Patients referred to a cancer centre shortly after diagnosis differed from those who were not referred. Patients who were not referred to a cancer centre consisted of two groups-patients with localized disease and good PS who tended to have a better survival than those who were referred, and patients with advanced disease and poor performance status who tended to have a worse survival than those who were referred. GP assessed stage and PS are prognostic factors for survival. CONCLUSIONS: GP assessed stage and PS are prognostic factors for survival in lung cancerpatients. The case mix of patients who are not referred to a cancer centre shortly after their diagnosis differs from those that are referred.