S Kao1, J Shafiq2, J Vardy3, D Adams4. 1. Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool; Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre, Campbelltown Hospital, Campbelltown; Sydney Cancer Centre, Concord. 2. Collaboration for Cancer Outcomes Research & Evaluation, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, Australia. 3. Sydney Cancer Centre, Concord. 4. Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool; Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre, Campbelltown Hospital, Campbelltown. Electronic address: rada6283@bigpond.net.au.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Appropriately timed cessation of chemotherapy is integral to patient's quality of life. We evaluate the use of and associated factors with chemotherapy at the end of life. METHODS: A review of deceased oncology patients treated with palliative intent from April 2005 over 2 years at two cancer centres was carried out. Chi-square tests of patient demographics, cancer and chemotherapy variables were carried out to determine associations with commencing chemotherapy and continuation within 2 and 4 weeks of death. Multivariate analyses were carried out with significant factors to determine their independent effect. RESULTS: Seven hundred and forty-seven patients died during this period; median age 67 years (range 20-96); female 44%. Three hundred and ninety-eight (53%) received chemotherapy: 18% and 8% within 4 and 2 weeks of death, respectively. Younger age (P < 0.01), cancer type (P < 0.01) and chemosensitivity of the tumour (P < 0.01) were predictors for commencing chemotherapy in multivariate analysis. Treating doctor predicted for chemotherapy in the 4 weeks before death (<0.05), but none of the variables predicted for chemotherapy in the last 2 weeks of life. CONCLUSIONS: Younger age, tumour type and chemosensitivity are important predictors of patients receiving palliative chemotherapy. Individual clinician was the only predictor for continuing chemotherapy in the last 4 weeks of life.
BACKGROUND: Appropriately timed cessation of chemotherapy is integral to patient's quality of life. We evaluate the use of and associated factors with chemotherapy at the end of life. METHODS: A review of deceased oncology patients treated with palliative intent from April 2005 over 2 years at two cancer centres was carried out. Chi-square tests of patient demographics, cancer and chemotherapy variables were carried out to determine associations with commencing chemotherapy and continuation within 2 and 4 weeks of death. Multivariate analyses were carried out with significant factors to determine their independent effect. RESULTS: Seven hundred and forty-seven patients died during this period; median age 67 years (range 20-96); female 44%. Three hundred and ninety-eight (53%) received chemotherapy: 18% and 8% within 4 and 2 weeks of death, respectively. Younger age (P < 0.01), cancer type (P < 0.01) and chemosensitivity of the tumour (P < 0.01) were predictors for commencing chemotherapy in multivariate analysis. Treating doctor predicted for chemotherapy in the 4 weeks before death (<0.05), but none of the variables predicted for chemotherapy in the last 2 weeks of life. CONCLUSIONS: Younger age, tumour type and chemosensitivity are important predictors of patients receiving palliative chemotherapy. Individual clinician was the only predictor for continuing chemotherapy in the last 4 weeks of life.
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