A look ahead to promote the early detection of lung cancer: technical and cost implications of a confirmed diagnosis before surgery

Abstract

ObjectiveTo compare the costs and length of hospital stay among patients with a confirmed diagnosis of lung cancer (LC) prior to surgery versus those without confirmation. MethodsThis retrospective, single-center study was conducted in patients who underwent a surgical procedure for LC, with or without a pathologically confirmed LC diagnosis prior to surgery, between March 2017 and December 2019. The main outcomes were costs and length of hospital stay (LOS). ResultsAmong the 269 patients who underwent surgery for lung cancer between March 2017 and December 2019, 203 (75.5%) patients underwent surgery due to a histopathological diagnosis, and 66 (24.5%) because of a Multidisciplinary Cancer Committee indication. The unadjusted mean cost was significantly lower in Group II (patients with surgery based on Multidisciplinary Cancer Committee criteria) (Є2,581.80 ± Є1,002.50) than in Group I (patients with histopathological diagnosis) (Є4,244.60 ± Є2,008.80), P < 0.0001. Once adjusted for covariables, there was a mean difference of −Є1,437.20 in the costs of Group II, P < 0.0001.Unadjusted mean hospital stay was significantly longer in Group I (5.6 days) than in Group II (3.5 days). ConclusionsThe results suggest that indicating surgical resection of lung cancer based on Multidisciplinary Cancer Committee criteria, rather than performing CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy, may result in a significant decrease in cost and length of hospital stay.