Data from Trends and Disparities in Curative-Intent Treatment for Early-Stage Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Population-Based Analysis of Surgery and SBRT

Abstract

<div>AbstractBackground:<p>Despite the increasing adoption of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) as a recommended alternative for early-stage non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), population-based research on racial/ethnic disparities in curative-intent treatment accounting for SBRT remains limited. This study investigated trends and disparities in receiving curative-intent surgery and/or SBRT in a diverse, retrospective cohort.</p>Methods:<p>Early-stage NSCLC cases (2005–2017) from the Florida cancer registry were linked to individual-level statewide discharge data containing comorbidities and specific treatment information. Joinpoint regression assessed trends in treatment receipt. Multivariable logistic regression examined associations between race/ethnicity and treatment type.</p>Results:<p>Among 64,999 patients with early-stage NSCLC, 71.6% received curative-intent treatment (surgery and/or SBRT): 73.1%, 72.4%, and 60.3% among Hispanic, White, and Black patients, respectively (<i>P</i> < 0.01). SBRT use increased steeply from 2005 to 2007 and then by 7.9% annually from 2007 to 2017 (<i>P</i> < 0.01); curative-intent surgery remained stable from 2005 to 2014 before declining by 6.2% annually during 2014–2017 (<i>P</i> = 0.04). The Black-White disparity in receipt of curative-intent treatment was significant [OR<sub>adj</sub>, 0.65; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.60–0.71]. Patients with Charlson comorbidity index (CCI)≥3 had 36% (OR<sub>adj</sub>, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.60–0.69) lower odds of receiving curative-intent surgery and no significant difference for SBRT (OR<sub>adj</sub>, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.93–1.20) compared with CCI = 0.</p>Conclusions:<p>Racial disparities in receiving curative-intent treatment for early-stage NSCLC persist despite the availability of SBRT, suggesting the full potential of curative-intent treatment for early-stage NSCLC remains unachieved.</p>Impact:<p>Addressing disparities in early-stage NSCLC requires addressing differential treatment patterns and enhancing accessibility to treatments like underutilized SBRT, particularly for high-comorbidity populations such as Black patients.</p></div>