Effect of a fast track CT pathway on diagnostic and treatment waiting times in lung cancer patients

Abstract

Introduction: In patients with suspected lung cancer a CT scan should be the initial diagnostic test after chest radiography. Objective: To assess the impact of direct access to CT prior to the first appointment in a rapid access lung cancer clinic on diagnostic and treatment delays. Methods: We analysed patients with suspected lung cancer referred from May 2015 to December 2018. General practitioners and specialists from our health department may request a CT at the time of referral and we use a fast track system to offer patients a CT scan scheduled within 1 week. Information was collected on patient characteristics, date of referral, date first seen, date of diagnosis and date of first treatment. Waiting time intervals were expressed in calendar days as median and interquartile range and analysed using non-parametric tests. Results: A total of 250 histologically proven lung cancer patients were included in the study (76% men, 24% women); mean age 69 years (SD 11). CT was requested at referral in 32/50 (64%) of patients from primary care versus 185/200 (93%) from different specialists (p Conclusion: Rapid access to CT scanning before the first appointment in clinic reduces waiting times during the diagnostic process.