Elderly patients with resected stage II, IIIA non-small cell lung cancer, increased referral rate to medical oncologists, 1992-2002

Abstract

18002 Background: Resectable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been once considered as a surgical disease and therefore managed by surgeons alone, as the primary therapeutic option was surgical resection. However, it is now widely accepted that the optimal care for NSCLC requires a multidisciplinary care approach between surgeons, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists. Methods: Using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program, we identified 3266 patients over 66 years with Stage II, IIIA NSCLC who underwent resection between 1992 and 2002. We examined the trend of medical oncology referral, indentified the predictors associated with medical oncology referral and subsequent use of adjuvant chemotherapy. Results: From 1992 to 2002, 1562 patients (47.8%) with resected stage II, IIIA NSCLC were referred to the medical oncologists; there was a steady rising trend in the proportion of the patients referral to medical oncology over the ten year period. The medical oncology referral rate increased from 26.9% in 1992 to 60.5% in 2002 (P<0.001). This change has paralleled to a rising trend in use of adjuvant chemotherapy in same population during same period. Among those seen by oncologists, 518 (33.2%) of patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. Female, white race, younger age, advanced tumor stage, adenocarcinoma, later year of diagnosis and being married were strong predictors to be seen by a medical oncologist. Patients older than 70 years of age, African American race and living in certain SEER geographic region were less likely to be referred to medical oncologists. Patients who had a medical oncology consultation were more likely to receive adjuvant chemotherapy (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 5.14; 95% CI, 4.11 to 6.43). Conclusions: The medical oncology referral rate doubled during last decade. Access to medical oncology consultation is linked to the use of adjuvant chemotherapy in the patients with resected Stage II, IIIA NSCLC. The steady increase in referral to medical oncologists paralleled an increase in the use of adjuvant chemotherapy. This changing pattern of medical oncology referral may mirror the changing attitude and perception towards to the benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy in the community. No significant financial relationships to disclose.