Small cell lung cancer in the National Lung Cancer Audit

Abstract

28 Small cell lung cancer in the National Lung Cancer Audit P. Beckett1, R.A. Stanley2, I. Woolhouse1, A. Yelland2, M.D. Peake1. 1Royal College of Physicians, London, United Kingdom, 2Information Centre for Health and Social Care, United Kingdom Introduction: The National Lung Cancer Audit is an audit of lung cancer and mesothelioma in the UK, which aims to record information about process and outcomes in lung cancer and through casemix adjustment start to explain the wide variations in outcome seen across the UK and between the UK and other Westernised countries. Methods: We have analysed all patients submitted to the Audit from English trusts with date first seen in 2008. Of 25,682 patients, 2,642 (10.3%) were confirmed to have SCLC. Results: The majority of these patients (69%) were between ages 60 79. 23% were recorded to have limited disease, 53% had extensive disease and stage data was not available in 24%. Performance status was recorded as PS 0 in 13%, PS 1 in 28%, PS 2 in 19%, PS 3 in 13% and PS 4 in 3%. Overall 63.4% were recorded to have received chemotherapy, with the proportion decreasing with increasing age and worsening PS (further details will be given in the poster). The proportion of patients having chemotherapy was 62% in extensive disease and 75% in limited disease. Comparison of the use of chemotherapy in the 30 cancer networks revealed a variation from 39% to 84% (further details to be included in poster). Conclusions: Overall, only two thirds of patients with SCLC receive chemotherapy and as expected the use of chemotherapy is related to age, PS and stage. There is a wide variation in chemotherapy use and networks with low rates of chemotherapy usage need to review their data and consider whether local guidelines and local processes need modification.