Volume-Based Care among Young Women Diagnosed with Uterine Cancer

Abstract

Purpose. To characterize volume-based care of uterine cancer among women aged ≤50 years. Methods. The Maryland Health Service Cost Review Commission database was accessed for uterine cancer surgical cases from 1994 to 2005. Cross-tabulations and logistic regression models were used to evaluate for significant associations among volume-based care and other variables comparing women ≤50 years with those aged >50 years. Results. Women ≤50 years comprised 13.6% of the cases. Women ≤50 years were less likely to be managed by high-volume surgeons (31.6% versus 35.1%, P = 0.02). For women ≤50 years, there was a trend toward management at low-volume hospitals (52.0% versus 54.0%, P = 0.22). No deaths were reported among the group of women ≤50 years treated by high-volume providers or at high-volume centers. Women ≤50 years managed by high-volume surgeons had longer length of stay (P < 0.001) and higher adjusted cost of hospital-related care (P < 0.00). Women ≤50 years managed at high-volume centers had higher adjusted cost of hospital-related care (P = 0.01). Conclusion. Primary surgical care of young women with uterine cancer is often performed by low-volume providers.