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A Multidisciplinary Lung Cancer Program: Does It Reduce Delay Between Diagnosis and Treatment?

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Abstract

Introduction

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the USA, claiming more than 140,000 deaths annually. Delays in diagnosis and treatment can lead to missed opportunities for both curative and life prolonging therapies. This study aimed to evaluate duration of time to diagnosis and first treatment, as well as investigate reasons for delays in care.

Methods

This retrospective study included all lung cancer cases diagnosed by Stony Brook’s Lung Cancer Evaluation Center (LCEC) between 2013 and 2019. Demographic, radiologic, pathologic and clinical variables were investigated, including cancer staging, histology, and medical and family histories. Evaluations included the determination of median time from initial encounter to diagnosis, median time from diagnosis to start of treatment and an exploration of the factors that influence possible causes for delays in care.

Results

The LCEC’s comprehensive multidisciplinary lung nodule program yielded a median length of time from CT to PET of 11 days, PET to procedure of 13 days, procedure to treatment consult of 9 days, and from consult to treatment of 9 days. LCEC patients experienced an overall median of 44 days from initial presentation to first treatment compared to the national ideal of 62 days, thereby representing a 29% reduction in time from first CT to onset of treatment.

Conclusion

Delays in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment can negatively impact patient morbidity and mortality. This study suggests that a coordinated multidisciplinary lung cancer program may reduce delays in care, thereby improving patient outcomes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA

    Denise Albano & Thomas Bilfinger

  2. Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA

    Melissa Feraca & Stephen Kuperberg

  3. Department of Family, Population and Preventive Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA

    Barbara Nemesure

Authors
  1. Denise Albano
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  2. Thomas Bilfinger
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  3. Melissa Feraca
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  4. Stephen Kuperberg
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  5. Barbara Nemesure
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Correspondence to Barbara Nemesure.

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Albano, D., Bilfinger, T., Feraca, M. et al. A Multidisciplinary Lung Cancer Program: Does It Reduce Delay Between Diagnosis and Treatment?. Lung 198, 967–972 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-020-00404-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-020-00404-8

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