Predictors of chemoradiotherapy versus single modality therapy and overall survival among patients with unresectable, stage III non-small cell lung cancer

Health care system factors associated with receipt of treatment and treatment intent in stage III non-small cell lung cancer: A population-based study in Ontario

Purpose

Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a heterogeneous disease, with a spectrum of anatomic extent, health status, and treatment approaches. Receipt of treatment and its intent should be independent of health system factors where care quality is optimal. We investigated the degree that modifiable health system factors are associated with receipt of treatment and treatment intent in stage III NSCLC in a large, universal health system.

Methods

This was a population-based, retrospective cohort study with health administrative data from Ontario, Canada, 2010-2018 for those aged ≥ 20 years, with AJCC 7 or 8 stage III NSCLC. We explored health system factors associated with NSCLC treatment: region of residence, diagnostic interval, travel distance, advanced radiation (e.g. IMRT, VMAT) and systemic therapy treatment volumes, and year of treatment (treatment era). The relative risk (RR) of (1) any treatment versus no treatment, and (2) palliative versus non-palliative treatment was determined, using multivariable stepwise Poisson regression models. We adjusted for patient, disease, and treatment factors.

Results

We identified 7,093 people with stage III NSCLC between 2010 and 2018. There were no health system factors associated with receipt of treatment versus no treatment in adjusted analysis. The major health system factor associated with palliative intent was region of residence (RR: Region ranges from 0.88 to 1.67, p < 0.001). Stratifying by era (2010-2012 vs. 2013-2015 vs. 2016-2018), there was an increase in receipt of curative treatment and use of advanced radiotherapy techniques and immunotherapy over time, but regional variation of treatment intent was similar.

Conclusions

Region of residence emerged as the major health system factor associated with treatment intent for stage III NSCLC. This variation remained, even as advances in radiotherapy and systemic therapy were adopted. Our study suggests possible opportunities to improve care outcomes by addressing unexplained regional variation in care.

The Best Supportive Care in Stage III Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a major cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents most lung cancer cases, and approximately one-third of patients present with stage III disease at diagnosis. As multiple treatment plans can be adopted for these patients depending on tumor size and nodal staging, stage III NSCLC management is challenging. Over the past decades, multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) have been implemented in healthcare services to coordinate actions among the different health care professionals involved in cancer care. The aim of this review was to discuss real-world evidence of the impact of MDTs on stage III NSCLC management, survival, and quality of life. Here, we performed a literature review to investigate the role of nutrition and navigational nursing in NSCLC care and the influence of MDTs in the choice of treatment plans, including immunotherapy consolidation, and in the management of chemotherapy and radiotherapy-related adverse events. We also performed a mapping review to identify gaps in the implementation of cancer care MDTs in healthcare services around the world.

Chemoradiation treatment patterns among United States Veteran Health Administration patients with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States (US). Among VHA patients, the rate of use of concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) among those with unresectable, stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unknown. The objective was to report recent CCRT treatment patterns in VHA patients and identify characteristics associated with receipt of CCRT.

METHODS

Using Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Cancer Registry System data linked to VA electronic medical records, we determined rates of CCRT, sequential CRT (SCRT), radiation therapy (RT) only, chemotherapy (CT) only, and neither treatment.

RESULTS

Among 4054 VHA patients who met study criteria, CCRT rates slightly increased from 44 to 50% between 2013 and 2017. Factors associated with decreased odds of CCRT receipt compared to any other treatment included increasing age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] per 10 years = 0.67; 95% CI: 0.60-0.76) and Charlson-Deyo comorbidity score (aOR = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.91-0.97). White race was associated with increased odds of CCRT receipt (aOR = 1.24; 95% CI: 1.004-1.53). In a chart review sample of 200 patients, less than half (n = 85) had a documented reason for not receiving CCRT. Among these, 29% declined treatment, and 71% did not receive CCRT due to "not being a candidate" for reasons related to frailty or lung nodules being too far apart for radiation therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

CCRT rates among VHA patients with unresectable, stage III NSCLC slightly increased from 2013 to 2017; however in 2017, only half were receiving CCRT. Older patients and those with multiple comorbidities were less likely to receive CCRT and even when controlling for these factors, non-white patients were less likely to receive CCRT.

Factors influencing multi-disciplinary tumor board recommendations in stage III non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVES

Treatment patterns in patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) vary considerably between countries, for reasons that are not well understood. We studied factors influencing treatment decision-making at thoracic multidisciplinary tumor boards (MDT's) and outcome for patients treated between 2015-2017, at a regional network comprising 5 hospitals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Details of all patients, including comorbidities, with stage III NSCLC were collected in an ethics-approved database. Weekly MDT's were conducted. The preferred radical intent treatments (RIT) for suitable patients were assumed to be concurrent chemoradiotherapy and/or surgery and other therapies were non-radical intent treatments (n-RIT).

RESULTS

Of 197 patients identified, 95 % were discussed at an MDT. RIT were recommended in 61 % of patients, but only 48 % finally received RIT. The estimated median OS was significantly better for patients undergoing RIT (28.3 months, CI-95 % 17.3-39.3), versus those who did not (11.2 months, CI-95 % 8.0-14.3). Patient age ≥70 years and a WHO-PS ≥2 were the most important predictors of not recommending RIT. Deaths due to progressive lung cancer within 2 years were observed in 36, 26 and 29 % of patients who received RIT, sequential chemoradiotherapy or radical radiotherapy. Corresponding comorbidity related deaths within 2 years were 3, 12 and 38 %.

CONCLUSION

A large number of patients who underwent MDT review were considered too old or not fit for RIT. More effective and better tolerated systemic treatments are required for patients presenting with stage III NSCLC.