The beneficial effects of specialist thoracic surgery on the resection rate for non-small-cell lung cancer.
We aimed to evaluate the effect of the appointment of a dedicated specialist thoracic surgeon on surgical practice for lung cancer previously served by cardio-thoracic surgeons. Outcomes were compared for the 240 patients undergoing surgical resection for lung cancer in two distinct 3-year periods: Group A: 65 patients, 1994-1996 (pre-specialist); Group B: 175 patients, 1997-1999 (post-specialist). The changes implemented resulted in a significant increase in resection rate (from 12.2 to 23.4%, P < 0.001), operations in the elderly (over 75 years) and extended resections. There were no significant differences in stage distribution, in-hospital mortality or stage-specific survival after surgery. Lung cancer surgery provided by specialists within a multidisciplinary team resulted in increased surgical resection rates without compromising outcome. Our results strengthen the case for disease-specific specialists in the treatment of lung cancer.
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Glenfield Hospital, Groby Road, Leicester, LE3 9QP, UK.
Antonio E
AE
Martin-Ucar
David A
DA
Waller
Jane L
JL
Atkins
Daniel
D
Swinson
Ken J
KJ
O'Byrne
Mick D
MD
Peake
D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008511:Medicine; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011361:Professional Competence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013038:Specialization; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013903:Thoracic Surgery / Q000592:standards*; D016896:Treatment Outcome