Time to treatment of prostate cancer through the Calgary Prostate Institute rapid access clinic.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the wait time between initial referral, biopsy, diagnosis and individual treatment modalities of prostate cancer treatment through the Calgary Prostate Institute rapid access clinic (RAC) and compare to historical data estimates in Alberta and to suggested standards. Biopsy rate, rate of confirmed prostate cancer and the distribution of treatment modality for patients seen through the RAC is included.


METHODS
A non-consented, retrospective chart review of 1103 patients from the Calgary Health Region referred to the RAC between September 2005 and August 2006 was completed.


RESULTS
Patients experienced a median wait time of 21 days between referral from their family doctor and prostate biopsy. A total of 31.4% of patients referred to the clinic were requested to have a prostate biopsy performed and 50.8% of biopsies resulted in confirmed prostate cancer requiring treatment. Median wait time between diagnosis and treatment for all treatment types was 52.0 days with a 90th percentile of 146.2 days. Median wait time between referral and treatment for all treatment modalities was 101 days with a 90th percentile of 187.2 days.


CONCLUSIONS
Calgary rapid access clinic reduces wait time between referral and biopsy by 78%. Stratifying across treatment type indicates that watchful waiting is the shortest time duration and radiation with hormone therapy is the longest.
Kavanagh
Alex G
AG
Division of Urology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Lee
Jay C
JC
Donnelly
Bryan
B
D000416:Alberta; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013995:Time; D014850:Waiting Lists
D000726:Androgen Antagonists