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Published on: October 6, 2023
Patterns of care in palliative radiotherapy: a population-based study
James D Murphy1, Lorene M Nelson, Daniel T Chang
1Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford; and University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA.
Journal of Oncology Practice
|August 15, 2013
Summary
Palliative radiotherapy (RT) is underutilized in elderly patients and those with comorbidities, with racial disparities observed. Further research is needed to improve access and quality of care for these cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Palliative Care
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Palliative radiotherapy (RT) is a crucial component of cancer care, aiming to improve quality of life.
- Approximately 50% of prescribed RT in the US is for palliative purposes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the delivery patterns of palliative RT across the United States.
- To identify disparities in palliative RT receipt based on patient demographics and clinical factors.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare linked database.
- Analyzed data from 51,610 patients with stage IV breast, prostate, lung, or colorectal cancer diagnosed between 2000-2007.
- Employed multivariate logistic regression to determine predictors of palliative RT.
Main Results:
- 41% of patients received palliative RT; lung cancer patients had the highest receipt rate (53%).
- Older patients, those with higher comorbidity scores, and Black patients (prostate and colorectal cancer) were less likely to receive palliative RT.
- A significant percentage of patients, particularly lung cancer patients (23%), died within two weeks of RT completion.
Conclusions:
- Inequalities in palliative RT access exist for elderly, comorbid, and minority patients.
- Understanding care patterns and causes of death post-RT is essential for improving palliative care.
- Further research is needed to address disparities and optimize palliative RT delivery.
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