Patient outcomes associated with cancer diagnosis through the emergency department: A systematic review

Many patients are initially diagnosed with a new suspected cancer through the emergency department (ED). The objective of this systematic review was to compare stage of cancer and survival of patients diagnosed with cancer through the ED to patients diagnosed elsewhere.

Electronic searches of Medline and EMBASE were conducted and reference lists were hand-searched. Studies comparing adult patients diagnosed with any type of cancer through the ED (ED diagnosis) to patients diagnosed elsewhere (non-ED diagnosis) were included. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts, assessed quality of the studies, and extracted data. The risk of bias of included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Data pertaining to patient outcomes were summarized and pooled using random-effects models and reported as risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), where applicable.

Fourteen studies were included. There was an increased risk of more advanced/later stage cancer (Stage III/IV or late-stage vs. earlier stage) among patients with an ED diagnosis of cancer compared to a non-ED diagnosis of cancer (RR 1.30, 95% CI 1.39-1.58). Survival was lower for patients with an ED diagnosis of cancer compared to those diagnosed elsewhere (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.49-0.75).

Patients with an ED diagnosis of cancer had more advanced/late stage of cancer at diagnosis and worse survival compared to patients diagnosed elsewhere. Future research examining patients diagnosed with cancer through the ED is required.