Clinical assessment of recurrent cancer: a Danish cohort study in general practice
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.General practitioners (GPs) suspected cancer in 48% of patients with recurrence. Earlier suspicion by GPs shortened the diagnostic interval, highlighting the need for informed decision-making in primary care for cancer recurrence.
Area Of Science
- Oncology
- General Practice
- Diagnostic Medicine
Background
- General practitioners (GPs) play a crucial role in detecting cancer recurrence between specialist follow-ups.
- Understanding GP decision-making processes for suspected cancer recurrence is vital for timely diagnosis.
Purpose Of The Study
- To investigate the frequency of cancer suspicion by GPs in patients presenting with recurrence.
- To analyze diagnostic actions taken by GPs and their association with time to recurrence diagnosis.
Main Methods
- Retrospective cohort study utilizing linked national register and GP survey data.
- Inclusion of patients diagnosed with recurrence of seven cancer types between January 2022 and May 2024.
- GP-reported details on the diagnostic process for suspected recurrence.
Main Results
- GPs suspected cancer in 48% of 469 patients presenting with recurrence signs/symptoms.
- Referral for diagnostic evaluation occurred in 60% of patients, with fast-track pathways being most common.
- Median diagnostic interval was 60 days shorter when GPs suspected cancer; significant variation observed across cancer types (e.g., melanoma vs. colorectal).
Conclusions
- GPs suspected cancer in approximately half of patients with recurrence symptoms, referring two-thirds for further evaluation.
- A notable proportion (one-third) of GPs did not suspect cancer initially.
- Significant differences in diagnostic interval lengths were found among the seven investigated cancer types.
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