RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Symptom-to-treatment intervals in lung cancer
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP P2728
VO 44
IS Suppl 58
A1 Nidhal Belloumi
A1 Nozha Ben Salah
A1 Sonia Toujani
A1 Meriem Mjid
A1 Alaa Akad
A1 Chirine Moussa
A1 Abir Hedhli
A1 Yassine Ouahchi
A1 Bechir Louzir
A1 Jalloul Daghfous
A1 Nadia Mhiri
A1 Jouda Cherif
A1 Majed Beji
YR 2014
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P2728.abstract
AB Introduction : Lung cancer is a disease with poor outcome, frequently diagnosed in its advanced stages. Reducing the delay of management can be a promoting factor of the prognosis.Aims and objectives : The aim of the study is to evaluate the length of delays in diagnosis and initiation of treatment among patients with lung cancer.Methods : A retrospective study was undertaken from the records of all patients with histollogically proven lung cancer, between January 2011, and December 2012. A check list was worked out to facilitate gathering sociodemographic, clinical, paraclinical data.Results : 99 lung cancer patients were included. The mean age was 61 years. 70 patients had non small cells cancer, 13 patients(18.8%) were stage IIIb and 43(62.3%) were stage IV. 29 patients had small cells cancer and 26 among them(89.6%) were metastatic. Mean delay from symptom to the first consultation is 46 days. The first consultation in a pulmonology department took place after 60 days. Endoscopy was underwent in a delay of 64 days from the first symptom. CT scan was done in a delay of 67 days. Histological confirmation was obtained after 84 days from the first symptom. Treatment onset was 65 days after the first consultation in the department and 125 days after symptoms. Surgery was performed for 2 patients in a delay of 44 days from symptoms. Chemotherapy was performed for 42 patients in a 129 days delay. Radiotherapy was curative for 2 patients and palliative for 6 others, it's done in a delay of 77.8 days from onset of symptoms.Conclusions : This study shows long delays in the management of lung cancer. Mass sensibilisation, acknowledgment of general practitioners and enhancement of the resources within hospitals will help shortening them.