Journal
CLINICAL COLORECTAL CANCER
Volume 10, Issue 2, Pages 102-107Publisher
CIG MEDIA GROUP, LP
DOI: 10.1016/j.clcc.2011.03.005
Keywords
Chemotherapy utilization rate; Evidence-based indications; Rectal cancer
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Funding
- Cancer Institute New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Background: Published chemotherapy utilization rates for rectal cancer show considerable variation. Optimal chemotherapy utilization rates can serve as benchmarks to assess the quality of cancer care. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal proportion of patients with rectal cancer who should receive chemotherapy at least once. Materials and Methods: An optimal chemotherapy utilization tree was constructed using indications for chemotherapy identified from evidence-based treatment guidelines. Epidemiologic data were merged with treatment indications to calculate an optimal chemotherapy utilization rate; this rate was compared with reported actual rates of chemotherapy utilization. Results: Chemotherapy is indicated at least once in 64% of patients with rectal cancer. Although the actual (Australian and United States data) and optimal utilization rates are comparable for patients presenting in stages II or Ill rectal cancer, actual utilization rates are higher than the optimal for stage I and lower than optimal for patients presenting in stage IV rectal cancer. Conclusion: Chemotherapy may be under-utilized in the initial management of patients presenting with metastatic rectal cancer.
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