Background

We analysed the predictors of one-year survival for public patients, who reside in the Central and Southern areas of Queensland (Qld), diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) comparing those who were reviewed by a lung cancer multidisciplinary team meeting (MDT), with those that did not receive MDT review.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in 2011 were divided into public and non-public groups based on the hospital type of the admission closest to the date of cancer diagnosis. The public group was then divided into a MDT group and no MDT group. One-year survival rates for the public group were modelled using multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression controlling for MDT, surgery, age, gender, indigenous status, socioeconomic status and remoteness of residence.

Results

There were 700 (81%) public patients diagnosed with NSCLC in 2011 who received MDT review compared with 159 (19%) who did not. Overall crude one-year survival was 49.9%.  In multivariate modelling, independent predictors of death included MDT review (HR 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.4-0.6, p<0.001) and surgery (HR 0.10, CI 0.06-0.17, p<0.001). Age, remoteness of residence and socioeconomic status were not significant predictors.

Conclusion

Differences in survival exist between Qld NSCLC patients who receive MDT review and those who do not, even after adjusting for whether patients’ cancers were operable or not. More needs to be done to ensure every patient with NSCLC receives gold standard MDT.