04.12.13
Lung cancer surgery boosts survival rates
Surgery is offering lung cancer patients a better chance of survival, the latest audit shows. The National Lung Cancer Audit 2012 found that the use of surgery as treatment for common lung cancers has increased by nearly 60% over the last five years, with the median average survival time up by 16% over that time.
The audit is managed by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) and the Royal College of Physicians, and was commissioned by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership as part of the National Clinical Audit and Patient Outcomes Programme.
When non-small cell lung cancer is caught early enough, surgery offers the best chance of a cure. Just over half of the 40,200 patients covered by the audit had this type, with 22% of those having surgery as part of their treatment. In 2008, the proportion was 14%.
Survival has increased from 2008 to 221 days in 2012, with 55% of patients surviving six months and 39% a year. While regional variation in treatment remains, differences are narrowing on some measures, the audit suggests.
Consultant in respiratory medicine Dr Mick Peake, audit clinical lead and clinical lead for the National Cancer Intelligence Network, said: “It is encouraging to see that hospital teams all over the country have responded to the findings and recommendations of previous National Lung Cancer Audits. The rise in the proportions of patients undergoing surgery means that lives are being saved and longer survival times are giving patients more precious time with family and friends.
“I’m pleased to say that extent to which care varies from region to region is reducing on some measures, however it is vital that all clinicians involved in lung cancer to look really carefully at what they are doing and learn best practice from others where they can.”
Dr Kevin Stewart, clinical director of the clinical effectiveness and evaluation unit (CEEU) at the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) said: Lung cancer remains a very serious condition and we welcome further improvements in care for patients, however we still have a way to go compared with Europe. The RCP believes audit can make a real difference in the care delivered to patients with lung cancer across the country.
“We’re pleased that the Improving Lung Cancer Outcomes Project (ILCOP), the quality improvement work linked to the audit, has been embraced by clinicians and contributed to the improvements that are detailed in the report. We look forward to continuing to work in this area, to refine and develop the approach. In particular, we are keen to make sure the outputs from the audit are readily available and accessible to patients with lung cancer and their relatives.”
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