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Kearney L, Nguyen T, Steiling K. Disparities across the continuum of lung cancer care: a review of recent literature. Curr Opin Pulm Med 2024; 30:359-367. [PMID: 38411202 DOI: 10.1097/mcp.0000000000001064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Health disparities have long been noted in lung cancer incidence and survival and persist across the continuum of care. Understanding the gaps in care that arise from disparities in lung cancer risk, screening, treatment, and survivorship are essential to guiding efforts to achieve equitable care. RECENT FINDINGS Recent literature continues to show that Black people, women, and people who experience socioeconomic disadvantage or live in rural areas experience disparities throughout the spectrum of lung cancer care. Contributing factors include structural racism, lower education level and health literacy, insurance type, healthcare facility accessibility, inhaled carcinogen exposure, and unmet social needs. Promising strategies to improve lung cancer care equity include policy to reduce exposure to tobacco smoke and harmful pollutants, more inclusive lung cancer screening eligibility criteria, improved access and patient navigation in lung cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment, more deliberate offering of appropriate surgical and medical treatments, and improved availability of survivorship and palliative care. SUMMARY Given ongoing disparities in lung cancer care, research to determine best practices for narrowing these gaps and to guide policy change are an essential focus of future lung cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Kearney
- Section of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine. Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine
- Center for Healthcare Organization & Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System
| | - Tatyana Nguyen
- Department of Medicine. Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Katrina Steiling
- Section of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine. Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine
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Banks KC, Wei J, Morales LM, Islas ZA, Alcasid NJ, Susai CJ, Sun A, Burapachaisri K, Patel AR, Ashiku SK, Velotta JB. Differences in outcomes by race/ethnicity after thoracic surgery in a large integrated health system. Surg Open Sci 2024; 19:118-124. [PMID: 38655068 PMCID: PMC11035076 DOI: 10.1016/j.sopen.2024.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Disparities exist throughout surgery. We aimed to assess for racial/ethnic disparities among outcomes in a large thoracic surgery patient population. Methods We reviewed all thoracic surgery patients treated at our integrated health system from January 1, 2016-December 31, 2020. Post-operative outcomes including length of stay (LOS), 30-day return to the emergency department (30d-ED), 30-day readmission, 30- and 90-day outpatient appointments, and 30- and 90-day mortality were compared by race/ethnicity. Bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression were performed. Our multivariable models adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, Charlson Comorbidity Index, surgery type, neighborhood deprivation index, insurance, and home region. Results Of 2730 included patients, 59.4 % were non-Hispanic White, 15.0 % were Asian, 11.9 % were Hispanic, 9.6 % were Black, and 4.1 % were Other. Median (Q1-Q3) LOS (in hours) was shortest among non-Hispanic White (37.3 (29.2-76.1)) and Other (36.5 (29.3-75.4)) patients followed by Hispanic (46.8 (29.9-78.1)) patients with Asian (51.3 (30.7-81.9)) and Black (53.7 (30.6-101.6)) patients experiencing the longest LOS (p < 0.01). 30d-ED rates were highest among Hispanic patients (21.3 %), followed by Black (19.2 %), non-Hispanic White (18.1 %), Asian (13.4 %), and Other (8.0 %) patients (p < 0.01). On multivariable analysis, Hispanic ethnicity (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.43 (95 % CI 1.03-1.97)) and Medicaid insurance (OR 2.37 (95 % CI 1.48-3.81)) were associated with higher 30d-ED rates. No racial/ethnic disparities were found among other outcomes. Conclusions Despite parity across multiple surgical outcomes, disparities remain related to patient encounters within our system. Health systems must track such disparities in addition to standard clinical outcomes. Key message While our large integrated health system has been able to demonstrate parity across many major surgical outcomes among our thoracic surgery patients, race/ethnicity disparities persist including in the number of post-operative return trips to the emergency department. Tracking outcome disparities to a granular level such as return visits to the emergency department and number of follow up appointments is critical as health systems strive to achieve equitable care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kian C. Banks
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center, 3600 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco- East Bay, 1411 E 31st St, Oakland, CA 94602, USA
| | - Julia Wei
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612, USA
| | - Leyda Marrero Morales
- University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, 533 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Zeuz A. Islas
- Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, 98 S Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA
| | - Nathan J. Alcasid
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center, 3600 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco- East Bay, 1411 E 31st St, Oakland, CA 94602, USA
| | - Cynthia J. Susai
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center, 3600 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco- East Bay, 1411 E 31st St, Oakland, CA 94602, USA
| | - Angela Sun
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612, USA
| | - Katemanee Burapachaisri
- University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, 533 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Ashish R. Patel
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center, 3600 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco- East Bay, 1411 E 31st St, Oakland, CA 94602, USA
| | - Simon K. Ashiku
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center, 3600 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco- East Bay, 1411 E 31st St, Oakland, CA 94602, USA
| | - Jeffrey B. Velotta
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center, 3600 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco- East Bay, 1411 E 31st St, Oakland, CA 94602, USA
- University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, 533 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, 98 S Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA
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Coaston TN, Sakowitz S, Chervu NL, Branche C, Shuch BM, Benharash P, Revels S. Persistent racial disparities in refusal of resection in non-small cell lung cancer patients at high-volume and Black-serving institutions. Surgery 2023; 174:1428-1435. [PMID: 37821266 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2023.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Surgical resection is the standard of care for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. Black patients have higher surgical refusal rates than White patients. We evaluated factors associated with the refusal of resection and subsequent non-small cell lung cancer outcomes. METHODS We identified patients with non-small cell lung cancer stages IA to IIIA eligible for surgical resection (lobectomy or pneumonectomy) listed between 2004 and 2017 in the National Cancer Database. We stratified hospitals by the proportion of Black patients served and lung cancer resection volume. We used multivariable regression models to identify factors associated with refusal of resection and assessed 5-year mortality using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard modeling. RESULTS Of 221,396 patients identified, 7,753 (3.5%) refused surgery. Black race was associated with increased refusal (adjusted odds ratio 2.06, 95% confidence interval 1.90-2.22). Compared to White race, Black race was associated with increased refusal across the highest (adjusted odds ratio 2.29, 95% confidence interval 1.94-2.54), intermediate (adjusted odds ratio 2.05, 95% confidence interval 1.78-2.37), and lowest (adjusted odds ratio 1.77, 95% confidence interval 1.58-1.99) volume tertiles. Similarly, Black race was associated with increased refusal across the highest (adjusted odds ratio 1.97, 95% confidence interval 1.78-2.17), intermediate (adjusted odds ratio 2.08, 95% confidence interval 1.80-2.40), and lowest (adjusted odds ratio 1.53, 95% confidence interval 1.13-2.06) Black-serving tertiles. However, surgical resection yielded similar 5-year survival for Black and White patients. CONCLUSION Racial disparities in non-small cell lung cancer surgery refusal persist regardless of hospital volume or proportion of Black patients served. These findings suggest that a better understanding of patient and patient-provider level interventions could facilitate a better understanding of treatment decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Troy N Coaston
- Cardiovascular Outcomes Research Laboratories, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Sara Sakowitz
- Cardiovascular Outcomes Research Laboratories, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA. https://twitter.com/sarasakowitz
| | - Nikhil L Chervu
- Cardiovascular Outcomes Research Laboratories, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Corynn Branche
- Cardiovascular Outcomes Research Laboratories, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Brian M Shuch
- Institute of Urologic Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Peyman Benharash
- Cardiovascular Outcomes Research Laboratories, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Sha'Shonda Revels
- Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA.
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Roat-Shumway S, Tonelli CM, Baker MS, Abdelsattar ZM. Prognosis of Unresected vs Resected Small Pulmonary Carcinoid Tumors. Ann Thorac Surg 2023; 116:553-561. [PMID: 37054928 DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2023.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that overall survival after lung resection for pulmonary carcinoid tumors is favorable. It is unclear what the prognosis is for observation rather than resection for small carcinoid tumors. METHODS We queried the National Cancer Database to identify patients presenting with primary pulmonary carcinoid tumors between 2004 and 2017. We included patients with small (<3 cm) primary pulmonary carcinoids, who were observed or underwent a lung resection. To minimize confounding by indication, we used propensity score matching, while accounting for age, sex, race, insurance type, Charlson-Deyo comorbidity score, typical and atypical histology, tumor size, and year of diagnosis. We used Kaplan-Meier survival analyses to compare 5-year overall survival in the matched cohorts. RESULTS Of 8435 patients with small pulmonary carcinoids, 783 (9.3%) underwent observation and 7652 (91%) underwent surgical resection. After propensity score matching, surgical resection was associated with improved 5-year overall survival (66% vs 81%, P < .001). No significant difference in overall survival was found between wedge and anatomic resection (88% vs 88%, P = .83). In patients undergoing resection, lymph node sampling at the time of wedge and anatomic resection increased 5-year overall survival (90% vs 86%, P = .0042; 88% vs 82%, P = .04, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Surgical resection of small pulmonary carcinoids is associated with improved survival compared with observation. When surgical resection is performed, wedge and anatomic resection result in similar survival, and lymph node sampling improves survival.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Celsa M Tonelli
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood Illinois; Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois
| | - Marshall S Baker
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood Illinois; Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois
| | - Zaid M Abdelsattar
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood Illinois; Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois.
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Williams BM, McAllister M, Erkmen C, Mody GN. Disparities in thoracic surgical oncology. J Surg Oncol 2023; 127:329-335. [PMID: 36630104 DOI: 10.1002/jso.27180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Disparities in access and outcomes of thoracic surgical oncology are long standing. This article examines the patient, population, and systems-level factors that contribute to these disparities and inequities. The need for research and policy to identify and solve these problems is apparent. As leaders in the field of thoracic oncology, surgeons will be instrumental in narrowing these gaps and moving the discipline forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittney M Williams
- Department of Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Miles McAllister
- Department of Surgery, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Cherie Erkmen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Gita N Mody
- Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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