Highlights
- •We studied stage I and II breast cancer patients with breast conserving treatment.
- •We examined disparities in quality of radiation therapy duration.
- •There were no differences in average days of treatment across races.
- •Disparities do exist in frequency of failure to complete radiation in quality time.
- •Race, age, and insurance impact quality of completion of radiation therapy.
Abstract
Background
Radiotherapy completion (RTC) is critical to successful breast conserving treatment.
Our aim was to identify patient groups at greatest risk of not achieving timely radiotherapy
completion (TRTC) in an urban setting.
Methods
This observational cohort study used hospital registry data from 2004 to 2010 for
female stage I and II breast conserving treatment patients to assess predictors of
RTC and TRTC, defined as RTC of 35 to 49 days.
Results
Two hundred sixty-one patients were analyzed. There was no difference in mean days
to RTC by ethnicity (black 46.8, white 46.4, Hispanic 48.1 days, P = .75) or total RTC (black 88.2%, white 97.9%, Hispanic 93.3%, P = .09). However, a substantial difference was seen in TRTC by ethnicity (black 51.8%,
white 79.2%, Hispanic 57.8%, P = .03). Multivariate logistic regression analysis of failure to achieve TRTC found
associations with black race (odds ratio [OR] 2.67), Medicare (OR 3.46), Medicaid
(OR 2.19), and age less than 50 years (OR 4.13).
Conclusions
This study demonstrates high overall percentage RTC but demonstrates disparities in
TRTC. Those at greatest risk of unsuccessful TRTC were younger, Medicare or Medicaid
insured, and black race.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 30, 2015
Received in revised form:
April 1,
2015
Received:
September 26,
2014
Footnotes
There were no relevant financial relationships or any sources of support in the form of grants, equipment, or drugs.
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Identification
Copyright
© 2015 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
