Facility-level analysis of PET scanning for staging among US veterans with non-small cell lung cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

PET scanning has been shown in randomized trials to reduce the frequency of surgery without cure among patients with potentially resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We examined whether more frequent use of PET scanning at the facility level improves survival among patients with NSCLC in real-world practice.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study of 622 US veterans with newly diagnosed NSCLC, we compared groups defined by the frequency of PET scan use measured at the facility level and categorized as low (<25%), medium (25%-60%), or high (>60%).

Results

The median age of the sample was 69 years. Ninety-eight percent were men, 36% were Hispanic or nonwhite, and 54% had moderate or severe comorbidities. At low-, medium-, and high-use facilities, P

SUBMITTER: Gould MK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3971972 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature