Palliative radiation and fractionation in medicare patients with incurable non-small cell lung cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Palliative radiation therapy (RT) can improve quality of life but also incurs time and financial costs. The aim of this study was to evaluate factors associated with use and intensity of palliative RT for incurable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods and materials

This was a retrospective analysis of Medicare's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results data. We identified patients who were diagnosed with incurable (American Joint Committee on Cancer 6^th edition stage IIIB with malignant effusion or stage IV) NSCLC between 2004 and 2011. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with the receipt of palliative RT and the use of >10 fractions during the first course of radiation. Among patients who we

SUBMITTER: Lam MB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6128034 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul-Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature