The effect of health care expenditures on survival in locally advanced and metastatic Non Small Cell Lung Cancer

Context: The significant survival benefit of chemotherapy over best supportive care for locally advanced and metastatic NSCLC has been amply demonstrated in the literature. However, there is no clear evidence of the impact of the type of chemotherapy or of a superiority of combination chemotherapy over single-agent chemotherapy.Objective: The present study empirically examines, in real-life practise and using multiple proxies, the impact of health care expenditures on overall survival in locally advanced and metastatic NSCLC in order to guide medical decision-making.Methods: Disease characteristics, the resources used, the costs of treatment and survival data were retrospectively collected from the records of 175 patients treated between 2000 and 2004 at Léon Bérard Regional Cancer Center (Lyon, France). Survival data were modelled using multivariate Cox models and controlled for endogeneity with the instrumental variable method.Results: The median survival for the whole cohort was 289 days. The average total cost of treatment reached €35,160. Survival was significantly shorter for patients with stage IV disease, poor performance status, and past or concomitant cardiovascular disease and/or diabetes, for current smokers, and for patients with adenocarcinoma compared to large cell carcinoma. Survival duration was not significantly associated with the total cost of treatment per day of hospitalisation, the number of chemotherapy drugs administered, nor inpatient length of stay.Conclusion: Higher care expenditures do not appear to improve survival for patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC. Hence, maintaining patient quality of life and tailoring therapy to stage, histology and comorbidities appears to be the less bad choice.Cost; NSCLC; Oncology; Survival

The effect of health care expenditures on survival in locally advanced and metastatic Non Small Cell Lung Cancer

Working Paper GATE 2009-03Context: The significant survival benefit of chemotherapy over best supportive care for locally advanced and metastatic NSCLC has been amply demonstrated in the literature. However, there is no clear evidence of the impact of the type of chemotherapy or of a superiority of combination chemotherapy over single-agent chemotherapy.Objective: The present study empirically examines, in real-life practise and using multiple proxies, the impact of health care expenditures on overall survival in locally advanced and metastatic NSCLC in order to guide medical decision-making.Methods: Disease characteristics, the resources used, the costs of treatment and survival data were retrospectively collected from the records of 175 patients treated between 2000 and 2004 at Léon Bérard Regional Cancer Center (Lyon, France). Survival data were modelled using multivariate Cox models and controlled for endogeneity with the instrumental variable method.Results: The median survival for the whole cohort was 289 days. The average total cost of treatment reached €35,160. Survival was significantly shorter for patients with stage IV disease, poor performance status, and past or concomitant cardiovascular disease and/or diabetes, for current smokers, and for patients with adenocarcinoma compared to large cell carcinoma. Survival duration was not significantly associated with the total cost of treatment per day of hospitalisation, the number of chemotherapy drugs administered, nor inpatient length of stay.Conclusion: Higher care expenditures do not appear to improve survival for patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC. Hence, maintaining patient quality of life and tailoring therapy to stage, histology and comorbidities appears to be the less bad choice

Factors of interrupting chemotherapy in patients with Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Little is known about prognosis of metastatic patients after receiving a first-line treatment and failure. Our group already showed in pre-treated patients enrolled in phase I clinical trials that a performance status (PS) > 2 and an LDH > 600 UI/L were independent prognostic factors. In this prospective study, which included 45 patients, we identified clinical and biological variables as outcome predictors in metastatic Non-Small Cell lung cancer after first line chemotherapy were identified.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Forty-five patients that were previously treated for metastatic disease from 12/2000 to 11/2005 in the comprehensive cancer centre (Centre Léon Bérard). Clinical assessment and blood parameters were recorded and considered. Patient prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) with a 0.05-significance level in univariate analysis were entered in a multivariate Cox model for further analysis.</p> <p>Patients' median age was 58.5 years (range: 37 - 76). Sixty two percent of the patients were PS = 0 or 1. After inclusion, nine patients received second-line (22.5%), and two received third-line chemotherapy (5%). Univariate analysis showed that the factors associated with reduced OS were: PS > 2, weight loss >10%, more than one line of chemotherapy treatment and abnormal blood parameters (hemoglobin (Hb), platelet and neutrophils counts). Multiple regression analysis confirmed that PS > 2 and abnormal hemoglobin were independent predictors for low overall survival. According to the presence of none (33%), 1 (37%) and 2 (30%) prognostic factors, median OS were 12, 5 and 2 months respectively.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>From this prospective study, both PS and anemia were found as independent determinants of survival, we found that both PS and anemia were independent determinants of survival. The combination of poor PS and anemia is an effective strategy to predict survival in the case of patients with metastatic NSCLC receiving further treatment after the first line.</p

Impact of chemotherapy prescriptions and costs on survival in advanced or metastatic NSCLC: a single-institution study using an instrumental variables approach

Le bénéfice de survie d'une prescription de chimiothérapie comparée aux meilleurs soins de support dans le traitement des cancers avancés ou métastatiques du poumon a été amplement démontré dans la littérature. toutefois, l'impact du type de chimiothérapies prescrites et de leurs coûts sur la durée de survie reste controversé. La présente étude donne un éclairage sur ce questionnement dans la vraie vie, afin d'aider la prise de décision. matériel et méthodes : Les données ont été collectées rétrospectivement à partir des dossiers de 173 patients traités entre 2000 et 2004 au centre régional de lutte contre le cancer de Lyon, France. Les données de survie ont été modélisées en utilisant des modèles multivariés de cox. La question de l'endogénéité a été traitée dans le cadre d'une approche de type " variable instrumentale ". résultats : La médiane de survie pour la cohorte était de 285 jours. Le coût total moyen des médicaments de chimiothérapie atteint 5167 € (6675 € Sd). toutes autres choses égales par ailleurs, la durée de survie n'a pas été affectée par le coût des chimiothérapies administrées (p=0,35). toutefois, une prescription plus large de chimiothérapies augmentait la durée de survie (p=0,001). La survie était significativement plus courte pour les patients de stade iv comparativement à la phase iiiB et pour les patients présentant des co-morbidités cardiovasculaire et / ou diabétiques. conclusion : Prescrire des traitements cytotoxiques plus courts afin de maintenir autant que possible la qualité de vie et adapter les traitements notamment en fonction du stade et des comorbidités associées pourrait être une démarche à privilégier

Systematic Screening for Occupational Exposures in Lung Cancer Patients: A Prospective French Cohort

Occupational lung cancers are under-reported and under-compensated worldwide. We assessed systematic screening for occupational exposure to carcinogens combining a self-administered questionnaire and an occupational consultation to improve the detection of occupational lung cancers and their compensation. Social deprivation and the costs of this investigation were estimated. Patients with lung cancer received a self-administered questionnaire to collect their job history, potential exposure to carcinogens and deprivation. A physician assessed the questionnaire and recommended an occupational consultation if necessary. During the consultation, a physician assessed if the lung cancer was work-related and, if it was, delivered a medical certificate to claim for compensation. Over 18 months, 440 patients received the self-administered questionnaire: 234 returned a completed questionnaire and a consultation was required for 120 patients. Compensation was judged possible for 41 patients. Among the 35 medical certificates delivered, 19 patients received compensation. Nearly half the patients (46%) were assessed as socially deprived and these patients took significantly longer to return the questionnaire compared with those who were not deprived. The mean cost of the process was €62.65 per patient. Our results showed a systematic self-administered questionnaire can be used to identify patients potentially exposed to carcinogens and to improve compensation

Évaluation d’un auto-questionnaire de repérage des expositions professionnelles chez les patients atteints de cancer bronchopulmonaire

International audienceTen to 29% of lung cancers might be linked to occupational factors but 60% of them are not compensated. The PROPOUMON project aimed to improve the identification, recognition and compensation of occupational lung cancer as occupational disease using a self-administered questionnaire (AQREP). One objective was to assess the AQREP, comparing it with the questionnaire drawn up by the French Language Pneumology Society (Q-SPLF). From March 2014 to September 2015, 90 lung cancer patients treated at the Centre Léon-Bérard responded to the AQREP and Q-SPLF. The two physicians in charge of the consultation assessed independently whether or not a consultation was indicated. A certificate for the compensation process was proposed when a suspicion of high or average imputability was identified. Analysis of the questionnaires was concordant for 73% of the patients. The AQREP has a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 73%. Its positive and negative predictive values were 62 and 82%. The information provided by 24 patients were discordant between questionnaires. In two patients with discordant evaluation (AQREP+/Q-SPLF-; AQREP-/Q-SPLF+), one Initial Medical Certificate (IMC) was written. This study made it possible to conclude that AQREP is relevant for the identification of potentially occupational lung cancers. Collegial discussion of complex cases might be considered. The project is currently been extended to other centers and to lymphoma.Dix à 29 % des cancers bronchopulmonaires seraient d’origine professionnelle dont 60 % ne seraient pas indemnisés. Le projet Propoumon vise à améliorer le repérage, la reconnaissance et l’indemnisation des cancers bronchopulmonaires d’origine professionnelle en maladie professionnelle à partir d’un auto-questionnaire (AQREP). Un des objectifs était d’évaluer sa capacité à détecter les patients pouvant bénéficier d’une consultation « cancers professionnels », en le comparant avec le questionnaire de la Société de pneumologie de langue française (Q-SPLF). De mars 2014 à septembre 2015, 90 patients suivis au centre Léon-Bérard pour un cancer bronchopulmonaire ont répondu aux deux questionnaires. Les deux médecins responsables de la consultation évaluaient de façon indépendante, sur la base de l’AQREP ou du Q-SPLF, l’indication d’une consultation. Si à l’issue de la consultation des arguments en faveur d’une origine professionnelle étaient réunis, une démarche de déclaration était proposée. L’analyse des questionnaires par les médecins était concordante à 73 %. L’AQREP a une sensibilité de 72 % et une spécificité de 73 %. Ses valeurs prédictives positive et négative sont de 62 et 82 %. Les informations renseignées par 24 patients étaient discordantes entre les questionnaires. Pour deux patients ayant une évaluation discordante (AQREP+/Q-SPLF- ; AQREP-/Q-SPLF+), un « Certificat médical initial » a été rédigé. Le premier a été refusé par l’Assurance maladie, le second est en cours d’instruction. Cette étude a permis de conclure en la capacité de l’AQREP à repérer les cancers bronchopulmonaires potentiellement d’origine professionnelle. Une réunion de concertation pour discuter des cas complexes pourrait être envisagée. Le projet s’élargit actuellement à d’autres centres et aux lymphomes

Évaluation d’un auto-questionnaire de repérage des expositions professionnelles chez les patients atteints de cancer bronchopulmonaire

International audienceTen to 29% of lung cancers might be linked to occupational factors but 60% of them are not compensated. The PROPOUMON project aimed to improve the identification, recognition and compensation of occupational lung cancer as occupational disease using a self-administered questionnaire (AQREP). One objective was to assess the AQREP, comparing it with the questionnaire drawn up by the French Language Pneumology Society (Q-SPLF). From March 2014 to September 2015, 90 lung cancer patients treated at the Centre Léon-Bérard responded to the AQREP and Q-SPLF. The two physicians in charge of the consultation assessed independently whether or not a consultation was indicated. A certificate for the compensation process was proposed when a suspicion of high or average imputability was identified. Analysis of the questionnaires was concordant for 73% of the patients. The AQREP has a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 73%. Its positive and negative predictive values were 62 and 82%. The information provided by 24 patients were discordant between questionnaires. In two patients with discordant evaluation (AQREP+/Q-SPLF-; AQREP-/Q-SPLF+), one Initial Medical Certificate (IMC) was written. This study made it possible to conclude that AQREP is relevant for the identification of potentially occupational lung cancers. Collegial discussion of complex cases might be considered. The project is currently been extended to other centers and to lymphoma.Dix à 29 % des cancers bronchopulmonaires seraient d’origine professionnelle dont 60 % ne seraient pas indemnisés. Le projet Propoumon vise à améliorer le repérage, la reconnaissance et l’indemnisation des cancers bronchopulmonaires d’origine professionnelle en maladie professionnelle à partir d’un auto-questionnaire (AQREP). Un des objectifs était d’évaluer sa capacité à détecter les patients pouvant bénéficier d’une consultation « cancers professionnels », en le comparant avec le questionnaire de la Société de pneumologie de langue française (Q-SPLF). De mars 2014 à septembre 2015, 90 patients suivis au centre Léon-Bérard pour un cancer bronchopulmonaire ont répondu aux deux questionnaires. Les deux médecins responsables de la consultation évaluaient de façon indépendante, sur la base de l’AQREP ou du Q-SPLF, l’indication d’une consultation. Si à l’issue de la consultation des arguments en faveur d’une origine professionnelle étaient réunis, une démarche de déclaration était proposée. L’analyse des questionnaires par les médecins était concordante à 73 %. L’AQREP a une sensibilité de 72 % et une spécificité de 73 %. Ses valeurs prédictives positive et négative sont de 62 et 82 %. Les informations renseignées par 24 patients étaient discordantes entre les questionnaires. Pour deux patients ayant une évaluation discordante (AQREP+/Q-SPLF- ; AQREP-/Q-SPLF+), un « Certificat médical initial » a été rédigé. Le premier a été refusé par l’Assurance maladie, le second est en cours d’instruction. Cette étude a permis de conclure en la capacité de l’AQREP à repérer les cancers bronchopulmonaires potentiellement d’origine professionnelle. Une réunion de concertation pour discuter des cas complexes pourrait être envisagée. Le projet s’élargit actuellement à d’autres centres et aux lymphomes

Validation of prognostic scores for survival in cancer patients beyond first-line therapy

Abstract Background We aimed to validate prognostic scores for survival in patients undergoing chemotherapy for advanced or metastatic cancer after first-line treatment. Methods We previously described two models with good prognostic value based on a combination of Performance Status (PS) and either lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level or lymphocyte count. These factors were evaluated for their ability to predict overall survival (OS) in a prospective cohort of 299 patients. Clinical and blood parameters were prospectively recorded. Candidate prognostic factors for OS with 0.05 significance level in univariate analysis were included in a multivariate Cox model. Results Median age was 59 years (range: 26-85). Primary tumor sites were breast (45%), lung (15%), ovaries (11%) and others (29%). The number of metastatic sites was 1 (29%), 2 (48%), >2 (23%). Median follow-up and median OS were 12 and 6 months, respectively. Multiple regression analysis confirmed that PS >1, lymphocyte count ≤700/μL and LDH >600 UI/L were independent predictors of short OS, as well as interleukin 6 (IL-6) level, serum albumin concentration and platelet count. Conclusions Prognostic scores using PS plus LDH level or PS plus lymphocyte count were validated for predicting survival in metastatic cancer patients in relapse beyond first-line treatment. A score combining PS, LDH, lymphocyte and platelet count, serum albumin and IL-6 level was superior in determining patients' prognosis.</p