Improving outcomes in urological cancers: the impact of "multidisciplinary team meetings".
(2007)
Journal - International journal of surgery (London, England) (England )
Abstract :
INTRODUCTION: In order to improve the outcomes of urological cancers, guidelines published by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence encourage the management of cancer patients by specific Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDTs) with discussion of cancer patients at MDT Meetings. The aim of this prospective study was to examine the changes in management resulting from review at MDT Meetings in our unit. METHODS: Over a six month period 124 cancer cases were discussed at 10 meetings. Prior to the meetings consultants completed a form stating their proposed management and whether they thought this would be changed after discussion. At the meeting histological, radiological and clinical data were reviewed and a collective decision about the optimal treatment was made. Any changes were recorded. RESULTS: Two of 124 cases had their clinical management changed as a result of the meeting. These were identified (amongst 10 others) as potential 'change cases' prior to the meeting. Four changes were made to histological reports and 1 to radiology; none of these affected clinical management. CONCLUSION: Discussion of cancer cases at MDMs made no difference to the clinical management in over 98% of cases. Consultants correctly identified cases requiring discussion, indicating that a selective rather than blanket approach would be appropriate. This has the potential to reduce the considerable costs involved without affecting patient care.
Iron-deficiency anaemia and delay in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer.
(2003)
Journal - Colorectal disease : the official journal of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland (England )
Abstract :
AIMS: Iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA) is a recognized complication of colorectal cancer (CRC) especially with right-sided tumours, and failure to investigate the anaemia in older patients may lead to a delay in diagnosis. The aims of this study were to establish the proportion of patients with CRC shown to have an IDA for more than six months before diagnosis and to establish the proportion of patients with IDA who subsequently prove to have CRC. METHODS: All patients presenting with confirmed CRC in a health district (catchment population 280000) in the 4 years 1996-9 were identified from the pathology database after ethical approval. The criteria for IDA were haemoglobin (Hb) < 10.1 g/dl plus mean corpuscular volume < 78 fl and/or mean corpuscular Hb concentration < 32 g/dl. The haematology data-base serving the same population was searched for evidence of: 1. IDA at diagnosis of CRC; 2. IDA more than 6 months and more than one year before the diagnosis of CRC; 3. The number of haematology referrals per annum in women over 55 and men over 50 years of age meeting the criteria for IDA. RESULTS: Of 440 patients with colorectal cancer, 166 (38%) had IDA at diagnosis and of the latter 54 (12%) were known to have IDA for more than six months before diagnosis and 26 (6%) had IDA more than one year before diagnosis. IDA was more common in right sided tumours (65%) than in those arising in the left side of the colon and rectum (26%). The annual incidence of IDA in the sampled population was 1366 in the stated age group. CONCLUSION: The investigation of iron-deficiency anaemia in older patients is important but in order to detect 26 patients with colorectal cancer a year earlier, the investigation of approximately 5000 patients would be required--a detection rate of less than 1%.
| ISSN : | 1462-8910 |
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| Mesh Heading : | Anemia, Iron-Deficiency Colon Colonoscopy Colorectal Neoplasms Female Humans Male Mass Screening Middle Aged Retrospective Studies etiology complications methods |
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| Mesh Heading Relevant : | diagnosis pathology diagnosis |
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