Impact of time-to-treatment on survival for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer in The Netherlands-a nationwide observational cohort study.

Background: Varied outcomes on the relation between time-to-treatment and survival in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients are reported. We examined this relation in a large multicentric retrospective cohort study and identified factors associated with extended time-to-treatment. Methods: We included 9,536 patients with clinical stage I-II NSCLC, diagnosed and treated in 2014-2019, from the Netherlands Cancer Registry that includes nation-wide data. Time-to-treatment was defined as the number of days between first outpatient visit for suspected lung cancer and start of treatment. The effect of extended time-to-treatment beyond the first quartile and survival was studied with Cox proportional hazard regression. Analyses were stratified for stage and type of therapy. Time-to-treatment was adjusted for multiple covariates including performance status and socioeconomic status. Factors associated with treatment delay were identified by multilevel logistic regression. Results: Median time-to-treatment was 47 days [interquartile range (IQR): 34-65] for stage I and 46 days (IQR: 34-62) for stage II. The first quartile extended to 33 days for both stages. Risk of death increased significantly with extended time-to-treatment for surgical treatment of clinical stage II patients [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) >33 days: 1.36, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.09-1.70], but not in stage II patients treated with radiotherapy or in stage I patients. Causes of prolonged time-to-treatment were multifactorial including diagnostic tests, such as endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) or endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS). Conclusions: Clinical stage II patients benefit from fast initiation of surgical treatment. Surprisingly this appears to be accounted for by patients who are clinically stage II but pathologically stage I. Further study is needed on characterizing these patients and the significance of lymph node- or distant micrometastasis in guiding time-to-treatment and treatment strategy.

Barriers and Facilitators for Implementation of a Computerized Clinical Decision Support System in Lung Cancer Multidisciplinary Team Meetings-A Qualitative Assessment.

BACKGROUND: Oncological computerized clinical decision support systems (CCDSSs) to facilitate workflows of multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTMs) are currently being developed. To successfully implement these CCDSSs in MDTMs, this study aims to: (a) identify barriers and facilitators for implementation for the use case of lung cancer; and (b) provide actionable findings for an implementation strategy. METHODS: The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Science was used to create an interview protocol and to analyze the results. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among various health care professionals involved in MDTMs. The transcripts were analyzed using a thematic analysis following a deductive approach. RESULTS: Twenty-six professionals participated in the interviews. The main facilitators for implementation of the CCDSS were considered to be easy access to well-structured patient data, and the resulting reduction of MDTM preparation time and of duration of MDTMs. Main barriers for adoption were seen in incomplete or non-trustworthy output generated by the system and insufficient adaptability of the system to local and contextual needs. CONCLUSION: Using a CCDSS in lung cancer MDTMs was expected to increase efficiency of workflows. Successful implementation was seen as dependent on the reliability and adaptability of the CCDSS and involvement of key users in the implementation process.

The impact of respiratory gated positron emission tomography on clinical staging and management of patients with lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Respiratory motion artefacts during positron emission tomography (PET) deteriorate image quality, potentially introducing diagnostic uncertainties. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of optimal respiratory gating on clinical staging and management of patients with primary lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From our fast-track outpatient diagnostic program, 55 patients with primary lung cancer, who underwent whole body [(18)F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET, were included. Respiratory gating was performed on bed positions covering the thorax and abdomen. Independent reading was conducted by two nuclear medicine physicians. The observers scored the number and anatomical location of the lesions, lymph node basins and the presence of distant metastasis in non-gated and gated images. A tumor (T), lymph node (N), and metastasis (M) stage was assigned to each patient according to the 7th revision of the TNM classification. Staging accuracy was determined using histopathological data and follow-up CT imaging. In addition, a management plan was created for each patient based on non-gated and gated images by an experienced pulmonologist. RESULTS: For nuclear medicine physician 1 and 2, respiratory gating resulted in detection of more lesions in five and eight patients (9% and 15%) respectively. However, this did not result in any migration in T or M-stage. Migration in N-stage was observed in four and seven patients (7% and 13%) for nuclear medicine physician 1 and 2 respectively. Staging accuracy was slightly improved when respiratory gating was performed. Furthermore, there was substantial agreement in patient management between non-gated and gated images. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory gating improved staging accuracy, mainly in assessment of lymph node involvement. However, the effect on patient management was limited due to the presence of already advanced disease stage in many patients. These findings suggest that the expected impact of respiratory gating will be solely on management of patients with early disease.

Efficiency, efficacy, and safety of EZ-blocker compared with left-sided double-lumen tube for one-lung ventilation.

BACKGROUND: Double-lumen tubes (DLTs) or bronchial blockers are commonly used for one-lung ventilation. DLTs are sometimes difficult or even impossible to introduce, and the incidence of postoperative hoarseness and airway injuries is higher. Bronchial blockers are more difficult to position and need more frequent intraoperative repositioning. The design of a Y-shaped bronchial blocker, the EZ-Blocker (Teleflex Life Sciences Ltd., Athlone, Ireland) (EZB), combines some advantages of both techniques. The objective of this study was to assess whether EZB performs clinically better than left-sided DLTs (Broncho-cath; Mallinckrodt, Athlone, Ireland) without causing more injury. Primary outcome was the frequency of initial malpositions. METHODS: Eligible patients were adults scheduled for surgery requiring one-lung ventilation who met criteria for placement of both devices. In this parallel trial, 100 consecutive and blinded patients were assigned randomly using a computer-generated list to two groups. The incidence of malposition and ease and time of placement were recorded. Blinded assessors investigated quality of lung deflation, postoperative complaints, and damage to the airway. RESULTS: Placement of a DLT was unsuccessful twice. The incidence of initial malposition was high and comparable between EZBs (37 of 50) and DLTs (42 of 49) (P = 0.212). Placing single-lumen tubes and EZBs took more time but was rated easier. Quality of lung deflation was comparable. Fewer patients in the EZB group complained of sore throat at day 1. There was a higher incidence of tracheal hematoma and redness and bronchial hematoma in the DLT group. CONCLUSIONS: The EZB is an efficient and effective device for one-lung ventilation and causes less injury and sore throat than a DLT.