Hungarian Brain Research Program((2017-1.2.1-NKP-2017-00002)
(K-129065)
Objective: This study aimed to examine the characteristics of the lung cancer (LC)
patient pathway in Hungary during a 6-years period. Methods: This nationwide, retrospective
study included patients newly diagnosed with LC (ICD-10 C34) between January 1, 2011,
and December 31, 2016, using data from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) of
Hungary. The following patient pathway intervals were examined: system, diagnostic
and treatment interval by age, gender, tumor type, study year and first-line LC therapy.
Results: During the 6-years study period, 17,386 patients had at least one type of
imaging (X-ray or CT/MRI) prior to diagnosis, and 12,063 had records of both X-ray
and CT/MRI. The median system interval was 64.5 days, and it was 5 days longer among
women, than in men (68.0 vs. 63.0 days). The median system interval was significantly
longer in patients with adenocarcinoma compared to those with squamous cell carcinoma
or small cell lung cancer (70.4 vs. 64.0 vs. 48.0 days, respectively). Patients who
received surgery as first-line treatment had significantly longer median system intervals
compared to those receiving chemotherapy (81.4 vs. 62.0 days). The median system interval
significantly increased from 62.0 to 66.0 days during the 6-years study period. Conclusion:
The LC patient pathway significantly increased in Hungary over the 6-years study period.
There were no significant differences in the length of the whole LC patient pathway
according to age, however, female sex, surgery as first-line treatment, and adenocarcinoma
were associated with longer system intervals.
