Time Delay Impact on Survival in Malaysian NSCLC Patients
Journal name: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
Original article title: Time Delay and Its Effect on Survival in Malaysian Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (MJMS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published online at least six times a year. It covers all aspects of medical sciences and prioritizes high-quality research.
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Li-Cher Loh, Li-Yen Chan, Ru-Yu Tan, Selvaratnam Govindaraju, Kananathan Ratnavelu, Shalini Kumar, Sree Raman, Pillai Vijayasingham, Tamizi Thayaparan
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences:
(A peer-reviewed, open-access journal)
Full text available for: Time Delay and Its Effect on Survival in Malaysian Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma
Year: 2006
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The prognosis for lung cancer, particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is generally poor, with five-year survival rates estimated between 5% and 10% globally. However, early intervention through surgical procedures can significantly improve survival rates up to 80%. The relationship between delays in presentation and treatment for NSCLC, and how these delays affect patient survival outcomes, remains controversial. A retrospective study was conducted in Malaysia to examine both patient and doctor delays in seeking and administering treatment, investigating their potential impacts on survival among 122 confirmed NSCLC patients.
Impact of Delays on Patient Survival
The study identified that the median interval from the onset of symptoms to first hospital consultation (patient delay) was 2 months, while the median time from the first consultation to treatment decision (doctor delay) was 1.1 months. Importantly, the median survival rates varied across groups based on the length of patient and doctor delays; however, these differences were not statistically significant. For instance, the median survival among patients with delays longer than 3 months was 5.7 months, compared to 4.1 months in those with shorter delays. These findings suggest that, unlike in some studies that link treatment delays to poorer survival outcomes, the delays observed in this Malaysian cohort did not significantly impact patient survival, a trend that aligns with similar observations in Western populations.
Conclusion
The findings of this study underscore the complexity of factors influencing survival in NSCLC patients, particularly in how delay periods appear not to affect outcomes as significantly as previously thought. Both patient and doctor delays were relatively short compared to those reported in other regions, yet, intriguingly, did not correlate with survival differences. This suggests that once symptoms manifest, the tumor's behavior could already determine prognosis regardless of treatment timing. Given these insights, there is a critical need for enhanced public health strategies aimed at early detection of lung cancer and addressing the underlying reasons for delays in seeking care, as such measures hold promise for improving survival rates despite the challenges posed by the disease’s aggressive nature.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What was the purpose of the study on NSCLC in Malaysia?
The study aimed to investigate the time intervals between symptom onset and treatment, known as 'patient delay' and 'doctor delay,' and their association with survival rates in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.
What were the median delays in patient and doctor consultation times?
The median patient delay was 2.0 months, and the median doctor delay was 1.1 months between the first hospital consultation and treatment or decision to treat.
Did the study find a significant impact of delays on survival rates?
No, the study found no significant correlation between either patient or doctor delays and the survival rates of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
What characteristics were analyzed in the study relating to delays?
The study analyzed demographic characteristics such as age, gender, ethnicity, smoking status, tumour type and stage, and treatment received, but found no significant differences concerning delay times.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Time Delay Impact on Survival in Malaysian NSCLC Patients”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Cancer:
Cancer refers to a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. In this study, lung cancer, particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is the focal point. Understanding cancer's biology and treatment options is critical to addressing its poor prognosis and improving survival rates among affected individuals.
2) Study (Studying):
The study represents a retrospective analysis of 122 Malaysian patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer. It investigates the time delays in patient presentation and treatment and their association with survival outcomes. Such studies are essential for identifying potential gaps in the healthcare system and proposing public health interventions.
3) Disease:
Disease refers to a pathological condition affecting the normal functioning of the body. NSCLC is highlighted as a significant health challenge in Malaysia and globally, with poor survival rates. The study aims to shed light on the impact of disease progression timelines on treatment efficacy and patient outcomes.
4) Radiotherapy:
Radiotherapy is a treatment modality that uses high doses of radiation to kill or shrink cancer cells. It is one of the treatments considered for patients with unresectable locally advanced NSCLC. The study analyzes the timing of radiotherapy commencement and its implications on patient survival following diagnosis.
5) Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment that utilizes drugs to kill cancer cells or halt their growth. In this study, the majority of patients received chemotherapy, and the timing of its initiation is evaluated. Understanding chemotherapy's effects on survival in relation to delay helps improve treatment strategies for lung cancer.
6) Reason:
In the context of this study, 'reason' pertains to the underlying factors influencing delays in seeking treatment for NSCLC. Identifying these reasons can help develop targeted public health initiatives to encourage earlier consultation, potentially leading to better treatment outcomes and survival rates for lung cancer patients.
7) Nilai (Nīḻai, Nīḷai):
Nilai refers to one of the two urban hospitals involved in the study, specifically the Nilai Cancer Institute. The location is significant as it provides cancercare services to Malaysian patients. Differences in patient demographics and treatment outcomes between hospitals are relevant for understanding variations in healthcare delivery.
8) Table:
The table summarizes key demographic characteristics, time delays, and treatment details of the study cohort. Tables serve as a critical tool for presenting complex data in an organized manner, allowing for a straightforward comparison of results across different variables, thereby enhancing the clarity and interpretation of findings.
9) Male (Mālē):
Male refers to the gender of the majority of participants in the study. Understanding gender disparities in lung cancer incidence, symptoms, and treatment delays is crucial for tailoring healthcare approaches and addressing specific needs in male populations, especially considering the high smoking rates among men in Malaysia.
10) Pur (Pūr):
Poor relates to the overall survival rates associated with lung cancer, underscoring the urgency of addressing this disease. Despite advancements in treatment, lung cancer's prognosis remains unfavorable, emphasizing the necessity for improved screening and early detection strategies to help mitigate mortality rates.
11) Visit:
Visit pertains to the act of patients seeking medical consultation after noticing symptoms. The timing of the initial visit is critical in the context of this study, as it directly influences the patient's treatment pathway, and understanding the delay between symptom onset and consultation is vital for improving patient outcomes.
12) Life:
Life in this context refers to patients' survival and quality of life following a lung cancer diagnosis. The study aims to analyze how delays in treatment affect not only survival times but also patients' overall health and well-being, emphasizing the importance of timely medical intervention.
13) Sign:
Sign refers to the clinical indicators or symptoms that prompt patients to seek medical help. Recognizing significant signs of lung cancer can lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment, which may impact survival outcomes. Understanding patient awareness of these signs is essential for public health education efforts.
14) Accumulation (Accumulating, Accumulate):
Accumulated refers to the total time at risk for patients, calculated from the diagnosis or treatment decision until death or the end of the study period. This metric is important for survival analysis, as it helps researchers understand how various delays affect patient survival more comprehensively.
15) Indian:
Indian refers to one of the ethnic groups represented in the study cohort. Understanding ethnic diversity and its influence on smoking habits, healthcare-seeking behaviors, and treatment outcomes can help tailor public health strategies to effectively address lung cancer in diverse populations within Malaysia.
16) Death:
Death signifies the ultimate outcome for patients with lung cancer. The study investigates the relationship between treatment delays and survival, aiming to understand how these factors contribute to mortality. Insights gleaned from such analyses are critical for developing strategies to reduce lung cancer-related deaths.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Time Delay Impact on Survival in Malaysian NSCLC Patients’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Treatment, Public health, Prognosis, Surgical treatment, Palliative treatment, Data collection, Statistical analysis, Time interval, Data analysis, Ethical committee, Statistical Significance, Study population, Early detection, Retrospective study, Statistical analyses, Patient characteristics, Cancer treatment, Cancer mortality, Interquartile Range, Public health threat, National Cancer registry, Lung cancer, Cigarette smoking, Ethnic group, Public health approach, Non-small cell lung cancer, Survival rate, Patient Outcome, Public health measure, Cancer Registry, Early stage disease, Smoking status, Survival Curve, Statistical package, Non-parametric test, Patient delay, Tumor stage, Treatment delay, Advanced methods, Solid tumour, Onset of symptoms, Cumulative survival rate, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, Ethnicity, Statistical package SPSS, Kaplan-Meier survival curve, Medical record, Demographic characteristic.
Concepts being referred in other categories, contexts and sources.