TY - JOUR
T1 - Clinical information available to oncologists in surgically treated rectal cancer
T2 - Room to improve
AU - Porter, G. A.
AU - Urquhart, R. L.
AU - Rheaume, D.
AU - Cwajna, S.
AU - Cox, M. A.
AU - Grunfeld, E.
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - Introduction In rectal cancer, decisions about the use of adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatment rely on clinical information from a variety of sources. Currently, the quality and accuracy of the aggregate of this clinical information is unclear. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the completeness and quality of clinical information available to oncologists managing rectal cancer. Methods All patients diagnosed with rectal cancer in Nova Scotia between 2001 and 2005 were identified through the provincial cancer registry. The registry was linked to other administrative databases to obtain demographic, diagnostic, and treatment data. Patients undergoing radiation oncology consultation were identified, and a standardized review of the cancer centre chart was performed on a random sample, stratified by year. Results For the 222 patients reviewed, the relevant endoscopy report was present in 113 cases (51%). The level of the tumour was documented in 75% of those reports, and colonoscopy completeness, in 81%. The relevant operative report was available in 192 cases (87%). Tumour level was described in 59% of those reports, and local extension, in 73%. Elements of total mesorectal excision were partially described in 97%. In pathology reports (10% of which were synoptic), we observed significant variability in the presence of important elements. Reporting of those elements was significantly better in the synoptic pathology reports. Conclusions Clinical information related to adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy decision-making in rectal cancer is often not available or incomplete. A synoptic reporting system in endoscopy, surgery, and pathology could potentially be a beneficial tool in rectal cancer care.
AB - Introduction In rectal cancer, decisions about the use of adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatment rely on clinical information from a variety of sources. Currently, the quality and accuracy of the aggregate of this clinical information is unclear. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the completeness and quality of clinical information available to oncologists managing rectal cancer. Methods All patients diagnosed with rectal cancer in Nova Scotia between 2001 and 2005 were identified through the provincial cancer registry. The registry was linked to other administrative databases to obtain demographic, diagnostic, and treatment data. Patients undergoing radiation oncology consultation were identified, and a standardized review of the cancer centre chart was performed on a random sample, stratified by year. Results For the 222 patients reviewed, the relevant endoscopy report was present in 113 cases (51%). The level of the tumour was documented in 75% of those reports, and colonoscopy completeness, in 81%. The relevant operative report was available in 192 cases (87%). Tumour level was described in 59% of those reports, and local extension, in 73%. Elements of total mesorectal excision were partially described in 97%. In pathology reports (10% of which were synoptic), we observed significant variability in the presence of important elements. Reporting of those elements was significantly better in the synoptic pathology reports. Conclusions Clinical information related to adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy decision-making in rectal cancer is often not available or incomplete. A synoptic reporting system in endoscopy, surgery, and pathology could potentially be a beneficial tool in rectal cancer care.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84878756375&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84878756375&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3747/co.20.1215
DO - 10.3747/co.20.1215
M3 - Article
C2 - 23737685
AN - SCOPUS:84878756375
SN - 1198-0052
VL - 20
SP - 166
EP - 172
JO - Current Oncology
JF - Current Oncology
IS - 3
ER -