Regionalization of Cancer Surgery in Canada

Surgery is important to treat and cure many types of cancer. The number of surgeries performed at a hospital is referred to as volume. Many studies have examined the effect of surgery volume on patient outcomes. For some cancers, high surgery volume improves patient outcomes. The variables examined and methods used in these studies have not been consistent. Because of these differences, comparing findings is difficult. Overall, there is a lack of clear evidence linking surgery volume to patient outcomes. In Canada, studies have not been cancer specific or have been limited to one cancer type. Additional research is required. We will describe cancer surgery volume in Canada and how it has changed over time. If more cancer surgeries are done at fewer hospitals, patients may have to travel further for surgery. The researchers will look at changes in patient travel distance. We will also look at how surgery volume affects two outcomes (number of deaths and number of days spent in hospital). We will provide detailed information on surgery volume for several types of cancers over time. This will be the largest study of its kind in Canada. The study will clearly show if surgery volume affects two patient outcomes that are used as measures of quality of care. A unique feature of this study is that it considers patient travel. This will highlight the relationship between access to and quality of care. Overall, this study will help improve understanding of cancer care in Canada. This information will be useful to policy- and decision-makers in the cancer care system.