Changes in Treatment Patterns and Overall Survival in Patients With Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in the United States After the Incorporation of Stereotactic Ablative Radiation Therapy: A Population-based Analysis.

Purpose: Technologic developments have made radiation therapy (RT) more effective and have introduced new treatment options, such as stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR). This study sought to determine changes in practice patterns for treatment of stage IA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after the introduction of SABR into the United States. This population-based study also examined changes in survival during this time period for all patients and specifically for patients treated with RT, surgery, or observation. Methods: We included patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database diagnosed with stage IA NSCLC diagnosed between 2004 and 2012. Changes in treatment patterns were assessed. Outcomes were compared across 2 time periods: 2004 to 2008 (pre-SABR) and 2009 to 2012 (post-SABR). Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression were performed to compare overall survival (OS) for patients treated with surgery, RT, or observation. Results: A total of 32,249 patients met the specified criteria. Comparing patients diagnosed in 2004 to those diagnosed in 2012, RT use increased from 13% to 29% (P

from Cancer via ola Kala on Inoreader http://ift.tt/1nooWkF
via IFTTT