Surgeon and hospital volume and the management of colorectal cancer patients in Australia

Abstract

This nationwide population-based survey of the treatment of colorectal cancer patients suggests that the delivery of care by surgeons (the majority) who treat patients with rectal cancer infrequently should be evaluated.

Variation in treatment and outcome of patients with rectal cancer by region, hospital type and volume in the Netherlands

“…[32] A nationwide survey in Australia reported no relation between hospital volume and the percentage of patients receiving radiotherapy preoperatively, whereas our results show higher odds for patients diagnosed in a high-volume hospital. [33] A study with data from the California Cancer Registry reported patients diagnosed in the lowest-volume hospitals were less likely to receive adjuvant radiotherapy compared to the highest-volume hospitals. They suggested more accurate staging, closer affiliation with radiation facilities and a broader range of specialists and technologic resources in the high volume hospitals as explanations for this result.…”

Improving surgical outcomes for patients with cancer: An Australian perspective

“…There has been continuing debate in Australia, as elsewhere, about the importance of high volume centres in contributing to good outcomes for patients undergoing surgery particularly cancer surgery [1]. In a large, diversely populated country such as Australia access to city-based high volume hospitals is often not practical nor desirable for many patients.…”

A Multidisciplinary Cancer Center Maximizes Surgeons’ Impact

“…Several randomized trials have shown that high volume centers with specialty-trained surgeons have better overall survival and decreased locoregional treatment failures compared with lower volume centers without specialtytrained surgeons [1][2][3][4][5][6]. These studies have also suggested improvements in outcomes with the use of multidisciplinary care for colorectal cancer patients in high volume centers; however, the relative impact of specialty-trained surgeons on colorectal outcomes versus a multidisciplinary approach in a cancer center has not been established.…”