Background: The optimal chemotherapy and radiotherapy utilization rates for lung cancer has been previously elucidated as 73%¹ and 76%² respectively. Early palliative care (within 8 weeks)  in patients with metastatic lung cancer has been shown to improve survival.³  

Aims: This retrospective audit examined the utilization rate of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in Indigenous patients with metastatic lung cancer at the Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH) over an eleven year period. In addition we examined the interval from diagnosis of metastatic lung cancer to palliative care review in this group of patients.

Methods: Data was obtained from the Northern Territory cancer registry of Indigenous patients diagnosed with lung cancer (small and non small cell carcinoma) between 1/1/02 and 31/12/12. Medical records at the RDH were examined and certain predefined inclusion criteria applied (metastatic disease, complete records, principal care at RDH and patient deceased). Data collected included chemotherapy/radiotherapy utilization and interval between diagnosis of metastatic lung cancer and palliative care review.

Results: 73 patients fulfilled the above criteria. The chemotherapy utilization rate was 24.7% (95%CI:14.8%-34.5%). The radiotherapy utilization rate was 36.5% (95%CI:24.6%-46.6%). The median interval from diagnosis of metastatic lung cancer to palliative care review was 12 days (interquartile range 4-63).

Conclusions: In this 11 year audit of Indigenous patients with metastatic lung cancer at the RDH the utilization rate of chemotherapy and radiotherapy was significantly below optimal rates described for lung cancer. Indigenous patients with metastatic lung cancer in this audit received early palliative care review. HREC ref no HREC-2013-1967