In:
Neuro-Oncology, Oxford University Press (OUP), Vol. 23, No. Supplement_2 ( 2021-09-09), p. ii46-ii46
Abstract:
Over the past years, increasing worldwide attention towards centralization of complex cancer care has been pursued as higher volume centers have shown improved outcomes. Changes in distribution of care and the impact on travel distance in glioblastoma patients have not been determined yet. In this study, we determine trends in distribution of glioblastoma care in the Netherlands over the last three decades and assess whether the observed trends affected travel distance for individual patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data were obtained from the Dutch Brain Tumor Registry from 1989 to 2018. All glioblastoma patients (≥18 years) were included for analysis. Patients, neurosurgical centers and radiotherapy centers were geocoded. Data were analyzed in six time intervals of 5 years. High volume hospitals were defined as & gt;50 cases per year. Travel distance was examined in two categories, ≤60km and & gt;60km respectively. Trend analyses for proportions were used to analyze hospital volume changes and travel distances. RESULTS A total of 16.477 glioblastoma patients were registered, with an annual increase from 203 patients in 1989 to 917 patients in 2018. Neurosurgical centers increased from 16 to 17 and for radiotherapy from 19 to 22 centers between 1989–1993 and 2014–2018. Mean neurosurgical- and radiotherapy center volumes increased from 12 to 39 (P=0.025) and 7 to 27 (P=0.025) patients per hospital per year from 1989–1993 to 2014–2018. High volume neurosurgical centers were observed since 2004, and an increased number of patients were treated in these centers, 27.8%, 52.6% and 64.1% in the time periods 2004–2008, 2009–2013, and 2014–2018 (P & lt;0.001). High volume radiology centers were observed since 2009, and 15.0% and 27.3% of patients were treated in these centers in the time periods 2009–2013 and 2014–2018 (P & lt;0.001). Patients with a travel distance & gt;60km to the neurosurgical center reduced from 15.8% to 13.2% (P=0.033). Travel distance & gt;60km to the radiotherapy center did not reduce significantly (10.4% to 8.8%, P=0.601). CONCLUSION An increasing number of glioblastoma patients were differentially treated in high volume neurosurgery and radiotherapy centers. The observation that this did not translate into increased travel distances, indicates accessible specialized Neuro-Oncology care for glioblastoma patients in The Netherlands.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1522-8517
,
1523-5866
DOI:
10.1093/neuonc/noab180.157
Language:
English
Publisher:
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2094060-9
