Factors associated with breast cancer surgery delay within a coordinated multihospital community health system: When does surgical delay impact outcome?
Recommended Citation
Tjoe JA, Heslin K, Perez Moreno AC, Thomas S, Kram JJF. Factors Associated With Breast Cancer Surgery Delay Within a Coordinated Multihospital Community Health System: When Does Surgical Delay Impact Outcome?. Clin Breast Cancer. 2022;22(1):e91-e100. doi:10.1016/j.clbc.2021.04.012
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Multiple factors influence the time elapsed between diagnosis of breast cancer and surgical extirpation of the primary tumor. The disease-free interval between resection of primary breast cancer and first evidence of recurrence is predictive of mortality. We aimed to determine patient, disease, and treatment factors associated with a delay in time to surgery (TTS) and identify the point when prolonged TTS negatively impacts disease-free survival.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cancer registry and electronic medical record data for patients with breast cancer who underwent surgery as first course of treatment during 2006-2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients undergoing surgery in ≤30 vs. 31-60 vs. >60 days of initial diagnosis were compared. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses with Cox proportional hazards were performed to evaluate impact of time from breast cancer diagnosis to definitive therapeutic surgery on breast cancer recurrence or death (all-cause).
RESULTS: Overall, 4462 patients were analyzed, 43.4% of whom underwent surgery beyond 30 days. The following factors were associated with TTS >30 days: age60 days, increased patient age, higher breast cancer stage, and triple-negative biomarker expression.
CONCLUSION: Risk of recurrence or death is not compromised until TTS exceeds 60 days after initial breast cancer diagnosis.
Document Type
Article
PubMed ID
34119430
Affiliations
Department of Surgical Breast Oncology, Aurora Sinai Medical Center, Advocate Aurora Research Institute, Aurora University of Wisconsin Medical Group