Abstract
Abstract only
548
Background: Retrieving at least 12 lymph nodes (LN) is a quality indicator in colon cancer. Previous studies have shown about 38% of patients with stage II are estimated to have ≥12 LN checked. Methods: Community Programs (CCP) receive 100-500 newly diagnosed cancer cases per year. Hospitals receiving 500+ patients are either Academic Comprehensive Programs (ACP) or Comprehensive Community Programs (CCCP). Using NCDB (2003-2013), which includes >70% of newly diagnosed cancer patients, we utilized chi-square analysis, and compared frequencies of patients with and without having ≥12 LN examined. Results: In the NCDB database, the percent of patients with stage II colon cancer who have ≥12 LN checked is much lower than current estimates. Non-Hispanic and Hispanic patients have similar LN examination rate, as do Blacks and Whites. 4% less men have ≥12 LN examined than women. Large differences exist among patients with different insurance statuses. Uninsured and Medicaid patients have much lower LN examination with ~80% of having <12 LN examined. CCPs have a lower rate of LN examination, with 7.4% more patients having <12 LN checked than CCCPs and 9.1% more than ACPs. When comparing frequency of those with <12 and ≥12 LN examined in a demographic, p<.05 in all comparisons. Conclusions: This largest, and most recent analysis of frequencies in patients with stage II colon cancer reflects a low rate of ≥12 LN being examined in those with stage II colon cancer. Rates of ≥12 LN being examined is greater in stage III colon cancer, however, there is a significant difference in survival when ≥12 LN are checked in stage II colon cancer as well. From 2004-2008 rates of LN examination increased, but rates of LN examination have since stagnated. Only around a quarter of patients have ≥12 LN examined; thus, this quality measure is only achieved in a minority of patients. [Table: see text]