Patient and diagnostic intervals of sarcoma patients: Results from a survivorship study in the Netherlands

• Published in: Journal of clinical oncology Vol. 38; no. 15_suppl; p. e23553
• Main Authors: Soomers, Vicky L.M.N., Husson, Olga, Desar, Ingrid M.E., van de Sande, Michiel, De Haan, Jacco, Verhoef, Cornelis, Vriens, Ingeborg, van Houdt, Winan J., van de Poll-Franse, Lonneke V, Van Der Graaf, Winette T.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 20.05.2020
• ISSN: 0732-183X; 1527-7755
• DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2020.38.15_suppl.e23553

Abstract only e23553 Background: Sarcoma patients are hypothesised to experience long intervals to cancer diagnosis, due to the rarity of the disease, heterogeneous presentation, and complexity of histological diagnosis. Comprehensive assessment of patient interval (time between first symptom and presentation to a doctor), diagnostic interval (time between presentation to a doctor and diagnosis ), and their associated factors is needed to improve referral pathways and outcomes for sarcoma patients. We investigated patient and diagnostic intervals and identified factors associated with prolonged intervals in order to identify risk groups. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional cohort study among adult sarcoma survivors, diagnosed between 2008-2016. After informed consent, patient-reported interval length was collected via (online) questionnaires. This data was linked to the Netherlands Cancer Registry, which collects clinical data from patients at diagnosis. Descriptive statistics were used to describe interval lengths. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate associations of patient and tumour characteristics (gender, age at diagnosis, time since diagnosis, histology, presence of metastases, grade, and localisation), with patient and diagnostic interval length. Results: 1099 survivors completed questionnaires (response rate 58%); 53% had a patient interval ≥1 month. Risk factors for a patient interval ≥1 month were bone or breast sarcoma, and being young(18-39 years). An interval ≥3 months (33%) was associated with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, bone sarcoma, low grade, and location in skin or pelvis. Diagnostic interval length was ≥1 month in 53%; risk groups were bone sarcomas, females, and young (18-39) or middle-aged (40-69) patients. In 27% the diagnostic interval lasted ≥3 months; risk groups were synovial sarcoma, chordoma, bone sarcomas in general, females, and being young (18-39) or middle aged (40-69). Conclusions: Over half of sarcoma survivors had a patient interval ≥1 month; a third ≥3 months. More than half of them reported a diagnostic interval ≥1 month; a quarter ≥3 months. Females and young patients were more at risk for a long diagnostic interval. Although limited by its retrospective nature, this study is the largest that studied the interval in a sarcoma survivorship group. Our current QUEST study (NTR-7253) will study the diagnostic trajectory prospectively to confirm these findings and find reasons for these results.