Despite Advances, Many NSCLC Patients Go Untreated
A recent study found that over half of older adults with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) did not receive systemic treatments despite advancements in therapies. The study revealed only modest increases in treatment rates from 2006 to 2021, with barriers such as access issues and referral practices potentially contributing to the lack of treatment. Researchers noted that younger patients and those with fewer comorbidities were more likely to receive therapy, highlighting disparities in care.
- ▪More than half of older adults with metastatic NSCLC never received systemic treatments.
- ▪The proportion of patients receiving treatment increased only slightly from 45% in 2006 to 48% in 2021.
- ▪Younger patients and those with fewer comorbidities were more likely to receive treatment.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
More than half of older adults with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) never received systemic treatments, despite major advances in targeted therapies and more recent immunotherapy approaches, a recent population-based study found.Although the reasons remain unclear, including how many were too sick to be treated, the study suggests that some patients who appeared to be more likely candidates for treatment, given their younger age, fewer comorbidities, and survival past 90 days, still went untreated.Even as newer, more effective therapies became available, the degree of improvement in treatment rates remained “unimpressive,” the researchers said — a finding that “stunned” author Gerard A.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Medscape.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Medscape
