A new study, commissioned by Kidney Cancer UK (KCUK) and run by Health Data Insight CIC, in partnership with NHS England, has been published in Clinical Oncology. Co-authored by HDI Senior Health Data Analyst Clare Pearson and Principal Health Data Analyst Craig Knott and titled “Variability in Kidney Cancer Treatment and Survival in England: Results of a National Cohort Study,” the study investigated variation in treatment and survival for patients diagnosed with kidney cancer in England between 2017 and 2018, using data collected by the NHS England National Disease Registration Service.
Results from this real-world, national study showed that 18,421 patients were diagnosed with kidney cancer during this period. The majority (63.4%) of tumours were in males and the median age of patients was 68.
Quality Performance Indicators (QPIs) were developed by KCUK Accord and captured key and measurable stages of the treatment pathway. Survival rates at 36 months for patients with metastatic disease was 17% compared to those with localised cancer (82%), showing that kidney cancer is highly curable if detected when lesions are small. Unwarranted geographical variation (by Cancer Alliance and Trust) in surgical treatment and systemic anti-cancer therapy use was present at all stages.
There are likely to be many reasons for variations in practice. The Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Academy has developed a KC practical guide which describes a good practice pathway, a NICE kidney cancer guideline and quality standard are in development, and the National Kidney Cancer Audit will develop and measure QPIS in real time. These will provide a robust framework for improving equity of access and outcomes.
For further information please visit https://www.clinicaloncologyonline.net/article/S0936-6555(24)00324-8/abstract