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Objectives: We examined associations between educational level and clinical presentation, patterns of management and mortality in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Sweden, a country with a National Health Care System.

Materials and Methods: We identified 39,671 patients with a NSCLC diagnosis 2002–2016 in Lung Cancer Data Base Sweden (LCBaSe), a population-based research database. In analyses adjusted for comorbidity and other prognostic factors, odds Ratios (OR) and hazard Ratios (HR) were estimated to examine associations between patients’ educational level and aspects of management and mortality.

Results: Stage at diagnosis and waiting times did not differ between educational groups. In multivariable analysis, the likelihood to undergo PET/CT and assessment in a multidisciplinary team setting were higher in patients with high compared to low education (aOR 1.14; CI 1.05–1.23 and aOR 1.22; CI 1.14–1.32, respectively). In patients with early stage IA-IIB disease, the likelihood to undergo stereotactic radiotherapy was elevated in patients with high education (aOR 1.40; CI 1.03–1.91). Both all-cause (aHR 0.86; CI 0.77-0.92) and cause-specific mortality (aHR 0.83; CI 0.74-0.92) was lower in patients with high compared to low education in early stage disease (IA-IIB). In higher stage NSCLC no differences were observed. Patterns were similar in separate assessments stratified by sex and histopathology.

Conclusions: While stage at diagnosis and waiting times did not differ between educational groups, we found socioeconomic differences in diagnostic intensity, multidisciplinary team assessment, stereotactic radiotherapy and mortality in patients with NSCLC. These findings may in part reflect social gradients in implementation and use of novel diagnostic and treatment modalities. Our findings underscore the need for improved adherence to national guidelines.

Background: Results from studies addressing age-related patterns of cancer care have found evidence of unjustified differences in management between younger and older patients.

Methods: We examined associations between age and clinical presentation, management and mortality in patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) between 2002 and 2016. Analyses were adjusted for comorbidity and other factors that may have affected management decisions and outcomes.

Results: The study population encompassed 40,026 patients with NSCLC. Stage at diagnosis did not differ between age groups ≤ 84. The diagnostic intensity was similar in age groups <80 years. In patients with stage IA–IIB disease and PS 0–2, surgery was more common in the youngest age groups and decreased with increasing age, and was rarely performed in those ≥ 85 years. The use of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) increased with age (≤69 years 5.4%; ≥85 years 35.8%). In patients with stage IIIA disease and PS 0–2, concurrent chemoradiotherapy was more common in younger patients (≤69 years 55.3%; ≥85 years 2.2%). In stage IA–IIIA disease, no major differences in treatment-related mortality was observed. In stage IIIB–IV and PS 0–2, chemotherapy was more common in patients <80 years. However, 58.1% of patients 80–84 years and 30.3% ≥ 85 years received treatment. In stage IA–IIIA, overall and cause-specific survival decreased with increasing age. No age-differences in survival were observed in patients with stage IIIB-IV NSCLC.

Conclusion: Treatments were readily given to older patients with metastatic disease, but to a lesser degree to those with early stage disease. Significant differences in cause specific survival were observed in early, but not late stage disease. Our findings underscore the importance of individualized assessment of health status and life expectancy. Our results indicate that older patients with early stage lung cancer to a higher extent should be considered for curative treatment.

Objectives: While studies have found lower cancer risks and better cancer survival in immigrant populations, it is debated whether cancer care is offered on equal terms to all residents regardless of background. Our aim was to study patterns of care and outcomes in immigrants in a country with a tax-financed universal health care system.

Material and methods: We used a population-based database to compare clinical presentation, management and mortality between Swedish-born and immigrant patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Analyses were adjusted for potential confounders.

Results: We identified 40,075 patients diagnosed with NSCLC of which 84% were born in Sweden, 7% in Nordic and 9% in Non-Nordic countries. Non-Nordic immigrants were to a higher extent male, smokers, younger at diagnosis, had a better performance status and a higher educational level. No differences were seen regarding comorbidity burden or stage at diagnosis. Non-Nordic immigrants more often underwent positron emission tomography (PET) (aHR 1.32; 95% CI 1.19-1.45) and were more often discussed in a multidisciplinary team setting (aHR 1.30; 95% CI 1.17-1.44). There were no differences in treatment modalities following adjustment for age, with the exception of concurrent chemoradiotherapy in stage IIIA disease which was more common in Non-Nordic immigrants (aOR 1.34; 95% CI 1.03-1.74). Both overall and cause specific survival in non-metastatic disease were higher among Non- Nordic immigrants. Overall mortality in stage I-II: HR 0.81; 95% CI 0.73-0.90 and stage IIIA: HR 0.75; 95% CI 0.65-0.86. Following full adjustments, cause-specific mortality in stage I-II was aHR 0.86, 95% CI 0.75-0.98.

Conclusion: Taken together, only minor differences in management and outcomes were observed between Swedish-born and immigrant patients. We conclude that lung cancer care is offered on equal terms. If anything, outcomes were better in Non-Nordic immigrants with early stage NSCLC.

Introduction: Cancer affects quality of life, including psychological wellbeing. The risk of depression and suicide have been found to be increased in cancer patients, especially in cancers with poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to examine rates of indicators of psychological distress in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). 

Methods: We used data in a population-based research database to assess post-diagnostic events of depression, anxiety, intoxication (alcohol, opioids, sedatives and hypnotics) and suicide in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in comparison to individuals free of lung cancer (comparators) matched on age, sex and area of residence, representing the background population. 

Results: The study population encompassed 38,454 patients diagnosed with NSCLC between 2002 and 2016 and 184,090 lung cancer free individuals. Compared to the comparators, patients with NSCLC were more likely to have an immigrant background (14.9 % vs 12.6 %), a lower educational level (42.9 % vs 36.7 %) and a higher comorbidity burden (28.3 % vs 16.4 %). Post diagnostic rates of depression, anxiety intoxication and suicide were higher in NSCLC patients compared to individuals free of lung cancer. While the risk of depression, anxiety and suicide decreased over time, the risk of intoxication remained elevated throughout the follow-up period.  

Conclusion: We found evidence of increased rates of indicators of psychological distress after a diagnosis of NSCLC. Our findings underscore the importance of symptom monitoring post-diagnosis and preparedness to provide adequate support and treatment.