Published in:
01-05-2009 | Short Communication
Prognostic implications of emergency admission and delays in patients with breast cancer
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 5/2009
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Introduction
This study evaluates clinical–pathological characteristics and survival rates associated with emergency admission and delays in diagnosis and treatment of 411 consecutive breast cancer patients.
Materials and methods
Emergency admission and first symptom–first hospital visit delay were significantly associated with advanced tumor stages but only in the former case with short disease-free survival (RR 2.5, CI 95% 1.5–4.2).
Results
Brief diagnostic delays were significantly associated with advanced disease stage and poor survival rates (RR 2.04; CI 95% 1.08–3.82) probably because sicker patients receive prompt medical attention.