Regional Variation in Treatment for Highest-Risk Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer patients with multiple high-risk socioeconomic factors experience treatment and survival disparities. We aim to assess whether disparities in treatment and survival vary by region for patients with 3 or more high-risk socioeconomic factors.

Methods: The National Cancer Database was queried for patients with clinical stage I-IIA non-small cell lung cancer diagnosed between 2010 and 2015. Patients were categorized into 3 groups: standard treatment, nonstandard treatment, and no curative treatment. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate regional differences in treatment. Cox proportional hazards regression and the Kaplan-Meier method were used for survival analysis. All statistical tests were 2-sided.

Results: A total of 93,211 patients met inclusion criteria. For patients with 3 or more high-risk socioeconomic factors, the odds of nonstandard treatment were significantly greater in 6 regions compared with New England, greatest in West North Central (odds ratio 2.09, P < .001). The odds of no curative treatment were significantly greater in 7 regions compared with New England, greatest in West South Central (odds ratio 3.56, P < .001). West North Central was associated with the highest risk of all-cause mortality compared with New England (hazard ratio 1.10, P < .001), and Middle Atlantic was associated with the lowest (hazard ratio 0.86, P < .001). The 5-year overall survival was longest in Middle Atlantic (60.8%) and shortest in Mountain (36.8%).

Conclusions: Patients with 3 or more high-risk socioeconomic factors experience treatment and survival disparities across the United States, though disparities are more pronounced in certain regions. Regional interventions may help mitigate disparities among highest risk non-small cell lung cancer patients.