Metastatic colorectal cancer and management in public versus private hospitals: Similarities and differences.

497 Background: Potential differences between public and private cancer care in Australia include the degree of subspecialisation, multidisciplinary clinic review, access to clinical trials and continuity of care, all of which could impact treatment and outcomes. Here we compared demographics, tumour details, treatment and survival outcomes for patients (pts) with newly diagnosed metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treated in the public versus private setting. Methods: This research was conducted using the TRACC (Treatment of Recurrent and Advanced Colorectal Cancer) mCRC clinical research database. Data collection began in June 2009 and is ongoing at 15 Australian centres. Here, data from four public and eight private hospitals are presented. Results: Of 671 pts, 253 (38%) were treated at public hospitals and 418 (62%) at private centres. For public versus private pts there was no significant difference in median age or percentage with good performance status. More private pts received first-line chemoth...