Utilisation of specialist care in patients with incurable rectal cancer. A population-based study from Western Norway

Introduction. About 25% of patients with rectal cancer have incurable disease at the time of diagnosis. In the current study from Western Norway (population of 981 000) we focused on the utilisation of specialist care in patients with primarily incurable rectal cancer. Patients and methods. Between 1997 and 2002, 1 167 patients were diagnosed with rectal cancer, of whom 297 (25%) had incurable disease, according to consecutive and prospective reporting to the Norwegian Colorectal Cancer Registry. Consumption of specialist care facilities was studied with regard to outpatient contacts, hospital admissions, and various treatment modalities. Data were analysed with regard to age, sex, marital status, type of residence, and geographical access to hospital facilities. Data were available for 287 patients (97%). Results. The median age was 77 years. Elderly patients (>77 years) more often lived in nursing homes without a spouse. About 60% of the patients were treated with major surgery, chemotherapy or radiothe...