Resection rate of lung cancer in Teesside (UK) and Varese (Italy): a comparison after implementation of the National Cancer Plan

Background In a lung cancer survey in 2000 we showed significantly less favourable stage distribution and lower resection rate in Teesside (UK) than in the comparable industrialised area of Varese (Italy). Lung cancer services in Teesside were subsequently reorganised according to National Cancer Plan recommendations. Methods For all new lung cancer cases diagnosed in Teesside (n=324) and Varese (n=260) during the 12 months October 2010 to September 2011 (hereafter ‘the 2010 cohort’), demographic, clinico-pathological and disease management data were prospectively recorded using the same database and protocol as the 2000 survey. Findings were analysed focusing on resection rate. Results In the 2010 cohort compared with 2000, both in Teesside and Varese emergency referral decreased (p Conclusions In Teesside the main independent predictor of resection was disease stage; in 2010–2011 compared with 2000, lung cancer service improved but stage shift did not occur, and resection rate increased but remained significantly lower than in Varese.