Initial Assessment of Resectability of Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases Versus Clinical Outcome.

Background: Surgery improves long-term survival for resectable, liver-only metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). With no consensus definition of "resectable" disease, decisions regarding resectability are reliant on the expertise and judgement of the treating clinician working in consultation with a multidisciplinary team (MDT). This study examines the clinical outcome versus initial assessment of resectability in an Australian population with mCRC.

Improving Clinical Registry Data Quality via Linkage With Survival Data From State-Based Population Registries.

Purpose: Real-world data (RWD) collected on patients treated as part of routine clinical care form the basis of cancer clinical registries. Capturing accurate death data can be challenging, with inaccurate survival data potentially compromising the integrity of registry-based research. Here, we explore the utility of data linkage (DL) to state-based registries to enhance the capture of survival outcomes.

Utilisation of systemic therapy options in routine treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer in Australia.

Background: In the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), exposure to all three active cytotoxic agents, 5-fluorouracil/capecitabine, irinotecan and oxaliplatin, improves overall survival. The addition of biologic agents (bevacizumab and cetuximab/panitumumab) further improves survival. The uptake of available systemic agents for mCRC in routine practice in Australia is poorly described.

Chemotherapy and biologic use in the routine management of metastatic colorectal cancer in Australia: is clinical practice following the evidence?

Background: Emerging evidence on the optimal use of chemotherapy and biologics in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer should impact management in routine care. Recent studies have demonstrated benefits for initial triplet chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin and irinotecan, FOLFOXIRI) and for initial treatment with an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor (EGFRi) in patients with a RAS wild-type tumour and a left-sided primary tumour.

Aim: To explore evolving pattern of metastatic colorectal cancer care over time in Australia.

How older people cope with frailty within the context of transition care in Australia: implications for improving service delivery.

Transition care is increasingly common for older people, yet little is known about the subjective experience of the transition care 'journey' from the perspective of clients themselves. This study examines how older people cope with frailty within the context of a dedicated transition care programme and discusses implications for improving service delivery. Qualitative in-depth interviews were carried out during 2011 in the homes of 20 older people who had recently been discharged from a transition care programme operating in Adelaide, South Australia (average age 80 years, 65% female).

Towards establishing a national colorectal cancer database: lessons learnt from Bio21 molecular medicine informatics model.

Background: Collecting data regarding treatment and outcomes of patients with cancer, for both audit and research purposes, is a common but challenging goal. Modern technology promises greater ease and sophistication for data collection, linkage and analysis, but many traditional challenges remain.

Method: Here we relate our experience of an initiative aimed at multicentre colorectal cancer data collection, that is, in collaboration with the Colorectal Surgical Society Australia and New Zealand, moving towards a national initiative.