Oesophageal cancer treatment patterns, timeliness of care and outcomes in the Loddon Mallee region of Victoria: A retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Few studies have investigated oesophageal cancer care in regional areas. This study aimed to describe treatment patterns for oesophageal cancer in a regional area, and to identify factors associated with radiotherapy utilisation, timeliness of care, and death.

Methods: In a retrospective cohort study, medical records were reviewed to source data on all patients diagnosed with and/or treated for oesophageal cancer at two regional Victorian hospitals over July 2015-June 2018.

Timeliness of cancer care in a regional Victorian health service: A comparison of high-volume (Lung) and low-volume (oesophagogastric) tumour streams.

Background: Timeliness of cancer care is vital for improved survival and quality of life of patients. Service and care centralisation at larger-volume centres has been associated with improved outcomes. However, there is a lack of systematic data on the impact of tumour stream volume on timeliness of care.