A comparative assessment of home versus hospital comprehensive treatment for advanced cancer patients.

A prospective comparative analysis of home and hospital comprehensive treatment for advanced non-ambulatory cancer patients was conducted. Patients were assigned to hospital (group A) and home (group B) treatment groups based on geographic location. Home treatment was provided by the Don Monti Home Oncology Medical Extension (HOME) program. A multidisciplinary health team, including an oncologist, oncology nurse, social worker, dietitian, and medical technologist, was transported to the home in a medically equipped van. Services included physical examinations, pain control, psychosocial interventions, chemotherapy and blood transfusions, nutrition consultation, and bereavement counseling. One hundred seventy-four patients were treated at home and 44 in the hospital. Pretreatment characteristics were similar for both groups, with the exception that age under 50 years was more frequent in the hospital group, and home patients were more likely to have gastrointestinal (GI) cancer. Medical benefits for home treatment included decreased narcotic analgesic requirements, decreased hospitalization and length of stay, and improved measurements of fat stores for female patients. Improved survival for home patients was related to Karnofsky performance status, since there was no difference in survival for sicker patients with lower performance status whether they received home or hospital treatment. Patient and family acceptance of home treatment was excellent. Comprehensive home treatment provided by a multispecialty oncology team is an effective alternative to hospitalization for terminal cancer patients.