Record number of lung cancer operations patient survival rates

Almost 6,000 lung cancer operations took place in 2015, with a record 98.1 per cent of patients alive after 30 days of operation and 96.3 per cent alive after 90 days, a new report reveals.

The report, published by The Royal College of Physicians (RCP), is the fourth annual lung cancer clinical outcomes publication (LCCOP). It was published as part of the RCP’s National Lung Cancer Audit and the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery in Great Britain and Ireland (SCTS) and shows that there was a survival rate of 87.9 per cent after one year, similar to last year’s rate of 87.7 per cent in 2014.

The number of operations that took place rose by almost five per cent across 28 NHS trusts, going from 5,657 operations in 2914 to 5,936 in 2015. As a result, surgeons are seeing more cases, with a median of 49 operations per consultant in 2015, rising from 30 cases per surgeon in 2012.

The LCCOP has measured the different ways in which the operation is carried out, and reveals that almost half are carried out using minimally-invasive or ‘keyhole’ techniques. In addition, 30 procedures took place with the use of robotic techniques. The LCCOP will continue to report results after robotic and minimal access operations going forward, to assess their effectiveness and safety.

Other results remained consistent across the board, with the average stay in hospital remaining six days as it also was in 2014.

Paul Beckett, senior clinical lead for the National Lung Cancer Audit, said: “Surgery, while very complex, is the first choice of treatment for patients as it offers the best chance of survival. It is therefore hugely reassuring to see that operations are safe in both the short and medium term.

“The LCCOP is an invaluable resource in measuring clinical outcomes for this common type of cancer, and it is very encouraging to see the positive results that operations are having on patients’ lives.”

Doug West, Thoracic Audit Lead for the SCTS, said: “We welcome this latest LCCOP report which shows that the NHS is continuing to deliver more surgery for lung cancer, and that survival rates after operations are increasing.

“It is incredibly useful to see the increasing depth of the data being presented, including the reporting of longer-term outcomes. The data reported this year is important in helping patients and families make informed choices about their care, especially around chances of survival and length of stay in hospital.”