Refusal of radiation therapy and its associated impact on survival.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Despite evidence that radiation therapy (RT) improves outcome in multiple malignancies, some patients with strong clinical indications still refuse RT. Data on factors associated with RT refusal are limited. Furthermore, the effect of RT refusal on outcome has not been clearly defined.

Methods

Patients with nonmetastatic cancer, diagnosed between 1988 and 2005, were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Univariate and multivariate methods were used to identify factors associated with RT refusal and the impact of refusal on outcomes.

Results

On univariate analysis, age, sex, marital status, tumor site, and tumor stage were associated with RT refusal (P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, sex and tumor stage were not found to

SUBMITTER: Hamidi M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4337990 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature