"Variation in survival in cancers of the stomach, pancreas and oesophagus"

Project aims and objectives

This is a cohort study of survival in all new cases of cancer of the stomach, pancreas and oesophagus diagnosed during one year period in the South West region of England and Southern Wales. All surgical, gastroenterology and oncology departments will be included. The study aims to investigate whether or not these three cancers would be more effectively and efficiently managed in specialised centres, so as to inform the development of NHS cancer services. The objectives are to investigate the influence on survival at one year of treatment site, treatment regime, disease stage at presentation and other prognostic variables. The main comparison will be between hospitals with surgical teams specialising in the active surgical treatment of these three cancers and hospitals without such teams. Estimated hospital costs of investigation and treatment and patient costs relevant to distance from home to hospital, will also be compared in a cost-effectiveness evaluation.

Publications

Bachmann MO, Alderson D, Edwards D, Wotton, S, Bedford C, Peters TJ, Harvey IM.  The influence of specialisation of the management and outcome of patients with oesophageal and gastric cancers - A cohort study in South and West England.  British Journal of Surgery 2002: 89:914-922

Bachmann MO, Peters T, Harvey I.  Costs and concentration of cancer care: evidence for pancreatic, oesophageal and gastric cancers in National Health Service hospitals.  Journal of Health Services Research & Policy Vol 8 No 2, 2003: 75-82

This research was carried out at the University of Bristol.

Further information may be obtained from:

Professor Max Bachmann
Department of Community Health
Medical School
University of the Free State
PO Box 339(G52)
Bloemfontein 9300
South Africa