TP6.2.16General practitioner compliance with Scottish cancer referral guideline for Oesophago-gastric cancer
Abstract Aims The outcome of oesophago-gastric cancer is often poor. Timely referral of suspected cancer is essential for early diagnosis and optimal outcome. This study aims to audit the General Practitioners (GPs) compliance with the Scottish referral guidelines for suspected oesophago-gastric cancer. Methods A retrospective cohort study of all newly diagnosed oesophago-gastric cancers who were referred from the primary care and discussed in a single regional MDT was performed between October 2019 and September 2020. Electronic records were interrogated and symptomatology audited against the Scottish cancer referral guidelines. Results Of the 349 patients, 227 (65.0%) were referred from the primary care. 150 (66.1%) were male and the mean age was 69.5 ± 10.9 years. Mean Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation was 5 ± 3. 149 (65.6%) had dysphagia and/or odynophagia and 181 (79.7%) were oesophageal cancers. 67 (29.5%) were T4 disease and 87 (38.3%) were metastatic at presentation. Urgency of referral was: 25 (11.0%) routine, 54 (23.7%) urgent and 148 (65.2%) Urgent Suspicion of Cancer (USOC). 192 (84.6%) patients qualified to be referred as USOC, of these 138 (71.9%) were actually referred as USOC. Of the 35 (15.4%) patients who did not qualify for the USOC referral, 10 (28.6%) patients were referred as USOC. The sensitivity was 71.9% and specificity 71.4%. Conclusions GP compliance with the adherence with the National guidelines remains a barrier in the USOC in oesophago-gastric cancer. Further GP education and awareness is required to improve their compliance.