RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Lung cancer (LC) remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, necessitating timely diagnosis and treatment to improve patient outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the timeliness of care for LC patients at a public hospital in Almería, Spain, assess adherence to guidelines, and explore associations between timeliness and survival. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, reviewing medical records of LC patients diagnosed between 2019 and 2021. Quality indicators, adapted from prevailing guidelines, facilitated the assessment of care timeliness, with a focus on diagnostic and treatment wait times. Cox regression modeling was employed to explore survival associations, adjusting for covariates including age, performance status, stage, histology, and treatment modalities. RESULTS: Of 539 patients included, most (79.84 %) had initial specialist contact within 7 days, and 82.25 % received diagnosis within 30 days. However, delays were observed in treatment initiation, with surgery experiencing the longest median wait time (78 days). Survival analysis showed no significant difference between shorter and longer diagnostic (HR: 0.87, 95 % CI: 0.62-1.24) or treatment intervals (HR: 1.14, 95 % CI: 0.83-1.58). Multivariate analysis identified age, performance status, stage, histology, and treatment as prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment in improving lung cancer outcomes. Despite achieving diagnostic targets, treatment delays were common, particularly for surgical interventions. These findings underscore the need for enhanced coordination and efficient care pathways to minimize delays, ultimately improving survival rates and quality of life for lung cancer patients. Addressing these issues is crucial for optimizing lung cancer care delivery in the future.
RESUMEN
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a low-grade sarcoma typically originating in the dermis but with local invasion of subcutaneous cell and muscle tissue. We report a case of perianal dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in a 41-year-old male complaining of anal pain and constipation. To date, only two cases of perianal dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans have been reported. The unusual location hinders surgical treatment. The characteristic translocation t(17;22)(q22;q13) leading to the formation of COL1A1/PDGFß fusion transcripts is not only of diagnostic value but also enables an alternative imatinib-based therapy in inoperable or metastatic cases. The pertinent literature is reviewed.