OP25 TIME FROM REFERRAL TO FIRST DEFINITIVE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH HIGH-GRADE (WHO GRADE III OR IV) INTRA-CRANIAL GLIAL TUMOURS AT A REGIONAL NEUROSURGICAL CENTRE

• Published in: Neuro-oncology (Charlottesville, Va.) Va.), 2014-10, Vol.16 (suppl 6), p.vi20-vi20
• Main Authors: Talibi, S. S., Qureshi, H. U., James, C., Giridharan, S., Brydon, H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1522-8517; 1523-5866
• DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nou251.24

INTRODUCTION: In 2006, NICE published guidelines for referral pathways in patients diagnosed with high-grade (WHO grade III-or-IV) intra-cranial glial tumours. Referrals should be made to the regional neuro-oncology MDT in-order to form consensus on optimal management plan and minimise any subsequent delay. Objective is to identify delays and time from referral to 1st-definitive treatment. METHOD: Retrospective review over 6-months. 34 patients with de novo high-grade (WHO grades III-or-IV) intra-cranial gliomas on histology, and age >18-years. Data was collected from the neurosurgery operative records, neurosciences MDT records, and patients' medical notes. RESULTS: 34 patients (13M:21F) underwent biopsy, debulking or debulking with use of gliadal wafers. Mean age was 67.8 years (range 44.1-84.6). Median in-patient stay was 7-days (range 2-46). 4 patients underwent emergency surgery before MDT. Median time interval from the GP-referral to operative intervention was 18.5-days (range 10-38). Median time interval from 1st-diagnostic scan to operative intervention was 16-days (interquartile range: 8.5-26.5). Median time interval from 1st-diagnostic scan to post-operative MDT was 25-days (IQ: 19-35.6). Median time interval from 1st-diagnostic scan to oncology appointment was 40-days (IQ: 32.2-49.5). CONCLUSION: The centre is compliant with NICE-guidelines recommendation of 1-month from 1st-diagnosis to 1st-definitive treatment and 2-months for GP-referrals. Our data is also comparable to another similar published series.