Analysis of palliative care duration in advanced lung cancer: A 10-year retrospective study

New treatment strategies are approved for advanced lung cancer. So far, its impact on the duration of palliative care (PC) remains unknown. The objective of this study is to describe the evolution of palliative care duration over the last decade, and to identify predictive factors for longer PC duration. A retrospective study in a single center over a 10-year period (2011-2020) was conducted. Palliative care duration (PCD) was determined in all patients with confirmed lung cancer attended in a PC unit. A multiple regression analysis was performed to predict longer PCD based on eight clinical factors, including Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, oncological outcomes and previous treatments received. Median PCD increased from 18 days (2011) to 48 days (2020) (p<0.01). Percentage of patients with longer follow-up (≥6 months) increased from 7.8% (2011) to 21.6% (2020) (p<0.01). Proportion of patients with better performance status (ECOG PS 0-2) at the moment of first PC visit increased from 15.6% (2011) to 29.4% (2020) (p<0.01). Five analyzed factors were predictors for longer PCD (ECOG PS 0-2, first visit in an outpatient setting, previous treatment based on immunotherapy/targeted therapy, time to PC from diagnosis ≥6 months, overall survival ≥6 months). No differences in PCD were observed based on age, gender, or previous treatment based on chemotherapy. An increase in PCD is observed over the last decade, as well as an increase in the percentage of patients with longer follow-up and better performance status. Previous treatment based on immunotherapy/targeted therapy, oncological outcomes and ECOG PS could constitute predictive factors for longer PCD.