Time from surgery to first adjuvant chemotherapy: Experiences at an inner-city Canadian hospital.

527 Background: Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) guidelines advise that colorectal cancer (CRC) patients receive their first adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) no later than 8 weeks after surgical resection, with new data suggesting optimal treatment to commence between 4 and 6 weeks. This retrospective study was performed to determine treatment timelines and identify barriers at St. Michael’s Hospital (SMH). Methods: Of the 507 patients diagnosed with CRC between Jan 1, 2005 and May 1, 2012 at SMH, 304 patients had stage II or III CRC. Our sample population of 159 patients received both surgical resection and AC at SMH. Data collected included: time between surgery and first AC, patient demographics, systemic/clinical barriers and recurrence-free survival. Data was analyzed using SAS statistical software assuming p-values <0.05 as significant. Results: Of our 159 patients, mean age was 61.3 years (range 28 – 91); 54% male and 70% had stage III disease; colon cancer (64%) and mean follow-up was 2.2 years (range 0.1 – 5....