Guideline adherence rates of chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer patients treated in U.S. community oncology practices.

596 Background: Adherence to national guidelines is a key step to improving the quality of cancer treatment. This study examined guideline adherence rates and cost of chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer patients treated in the adjuvant (Adj) and first-line metastatic (Met) settings in U.S. community oncology practices. Methods: Using a large, U.S. medical oncology clinical database derived from a web-based drug dispensing technology, adult patients with breast cancer treated with Adj and Met chemotherapy were identified from 1/1/09-9/30/09. Regimens utilized were compared to national guidelines. Costs based on Medicare (MC) reimbursement were also compared. Results: A total of 4,616 Adj and 2,828 first-line metastatic regimens were administered by 458 practices across 46 states. Median patient age was 56 and 62 in the Adj and Met groups, respectively. The Adj and Met groups received 135 and 216 different regimens, respectively. The rate of guideline adherence in the Adj group, 83%, was significantly ...