2026 年 34 巻 1 号 p. 36-43
Introduction: Timely diagnosis and initiation of treatment are critical determinants of outcomes in lung cancer care. This study aimed to evaluate the timeliness of lung cancer diagnosis and treatment in relation to internationally recommended time standards defined by RAND guidelines.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted using medical records from large tertiary care centers in Tbilisi. A total of 153 patients with biopsy-confirmed lung cancer were included. Key time intervals were assessed, including time to diagnosis, time to treatment initiation, and overall time from detection to treatment. Adherence to RAND-defined thresholds (≤60 days for diagnosis and ≤42 days for treatment initiation) was evaluated using descriptive statistical analysis.
Results: Diagnosis was established within the recommended timeframe in 71.2% of patients, whereas timely treatment initiation was achieved in 43.4%. Overall adherence to combined time standards was observed in 51.3% of cases. Delays were more pronounced in the post-diagnostic phase, particularly among patients undergoing surgical treatment and those participating in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. Variations were also observed across disease stages, with higher diagnostic timeliness in advanced-stage patients.
Conclusions: While diagnostic processes were relatively timely, substantial delays persist in treatment initiation, indicating a critical bottleneck in post-diagnostic care pathways. Timeliness in lung cancer care is shaped by both clinical complexity and organizational factors. In a broader context, delays appear to be driven primarily by system-level inefficiencies, particularly in resource-constrained and transition health systems. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated policy action to improve care integration, accountability, and access across the cancer care continuum.
