Cancer patients with COPD survive better at large hospitals

Danish patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), who also suffer from Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD), have the best chance of surviving surgery at a large hospital compared to a small hospital. That is evident from a study conducted by Department of Clinical Epidemiology and the Danish Cancer Society. The study includes more than 1,800 CRC patients with COPD. It shows that one year mortality was 32% for patients who had been operated at a large hospital, while it was 39% at the small hospitals.

Consultant, PhD Reimar W. Thomsen from DCE explains that it is likely that not only surgical experience but also good intensive care and expertise in pulmonary medication may make a difference to CRC patients with COPD.