Clinical and Financial Outcomes of Pulmonary Resection for Lung Cancer in Safety-Net Hospitals

This article explores the disparities in access to minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) based on socioeconomic status. After analyzing data from the National Cancer Database (2010-2020), which covered more than 217,000 patients, the study found that patients from lower-income neighborhoods had significantly reduced odds of receiving MIS compared to those from higher-income areas, even when controlling for insurance, race, and disease stage. This disparity persisted until more recent years (2016-2020), when care at high-volume MIS centers helped eliminate these inequities, offering equal access to MIS for all income groups. 

This research is crucial for the cardiothoracic surgery community, as it underscores ongoing socioeconomic barriers to optimal surgical care. It further highlights the need for targeted interventions, to expand access to high-volume centers and ensure equitable surgical treatment for all patients.