Objective: The colorectal fast track (FT) referral system was set up to ensure patients with suspected cases of colorectal cancer (CRC) received prompt access to specialized services. The aim of this study was to ascertain the association between referral source and the time it took to be seen by a colorectal surgeon to establish whether referral source had any association with the stage of disease at presentation in patients with CRC.
Method: Consecutive patients with newly diagnosed CRC presenting between October 2002 and September 2004 were identified retrospectively. Mode of presentation, symptoms, treatment and histopathology data were analysed.
Results: Data for 193 patients were analysed. Ninety seven patients (50%) presented via the FT system, 43 (22.5%) from nonfast track outpatient sources (NFT) and 53 (27.5%) as emergencies. NFT patients took significantly longer to be seen by a colorectal specialist than FT patients (median 69 vs 31 days; P < 0.001) and to initiation of treatment (median 57.5 vs 42.5 days; P = 0.001). Overall 152 patients (79%) presented with symptoms that met the FT criteria. A significantly lower number of NFT (P = 0.001) and emergency patients (P < 0.001) presented with FT symptoms compared with patients referred through the FT system. There was no significant difference between referral groups in patients undergoing surgery with potentially curative intent or stage of disease.
Conclusion: Nonfast track referral leads to a significant delay in being seen by a specialist and in initiation of treatment but no association with more advanced stage of disease or a reduction in potentially curative surgery was found.