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Mortality from breast cancer in eastern North Carolina (ENC) surpasses the rest of North Carolina (RNC). We sought to identify modifiable factors associated with the increased mortality of women diagnosed with breast cancer in ENC. A retrospective cohort study of women diagnosed with breast cancer in North Carolina between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2007 (n = 27,631) was studied. There was no difference in the pathologic T (P = 0.62), N (P = 0.26), or stage grouping (P = 0.25) at diagnosis. Women in ENC were less likely to be white (P < 0.001), estrogen receptor (ER)-positive (P < 0.001), progesterone receptor (PR)-positive (P < 0.001), or to receive adjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.02). The median survival of ENC patients was worse than RNC patients (39 vs. 43 months, P = 0.003). Improved median survival was associated with ER status (P < 0.001), PR status (P < 0.001), race/ethnicity (P < 0.001), and delivery of timely chemotherapy (P < 0.0001). ER-negative status (P = 0.01), black race (P = 0.03), and adjuvant chemotherapy within 90 days of surgery (P < 0.001) remained significant predictors of survival. The poor outcomes observed in ENC can be attributed to recognized prognostic primary patient and tumor characteristics. However, a failure in process of care remains significantly associated with poorer outcomes. Improved timing of delivery of chemotherapy could affect breast cancer mortality.

Outcomes are superior for pancreatic resection at high-volume centers. To assess the impact of focused high-volume multidisciplinary care, a quality index (QI) was used to review our experience. Data from 1996 to July 2012 were analyzed in three groups: 1) early (1996 to 2007); 2) transition (2008 to 2009); and 3) mature (2010 to July 2012). A total of 239 patients were included with a mean age of 63.4 years and the majority were white (65.7%). The number of patients with Charlson comorbidity index greater than 2 and age older than 80 years increased comparing Group 1 with latter groups. Volume increased over time: Group 1 (n = 93) 7.75/year, Group 2 (n = 51) 25.5/year, and Group 3 (n = 95) 39/year. Overall mortality was 5.9 per cent: Group 1, 4.3 per cent; Group 2, 11.5 per cent; and Group 3, 3.9 per cent (P = 0.0454). The QI score incorporates documentation, chemotherapy, resection for Stage I/II, time to treatment, margins, lymph nodes, mortality, and surgical volume with a maximum possible score 10. The QI increased over time: 3 in Group 1; 4 in Group 2; and 6 in Group 3. An improvement was noted for the quality indicators: surgical resection (P = 0.0125) and use of palliative and adjuvant therapy (P = 0.0144 and < 0.0001). Implementation of a focused multidisciplinary pancreatic surgery program increases quality.