Trends in Mortality Rate and Associated Factors among Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy: Context of the Medical Oncology Clinic, Roi Et Hospital
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64960/srimedj.v41i1.268763Keywords:
cancer, chemotherapy, survival rate, mortality rate, risk factorsAbstract
Objectives: Evaluating treatment outcomes for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy is crucial due to cancer being a leading cause of death. This study aimed to analyze the trends in survival and mortality rates among cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at the Medical Oncology Clinic, Roi Et Hospital, and to identify demographic (sex and age) and clinical (cancer type) factors associated with mortality
Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study analyzing secondary data from 5,854 cancer patients who received chemotherapy between the fiscal years 2021–2025 (October 2020 to March 2025). Survival statistics were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method to estimate overall survival rates and the Cox proportional hazards regression model to identify predictors of mortality (hazard ratio, HR)
Results: The overall survival rates at 1 year and 3 years were 75.4% and 65.1%, respectively. The Cox model analysis revealed that significant factors increasing the risk of death included male sex (HR = 1.35), every 1-year increase in age (HR = 1.02), and cancer type, particularly lung cancer (HR = 4.21) and liver/bile duct cancer (HR = 3.89) compared to breast cancer. Furthermore, a positive trend in outcomes was observed, with patients registered in the fiscal year 2024 showing a reduction in the risk of death by 31% (HR = 0.69) compared to those registered in 2021
Conclusion: The trend in survival rates for cancer patients at this clinic shows a positive development. However, age, sex, and cancer type remain critical variables to consider in patient care and treatment planning. The study is limited by the lack of data on disease stage and specific chemotherapy regimens, thus providing fundamental survival data for more comprehensive quality of care studies in the future
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