Table 2.
Referral patterns and diagnostic work-up performed.
| Primary care physician (n = 182) | Specialist (n = 179) | |
|---|---|---|
| Reason for referral | ||
| Diagnosis (MUO) | 173 (95%) | 66 (37%) |
| Sequencing or trial | 9 (5%) | 113 (63%) |
| Investigations performed prior to referral | ||
| Baseline bloods | 165 (91%) | 173 (97%) |
| CT chest, abdomen, and pelvis | 117 (64%) | 150 (84%) |
| Biopsy | 69 (38%) | 163 (91%) |
| Mammogram (females only) | 30/89 (34%) | 38/102 (37%) |
| PSA (males with bone disease) | 20/30 (67%) | 17/21 (81%) |
| Endoscopy | 28 (15%) | 85 (47%) |
| PET scan | 35 (19%) | 116 (65%) |
| Completed work-up per ESMO clinical practice guidelines [3] prior to referral | 43 (24%) | 86 (48%) |
| Investigations performed after referral | ||
| Baseline bloods | 102 (56%) | 44 (25%) |
| CT chest, abdomen and pelvis | 51 (28%) | 15 (8%) |
| Biopsy (total) | 95 (52%) | 31 (17%) |
| Initial biopsy | 72 (40%) | 10 (5%) |
| Repeat biopsy | 23 (12%) | 21 (12%) |
| PET scan | 92 (51%) | 47 (26%) |
ESMO European Society of Medical Oncology, MUO malignancy of unknown origin, PET positron emission tomography, PSA prostate specific antigen.