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Routing reasons: The document discusses clinical research findings regarding surgical outcomes for rural cancer patients, which is relevant for medical professionals who evaluate and communicate clinical data.; It references a study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons with detailed statistical analysis, surgical outcome metrics, and implications for patient care delivery.; The content focuses on perioperative outcomes, impact on patient care pathways, and future research directions, which align with the interests of medical affairs professionals responsible for scientific communication and medical education.

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Rural cancer patients benefit from local surgical care Skip to content Menu Medical Home Life Sciences Home Become a Member Search Medical Home Life Sciences Home About Functional Food News Health A-Z Drugs Medical Devices Interviews White Papers More... 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The analysis, focused on adults with colon or lung cancer living in rural communities, found that patients who underwent surgery for their cancer closer to their home had similar outcomes to those who traveled to more distant urban facilities. The findings provide promising preliminary evidence that complex surgery for certain cancers can be performed safely and with just as good results at smaller community hospitals, said first author Michael E. Egger, MD, FACS, MPH, an associate professor of surgery at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Louisville, Kentucky, and past president of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Kentucky Chapter. Cancer patients in rural areas often have a harder time accessing high-quality, multidisciplinary cancer care. But traveling long distances for surgery is not practical for all patients, nor is it sustainable for high-volume urban facilities already at capacity. To better address health care disparities in rural communities, we wanted to understand where rural cancer patients seek surgical care and whether receiving it locally or farther away affected their outcomes." Michael E. Egger, MD, FACS, MPH, associate professor of surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine Using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data, Dr. Egger and his team analyzed the surgical outcomes of 10,383 rural patients with colon cancer and 6,006 with lung cancer. Researchers selected lung and colon cancers because they are common cancers often treated surgically and with other approaches. Patients were aged 65 or older, enrolled in Medicare, and resided in a rural area, defined as any area outside a Metropolitan Statistical Area as determined by ZIP code. Researchers analyzed data from patients with Stages 1-3 cancers, excluding Stage 0 (pre-cancer) and Stage 4 cancers, to better account for surgical complexity. Study results A large percentage of patients with lung cancer traveled for their surgery, but undergoing care closer to home was also common: More than half (54%) of colon cancer patients and a quarter of lung cancer patients underwent surgery for their cancer at a local hospital or cancer facility. Similar demographics: Patients had similar demographics, stage of cancer, health status, and complexity of surgery needed. A slightly higher number of patients treated at rural facilities were eligible for Medicaid (10% vs. 8%). Reassuring surgical outcomes for both groups: Patients had similar surgical outcomes and mortality rates whether they were treated at a rural or urban facility. Mortality rates at 90 days were about 5% for lung cancer patients and about 7% for colon cancer patients. Hospital readmission rates were approximately 10% for lung cancer patients and 14% for colon cancer patients. Patients treated at urban facilities traveled farther and longer: Compared with local care, treatment at urban facilities required substantially more travel for rural patients. Colon cancer patients traveled about three times farther (about 33 additional miles, 35 more minutes), while lung cancer patients traveled nearly twice as far (about 26 additional miles, 23 more minutes). Related Stories Small molecule targets glioblastoma oncogene in preclinical studies Nervous system actively promotes pre-cancerous pancreatic lesions US cancer institute studying ivermectin’s ‘ability to kill cancer cells’ Dr. Egger cautioned that although some patients in rural communities may still need to travel for cancer treatment - either by necessity or preference - this study provides preliminary evidence that complex surgical care can be delivered successfully at local hospitals. "Long travel times and costs associated with travel can be a significant burden for many cancer patients living in rural communities," he said. "As hospital systems regionalize care, it is going to be important to determine which patients can receive care more locally and who may benefit from receiving more centralized care." The study is limited to Medicare-eligible enrollees (65 years and older) and to states that contribute to SEER, which may not be representative of all patients diagnosed with lung or colon cancer, Dr. Egger added. The study also did not account for why patients were treated at rural or urban facilities - for example, whether this was due to patient preference or referral patterns. As part of a long-term project supported by the American Cancer Society, the next phase of research will examine the unique characteristics of rural and urban facilities that achieved strong patient outcomes, and will examine comprehensive cancer care beyond the immediate postoperative period. "Surgery is just one important part of a cancer patient's continuum of care, which may also include chemotherapy, radiation treatment, or other therapies," Dr. Egger said. "Disparities in cancer treatment may be caused by delays in screening or treatment after surgery. Some of our future research will examine what we can learn from high-performing facilities to improve cancer care for rural patients." Co-authors are Tyler Jones, MS; Quinn Piamonte, MD; Charlie H. Zhang, PhD; Seyed Karimi, PhD; Bert B. Little, PhD; Matthew P. Fox, MD; Sandra L. Kavalukas, MD, FACS; Kelly M. McMasters, MD, PhD, FACS; and Maiying Kong, PhD. Source: American College of Surgeons Journal reference: Egger, M. E., et al . (2026). Perioperative Outcomes of Rural-Dwelling Patients Undergoing Lung and Colon Cancer Operation in Rural Facility. Journal of the American College of Surgeons . DOI: 10.1097/XCS.0000000000001781. https://journals.lww.com/journalacs/abstract/9900/perioperative_outcomes_of_rural_dwelling_patients.1557.aspx Posted in: Medical Procedure News | Medical Research News | Medical Condition News | Healthcare News Comments (0) Download PDF Copy Suggested Reading Review links betel nut addiction to cancer, heart disease, and metabolic risks High intake of ultraprocessed foods increases risk of both all-cause and cancer-specific death Reprogrammed neutrophils promote tumor growth AI foundation model advances comprehensive brain MRI analysis Triple negative breast cancer cells use new strategy to boost metastatic ability Mesothelial cells enable rapid invasion and spread of ovarian cancer Tumor-targeted chimeric drug increases efficacy and limits side effects RNA micelles enable targeted chemotherapy without immune toxicity Comments The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical. 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Rural cancer patients with lung or colon cancer have comparable surgical outcomes when treated locally versus urban centers, highlighting feasibility of local complex cancer surgery.

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Original document text

One-line Summary

Rural cancer patients with lung or colon cancer have comparable surgical outcomes when treated locally versus urban centers, highlighting feasibility of local complex cancer surgery.

Decision Bullets

Scientific Summary: Local hospitals can safely perform complex lung and colon cancer surgeries with outcomes comparable to urban centers.

View citation support (1)

The analysis, focused on adults with colon or lung cancer living in rural communities, found that patients who underwent surgery for their cancer closer to their home had similar outcomes to those who traveled to more distant urban facilities.

…uality surgical care, according to a new analysis published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons ( JACS ). The analysis, focused on adults with colon or lung cancer living in rural communities, found that patients who underwent surgery for their cancer closer to their home had similar outcomes to those who traveled to more distant urban facilities . The findings provide promising preliminary evidence that complex surgery for certain cancers can be performed safely a…

Offsets: 1964–2207

Confidence: 77% Medium
Evidence Gaps: Lack of data on reasons for patient hospital choice and applicability to younger or non-Medicare populations.

View citation support (1)

Study results A large percentage of patients with lung cancer traveled for their surgery, but undergoing care closer to home was also common: More than half (54%) of colon cancer patients and a quarter of lung cancer patients underwent surgery for their cancer at a local hospital or cancer facility.

… with Stages 1-3 cancers, excluding Stage 0 (pre-cancer) and Stage 4 cancers, to better account for surgical complexity. Study results A large percentage of patients with lung cancer traveled for their surgery, but undergoing care closer to home was also common: More than half (54%) of colon cancer patients and a quarter of lung cancer patients underwent surgery for their cancer at a local hospital or cancer facility . Similar demographics: Patients had similar demographics, stage of cancer, health status, and complexity of surgery nee…

Offsets: 3855–4155

Confidence: 72% Medium
Medical Insights: Reducing travel burden for rural patients may improve access without compromising surgical quality.

View citation support (1)

& Personal Care Contact Meet the Team Advertise Search Become a Member Webinars eBooks Posters Podcasts Contact Meet the Team Advertise Search Become a Member Rural cancer patients benefit from local surgical care Download PDF Copy Reviewed American College of Surgeons Feb 11 2026 Adults living in rural communities of

…tact Meet the Team Advertise Search Become a Member White Papers MediKnowledge eBooks Posters Podcasts Newsletters Healt h & Personal Care Contact Meet the Team Advertise Search Become a Member Webinars eBooks Posters Podcasts Contact Meet the Team Advertise Search Become a Member Rural cancer patients benefit from local surgical care Download PDF Copy Reviewed American College of Surgeons Feb 11 2026 Adults living in rural communities o ften travel long distances when seeking treatment for cancer, but distant travel may not always be necessary to receive …

Offsets: 1398–1718

Confidence: 85% Strong
Stakeholder Considerations: Healthcare systems should balance centralization with local availability to address capacity and patient convenience.

View citation support (1)

Study results A large percentage of patients with lung cancer traveled for their surgery, but undergoing care closer to home was also common: More than half (54%) of colon cancer patients and a quarter of lung cancer patients underwent surgery for their cancer at a local hospital or cancer facility.

… with Stages 1-3 cancers, excluding Stage 0 (pre-cancer) and Stage 4 cancers, to better account for surgical complexity. Study results A large percentage of patients with lung cancer traveled for their surgery, but undergoing care closer to home was also common: More than half (54%) of colon cancer patients and a quarter of lung cancer patients underwent surgery for their cancer at a local hospital or cancer facility . Similar demographics: Patients had similar demographics, stage of cancer, health status, and complexity of surgery nee…

Offsets: 3855–4155

Confidence: 65% Medium
Next Steps: Research to characterize high-performing rural facilities and evaluate full cancer care continuum beyond surgery.

View citation support (1)

As part of a long-term project supported by the American Cancer Society, the next phase of research will examine the unique characteristics of rural and urban facilities that achieved strong patient outcomes, and will examine comprehensive cancer care beyond the immediate postoperative period.

…ere treated at rural or urban facilities - for example, whether this was due to patient preference or referral patterns. As part of a long-term project supported by the American Cancer Society, the next phase of research will examine the unique characteristics of rural and urban facilities that achieved strong patient outcomes, and will examine comprehensive cancer care beyond the immediate postoperative period . "Surgery is just one important part of a cancer patient's continuum of care, which may also include chemotherapy, radi…

Offsets: 6350–6644

Confidence: 85% Strong

Mind Map

mindmap
  root((Rural Cancer Surgical Care))
    Scientific_Summary
      Local_Safety((Local surgery safe & effective))
      Outcomes((Similar mortality & readmission))
    Evidence_Gaps
      Patient_Choice((Reasons for facility choice unknown))
      Population_Limitations((Limited to Medicare 65+))
      Cancer_Stages((Excludes stage 0 & 4))
    Medical_Insights
      Access((Improved access by local care))
      Burden((Less travel burden))
    Stakeholder_Considerations
      Healthcare_Systems((Balance regionalization & local care))
      Capacity((Urban centers at capacity))
      Patient_Preferences((Consider travel feasibility))
    Next_Steps
      Facility_Characteristics((Identify traits of high-performing centers))
      Comprehensive_Care((Study beyond surgery outcomes))
      Disparities((Address rural-urban care gaps))

#	Bullet	Supporting Quote	Level
1	Scientific Summary: Local hospitals can safely perform complex lung and colon cancer surgeries with outcomes comparable to urban centers.	"The analysis, focused on adults with colon or lung cancer living in rural communities, found that patients who underwent surgery for their cancer closer to their home had similar outcomes to those who traveled to more distant urban facilities."	Medium
2	Evidence Gaps: Lack of data on reasons for patient hospital choice and applicability to younger or non-Medicare populations.	"Study results A large percentage of patients with lung cancer traveled for their surgery, but undergoing care closer to home was also common: More than half (54%) of colon cancer patients and a quarter of lung cancer patients underwent surgery for their cancer at a local hospital or cancer facility."	Medium
3	Medical Insights: Reducing travel burden for rural patients may improve access without compromising surgical quality.	"& Personal Care Contact Meet the Team Advertise Search Become a Member Webinars eBooks Posters Podcasts Contact Meet the Team Advertise Search Become a Member Rural cancer patients benefit from local surgical care Download PDF Copy Reviewed American College of Surgeons Feb 11 2026 Adults living in rural communities of"	Strong
4	Stakeholder Considerations: Healthcare systems should balance centralization with local availability to address capacity and patient convenience.	"Study results A large percentage of patients with lung cancer traveled for their surgery, but undergoing care closer to home was also common: More than half (54%) of colon cancer patients and a quarter of lung cancer patients underwent surgery for their cancer at a local hospital or cancer facility."	Medium
5	Next Steps: Research to characterize high-performing rural facilities and evaluate full cancer care continuum beyond surgery.	"As part of a long-term project supported by the American Cancer Society, the next phase of research will examine the unique characteristics of rural and urban facilities that achieved strong patient outcomes, and will examine comprehensive cancer care beyond the immediate postoperative period."	Strong

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Rural cancer patients undergoing surgery for colon or lung cancer have similar perioperative outcomes whether treated locally or at distant urban centers, suggesting safe complex surgical care can be

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Rural cancer patients with lung or colon cancer have comparable surgical outcomes when treated locally versus urban centers, highlighting feasibility of local complex cancer surgery.

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