Overcoming sociodemographic factors in the care of patients with testicular cancer at a safety net hospital

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to determine whether standardized treatment of germ cell tumors (GCTs) could overcome sociodemographic factors limiting patient care. Methods: The records of all patients undergoing primary treatment for GCTs at both a public safety net hospital and an academic tertiary care center in the same metropolitan area were analyzed. Both institutions were managed by the same group of physicians in the context of multidisciplinary cancer care. Patients were grouped by care center; clinicopathologic features and outcomes were analyzed. Results: Between 2006 and 2018, 106 and 95 patients underwent initial treatment for GCTs at the safety net hospital and the tertiary care center, respectively. Safety net patients were younger (29 vs 33 years; P =.005) and were more likely to be Hispanic (79% vs 11%), to be uninsured (80% vs 12%; P