Quality and outcomes in global cancer surgery: protocol for a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study (GlobalSurg 3)

INTRODUCTION: Empirical, observational data relating to the diagnosis, management and outcome of three common worldwide cancers requiring surgery is lacking. However, it has been demonstrated that patients in low/middle-income countries undergoing surgery for cancer are at increased risk of death and major complications postoperatively. This study aims to determine quality and outcomes in breast, gastric and colorectal cancer surgery across worldwide hospital settings.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This multicentre, international prospective cohort study will be undertaken by any hospital providing emergency or elective surgical services for breast, gastric or colorectal cancer. Centres will collect observational data on consecutive patients undergoing primary emergency or elective surgery for breast, gastric or colorectal cancer during a 6-month period. The primary outcome is the incidence of mortality and major complication rate at 30 days after cancer surgery. Infrastructure and care processes in the treatment of these cancers worldwide will also be characterised.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This project will not affect clinical practice and has been classified as clinical audit following research ethics review. The protocol will be disseminated through the international GlobalSurg network.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03471494; Pre-results.