Weekday of gastrectomy for cancer in relation to mortality and oncological outcomes – A Dutch population-based cohort study

Background

Some studies demonstrate that high-complex surgeries performed later in the week are associated with higher postoperative mortality and worse long-term survival. The aim of this cohort study was to determine whether weekday influences outcomes in patients undergoing gastrectomy for cancer.

Surgical treatment and prognosis of breast cancer in elderly – A population-based study

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate outcome of treatment in patients over 80 years of age with early breast cancer at the time of the diagnosis with special interest in surgical treatment.Materials and methodsBreast cancer patients older than 80 years of age, treated at the Breast Surgery Unit of Helsinki University Hospital in 2005–2010 were identified from electronic patient records. Patients were followed-up until the end of 2014. Patient and tumour characteristics, recurrences, co-morbidities and reasons for omission of surgery were collected from electronic patient records. Survival data was obtained from Finnish Cancer Registry.Results446 patients were eligible for the study: 401 (90%) received surgery. The median follow-up time was 52 months. In the entire study population, local and regional recurrences/disease progression were diagnosed in 16 (3.6%) and 6 (1.3%) patients, respectively. The five-year overall survival was 50.6% in the surgical treatment and only 15.2% in non-surgical treatment group, p < 0.001. Also, the five-year breast cancer specific survival was significantly better in the patients with surgery, 82.0%, but 56.0% in the patients without surgery, p < 0.001. There was no mortality related to the surgery, but 122 (30%) patients died within three years from surgery.ConclusionSurgical treatment rate was high. OS and BCSS were better in surgically treated elderly patients. Local and regional disease control was excellent, probably due to high rate of surgical treatment. Surgical treatment also seemed safe in this elderly patient population. However, surgical overtreatment was obvious in some patients.     

Management and prognosis of locally recurrent rectal cancer – A national population-based study

Background

The rate of local recurrence of rectal cancer (LRRC) has decreased but the condition remains a therapeutic challenge. This study aimed to examine treatment and prognosis in patients with LRRC in Sweden. Special focus was directed towards potential differences between geographical regions and time periods.

Incidence of second primary cancers among survivors of childhood cancer: A population-based study,Osaka, Japan, 1975–2015

Second primary cancer (SPC) is one of the most life-threatening late effects of childhood cancers. We investigated the incidence and survival outcomes of SPC in childhood cancer patients in Japan. Data were obtained from the population-based Osaka Cancer Registry. Individuals diagnosed with cancer at age 0–14 years during 1975–2014 and survived 2 months or longer were followed through December 2015. The risk of developing SPC was assessed with standardized incidence ratio (SIR), excess absolute risk (EAR, per 100,000 person-years), and cumulative incidence. Multivariable Poisson regression analysis was carried out to assess relative risks of SPC by treatment method. Survival analysis was undertaken using the Kaplan–Meier method. Of 7229 childhood cancer survivors, 101 (1.4%) developed SPC after a median of 11.6 years. Overall SIR was 5.0, which corresponded with 84.3 EAR. The cumulative incidence was 0.9%, 2.1%, and 3.4% at 10, 20, and 30 years, respectively. Among all SPCs, the type that contributed most to the overall burden was cancers in the central nervous system (EAR = 28.0) followed by digestive system (EAR = 15.1), thyroid (EAR = 8.3), and bones and joints (EAR = 7.8); median latency ranged from 2.0 years (lymphomas) to 26.6 years (skin cancers). Patients treated with radiotherapy alone were at a 2.58-fold increased risk of developing SPC compared to those who received neither chemotherapy nor radiotherapy. Among patients who developed SPCs, 5-year and 10-year survival probabilities after SPC diagnosis were 61.7% and 52.0%, respectively. Risk-based long-term follow-up planning is essential to inform survivorship care and help reduce the burden of SPCs in childhood cancer survivors.     

Incidence,survival, and mortality of cancer in children and young adolescents in Belgium and the Netherlands in 2004–2015: A comparative population-based study

International comparisons of cancer surveillance measures may provide insight into inequalities in registration practices, etiological factors, and treatment strategies. This study aimed to compare incidence, survival, and mortality of cancer in children and young adolescents between Belgium and the Netherlands. All children (0–14 years) and young adolescents (15–17 years) diagnosed with cancer between 2004 and 2015 were selected from the population-based cancer registries of Belgium (N = 4739) and the Netherlands (N = 7322). Differences in incidence and mortality were expressed as standardized rate ratios (SRR; BE/NL). Five-year observed survival was calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. During 2004–2015, the overall cancer incidence among children and young adolescents was similar in both countries. Incidence of neuroblastoma was significantly higher in Belgian children (2010–2015: SRR = 1.3, 95% CI 1.0–1.6). Five-year survival of all malignant cancers was comparable in 2010–2015, exceeding 80% in both age groups. Remarkable differences in survival existed in children for malignant central nervous system (CNS) tumors in 2004–2009 (BE = 62%, NL = 45%), for acute myeloid leukemia (BE = 68%, NL = 78%) and rhabdomyosarcomas (BE = 60%, NL = 79%) in 2010–2015, and for neuroblastoma in both periods (2004–2009: BE = 76%, NL = 64%; 2010–2015: BE = 82%, NL = 64%). Overall cancer mortality in children decreased by approximately 3 percent-points annually in both countries, but was slightly lower in Belgium in 2004–2009 (SRR = 0.9, 95% CI 0.7–1.0). Despite differences for specific cancer types, overall cancer incidence, survival, and mortality were comparable between Dutch and Belgian children and young adolescents in 2010–2015. Variability in screening, diagnosis, and registration practices probably explains the observed differences in incidence and survival of neuroblastoma and malignant CNS tumors.     

Peritoneal metastases from extra-abdominal cancer – A population-based study

Introduction

Peritoneal metastases (PM) are predominantly seen as a manifestation of intra-abdominal malignancy such as colorectal or ovarian cancer. However, extra-abdominal primary cancer can also metastasise to the peritoneum. Population-based data on the incidence of PM from extra-abdominal cancer is lacking. This study aims to assess the patterns and survival of patients in Ireland with PM from extra-abdominal cancers.

Does comorbidity interact with colorectal cancer to increase mortality? A nationwide population-based cohort study

Background:

It is unknown whether comorbidity interacts with colorectal cancer (CRC) to increase the rate of mortality beyond that explained by the independent effects of CRC and comorbid conditions.

Methods:

We conducted a cohort study (1995–2010) of all Danish CRC patients (n=56 963), and five times as many persons from the general population (n=271 670) matched by age, gender, and specific comorbidities. To analyse comorbidity, we used the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) scores. We estimated standardised mortality rates per 1000 person-years, and calculated interaction contrasts as a measure of the excess mortality rate not explained by the independent effects of CRC or comorbidities.

Results:

Among CRC patients with a CCI score=1, the 0–1 year mortality rate was 415 out of 1000 person-years (95% confidence interval (CI): 401, 430) and the interaction accounted for 9.3% of this rate (interaction contrast=39 out of 1000 person-years, 95% CI: 22, 55). For patients with a CCI score of 4 or more, the interaction accounted for 34% of the mortality (interaction contrast=262 out of 1000 person-years, 95% CI: 215, 310). The interaction between CRC and comorbidities had limited influence on mortality beyond 1 year after diagnosis.

Conclusion:

Successful treatment of the comorbidity is pivotal and may reduce the mortality attributable to comorbidity itself, and also the mortality attributable to the interaction.     

A population-based case–control study of carotenoid and vitamin A intake and ovarian cancer (United States)

Objective: To evaluate the association between dietary intake of carotenoids and vitamin A and the incidence of ovarian cancer. Methods: We conducted a population-based case–control study of ovarian cancer in Massachusetts and Wisconsin. Incident cases diagnosed between 1991 and 1994 were identified through statewide tumor registries. We selected community controls at random from lists of licensed drivers and Medicare recipients; 327 cases and 3129 controls were included in the analysis. Data were collected by telephone interview, which included an abbreviated food and supplement list to quantify typical consumption of carotenoids (lutein/zeaxanthin, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene), retinol and total vitamin A at 5 years prior to diagnosis in cases, or to a comparable reference date in controls. Results were adjusted for age, state, and other risk factors. Results: Participants with the highest dietary intake of lutein/zeaxanthin (24,000 g/week) experienced a 40% lower risk of ovarian cancer (95% CI = 0.36–0.99) compared to those with the lowest intake. Intake of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, retinol and total vitamin A was unrelated to risk. Among foods, we observed non-significantly lower risks with high consumption of spinach, carrots, skim/lowfat milk and liver. Conclusion: These results support previous findings suggesting an inverse relationship between carotenoid intake and ovarian cancer risk.     

Intraabdominal and retroperitoneal soft-tissue sarcomas – Surgical treatment and outcomes

BackgroundIntraabdominal and retroperitoneal sarcomas (IaRS) are malignant connective tissue tumors. Surgical resection is often the only curative treatment. The primary objective was to report the mid-term outcomes following contemporary treatment protocols and identify prognostic factors.MethodsA retrospective review of consecutive patients (n = 107) with IaRS treated at single center from 2013 until 2018 was conducted. Histological diagnosis, tumor grade, perioperative complications, mortality, and long-time survival were registered and retrieved from patient records. Primary and recurrent tumors were analyzed separately.ResultsA total of 107 patients were identified. Median follow-up time was 3.5 years. Thirty-day mortality was 3.4% and 90-day mortality was 5.6% for all tumors. The major complication rate was 18%. The 5-year estimated survival for primary and recurrent tumors was 55.4% and 48.4%, respectively. Multifocal disease was evident in 32% of the patient cohort, and 58% of patients in the recurrent group. Multivariate analysis for survival revealed a hazard ratio (HR) of 3.1 (95% CI 1.68–8.41) for multifocality, HR 2.9 (95% CI 1.28–6.98) for Clavien-Dindo grade, HR 2.3 (95% CI 1.21–4.31) for tumor grades 2 or 3, and HR 1.002 (95% CI 1.001–1.004) for surgical margins.ConclusionsOur study found overall acceptable morbidity and mortality, and identified prognostic markers for overall survival. Recurrent tumors were not associated with worse survival. Multifocality is associated with a worse overall survival. The prognostic factors identified were; tumor grade, multifocality, intralesional margins and postoperative complications.     

Incidence of second primary malignancy after breast cancer and related risk factors—Is breast-conserving surgery safe? A nested case–control study

Risk of second primary malignancy (SPM) is increasing. We aimed to assess the incidence and related risk factors of SPM among breast cancer (BC) patients from this nested case–control study using the SEER database. BC patients with SPM were identified as the case group and SPM-free patients were defined as the control group. Propensity score matching of cases with controls by the year of the first primary BC diagnosis was conducted at the ratio of 1:5, and 97,242 BC patients were enrolled from 1998 to 2013 after the matching. The incidence of SPM in BC patients stratified by age groups and cancer sites was compared to the general population using the adjusted standardized incidence ratio (SIR) and the risk factors for SPM were examined using Cox proportional hazard regressions. Our study showed BC patients had excess risk for SPM than the general population (adjusted SIR for all cancer sites = 12.94, p < 0.001) and the incidence of SPM among them decreased with age. The risk of SPM was significantly related to the following demographical and clinical variables: age (40–59 vs. 18–39, HR = 1.33; 60–79 vs. 18–39, HR = 2.39; ≥80 vs. 18–39, HR = 2.84), race (black vs. white, HR = 1.12), histological type (lobular BC vs. ductal BC, HR = 1.15), radiotherapy (HR = 1.33), marital status (married vs. single, HR = 0.88) and estrogen receptor status (positive vs. negative, HR = 0.85). Consistent results were found in subgroup analysis stratified by contralateral-breast SPMs and nonbreast SPMs.     

Survival of older patients with metastasised breast cancer lags behind despite evolving treatment strategies – A population-based study

BackgroundOlder women are more likely to be diagnosed with primary metastasised breast cancer than their younger counterparts. Evolving treatment strategies of metastasised breast cancer have resulted in improved survival in younger patients, but it remains unclear if this improvement has occurred in older patients as well. The aim of this study was to assess changes in treatment strategies over time in relation to overall and relative survival of older patients compared to younger patients with primary metastasised breast cancer.MethodsAll patients with a breast cancer diagnosis and distant metastases at first presentation (stage IV), between 1990 and 2012, were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Changes in treatment over time per age-group (<65 years, 65–75 years and >75 years) were assessed using logistic regression. Overall survival over time was calculated using Cox Regression Models and relative survival was assessed using the Ederer II method.ResultsOverall, 14,310 patients were included. Treatment strategies have strongly changed in the past twenty years; especially the use of chemotherapy has increased (P < 0.001 in all age-groups). Overall survival of patients <65 has significantly improved (Hazard Ratio (HR) per year 0.98, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.98–0.99, P < 0.001), but the survival of older patients has not improved (HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.99–1.01, P = 0.86 for patients aged 65–75 and HR 1.00, 95% CI 1.00–1.01, P = 0.46 for patients aged >75). Similarly, relative survival has improved in patients <65 but not in women aged 65–75 and >75.ConclusionOverall and relative survival of older patients with metastasised breast cancer at first presentation have not improved in recent years in contrast with the survival of younger patients, despite increased treatment with chemotherapy for women of all ages. Future studies should focus on stratification models that can be used to predict which patients may benefit from specific treatment options.     

Impact of diagnosis-to-treatment waiting time on survival in esophageal cancer patients – A population-based study in The Netherlands

Background

The aim of this study was to determine whether the waiting time from diagnosis to treatment with curative intent for esophageal cancer impacts oncologic outcomes.

Clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of perianal Paget’s disease:A SEER population-based study

Objective The aim of the study was to analyze the clinical features of patients with perianal Paget’s disease(PPD)and investigate prognosis risk factors.Methods The SEER*Stat software was used to identify 116 PPD patients from 1975 to 2015 in the SEER research database.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to conduct a univariate analysis for PPD patients.The differences in survival rates were evaluated using the log-rank test.The differences in the clinicopathological features of PPD patients with or without anorectal carcinoma were compared using the chi-square test.Results The median survival time of PPD patients was 44 months.The median age of onset was 73 years old.The 43.10%of the patients were alive at the end of follow up,and only 12.93%of the patients died of PPD.Elderly(age>70 years;χ^2=9.453,P=0.002),poor differentiation(χ^2=46.557,P=0.000)and abdominal perineal resection(APR;χ^2=46.557,P=0.000)were unfavorable risk factors of prognosis.Nearly 50%of PPD had combined with other malignancies,and over 22.41%of those had multiple primary neoplasms(3 or more).PPDs predisposed concurrent malignancy,and 48.21%of PPD patients with other malignancies combined with anorectal carcinoma in the study.Stage(χ^2=10.127,P=0.018),and surgical method(χ^2=12.245,P=0.007)were statistically significant in the PPD patients with or without anorectal carcinoma.The 16.07%of patients had multiple lesions of Paget’s.Conclusion Patients with PPD have a favorable survival,while the disease-specific mortality is low.Diagnosed age,differentiation,and surgical methods were the influence factors of prognosis in PPD patients.PPDs with anorectal carcinoma is of most important in further investigation.     

Socio-economic factors and breast cancer survival – a population-based cohort study (Sweden)

Objective: To assess the influence of socio-economic factors on breast cancer survival in Sweden, a country with population-based mammography screening and a uniform health care system aiming to provide care to all on equal terms.Methods: All women with a first diagnosis of invasive breast cancer in Sweden in 1993 were identified in the Swedish Cancer Register. Their sociodemographic characteristics were determined by record linkages to the 1970, 1980, 1985 and 1990 Census databases, and a nationwide Fertility Register. Information on tumor characteristics at diagnosis was obtained from five Swedish Regional Cancer Registers. Survival status on 31 December 1998, was assessed through follow-up in the Swedish Cause of Death Register.Results: Of totally 4645 eligible women diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993, 772 had died from breast cancer through 1998. After adjustment for tumor characteristics and age, risk of death was 37 higher among women of low compared to high socio-economic status (HR high vs. low 0.73; 95 CI: 0.54–0.99). This difference was most pronounced in women less than 50 years at diagnosis.Conclusions: These results show that socio-economic disparities in breast cancer survival prevail even in this relatively homogenous society, offering outreach mammography and standardised treatment regimens in a tax-funded health care system.Financial support: This study was supported by the Swedish Council for Social Research (grant No. 97-0221), Karolinska Institutet Research Funds and the Swedish Cancer Society.     

A population-based audit of surgical practice and outcomes of oncoplastic breast conservations in Scotland – An analysis of 589 patients

Introduction

Current evidence for oncoplastic breast conservation (OBC) is based on single institutional series. Therefore, we carried out a population-based audit of OBC practice and outcomes in Scotland.

Mammography screening in three Finnish residential areas: comprehensive population-based study of breast cancer incidence and incidence-based mortality 1976–2009

Background:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a large-scale screening programme for breast cancer (BC) in Turku, Finland. Incidence and incidence-based mortality (IBM) figures were compared with the areas applying different screening policies.

Methods:

Deaths and person-time of women aged 40–84 were assessed for the period 1976–1986 (prescreening era) and the periods 1987–1997 and 1998–2009 (screening periods) using incidence and IBM by age at diagnosis and at death. There was a total of 40.7 million women-years, 83 497 invasive BCs obtained from the Finnish Cancer Registry; 17 508 BC deaths were linked with the data from Statistics Finland.

Results:

In Turku, a significant (> 20%) reduction in IBM occurred during 1987–2009 among women aged 60–74 years at diagnosis compared with Helsinki (IBMRR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.57–1.00), and in women aged 75–84 years at death compared with the rest of Finland (IBMRR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.53–0.96).

Conclusions:

The wide mammography screening programme in Turku was effective in decreasing BC mortality in the elderly age groups. These results support the implementation of BC screening from age 50 up to 74 years.     

Volume,staging and grading of gastro-intestinal carcinoma—a population-based study

All cases of the Regional Cancer Registry, North Baden who developed a gastro-intestinal cancer during the period 1975–1980 were re-examined according to the following parameters: tumor volume, pT stage, pN stage, grading. In the period considered, 8424 cases out of 14,061 cases with histologically proven gastro-intestinal cancer could be grouped according to the pT stage. Most of the cases were operated at the pT2 or pT3 stage. Remarkable differences in the different tumor localizations were obtained. Stomach carcinoma had the highest percentage of the pT4 stage (36.2%), rectum carcinoma the lowest (7%). In all primaries a close coherence of tumor volume and pT stage was noted. Carcinoma at the pT1 stage measured 20 cm³ on average, those at the pT4 stage 170 cm³. No coherence of staging and age of the patients could be obtained. Younger patients showed a higher percentage of undifferentiated carcinoma than older patients. Survival data could not be obtained due to the data protection law.     

A population-based, case–control study of green tea consumption and leukemia risk in southwestern Taiwan

Objective  This study investigated the association between green tea consumption and leukemia. Methods  A total of 252 cases (90.3% response) and 637 controls (53.4% response) were enrolled. Controls were matched for cases on age and gender. Information was collected on participants’ living habits, including tea consumption. Green tea was used as a standard to estimate the total amount of individual catechin consumption. We stratified individual consumption of catechins into four levels. Conditional logistic regression models were fit to subjects aged 0–15 and 16–29 years to evaluate separate associations between leukemia and catechin consumption. Results  A significant inverse association between green tea consumption and leukemia risk was found in individuals aged 16–29 years, whereas no significant association was found in the younger age groups. For the older group with higher amounts of tea consumption (>550 units of catechins), the adjusted odds ratio (OR) compared with the group without tea consumption was 0.47 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.23–0.97]. After we adjusted for smoking status and medical irradiation exposure, the overall OR for all participants was 0.49 (95% CI = 0.27–0.91), indicating an inverse relation between large amounts of catechins and leukemia. Conclusion  Drinking sufficient amounts of tea, especially green tea, which contains more catechins than oolong tea and black tea, may reduce the risk of leukemia.     

Cardiovascular mortality trends in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: a population-based cohort study

Background: Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) survivors are at a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

Methods: A population-based study was conducted to investigate the cardiovascular mortality trends to identify NHL survivors at the highest risk.

Results: The CVDs mortality was the second most common cause of death (13.07%) after NHL. There were more patients ≥ 60 years old in the cardiovascular group (87.2%), P < 0.001. Patients who died from CVDs had the best survival while patients who died from NHL had a significantly lower mean survival. The overall survival rate was 92.4%. Consistently, older age, unmarried, male patients, not recently diagnosed with NHL and not receiving radiation and/or surgery were associated with a worse survival across all models. The black race and stage IV only had a worse cardiovascular specific survival (CVSS).

Conclusions: Although the CVSS improved over time, the mortality from the CVDs is still the second most common cause of death after NHL. Older age, not married, black, male patients, not recently diagnosed with NHL, with an advanced stage and not receiving radiation and/or surgery were associated with a worse survival. Risk factor modification along with CVDs screening should be intensified in NHL patients with these mortality predictors.