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Cancer Outcomes (cancer + outcome)
Selected AbstractsImpact of nutrition support on treatment outcome in patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer treated with definitive radiotherapy: A secondary analysis of RTOG trial 90-03,HEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 4 2006Rachel Rabinovitch MD Abstract Background. The aim was to evaluate the relationship between nutrition support (NS) on host toxicity and cancer outcome in patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) undergoing definitive radiotherapy (XRT). Methods. We performed a secondary analysis of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 90-03, a prospective randomized trial evaluating four definitive XRT fractionation schedules in patients with locally advanced HNSCC, which prospectively collected data on NS delivered before treatment (BNS), during treatment (TNS), and after definitive XRT. NS data and pretreatment characteristics of the 1073 evaluable patients were analyzed against therapy toxicity and outcome. Results. Patients receiving BNS experienced significantly less weight loss by the end of treatment and less grade 3 to 4 mucositis than patients not receiving BNS. However, patients receiving BNS had a poorer 5-year actuarial locoregional control rate than patients receiving TNS or no NS (29%, 55%, and 57%, respectively, p < .0001) and a poorer 5-year overall survival rate (16%, 36%, and 49%, respectively, p < .0001). Patients receiving BNS were significantly more likely to have a higher T classification, N status, and overall American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage and initial presentation with greater pretreatment weight loss, and a poorer Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) than patients not receiving BNS. After adjusting for the impact of these prognostic factors through a recursive partition analysis, a multivariate analysis with a stratified Cox model found that BNS was still a highly significant independent prognostic factor for increased locoregional failure (hazards ratio [HR], 1.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21,1.79; p < .0001) and death (HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.19,1.67; p < .0001). Conclusion. In this study, the largest prospective evaluation of nutrition data in treated patients with cancer, BNS was associated with inferior treatment outcome in the patients with HNSCC undergoing XRT. These results should be considered hypothesis generating and encourage prospective clinical research and identification of the mechanisms underlying this finding. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck28: 287,296, 2006 [source] Age at Acquisition of Helicobacter pylori Infection: Comparison of Two Areas with Contrasting Risk of Gastric CancerHELICOBACTER, Issue 3 2004M. Constanza Camargo ABSTRACT Background.,Helicobacter pylori infection is usually acquired during childhood and is a known risk factor for the development of gastric malignancies in adulthood. It has been reported that early age at first infection may determine a neoplastic outcome in adults. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in children residing in areas with high (Pasto) and low risk (Tumaco) of gastric cancer in Colombia to evaluate whether differences in the age of acquisition of H. pylori infection were present in the two populations. Materials and Methods., The study sample was based on a census taken in 1999. Using the 13C-urea breath test, we compared the prevalence of H. pylori infection among children aged 1,6 years. Results., Among 345 children in Pasto, 206 (59.7%) were H. pylori -positive, compared with 188 (58.6%) among 321 children in Tumaco. The two populations share a common pattern of very early age at infection and marked increase in prevalence during the first 4 years of life. No differences in any one year were observed when comparing the two groups. Conclusions., The prevalence of infection was similarly high and increased with age in both populations. In these populations the age of acquisition of H. pylori after 1 year of age does not appear to be a primary factor responsible for the differences in the rates of gastric cancer incidence in adults. Previous findings in adults showed lower prevalence of the most virulent genotypes in Tumaco compared to Pasto, and bacterial virulence may play a key role in determining cancer outcome. [source] The independent value of tumour volume in a contemporary cohort of men treated with radical prostatectomy for clinically localized diseaseBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2010Sima P. Porten Study Type , Prognosis (case series) Level of Evidence 4 OBJECTIVE To determine if prostate tumour volume is an independent prognostic factor in a contemporary cohort of men who had a radical prostatectomy (RP) for clinically localized disease, as the effect of tumour volume on prostate cancer outcomes has not been consistently shown in the era of widespread screening with prostate-specific antigen (PSA). PATIENTS AND METHODS The study included 856 men who had RP from 1998 to 2007 for localized prostate cancer. Tumour volume based on pathology was analysed as a continuous and categorized (<0.26, 0.26,0.50, 0.51,1.00, 1.01,2.00, 2.01,4.00, >4.00 mL) variable using Cox proportional hazards regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis. A multivariable analysis was also conducted controlling for PSA level, Gleason grade, surgical margins, and pathological stage. RESULTS Tumour volume had a positive association with grade and stage, but did not correlate with biochemical recurrence-free survival on univariate analysis as a continuous variable (hazard ratio 1.00, P = 0.09), and was only statistically significant for volumes of >4 mL as a categorical variable. No tumour volume was an independent predictor of prostate cancer recurrence on multivariate analysis. There was no difference between tumour volume and time to cancer recurrence for organ-confined tumours using Kaplan-Meier analysis. In low-risk patients (PSA level <10 ng/mL, Gleason score ,6, clinical stage T1c/T2a) tumour volume did not correlate with biochemical recurrence-free survival in univariate or multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS There is no evidence that tumour volume is an independent predictor of prostate cancer outcome and it should not be considered as a marker of tumour risk, behaviour or prognosis. [source] Risks of cancer among a cohort of 23,935 men and women with osteoporosisINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 8 2008Katherine A. McGlynn Abstract Low hormone levels among persons with osteoporosis may decrease risk of some cancers. Other osteoporosis risk factors, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, however, may increase risk. As these deleterious factors are more often associated with osteoporosis diagnosed prior to age 70 years, cancer risk may be higher in these younger persons than in the general population. To examine this hypothesis, a cohort study of 23,935 persons with osteoporosis was conducted in Denmark. Patients hospitalized with osteoporosis between 1978 and 1993 were identified in the Danish Inpatient Register. Linkage to the Danish Cancer Registry identified all cancer outcomes through 2003. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated to compare cancer incidence in the cohort with that in the general population. Persons diagnosed prior to age 70 years were at increased cancer risk (women: SIR = 1.11, 95%CI = 1.04,1.19; men: SIR = 1.31, 95%CI = 1.13,1.50) due, in part, to increased risks of cancers of the buccal cavity, esophagus, liver, pancreas and lung. Persons diagnosed at ages 70 and older were at decreased risk (women: SIR = 0.91, 95%CI = 0.87,0.96; men: SIR = 0.89, 0.77,1.01) due, in part, to decreased risks of breast, endometrial, colon, rectal and brain cancers in women and prostate cancer in men. These results suggest that risk factors associated with earlier onset osteoporosis may be associated with increased risk of cancer. Conversely, factors associated with later onset osteoporosis may be related to a decreased risk of cancer. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The effect of economic deprivation on oesophageal and gastric cancer in a UK cancer networkINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 6 2009J. A. Gossage Summary Aims:, The National Health Service (NHS) Cancer Plan aims to eliminate economic inequalities in healthcare provision and cancer outcomes. This study examined the influence of economic status upon the incidence, access to treatment and survival from oesophageal and gastric cancer in a single UK cancer network. Methodology:, A total of 3619 patients diagnosed with either oesophageal or gastric cancer in a London Cancer Network (population = 1.48 million) were identified from the Thames Cancer Registry (1993,2002). Patients were ranked into economic quintiles using the income domain of the Multiple Index of Deprivation. Statistical analysis was performed using a ,2 test. Survival analysis was performed using a Cox's proportional hazards model. Results:, Between 1993,1995 and 2000,2002, the incidence of oesophageal cancer in the most affluent males rose by 51% compared with a 2% rise in the least affluent males. The incidence of gastric cancer in most affluent males between 1993,1995 and 2000,2002 fell by 32% compared with a 7% fall in the least affluent males. These changes were less marked in females. Economic deprivation had no effect on the proportion of patients undergoing either resectional surgery or chemotherapy; the least affluent oesophageal cancer patients with a higher incidence of squamous cell carcinoma received significantly more radiotherapy. Economic deprivation had no effect upon survival for either oesophageal or gastric cancer. Conclusions:, There has been an increase in oesophageal cancer and a decrease in gastric cancer incidence among more affluent males in the last 10 years. Economic status did not appear to influence access to treatment or survival. [source] Opening the black box of cancer surgery quality: WebSMR and the Alberta experienceJOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY, Issue 8 2009L.A. Mack MD Abstract A web-based synoptic operative report, the WebSMR (Surgical Medical Record), was developed to define and improve the quality of cancer surgery. Surgeons accurately record the essential steps of an operation including important decision-making in an analyzable format. Outcomes can be reviewed with provincial aggregates for quality improvement and maintenance of certification. Future synoptic pathology and follow-up templates will open the "black box" of surgical processes to define quality indicators for the improvement of cancer outcomes. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;99:525,530. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Religion, spirituality and cancer: Current status and methodological challengesPSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 6 2005Michael Stefanek The role of religion and spirituality in health has received increasing attention in the scientific and lay literature. While the scientific attention to this issue has expanded, there continue to be methodological and measurement concerns that often prevent firm conclusions about health and adjustment benefits. Limited attention has been provided to the role of spirituality and religion in cancer. This is true when both disease outcome and adjustment are considered. A recent ,levels of evidence' review examining the link between physical health and religion or spirituality found little overall support for the hypotheses that religion or spirituality impact cancer progression or mortality. Studies examining their impact on quality of life and adjustment are decidedly mixed. In sum, research specifically focusing on the role of religion or spirituality on cancer outcomes has been surprisingly sparse. Such research presents a number of methodological and measurement challenges. Due to these unmet challenges in the literature to date, it is premature to determine what role religion and spirituality play in disease, adjustment, or quality of life outcomes in cancer. A number of suggestions are made for continued research in this area. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Considerations in using tumor markers: what the psycho-oncologist needs to knowPSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 5 2001Debra L. Fertig Tumor markers are measures of biological features of a cancer. By revealing important biological aspects of the tumor, tumor markers can be useful in staging patients, predicting cancer outcomes, and guiding treatments. The psychological consequences of using tumor markers are virtually unknown. In this review article, we draw on clinical studies involving the psychological impact of risk information, screening, prognostic information and surveillance of cancer. Such studies may be helpful in considering possible psychological reactions to tumor marker information in clinical practice. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The independent value of tumour volume in a contemporary cohort of men treated with radical prostatectomy for clinically localized diseaseBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2010Sima P. Porten Study Type , Prognosis (case series) Level of Evidence 4 OBJECTIVE To determine if prostate tumour volume is an independent prognostic factor in a contemporary cohort of men who had a radical prostatectomy (RP) for clinically localized disease, as the effect of tumour volume on prostate cancer outcomes has not been consistently shown in the era of widespread screening with prostate-specific antigen (PSA). PATIENTS AND METHODS The study included 856 men who had RP from 1998 to 2007 for localized prostate cancer. Tumour volume based on pathology was analysed as a continuous and categorized (<0.26, 0.26,0.50, 0.51,1.00, 1.01,2.00, 2.01,4.00, >4.00 mL) variable using Cox proportional hazards regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis. A multivariable analysis was also conducted controlling for PSA level, Gleason grade, surgical margins, and pathological stage. RESULTS Tumour volume had a positive association with grade and stage, but did not correlate with biochemical recurrence-free survival on univariate analysis as a continuous variable (hazard ratio 1.00, P = 0.09), and was only statistically significant for volumes of >4 mL as a categorical variable. No tumour volume was an independent predictor of prostate cancer recurrence on multivariate analysis. There was no difference between tumour volume and time to cancer recurrence for organ-confined tumours using Kaplan-Meier analysis. In low-risk patients (PSA level <10 ng/mL, Gleason score ,6, clinical stage T1c/T2a) tumour volume did not correlate with biochemical recurrence-free survival in univariate or multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS There is no evidence that tumour volume is an independent predictor of prostate cancer outcome and it should not be considered as a marker of tumour risk, behaviour or prognosis. [source] Bladder cancer survivals in New South Wales, Australia: why do women have poorer survival than men?BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2009Elizabeth Tracey OBJECTIVE To investigate factors that most influenced survival from bladder cancer in New South Wales, Australia (NSW) and to consider the impact of changes in coding practices on the reporting the of bladder cancer outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS All NSW cases of bladder cancer diagnosed between 1980 and 2003 were followed to the end of 2004 (17 923 cases). Survival analysis was undertaken using Kaplan,Meier unadjusted disease-specific survival and adjusted disease-specific survival using Cox proportional hazards regression modelling. This analysis was unique in that it modelled the effect of sex, age, country of birth, socio-economic status (SES), histological type, extent of disease and period of diagnosis on survival from bladder cancer in NSW. RESULTS After adjusting for sex, age, extent of disease, SES, period of diagnosis and histological type, the likelihood of death was 11% (95% confidence interval, CI 5,18%) higher in females than in males, with case fatality most influenced by age at diagnosis, extent of disease, and histological type. When the analysis was repeated for cases with a method 6 (i.e. coding undertaken in the registry after examination of the pathology report, which would enhance accuracy), the likelihood of death was 13% (95% CI 5,21%) higher in females than in males. CONCLUSIONS The NSW analysis controls for variability in coding, extent of disease at diagnosis and histological type of cancer. The analysis shows significantly lower survival from bladder cancer in NSW women compared with men, with no improvement in survival from 1980 to 2003. Possible reasons for the lower survivals in women, the lack of improvement in survival and coding differences in jurisdictions are discussed. [source] A black-white comparison of the quality of stage-specific colon cancer treatmentCANCER, Issue 3 2010Jamillah Berry MSW Abstract BACKGROUND: Several studies have attributed racial disparities in cancer incidence and mortality to variances in socioeconomic status and health insurance coverage. However, an Institute of Medicine report found that blacks received lower quality care than whites after controlling for health insurance, income, and disease severity. METHODS: To examine the effects of race on colorectal cancer outcomes within a single setting, the authors performed a retrospective cohort study that analyzed the cancer registry, billing, and medical records of 365 university hospital patients (175 blacks and 190 whites) diagnosed with stage II-IV colon cancer between 2000 and 2005. Racial differences in the quality (effectiveness and timeliness) of stage-specific colon cancer treatment (colectomy and chemotherapy) were examined after adjusting for socioeconomic status, health insurance coverage, sex, age, and marital status. RESULTS: Blacks and whites had similar sociodemographic characteristics, tumor stage and site, quality of care, and health outcomes. Age and diagnostic stage were predictors of quality of care and mortality. Although few patients (5.8%) were uninsured, they were more likely to present at advanced stages (61.9% at stage IV) and die (76.2%) than privately insured and publicly insured patients (p = .002). CONCLUSIONS: In a population without racial differences in socioeconomic status or insurance coverage, patients receive the same quality of care, regardless of racial distinction, and have similar health outcomes. Age, diagnostic stage, and health insurance coverage remained independently associated with mortality. Future studies of disparities in colon cancer treatment should examine sociocultural barriers to accessing appropriate care in various healthcare settings. Cancer 2010. © 2009 American Cancer Society. [source] The impact of pregnancy on breast cancer outcomes in women ,35 years,CANCER, Issue 6 2009Beth M. Beadle MD Abstract BACKGROUND: Some evidence suggests that women with pregnancy-associated breast cancers (PABC) have a worse outcome compared with historical controls. However, young age is a worse prognostic factor independently, and women with PABC tend to be young. The purpose of the current study was to compare locoregional recurrence (LRR), distant metastases (DM), and overall survival (OS) in young patients with PABC and non-PABC. METHODS: Data for 668 breast cancers in 652 patients aged ,35 years were retrospectively reviewed. One hundred four breast cancers (15.6%) were pregnancy-associated; 51 cancers developed during pregnancy and 53 within 1 year after pregnancy. RESULTS: The median follow-up for all living patients was 114 months. Patients who developed PABC had more advanced T classification, N classification, and stage group (all P < .04) compared with patients with non-PABC. Patients with PABC had no statistically significant differences in 10-year rates of LRR (23.4% vs 19.2%; P = .47), DM (45.1% vs 38.9%; P = .40), or OS (64.6% vs 64.8%; P = .60) compared with patients with non-PABC. For those patients who developed breast cancer during pregnancy, any treatment intervention during pregnancy provided a trend toward improved OS compared with delaying evaluation and treatment until after delivery (78.7% vs 44.7%; P = .068). CONCLUSIONS: Young patients with PABC had no statistically significant differences in LRR, DM, or OS compared with those with non-PABC; however, pregnancy contributed to a delay in breast cancer diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment. Primary care and reproductive physicians should be aggressive in the workup of breast symptoms in the pregnant population to expedite diagnosis and allow multidisciplinary treatment. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society. [source] L-asparaginase as a marker of chemotherapy dose modification in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemiaCANCER, Issue 12 2005Jacques Baillargeon Ph.D. Abstract BACKGROUND The objective of the current study was to compare chemotherapy dose modifications in obese (a body mass index [BMI] > 95%) and nonobese (a BMI , 95%) pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). METHODS The study cohort was comprised of 199 pediatric patients diagnosed with ALL who were treated at 1 of 2 South Texas pediatric oncology centers between 1990,2000. The relative chemotherapy dose modification during the induction phase of chemotherapy was calculated as the ratio of 1) the actual administered dose of L-asparaginase and 2) the protocol-calculated dose of L-asparaginase. The extent to which the chemotherapy dose modification varied according to obesity status was assessed using stratified Student t tests and an ordinary least-squares regression analysis. RESULTS Obese ALL patients were found to exhibit a 7% decrease in the mean relative modification of L-asparaginase during induction chemotherapy compared with their nonobese counterparts. This finding was statistically significant (P = 0.009), even after adjustment for gender, age, ethnicity, and clinical institution. CONCLUSIONS To the authors' knowledge, the current study is the first published report of an obesity-associated chemotherapy dose modification in pediatric patients with ALL, the most common childhood malignancy. It will be important to examine whether these findings are consistent with those observed in future studies, and ultimately to assess the association between obesity-related dose modifications and long-term cancer outcomes. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society. [source] Mammography screening in African American womenCANCER, Issue S1 2003Evaluating the research Abstract BACKGROUND Notwithstanding some controversy regarding the benefits of screening mammography, it is generally assumed that the effects are the same for women of all race/ethnic groups. Yet evidence for its efficacy from clinical trial studies comes primarily from the study of white women. It is likely that mammography is equally efficacious in white and African American women when applied under relatively optimal clinical trial conditions, but in actual practice African Americans may not be receiving equal benefit, as reflected in their later stage at diagnosis and greater mortality. METHODS Initial searches of Medline using search terms related to screening mammography, race, and other selected topics were supplemented with national data that are routinely published for cancer surveillance. Factors that potentially compromise the benefits of mammography as it is delivered in the current health care system to African American women were examined. RESULTS While there have been significant improvements in mammography screening utilization, observational data suggest that African American women may still not be receiving the full benefit. Potential explanatory factors include low use of repeat screening, inadequate followup for abnormal exams, higher prevalence of obesity and, possibly, breast density, and other biologic factors that contribute to younger age at diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Further study of biologic factors that may contribute to limited mammography efficacy and poorer breast cancer outcomes in African American women is needed. In addition, strategies to increase repeat mammography screening and to ensure that women obtain needed followup of abnormal mammograms may increase early detection and improve survival among African Americans. Notwithstanding earlier age at diagnosis for African American women, mammography screening before age 40 years is not recommended, but screening of women aged 40,49 years is particularly critical. Cancer 2003;97(1 Suppl):258,72. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11022 An erratum to this article is published in Cancer (2003) 97(8) 2047. [source] The perspective of African-American breast cancer survivor-advocatesCANCER, Issue S1 2003Ngina Lythcott Dr.P.H. Abstract BACKGROUND This article discusses the sometimes unique presentation and course of breast cancer in African-American women and the impact these differences have on the perception of breast disease among African-American women. METHODS The project described represents the thoughts of many African-American breast cancer survivors, as summarized by three breast cancer survivor-advocates who work through very different national organizations, each of whom has vast experience working directly with African-American breast cancer survivors and their families. RESULTS In addition to discussions of compelling considerations that have an impact on survivor access, such as agency, culture, and class, other important access questions are raised for research scientists and clinicians that have an impact on the prevention, screening, and detection and treatment of breast cancer in African-American women as well as their accrual to clinical trials. CONCLUSIONS To eradicate ethnicity-related disparities in breast cancer outcomes for African-American women, it is important for the medical community (clinicians and research scientists) to develop active partnerships with African-American and other breast cancer survivor-advocates in order to establish effective breast health awareness and breast cancer treatment programs and to develop meaningful breast cancer research programs. Cancer 2003;97(1 Suppl):324,8. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11013 [source] | ||||||||||