Showing papers on "Relative survival published in 2015"

Cancer survival in China, 2003–2005: A population‐based study

Abstract: Limited population-based cancer registry data available in China until now has hampered efforts to inform cancer control policy. Following extensive efforts to improve the systematic cancer surveillance in this country, we report on the largest pooled analysis of cancer survival data in China to date. Of 21 population-based cancer registries, data from 17 registries (n = 138,852 cancer records) were included in the final analysis. Cases were diagnosed in 2003-2005 and followed until the end of 2010. Age-standardized relative survival was calculated using region-specific life tables for all cancers combined and 26 individual cancers. Estimates were further stratified by sex and geographical area. The age-standardized 5-year relative survival for all cancers was 30.9% (95% confidence intervals: 30.6%-31.2%). Female breast cancer had high survival (73.0%) followed by cancers of the colorectum (47.2%), stomach (27.4%), esophagus (20.9%), with lung and liver cancer having poor survival (16.1% and 10.1%), respectively. Survival for women was generally higher than for men. Survival for rural patients was about half that of their urban counterparts for all cancers combined (21.8% vs. 39.5%); the pattern was similar for individual major cancers except esophageal cancer. The poor population survival rates in China emphasize the urgent need for government policy changes and investment to improve health services. While the causes for the striking urban-rural disparities observed are not fully understood, increasing access of health service in rural areas and providing basic health-care to the disadvantaged populations will be essential for reducing this disparity in the future.

Utility of pre-treatment neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio and platelet–lymphocyte ratio as prognostic factors in breast cancer

Abstract: Peripheral blood-derived inflammation-based scores such as the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have recently been proposed as prognostic markers in solid tumours. Although evidence to support these markers as unfavourable prognostic factors is more compelling in gastrointestinal cancers, very little is known of their impact on breast cancer. We investigated the association between the NLR and PLR, and overall survival after breast cancer. Data from the University of Malaya Medical Centre Breast Cancer Registry was used. Of 2059 consecutive patients diagnosed from 2000 to 2008, we included 1435 patients with an available pre-treatment differential blood count (∼70%). Patients were stratified into quintiles of the NLR/PLR. Multivariable Cox regression was used to determine the independent prognostic significances of the NLR/PLR. Compared with the first quintile of the NLR, women in quintile 5 were younger, had bigger tumours, nodal involvement, distant metastases and higher tumour grades. Higher NLR quintiles were significantly associated with poorer survival with a 5-year relative survival ratio (RSR) of 76.4% (95% CI: 69.6–82.1%) in quintile 1, 79.4% (95% CI: 74.4–83.7%) in quintile 2, 72.1% (95% CI: 66.3–77.3%) in quintile 3, 65.6% (95% CI: 59.8–70.8%) in quintile 4 and 51.1% (95% CI: 43.3–58.5%) in quintile 5. Following adjustment for demography, tumour characteristics, treatment and the PLR, the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for quintile 5 vs quintile 1 was 1.50 (95% CI: 1.08–1.63); Ptrend=0.004. Results were unchanged when the NLR was analysed as a dichotomous variable using different cutoff points. Although patients in PLR quintile 5 had lower survival than in quintile 1 (5-year RSR: 53.2% (95% CI: 46.9–59.2%) vs 77.0% (95% CI: 70.9–82.2%)), this association was not significant after multivariable adjustment. However, a PLR >185 was significantly associated with poorer survival; adjusted HR: 1.25 (95% CI: 1.04–1.52). Both the NLR and PLR are independently associated with an increased risk of mortality in breast cancer. Their added value in the prognostication of breast cancer in clinical practice warrants investigation.

Estimating and Modeling Relative Survival

Abstract: When estimating patient survival using data collected by population-based cancer registries, it is common to estimate net survival in a relative-survival framework. Net survival can be estimated using the relative-survival ratio, which is the ratio of the observed survival of the patients (where all deaths are considered events) to the expected survival of a comparable group from the general population. In this article, we describe a command, strs, for life-table estimation of relative survival. We discuss three methods for estimating expected survival, as well as the cohort, period, and hybrid approaches for estimating relative survival. We also implement a life-table version of the Pohar Perme (2012, Biometrics 68: 113–120) estimator of net survival, and we describe two methods for age standardization. We also explain how, in addition to net probabilities of death, crude probabilities of death due to cancer and due to other causes can be estimated using the method of Cronin and Feuer (2000, Statistics in Medicine 19: 1729–1740). We conclude this article with discussion and examples of modeling excess mortality using various approaches, including the full-likelihood approach (using the ml command) and Poisson regression (using the glm command with a user-specified link function).

Influence of tumour stage at breast cancer detection on survival in modern times: population based study in 173 797 patients

Abstract: Objectives To assess the influence of stage at breast cancer diagnosis, tumour biology, and treatment on survival in contemporary times of better (neo-)adjuvant systemic therapy. Design Prospective nationwide population based study. Setting Nationwide Netherlands Cancer Registry. Participants Female patients with primary breast cancer diagnosed between 1999 and 2012 (n=173 797), subdivided into two time cohorts on the basis of breast cancer diagnosis: 1999-2005 (n=80 228) and 2006-12 (n=93 569). Main outcome measures Relative survival was compared between the two cohorts. Influence of traditional prognostic factors on overall mortality was analysed with Cox regression for each cohort separately. Results Compared with 1999-2005, patients from 2006-12 had smaller (≤T1 65% (n=60 570) v 60% (n=48 031); P<0.001), more often lymph node negative (N0 68% (n=63 544) v 65% (n=52 238); P<0.001) tumours, but they received more chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and targeted therapy (neo-adjuvant/adjuvant systemic therapy 60% (n=56 402) v 53% (n=42 185); P<0.001). Median follow-up was 9.8 years for 1999-2005 and 3.9 years for 2006-12. The relative five year survival rate in 2006-12 was 96%, improved in all tumour and nodal stages compared with 1999-2005, and 100% in tumours ≤1 cm. In multivariable analyses adjusted for age and tumour type, overall mortality was decreased by surgery (especially breast conserving), radiotherapy, and systemic therapies. Mortality increased with progressing tumour size in both cohorts (2006-12 T1c v T1a: hazard ratio 1.54, 95% confidence interval 1.33 to 1.78), but without a significant difference in invasive breast cancers until 1 cm (2006-12 T1b v T1a: hazard ratio 1.04, 0.88 to 1.22), and independently with progressing number of positive lymph nodes (2006-12 N1 v N0: 1.25, 1.17 to 1.32). Conclusions Tumour stage at diagnosis of breast cancer still influences overall survival significantly in the current era of effective systemic therapy. Diagnosis of breast cancer at an early tumour stage remains vital

Stage at diagnosis and early mortality from cancer in England

Abstract: Stage at diagnosis is a key predictor of overall cancer outcome. For the first time, stage completeness is high enough for robust analysis for the whole of England. We analysed data from the National Cancer Registration Service’s (NCRS) Cancer Analysis System on persons diagnosed with breast, colorectal, lung, prostate or ovarian cancers in England in 2012. One-year relative survival (followed-up to the end of 2013) was calculated along with adjusted excess rate ratios, for mortality within 1 year. One-year relative survival decreased with increasing stage at diagnosis. For breast, prostate and colorectal cancers survival showed a major reduction for stage 4 cancers, whereas for lung and ovarian cancers there were substantial decreases in relative survival for each level of increase in stage. Excess rate ratios for mortality within 1 year of diagnosis showed that stage and age were the most important cofactors, but they also identified the statistically significant effects of sex, income deprivation and geographic area of residence. Further reductions in mortality may be most effectively achieved by diagnosing all cancers before they progress to stage 4, but for lung and ovarian cancers there is also a need for a stage shift to earlier stages together with efforts to improve stage-specific survival at all stages.

Overtreatment of young adults with colon cancer: more intense treatments with unmatched survival gains.

Abstract: Importance Colon cancer is increasing among adults younger than 50 years. However, the prognosis of young-onset colon cancer remains poorly defined given significant age-related demographic, disease, and treatment differences. Objective To define stage-specific treatments and prognosis of colon cancer diagnosed in young adults (ages 18-49 years) vs older adults (ages 65-75 years) outside of the clinical trial setting while accounting for real-world age-related variations in patient, tumor, and treatment factors. Design, Setting, and Participants A nationwide cohort study was conducted among US hospitals accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. Participants were 13 102 patients diagnosed as having young-onset colon adenocarcinoma aged 18 to 49 years and 37 007 patients diagnosed as having later-onset colon adenocarcinoma aged 65 to 75 years treated between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2005, and reported to the National Cancer Data Base. Exposures Patients who underwent surgical resection and postoperative systemic chemotherapy of curative intent. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary end point was stage-specific relative survival, an objective measure of survival among patients with cancer, adjusting for baseline mortality rates and independent of the data on cause of death. The secondary end point was stage-specific likelihood of receiving postoperative systemic chemotherapy. Results Most young-onset colon cancer was initially seen at advanced stages (61.8% had stage III or IV). After adjusting for patient-related and tumor-related factors, young patients were more likely to receive systemic chemotherapy, particularly multiagent regimens, at all stages relative to those with later-onset disease. These odds ratios were 2.88 (95% CI, 2.21-3.77) for stage I, 3.93 (95% CI, 3.58-4.31) for stage II, 2.42 (95% CI, 2.18-2.68) for stage III, and 2.74 (95% CI, 2.44-3.07) for stage IV. The significantly more intense treatments received by younger patients were unmatched by any survival gain, which was nil for stage II (relative risk, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.69-1.17) and marginal for stage III (relative risk, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.81-0.97) and stage IV (relative risk, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.79-0.90). Conclusions and Relevance Young adults with colon cancer received significantly more postoperative systemic chemotherapy at all stages, but they experienced only minimal gain in adjusted survival compared with their older counterparts who received less treatment. This mismatch suggests that attention should be given to long-term cancer survivorship in young adults with colon cancer because they likely face survivorship needs that are distinct from those of their older counterparts.

The Growing Burden of Endometrial Cancer: A Major Racial Disparity Affecting Black Women

Abstract: Background: In contrast with the decreasing incidence seen for most cancers, endometrial cancer has been increasing in the United States. We examined whether the increasing incidence and mortality from endometrial cancer are equally distributed by race/ethnicity and tumor histologic subtype. Methods: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) endometrial cancer incidence and mortality data were obtained from 2000 to 2011. Age-adjusted incidence and incidence-based mortality rates, 95% confidence intervals, and annual percent changes (APC) were calculated. Rate ratios were calculated to compare racial/ethnic groups. Five-year relative survival rates were presented to explore survival by stage at diagnosis. Results: Incidence rates for endometrial cancers are rising across all racial/ethnic groups, with the greatest APC seen among non-Hispanic black (NHB) and Asian women (APC, 2.5 for both). NHB women have significantly higher incidence rates of aggressive endometrial cancers (clear cell, serous, high-grade endometrioid, and malignant mixed Mullerian tumors) compared with non-Hispanic white (NHW) women. Hispanic and Asian women have incidence rates equal to or lower than NHW women for all tumor subtypes. For nearly every stage and subtype, the 5-year relative survival for NHB women is significantly less than NHW women, whereas Hispanic and Asian women have the same or better survival. Conclusions: Endometrial cancer incidence is increasing for all women, particularly the aggressive subtypes. The disparity associated with excess incidence for these aggressive histologic subtypes and poorer survival is limited to NHB women. Impact: Increasing rates of aggressive endometrial cancers may widen the survival disparity between NHW and NHB women. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(9); 1–9. ©2015 AACR .

Epidemiology of chronic myeloid leukaemia: an update

Abstract: National and regional population-based registries are, provided diagnostic accuracy and full coverage of the target population, indispensible tools for epidemiological research. Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) registries with more comprehensive reporting may also provide complementary data on treatment outcome to those obtained from clinical trials. Reports from several European CML registries consistently show a crude annual incidence of 0.7-1.0/100,000, a median age at diagnosis of 57-60 years and a male/female ratio of 1.2-1.7. The incidence of CML has been stable over time. Worldwide, variations in the reported incidence of CML may be due to methodological issues, but a true difference between different geographical areas and/or ethnical subgroups cannot be excluded. The prevalence of CML is not well known but has been estimated to be 10-12/100,000 inhabitants with a steady increase due to the dramatic improvement in survival of these patients. In recent population-based studies, CML patients have an overall survival that is comparable to that shown in large clinical trials, though relative survival in patients >70 years is still decreased. The importance of socio-economic factors and health-care setting for outcome and the possible increased risk of secondary cancer in CML are areas of ongoing research.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia: an assessment of international incidence, survival, and disease burden

Abstract: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a rare hematological malignancy. With the recent introduction of a classification system for hematopoietic and lymphoid neoplasms, more comprehensive assessment of ALL epidemiology is now possible. In this study, we describe recent international incidence of ALL and project the annual number of diagnoses to 2025. We also estimate relative survival and average potential years of life lost (AYLL) to assess the societal burden of ALL. Age-specific incidence data for ALL from select cancer registries in different geographies were obtained from the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Database. Country-specific age-standardized rates were calculated to allow for direct comparisons between countries. ALL-specific mortality and relative survival data were only available from the United States (US) National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program; mortality rates were estimated for other countries. The age-standardized incidence rate of ALL during 2003–2007 ranged from 1.08 to 2.12 per 100,000 person-years in selected countries. Incidence was generally higher in the Americas and Oceania and lower in Asia and Eastern Europe. In most countries, the incidence rate of ALL in children was approximately four times that in adults. Survival was particularly poor among adults. In selected countries, the estimated AYLL ranged from 30 to 48 years for all ages and from 23 to 39 years for adults. Although a rare disease, ALL presents a significant public health burden given poor survival outcomes among adults, AYLL, and its importance as the most common pediatric cancer.

Survival improvement in patients with pancreatic cancer by decade: A period analysis of the SEER database, 1981–2010

Abstract: Pancreatic cancer (PaCa) is an aggressive malignancy with a high mortality rate and a poor prognosis. To evaluate treatment outcomes of patients with pancreatic cancer over the past three decades, data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registries were used to assess the survival of patients with PaCa. A total of 63,530 patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer between 1981 and 2010 were identified from nine original SEER registries. The 1-year relative survival rates (RSRs) improved each decade, from 17.0% to 19.9% to 28.2% (p < 0.0001), with a larger increase during the third decade than during the second decade. However, the long-term survival rates have remained very low. The 5-year RSRs increased from 3.1% to 4.4% to 6.9% over these three decades--i.e., still only few patients with PaCa survive more than 5 years. Furthermore, our analysis demonstrated that the survival rates for all the patients with pancreatic cancer were lower in patients of lower socioeconomic status and black race. These results will help predict future trends in PaCa incidence and survival, contribute to better-designed clinical trials by eliminating disparities that may affect the results, and thereby improve the clinical management and outcomes of PaCa.

Time trend analysis of primary tumor resection for stage IV colorectal cancer: less surgery, improved survival.

Abstract: Importance With the advent of effective modern chemotherapeutic and biologic agents, primary tumor resection for patients with stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC) may not be routinely necessary. Objective To evaluate the secular patterns of primary tumor resection use in stage IV CRC in the United States. Design, Setting, and Participants A retrospective cohort study using data from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results CRC registry. Demographic and clinical factors were compared for 64 157 patients diagnosed with stage IV colon or rectal cancer from January 1, 1988, through December 31, 2010, who had undergone primary tumor resection and those who had not. Rates of primary tumor resection and median relative survival were calculated for each year. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to determine when a significant change in trend in the primary tumor resection rate had occurred. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with primary tumor resection. Main Outcomes and Measures Difference in primary tumor resection rates over time. Results Of the 64 157 patients with stage IV CRC, 43 273 (67.4%) had undergone primary tumor resection. The annual rate of primary tumor resection decreased from 74.5% in 1988 to 57.4% in 2010 ( P P P P Conclusions and Relevance The majority of patients with stage IV CRC had undergone primary tumor resection but, beginning in 2001, a trend toward fewer primary tumor resections was seen. Despite the decreasing primary tumor resection rate, patient survival rates improved. However, primary tumor resection may still be overused, and current treatment practices lag behind evidence-based treatment guidelines.

Colorectal signet-ring cell carcinoma: benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy but a poor prognostic factor

Abstract: Colorectal signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) has been associated with poor survival compared with mucinous adenocarcinoma (MC) and the more common adenocarcinoma (AC). Efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in SRCC has never been assessed. This study analyzes the prognostic impact of SRCC and determines whether colonic SRCC patients benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy equally compared with MC and AC patients. Data on 196,757 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients in the period 1989-2010 was included in this Dutch nationwide population-based study. Five-year relative survival estimates were calculated and multivariate relative survival analyses using a multiple regression model of relative excess risk (RER) were performed. SRCC was found in 1,972 (1.0%) patients. SRCC patients presented more frequently with stage III or IV disease than AC patients (75.2% vs. 43.6%, p < 0.0001) and SRCC was more frequently found in the proximal colon (57.7 vs. 32.0%, p < 0.0001). SRCC patients had a poor 5-year relative survival of 30.8% (95% CI 28.1-33.6%) in the colon and 19.5% (95% CI 14.7-24.8%) in the rectum compared with 56.8% (95% CI 56.4-57.1%) and 58.5% (95% CI 57.9-59.1%) for AC. This survival difference was found in stage II, but was most prominent in stage III. Compared with AC, there was no significant interaction between SRCC and adjuvant chemotherapy (RER 1.10, 95% CI 0.81-1.51), suggesting a comparable benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy in AC and SRCC. In conclusion, the prognostic impact of SRCC is dismal in both colon and rectal cancer patients, but adjuvant chemotherapy is associated with improved survival in AC, MC, and SRCC patients.

Epidemiology of meningiomas post-Public Law 107-206: The Benign Brain Tumor Cancer Registries Amendment Act.

Abstract: BACKGROUND The current analysis follows the implementation of Public Law 107-260, the Benign Brain Tumor Cancer Registries Amendment Act, which mandated the collection of nonmalignant brain tumors. METHODS Meningiomas were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program database for the years 2004 to 2011. Demographic and clinical characteristics, initial treatment patterns, and survival outcomes were evaluated using surveillance epidemiology statistical methods. RESULTS The average annual age-adjusted incidence rate per 100,000 population was 7.62 (95 % confidence interval [CI], 7.55-7.68) for all meningiomas, 7.18 (95% CI, 7.12-7.25) for benign meningiomas, 0.32 (95% CI, 0.31-0.33) for borderline malignant meningiomas, and 0.12 (95% CI, 0.11-0.12) for malignant meningiomas. The annual rates increased for benign and borderline malignant tumors but decreased for malignant tumors. The rates for women exceeded those for men, especially for those with benign meningiomas. Black race was associated with significantly higher rates as was advancing age. Greater than 80% of tumors were located in cerebral meninges. Diagnostic confirmation through pathology occurred for approximately 50% of benign tumors, 90% of borderline malignant tumors, and 80% of malignant tumors. No initial treatment was reported for greater than 60% of benign tumors, 29% of borderline malignant tumors, or 31% of malignant tumors. The 5-year relative survival estimates for benign tumors, borderline malignant tumors, and malignant tumors were 85.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 85%-86.2%), 82.3% (95% CI, 79.3%-84.8%), and 66% (95% CI, 60.6%-70.9%), respectively. Predictors of poorer survival were advanced age, being male gender, black race, no initial treatment, and malignant tumor behavior. CONCLUSIONS The current analysis demonstrates that there is an increasing incidence of nonmalignant meningiomas, probably because of reporting learning curves associated with the implementation of Public Law 107-260. The high proportion of cases who receive no initial treatment is a survival outcome concern, especially for patients with malignant meningiomas. Cancer 2015;121:2400–2410. © 2015 American Cancer Society.

Diabetes Prevalence in Sweden at Present and Projections for Year 2050

Abstract: Background Data on the future diabetes burden in Scandinavia is limited. Our aim was to project the future burden of diabetes in Sweden by modelling data on incidence, prevalence, mortality, and demographic factors. Method To project the future burden of diabetes we used information on the prevalence of diabetes from the national drug prescription registry (adults ≥20 years), previously published data on relative mortality in people with diabetes, and population demographics and projections from Statistics Sweden. Alternative scenarios were created based on different assumptions regarding the future incidence of diabetes. Results Between 2007 and 2013 the prevalence of diabetes rose from 5.8 to 6.8% in Sweden but incidence remained constant at 4.4 per 1000 (2013). With constant incidence and continued improvement in relative survival, prevalence will increase to 10.4% by year 2050 and the number of afflicted individuals will increase to 940 000. Of this rise, 30% is accounted for by changes in the age structure of the population and 14% by improved relative survival in people with diabetes. A hypothesized 1% annual rise in incidence will result in a prevalence of 12.6% and 1 136 000 cases. Even with decreasing incidence at 1% per year, prevalence of diabetes will continue to increase. Conclusion We can expect diabetes prevalence to rise substantially in Sweden over the next 35 years as a result of demographic changes and improved survival among people with diabetes. A dramatic reduction in incidence is required to prevent this development.

Survival of patients with neuroendocrine carcinoma of the colon and rectum: a population-based analysis.

Abstract: BACKGROUND High-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma is a rare colorectal pathology described in a case series. The role of surgery in this disease has been questioned. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this work was to describe the incidence, management, and outcomes of neuroendocrine carcinoma in comparison with high-grade adenocarcinoma. DESIGN This was a retrospective, population-based outcomes research study. SETTINGS The Survey of Epidemiology and End Results database was used. PATIENTS A total of 1367 patients with colorectal neuroendocrine carcinoma (distinguishing small-cell and non-small-cell subtypes) and 72,533 with high-grade adenocarcinoma diagnosed between 2000 and 2011 were included in this study. INTERVENTIONS Resection of the primary tumor was the main intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Median overall and 5-year relative survival were measured. Trends were expressed as the annual percent change in incidence and relative survival. RESULTS The incidence rate increased for neuroendocrine carcinoma (annual percent change, +2.2%; p =0.035) and decreased for high-grade adenocarcinoma (annual percent change, -3.1%; p < 0.00001) during the study period. Relative survival at 5 years in neuroendocrine carcinoma was 16.3% overall and 57.4%, 56.4%, 26.3%, and 3.0% for stages I, II, III, and IV cancer. Small-cell tumors had worse survival (10% versus 19% for non-small cell). There was no improvement in the relative survival for neuroendocrine carcinoma (annual percent change, -1.1%; p =0.06) in contrast to adenocarcinoma (annual percent change, +0.7%; p < 0.00001). Patients with localized non-small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma had better overall survival with surgery (median, 21 months) than without (6 months; log-rank, p < 0.0001), whereas those with small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma did not (18 versus 14 months; p = 0.95). Prognosis in resected neuroendocrine carcinoma was worse with an increasing number of metastatic lymph nodes. LIMITATIONS Histology and grade assignments were not centrally verified. Data on chemotherapy use, patient performance status, and comorbidities were unavailable. CONCLUSIONS Neuroendocrine carcinoma did not benefit from advances in the prevention and treatment of colorectal adenocarcinoma over the past decade. Relatively poor survival in early stage neuroendocrine carcinoma warrants studies of adjuvant systemic therapy. The differences in outcomes between small-cell and non-small-cell neuroendocrine carcinomas indicate a need for histology-specific management.

Relative Survival Analysis of252 Patients WithCOPDReceiving Long- termOxygen Therapy*

Abstract: OBJECTIVES A survival analysis was conducted on patients with COPD receiving long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) to compare two different statistical methods. METHODS We used a multivariate crude (observed) survival model (Cox) and a multivariate relative survival model (Hakulinen). Only the latter is able to correct the survival by adjusting it to the normal life expectancy of the studied patients. PATIENTS Two hundred fifty-two hypoxemic COPD patients (207 male) requiring LTOT were included. Mean PaO2 was <50 mm Hg before oxygen therapy. Mean age was >69 years (SE: 9.9). They had severe bronchial obstruction: mean FEV1 was <33% (10.6) of predicted values, with some CO2 retention: mean PaCO2 was 45.6 (7.1) mm Hg. By December 31, 1995, 189 patients had died (75%) and 13 (5%) were unavailable for follow-up. RESULTS The overall crude survival was poor: 80.9% after 1 year, 67.1% after 2 years, 34.7% after 5 years, and 7.1% after 10 years. In the crude multivariate analysis (Cox), the negative prognostic factors were age and hypercapnia. The overall relative survival (Hakulinen), corrected for life expectancy, was 82.8% after 1 year, 70.8% after 2 years, 41.5% after 5 years, and 10.25% after 10 years. In the final multivariate relative model, age was no longer significant and the only bad prognostic factor was hypercapnia with a relative risk of 1.97 (1.16 to 3.34). CONCLUSION This work shows the inadequacy of the Cox observed survival model when it comes to appreciating the real prognostic impact of age, because of the confusing factor associated with a normal life expectancy.

Diagnostic intervals and its association with breast, prostate, lung and colorectal cancer survival in England: historical cohort study using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink.

Abstract: Rapid diagnostic pathways for cancer have been implemented, but evidence whether shorter diagnostic intervals (time from primary care presentation to diagnosis) improves survival is lacking. Using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink, we identified patients diagnosed with female breast (8,639), colorectal (5,912), lung (5,737) and prostate (1,763) cancers between 1998 and 2009, and aged >15 years. Presenting symptoms were classified as alert or non-alert, according to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance. We used relative survival and excess risk modeling to determine associations between diagnostic intervals and five-year survival. The survival of patients with colorectal, lung and prostate cancer was greater in those with alert, compared with non-alert, symptoms, but findings were opposite for breast cancer. Longer diagnostic intervals were associated with lower mortality for colorectal and lung cancer patients with non-alert symptoms, (colorectal cancer: Excess Hazards Ratio, EHR >6 months vs 6 months vs <1 month: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.74-0.89). Prostate cancer mortality was lower in patients with longer diagnostic intervals, regardless of type of presenting symptom. The association between diagnostic intervals and cancer survival is complex, and should take into account cancer site, tumour biology and clinical practice. Nevertheless, unnecessary delay causes patient anxiety and general practitioners should continue to refer patients with alert symptoms via the cancer pathways, and actively follow-up patients with non-alert symptoms in the community.

Survival improvement by decade of patients aged 0-14 years with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a SEER analysis

Abstract: To evaluate treatment outcomes in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) over the past 3 decades, we assessed the survival of children with ALL in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Among 12,096 patients from 18 SEER sites diagnosed from 1981 to 2010, survival rates improved each decade from 74.8% to 84.5% to 88.6% at 5 years and from 69.3% to 80.9% to 85.5% at 10 years (P < 0.0001). For ages 10-14 years, 10-year survival increased by more than 20 percentage points to 75.3%, but for infants, it remained low at 54.7%. Improvements in survival rates were observed in both sexes, but survival rates were higher in girls than in boys. For ages 0-14 years during the 2001-2010 period, the 10-year relative survival rates were 87.8% in girls and 83.6% in boys (P < 0.01). Survival rates in child with ALL are expected to further improve with continuous advance in therapies such as targeted therapy and personalized therapy.

Trends in survival of multiple myeloma patients in Germany and the United States in the first decade of the 21st century.

Abstract: Multiple myeloma is a chronic, incurable but highly treatable neoplasm. Recent population-based studies have shown improvements in survival for patients diagnosed in the early 21st century. Here, we examine trends in survival for patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma in Germany and the United States (US) between 2002 and 2010. Data were extracted from 11 population-based cancer registries in Germany and from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database in the US. Myeloma patients aged 15-74 years with diagnosis and follow-up between 1997 and 2010 from Germany and the US were included. Period analysis was employed to assess trends in 5-year relative survival in Germany and the US between 2002-04 and 2008-10. Age-adjusted 5-year relative survival increased from 47·3% to 53·8% in Germany and from 39·8% to 53·2% in the US between 2002-04 and 2008-10. There was a strong age gradient with lower survival among older patients, which persisted over time and was more pronounced in Germany than the US. Five-year relative survival estimates for patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma below 75 years of age steadily increased throughout the first decade of the 21st century and reached levels above 50% in both Germany and the US, probably reflecting the increased use of newer agents in myeloma treatment.