Utilization of gynecologic services in women with breast cancer receiving hormonal therapy

BACKGROUND

The selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen is now widely used for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer. Tamoxifen use has been associated with a variety of gynecologic problems. Despite the frequency with which hormonal therapy is used for the treatment of breast cancer, limited population-level data are available to describe the occurrence of gynecologic conditions and the use of surveillance testing in women receiving tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors.

OBJECTIVE

We performed a population-based analysis among women with breast cancer receiving hormonal therapy with tamoxifen, a drug commonly used in premenopausal and sometimes postmenopausal women, to determine the frequency of gynecologic abnormalities and use of diagnostic and surveillance testing. We compared these findings to women treated with aromatase inhibitors, agents commonly used in postmenopausal women.

STUDY DESIGN

The MarketScan database was used to identify women diagnosed with breast cancer from 2009 through 2013 who underwent mastectomy or lumpectomy. Women receiving tamoxifen (age <50 vs ≥50 years) were compared to women ≥50 years of age treated with aromatase inhibitors. We examined the occurrence of gynecologic symptoms and diseases (vaginal bleeding, endometrial polyps, endometrial hyperplasia, and endometrial cancer) and gynecologic procedures and interventions (transvaginal ultrasound, endometrial biopsy, hysteroscopy/dilation and curettage, and hysterectomy). Time-dependent analyses were performed to examine symptoms and testing.

RESULTS

A total of 75,170 women, including 15,735 (20.9%) age <50 years treated with tamoxifen, 13,827 (18.4%) age ≥50 years treated with tamoxifen, and 45,608 (60.7%) age ≥50 years treated with aromatase inhibitors were identified. The cumulative incidence of any gynecologic symptom or pathologic diagnosis during the study period was 20.2%, 12.3%, and 3.5%, respectively (P < .001), while the cumulative incidence of any gynecologic procedure or intervention during the study period was 34.2%, 20.9%, and 9.0%, respectively (P < .0001). Among women without symptoms or pathology, interventions were performed in 20.0%, 11.0%, and 6.8%, respectively (P < .0001).

CONCLUSION

Compared to women taking aromatase inhibitors, gynecologic symptoms, procedures, and pathology are higher for both premenopausal and postmenopausal women with breast cancer on tamoxifen. Increased efforts to curb use of gynecologic interventions in asymptomatic women are needed.

Utilization and Outcomes of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Vulvar Cancer

OBJECTIVE

To examine the use and predictors of sentinel node biopsy in women with vulvar cancer.

METHODS

The Perspective database, an all-payer database that collects data from more than 500 hospitals, was used to perform a retrospective cohort study of women with vulvar cancer who underwent vulvectomy and lymph node assessment from 2006 to 2015. Multivariable models were used to determine factors associated with sentinel node biopsy. Length of stay and cost were compared between women who underwent sentinel node biopsy and lymphadenectomy.

RESULTS

Among 2,273 women, sentinel node biopsy was utilized in 618 (27.2%) and 1,655 (72.8%) underwent inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy. Performance of sentinel node biopsy increased from 17.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 12.0-22.0%) in 2006 to 39.1% (95% CI 27.1-51.0%) in 2015. In a multivariable model, women treated more recently were more likely to have undergone sentinel node biopsy, whereas women with more comorbidities and those treated at rural hospitals were less likely to have undergone the procedure. The median length of stay was shorter for those undergoing sentinel node biopsy (median 2 days, interquartile range 1-3) compared with women who underwent inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy (median 3 days, interquartile range 2-4). The cost of sentinel node biopsy was $7,599 (interquartile range $5,739-9,922) compared with $8,095 (interquartile range $5,917-11,281) for lymphadenectomy.

CONCLUSION

The use of sentinel node biopsy for vulvar cancer has more than doubled since 2006. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is associated with a shorter hospital stay and decreased cost compared with inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy.

Grilled, Barbecued, and Smoked Meat Intake and Survival Following Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

Grilled, barbecued, and smoked meat intake, a prevalent dietary source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) carcinogens, may increase the risk of incident breast cancer. However, no studies have examined whether intake of this PAH source influences survival after breast cancer.

METHODS

We interviewed a population-based cohort of 1508 women diagnosed with first primary invasive or in situ breast cancer in 1996 and 1997 at baseline and again approximately five years later to assess grilled/barbecued and smoked meat intake. After a median of 17.6 years of follow-up, 597 deaths, of which 237 were breast cancer related, were identified. Multivariable Cox regression was used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for mortality as related to prediagnosis intake, comparing high (above the median) to low intake, as well as postdiagnosis changes in intake, comparing every combination of pre-/postdiagnosis intake to low pre-/postdiagnosis intake. All statistical tests were two-sided.

RESULTS

High prediagnosis grilled/barbecued and smoked meat intake was associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.46). Other associations were noted, but estimates were not statistically significant. These include high prediagnosis smoked beef/lamb/pork intake and increased all-cause (HR = 1.17, 95% CI = 0.99 to 1.38, P_trend = .10) and breast cancer-specific (HR = 1.23, 95% CI = 0.95 to 1.60, P_trend = .09) mortality. Also, among women with continued high grilled/barbecued and smoked meat intake after diagnosis, all-cause mortality risk was elevated 31% (HR = 1.31, 95% CI = 0.96 to 1.78). Further, breast cancer-specific mortality was decreased among women with any pre- and postdiagnosis intake of smoked poultry/fish (HR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.31 to 0.97).

CONCLUSION

High intake of grilled/barbecued and smoked meat may increase mortality after breast cancer.

Utilization of sentinel lymph node biopsy for uterine cancer

BACKGROUND

To limit the potential short and long-term morbidity of lymphadenectomy, sentinel lymph node biopsy has been proposed for endometrial cancer. The principle of sentinel lymph node biopsy relies on removal of a small number of lymph nodes that are the first drainage basins from a tumor and thus the most likely to harbor tumor cells. While the procedure may reduce morbidity, efficacy data are limited and little is known about how commonly the procedure is performed.

OBJECTIVE

We examined the patterns and predictors of use of sentinel lymph node biopsy and outcomes of the procedure in women with endometrial cancer who underwent hysterectomy.

STUDY DESIGN

We used the Perspective database to identify women with uterine cancer who underwent hysterectomy from 2011 through 2015. Billing and charge codes were used to classify women as having undergone lymphadenectomy, sentinel lymph node biopsy, or no nodal assessment. Multivariable models were used to examine clinical, demographic, and hospital characteristics with use of sentinel lymph node biopsy. Length of stay and cost were compared among the different methods of nodal assessment.

RESULTS

Among 28,362 patients, 9327 (32.9%) did not undergo nodal assessment, 17,669 (62.3%) underwent lymphadenectomy, and 1366 (4.8%) underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed in 1.3% (95% confidence interval, 1.0-1.6%) of abdominal hysterectomies, 3.4% (95% confidence interval, 2.7-4.1%) of laparoscopic hysterectomies, and 7.5% (95% confidence interval, 7.0-8.0%) of robotic-assisted hysterectomies. In a multivariable model, more recent year of surgery was associated with performance of sentinel lymph node biopsy. Compared to abdominal hysterectomy, those undergoing laparoscopic (adjusted risk ratio, 2.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.89-3.18) and robotic-assisted (adjusted risk ratio, 2.69; 95% confidence interval, 2.19-3.30) hysterectomy were more likely to undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy. Among women who underwent minimally invasive hysterectomy, length of stay and cost were lower for sentinel lymph node biopsy compared to lymphadenectomy.

CONCLUSION

The use of sentinel lymph node biopsy for endometrial cancer increased from 2011 through 2015. The increased use was most notable in women who underwent a robotic-assisted hysterectomy.

Curative, Life-Extending, and Palliative Chemotherapy: New Outcomes Need New Names

Imprecise terminology obscures the reasons why a cancer patient might be willing to endure the potential toxicities and side‐effects of treatment. Renaming of the categories of chemotherapy is proposed here to clarify intended definitions.

Complementary and alternative medicine use and hormonal therapy initiation in women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: The BQUAL study

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Background: Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been associated with initiation of breast cancer chemotherapy.We examined the association of CAM use with initiation of hormonal therapy in women with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer. Methods: In aprospective cohort study designed to examine predictors of breast cancer treatment initiation and adherence, 699 women with non-metastatic stage I-III breast cancer and aged < 70 years were recruited from Kaiser Permanente Northern California during 2006-2010. Baseline interviews assessed current use of five CAM modalities (dietary supplements: vitamins/minerals, herbs/botanicals, other natural products; mind/body therapies: mind-body self-practice, mind-body practitioner-based). Based on electronic pharmacy records, hormonal therapy initiation was defined as ≥2 prescriptions of ≥30 pills of any hormonal therapy drug within 1 year after diagnosis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis examined a priori hypotheses testing whether current CAM use was associated with hormonal therapy initiation, adjusted for demographic, tumor characteristics, and cancer treatment. Results: Of the 699 participants,552 were diagnosed with HR+ breast cancer. Among the 552 women with HR+ breast cancer, 494 (89%) used at least 1 modality of CAM, 414 (76%) used dietary supplements, and 391 (71%) used mind/body therapies. Within 1 year after diagnosis, 481 (87%) participants initiated hormonal therapy. The rate of initiation was comparable between CAM users and non-users (87% vs. 86%). In multivariable analyses, baseline overall CAM use was not associated with initiation of hormonal therapy. However, vitamins/minerals users were more likely to initiate hormonal therapy compared to non-users (OR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.04, 3.51). Conclusions: CAM use was high among early stage HR+ breast cancer patients. Overall, use of CAM was not associated with hormonal therapy initiation. Current use of vitamins/minerals was associated with higher initiation rate of hormonal chemotherapy.

Risk factors of colorectal adenoma recurrence among individuals under 50 years of age compared to those 50 years of age or older

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Background: Colorectal cancer incidence and mortality are increasing among individuals < 50 years of age. Data are limited regarding the epidemiology of colorectal adenomas in this younger age group. This study investigated and compared risk factors associated with recurrence of adenomas in individuals under and over 50 years of age. Methods: Pooled analyses from the Wheat Bran Fiber and Ursodeoxycholic Acid phase III, randomized, controlled clinical trials included 1,623 participants, aged 40-80 years. Each completed baseline questionnaires related to family history and lifestyle habits, had one or more colorectal adenomas removed at baseline, and had a follow-up colonoscopy during the trial (mean follow up 36 months). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression modeling estimated the association between age and colorectal adenoma recurrence, and evaluate multiple risk factors, while controlling for confounding factors. Results: A statistically significant increased trend was found for colorectal adenoma recurrence with increasing age ( Ptrend= < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that risk factors significantly associated with adenoma recurrence in the ≥50 age group (n = 1,523) included history of previous polyps, characteristics of adenomas removed at baseline (multiple adenomas and villous feature), current smoking, and an increased waist circumference. Although risk profile in the < 50 age group (n = 95) shared similarities with that in the ≥50 age group (e.g., current smoking), there were a few notable differences: history of previous polyps was a more prominent predictor for recurrence for the < 50 (OR< 50 = 4.76 and OR≥50 = 1.33, Pinteraction = 0.042), whereas baseline characteristics of adenomas were more important for the ≥50 (multiple adenomas: OR< 50 = 0.40 and OR≥50 = 2.28, Pinteraction = 0.043). Conclusions: Predisposition to colorectal adenoma is a more important risk factor for recurrence in the < 50 as compared to the ≥50. Future studies need to identify susceptibility factors contributing to the increasing incidence of colorectal cancer in this younger age group.

Long term gluten consumption in adults without celiac disease and risk of coronary heart disease: prospective cohort study

Objective To examine the association of long term intake of gluten with the development of incident coronary heart disease.Design Prospective cohort study.Setting and participants 64 714 women in the Nurses' Health Study and 45 303 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study without a history of coronary heart disease who completed a 131 item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire in 1986 that was updated every four years through 2010.Exposure Consumption of gluten, estimated from food frequency questionnaires.Main outcome measure Development of coronary heart disease (fatal or non-fatal myocardial infarction).Results During 26 years of follow-up encompassing 2 273 931 person years, 2431 women and 4098 men developed coronary heart disease. Compared with participants in the lowest fifth of gluten intake, who had a coronary heart disease incidence rate of 352 per 100 000 person years, those in the highest fifth had a rate of 277 events per 100 000 person years, leading to an unadjusted rate difference of 75 (95% confidence interval 51 to 98) fewer cases of coronary heart disease per 100 000 person years. After adjustment for known risk factors, participants in the highest fifth of estimated gluten intake had a multivariable hazard ratio for coronary heart disease of 0.95 (95% confidence interval 0.88 to 1.02; P for trend=0.29). After additional adjustment for intake of whole grains (leaving the remaining variance of gluten corresponding to refined grains), the multivariate hazard ratio was 1.00 (0.92 to 1.09; P for trend=0.77). In contrast, after additional adjustment for intake of refined grains (leaving the variance of gluten intake correlating with whole grain intake), estimated gluten consumption was associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease (multivariate hazard ratio 0.85, 0.77 to 0.93; P for trend=0.002).Conclusion Long term dietary intake of gluten was not associated with risk of coronary heart disease. However, the avoidance of gluten may result in reduced consumption of beneficial whole grains, which may affect cardiovascular risk. The promotion of gluten-free diets among people without celiac disease should not be encouraged.

South African Breast Cancer and HIV Outcomes Study: Methods and Baseline Assessment

Purpose

In low- and middle-income, HIV-endemic regions of sub-Saharan Africa, morbidity and mortality from the common epithelial cancers of the developed world are rising. Even among HIV-infected individuals, access to antiretroviral therapy has enhanced life expectancy, shifting the distribution of cancer diagnoses toward non–AIDS-defining malignancies, including breast cancer. Building on our prior research, we recently initiated the South African Breast Cancer and HIV Outcomes study.

Methods

We will recruit a cohort of 3,000 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer at hospitals in high (average, 20%) HIV prevalence areas, in Johannesburg, Durban, Pietermaritzburg, and Empangeni. At baseline, we will collect information on demographic, behavioral, clinical, and other factors related to access to health care. Every 3 months in year 1 and every 6 months thereafter, we will collect interview and chart data on treatment, symptoms, cancer progression, comorbidities, and other factors.

We will compare survival rates of HIV-infected and uninfected women with newly diagnosed breast cancer and their likelihood of receiving suboptimal anticancer therapy. We will identify determinants of suboptimal therapy and context-specific modifiable factors that future interventions can target to improve outcomes. We will explore molecular mechanisms underlying potentially aggressive breast cancer in both HIV-infected and uninfected patients, as well as the roles of pathogens, states of immune activation, and inflammation in disease progression.

Conclusion

Our goals are to contribute to development of evidence-based guidelines for the management of breast cancer in HIV-positive women and to improve outcomes for all patients with breast cancer in resource-constrained settings.

Utility of radiation therapy for early-stage uterine papillary serous carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Early-stage uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) has a poor prognosis and high recurrence rate. While adjuvant chemotherapy is generally recommended, the role of radiation is uncertain. We examined the association between vaginal brachytherapy and whole pelvic radiation and survival in women treated with and without adjuvant chemotherapy.

METHODS

The National Cancer Data Base was used to identify women with stage I-II UPSC treated between 1998 and 2012. Trends in use of chemotherapy, brachytherapy, and external beam radiation over time were examined. The association between these treatments and mortality were examined using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

A total of 7325 patients were identified. Overall, 2779 (37.9%) received chemotherapy. The use of vaginal brachytherapy increased from 7.2% in 1998 to 29.1% in 2012 (P<0.0001), while use of external beam radiation decreased from 18.2% to 11.7% over the same period (P<0.0001). Use of chemotherapy was associated with a 22% reduction in mortality (HR=0.78; 95% CI, 0.69-0.88). While brachytherapy was associated with decreased mortality (HR=0.67; 95% CI, 0.57-0.78), use of external beam radiation was not associated with survival (HR=1.03; 95% CI, 0.92-1.17). Stratified by stage, use of chemotherapy was associated with decreased mortality for women with stage IB and II tumors, but not for stage IA neoplasms. Vaginal brachytherapy was associated with reduced mortality for stage IA and II neoplasms.

CONCLUSION

For women with early-stage UPSC, chemotherapy is associated with improved survival. Vaginal brachytherapy was also associated with improved survival, however, there was little benefit to use of external beam radiation.

Modification of the association between recreational physical activity and survival after breast cancer by promoter methylation in breast cancer-related genes

Background

Mechanisms underlying the inverse association between physical activity and survival after breast cancer are unresolved, but DNA methylation may play a role. We hypothesized that promoter methylation of breast cancer-related genes, as well as global methylation, may modify the association between prediagnostic recreational physical activity (RPA) and breast cancer mortality.

Methods

Using a population-based sample of 1254 women diagnosed with first primary breast cancer, we examined modification of the RPA-mortality association by gene-specific promoter methylation and global methylation. Average lifetime RPA was assessed from menarche to diagnosis through structured in-home interviews. Promoter methylation of 13 breast cancer-related genes was evaluated in archived tumor by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction and MethyLight assay. Global methylation in white blood cell DNA was determined at long interspersed nucleotide element 1 and by the luminometric methylation assay. After approximately 15 years of follow-up, 486 patients had died, and 186 of the deaths were breast cancer-related. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate HRs and 95% CIs as well as likelihood ratio tests to assess multiplicative interactions.

Results

All-cause mortality was lower only among physically active women with methylated promoter of APC (HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.40–0.80), CCND2 (HR 0.56, 95% CI 0.32–0.99), HIN (HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.38–0.80), and TWIST1 (HR 0.28, 95% CI 0.14–0.56) in tumors, but not among those with unmethylated tumors (significant interaction p < 0.05). We found no interaction between RPA and global methylation.

Conclusions

The improved survival after breast cancer that is associated with RPA may be more pronounced in women with promoter tumor methylation in biologically plausible genes.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13058-017-0811-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Abstract P5-13-14: Factors associated with multidisciplinary care in the management of early stage breast cancer

Introduction: In patients with early stage breast cancer (BC) treated with curative intent, multidisciplinary teams (MDT) have emerged as a way to involve a wide range of specialists and encourage effective communication to formulate an optimal treatment strategy for patients. We sought to evaluate the frequency and predictors of MDT evaluation in patients with BC.

Methods: We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare linked dataset to evaluate patients diagnosed with stages I and II breast cancer who underwent primary surgery from 2002-2007 and were followed through 2012. We evaluated claims for outpatient visits and characterized the treating physician as a surgeon, radiation oncologist (RO) or medical oncologist (MO). We defined MDT as having seen a physician in each of the three specialties within 12 months of diagnosis. We used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate factors associated with MDT.

Results: A total of 35,484 stage I and II breast cancer patients were included in the analysis. Within the first year, 77.5% visited a medical oncologist, 57.8% visited a radiation oncologist, and 47% of women were seen by all 3 specialists. Prior to surgery, 4.9% of patients were seen by all 3 physicians, with 14.8% seen by a MO and 16.4% seen by a RO in addition to the surgeon. Evaluation by a MDT was more frequent in women who had a lumpectomy vs mastectomy (57.1% vs 28.4%, p&lt;0.0001), Caucasian race as opposed to black and Hispanic (47.4% vs 42.1% vs 37.4%, p&lt;0.0001), those that lived in an urban setting versus rural (48.1% vs 36.25%, p&lt;0.0001), and those that were married versus unmarried (50.8% vs 43.1%, p&lt;0.0001). As age increased, the number of patients who saw all three physicians decreased. As socioeconomic status improved, more patients saw all three physicians. In a multivariate model, evaluation by a MDT was higher in patients with Stage II disease (OR [95% CI] = 1.10 [1.04-1.18]), diagnosed in 2006-2007 (as compared to 2002-2005) (OR = 1.73 [1.63-1.85]), and those who received chemotherapy (OR = 1.51 [1.39-1.64]) and was less likely for older women (OR = 0.77 [0.71-0.84]), those who underwent mastectomy (OR = 0.73 [0.68-0.78]), and those in the lowest socioeconomic quintile (OR = 0.88 [0.80-0.97]). Of those seen by all 3 physicians in the first year, 20.4%, 10.1%, 6.1%, and 3.9% were seen by all 3 specialists in years 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Only 2.2% of patients saw all three specialists all five years.

Conclusions: Early stage breast cancer patients are evaluated by a medical oncologist, surgeon and radiation oncologist less than 50% of the time in the first year after diagnosis. Prior to surgery, where decision making may be most important, only 5% of patients were evaluated by all three specialties. Further research is needed to determine if MDT improves quality of care delivered, treatment adherence, patient satisfaction or breast cancer survival.

Citation Format: Quyyumi F, Accordino MK, Buono DL, Neugut AI, Hillyer GC, Wright JD, Hershman DL. Factors associated with multidisciplinary care in the management of early stage breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-13-14.

Abstract P5-08-03: Predictors of aggressive end-of-life care in women metastatic breast cancer

Background: Despite recommendations against aggressive end-of-life (EOL) care, a high percentage of patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) receive aggressive EOL care. MBC is a heterogeneous disease with a wide variation in survival. EOL care may differ by the patients' long-term course of care. We performed a population-based analysis to evaluate patterns and predictors of aggressive EOL care and associated costs among women with MBC.

Methods: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database was used to identify female patients with MBC diagnosed between 2002 and 2011. Aggressive EOL care in the last month of life was identified using claims data. Specifically: ≥2 emergency department (ED) visits, ≥2 hospital admissions, &gt;14 days hospitalized, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), admission to hospice within 3 days or less before death, and receipt of intravenous (IV) chemotherapy in the last 14 days of life were evaluated. Direct healthcare costs in the last month of life were calculated from Medicare claims. Patients were categorized into prognosis quartiles based on survival time from diagnosis. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify patient characteristics associated with aggressive EOL care and characteristics associated with high direct healthcare expenditures in last month of life in women with hormone-receptor (HR)+ and HR- MBC. High expenditures were defined as median costs &gt;75th percentile. Factors associated with high expenditures were evaluated using linear regression.

Results: We identified 5,064 eligible patients. Of these, 2,156 (42.6%) received at least one measure of aggressive EOL care in the last month of life. The most frequent aggressive EOL care received in the last month of life were ICU admissions (17.3%) and &gt;1 ED visits (14.1%). Median cost of care in the last month of life was $7,973. Predictors of aggressive EOL care included year of diagnosis (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.06), black race as compared to whites (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.25-1.79), being married compared to single (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.01-1.32), and a Charlson comorbidity score of ≥2 compared to no comorbidities (OR 1.52, 95%CI 1.32-1.75). Predictors of not receiving aggressive EOL care included age &gt;74 compared to ages 70-74, receiving care in the Midwest compared to the East (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.70-0.96), and best prognosis compared to worst prognosis (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.39-0.55). Predictors of high last month of life expenditures were similar in both the HR+ and HR- subsets; receipt of more aggressive EOL care was also associated with higher expenditures in both HR subsets (OR 5.02, 95% CI 3.88-6.49; OR 5.43, 95% CI 3.41-8.65, respectively). Median last month of life expenditures were unchanged from 2002-2012 for the whole population ($7,658 to $5,910, p=0.93), but rose significantly in patients in the worst prognosis quartile ($9,236 to $16,926, p&lt;0.0001)

Conclusion: Patients with MBC frequently received aggressive EOL care. Women with poor prognosis were more likely to receive aggressive EOL care and have higher expenditures in the last month of life. Given the rising costs of cancer care, efforts should be made to identify patients early for EOL interventions to reduce costs, particularly in women with a poor prognosis.

Citation Format: Accordino MK, Wright JD, Vasan S, Neugut AI, Hillyer GC, Hershman DL. Predictors of aggressive end-of-life care in women metastatic breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-08-03.

Factors associated with neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist use among commercially insured cancer patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy

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Background: Neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists (NK1RA) reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting (CINV) among patients undergoing highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC). We evaluated factors associated with the use of NK1RA in patients treated with HEC. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study using Truven Health Marketscan to identify subjects who initiated HEC (doxorubicin or cisplatin) between 2009 and 2013, and concurrently received a NK1RA. Multivariable logistic regression was used, to determine the association of clinical and demographic factors and NK1RA use. Results: Of 32,004 subjects with cancer who were treated with either doxorubicin or cisplatin-containing regimens, 11,325 (33.3%) did not receive an NK1RA. From 2009 to 2013, NK1RA use increased from 53.2% to 73.5% (p < 0.0001). Compared to non-users, NK1RA users were more frequently treated with cisplatin-based regimens (67.9% vs. 32.1%, p < 0.0001), had in-network claims (66.7% vs. 33.3%, p < 0.0001), were younger, and without other comorbidities. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that NK1RA use was more likely with cisplatin compared to doxorubicin (OR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.62-1.81) and with female compared to male patients (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.65-1.84). In-network claims (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.16-1.36) and comprehensive benefit plans (OR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.04-1.25) were associated with increased NK1RA use, compared to out-of network claims and preferred provider organizations (PPO), respectively. Age ≥ 65 years (OR = 0.64, 95% CI 0.5-0.69) and increased comorbidities (comorbidity score of 1: OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.83-0.94; score of 2- OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.56-0.67) versus a score of 0 were associated with decreased NK1RA use. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of patients receiving HEC do not receive NK1RA, and type of insurance coverage was associated with receipt.

Factors and Costs Associated With Delay in Treatment Initiation and Prolonged Length of Stay With Inpatient EPOCH Chemotherapy in Patients With Hematologic Malignancies

Reducing delays related to inpatient chemotherapy may reduce healthcare costs. Using a national database, we identified patients with lymphoma/leukemia with ≥1 etoposide, vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and prednisone (EPOCH) chemotherapy claim and evaluated chemotherapy initiation delay (ID), >1 day from admission. Standard tests/procedures prior to initiation were evaluated. Among 4453 inpatient cycles, 19.7% had ID, odds ratio 2.28 (95% confidence interval: 1.83-2.85) with cycle 1 compared to cycle 2, and mean costs were higher in patients with ID than without ID (p < .0001). Prior to cycle 1, patients were more likely to undergo routine diagnostic procedures compared to subsequent cycles. Efforts to perform routine procedures prior to admission may reduce hospital length of stay and costs.

Association Between Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use and Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Initiation: The Breast Cancer Quality of Care (BQUAL) Study

IMPORTANCE

Not all women initiate clinically indicated breast cancer adjuvant treatment. It is important for clinicians to identify women at risk for noninitiation.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is associated with decreased breast cancer chemotherapy initiation.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

In this multisite prospective cohort study (the Breast Cancer Quality of Care [BQUAL] study) designed to examine predictors of breast cancer treatment initiation and adherence, 685 women younger than 70 years with nonmetastatic invasive breast cancer were recruited from Columbia University Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, and Henry Ford Health System and enrolled between May 2006 and July 31, 2010. Overall, 306 patients (45%) were clinically indicated to receive chemotherapy per National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. Participants were followed for up to 12 months.

EXPOSURES

Baseline interviews assessed current use of 5 CAM modalities (vitamins and/or minerals, herbs and/or botanicals, other natural products, mind-body self-practice, mind-body practitioner-based practice). CAM use definitions included any use, dietary supplement use, mind-body use, and a CAM index summing the 5 modalities.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Chemotherapy initiation was assessed via self-report up to 12 months after baseline. Multivariable logistic regression models examined a priori hypotheses testing whether CAM use was associated with chemotherapy initiation, adjusting for demographic and clinical covariates, and delineating groups by age and chemotherapy indication.

RESULTS

A cohort of 685 women younger than 70 years (mean age, 59 years; median age, 59 years) with nonmetastatic invasive breast cancer were recruited and followed for up to 12 months to examine predictors of breast cancer treatment initiation. Baseline CAM use was reported by 598 women (87%). Chemotherapy was initiated by 272 women (89%) for whom chemotherapy was indicated, compared with 135 women (36%) for whom chemotherapy was discretionary. Among women for whom chemotherapy was indicated, dietary supplement users and women with high CAM index scores were less likely than nonusers to initiate chemotherapy (odds ratio [OR], 0.16; 95% CI, 0.03-0.51; and OR per unit, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.46-0.87, respectively). Use of mind-body practices was not related to chemotherapy initiation (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 0.57-3.59). There was no association between CAM use and chemotherapy initiation among women for whom chemotherapy was discretionary.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

CAM use was high among patients with early-stage breast cancer enrolled in a multisite prospective cohort study. Current dietary supplement use and higher number of CAM modalities used but not mind-body practices were associated with decreased initiation of clinically indicated chemotherapy. Oncologists should consider discussing CAM with their patients during the chemotherapy decision-making process.

Dietary Inflammatory Index and Risk of Colorectal Adenoma Recurrence: A Pooled Analysis

No studies have evaluated the association between the dietary inflammatory index (DII) and colorectal adenoma recurrence. DII scores were calculated from a baseline food frequency questionnaire. Participants (n = 1727) were 40-80 years of age, enrolled in two Phase III clinical trials, who had ≥1 colorectal adenoma(s) removed within 6 months of study registration, and a follow-up colonoscopy during the trial. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). No statistically significant associations were found between DII and odds of colorectal adenoma recurrence [ORs (95% CIs) = 0.93 (0.73, 1.18) and 0.95 (0.73, 1.22)] for subjects in the second and third DII tertiles, respectively, compared to those in the lowest tertile (P_trend = 0.72). No associations were found for recurrent colorectal adenoma characteristics, including advanced recurrent adenomas, large size, villous histology, or anatomic location. While our study did not support an association between a proinflammatory diet and colorectal adenoma recurrence, future studies are warranted to elucidate the role of a proinflammatory diet on the early stages of colorectal carcinogenesis.

Grilled, Barbecued, and Smoked Meat Intake and Survival Following Breast Cancer

Background

Grilled, barbecued, and smoked meat intake, a prevalent dietary source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) carcinogens, may increase the risk of incident breast cancer. However, no studies have examined whether intake of this PAH source influences survival after breast cancer.

Methods

We interviewed a population-based cohort of 1508 women diagnosed with first primary invasive or in situ breast cancer in 1996 and 1997 at baseline and again approximately five years later to assess grilled/barbecued and smoked meat intake. After a median of 17.6 years of follow-up, 597 deaths, of which 237 were breast cancer related, were identified. Multivariable Cox regression was used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for mortality as related to prediagnosis intake, comparing high (above the median) to low intake, as well as postdiagnosis changes in intake, comparing every combination of pre-/postdiagnosis intake to low pre-/postdiagnosis intake. All statistical tests were two-sided.

Results

High prediagnosis grilled/barbecued and smoked meat intake was associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.46). Other associations were noted, but estimates were not statistically significant. These include high prediagnosis smoked beef/lamb/pork intake and increased all-cause (HR = 1.17, 95% CI = 0.99 to 1.38, P_trend = .10) and breast cancer-specific (HR = 1.23, 95% CI = 0.95 to 1.60, P_trend = .09) mortality. Also, among women with continued high grilled/barbecued and smoked meat intake after diagnosis, all-cause mortality risk was elevated 31% (HR = 1.31, 95% CI = 0.96 to 1.78). Further, breast cancer-specific mortality was decreased among women with any pre- and postdiagnosis intake of smoked poultry/fish (HR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.31 to 0.97).

Conclusion

High intake of grilled/barbecued and smoked meat may increase mortality after breast cancer.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and postmenopausal breast cancer: An evaluation of effect measure modification by body mass index and weight change

BACKGROUND

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been linked to breast cancer in many, but not all, previous studies. PAHs are lipophilic and stored in fat tissue, which we hypothesized may result in constant low-dose exposure to these carcinogens. No previous studies have evaluated whether obesity modifies associations between multiple measures of PAHs and breast cancer incidence.

METHODS

This population-based study included 1,006 postmenopausal women with first primary in situ or invasive breast cancer and 990 age-frequency matched controls. To evaluate effect modification by obesity (adult body mass index (BMI, kg/m²) and weight change) on multiple PAH measures (the biomarker PAH-DNA adducts, and long-term sources active cigarette smoking, living with a smoking spouse, grilled/smoked meat intake, residential synthetic log burning, and vehicular traffic), interaction contrast ratios (ICRs) for the additive scale, and ratio of odds ratios (RORs) with log-likelihood ratio tests (LRT) for the multiplicative scale, were determined using unconditional logistic regression.

RESULTS

BMI modified the PAH-DNA adduct and postmenopausal breast cancer association on the additive (ICR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.96) and multiplicative (ROR: 1.56; 95% CI: 0.91, 2.68) scales. The odds ratio for detectable vs. non-detectable adducts was increased among women with BMI ≥25 (OR=1.34; 95% CI: 0.94, 1.92), but not in those with BMI <25 (OR=0.86; 95% CI: 0.57, 1.28) (LRT p=0.1). For most other PAH measures, the pattern of modification by BMI/weight gain was similar, but estimates were imprecise.

CONCLUSIONS

The association between PAH-DNA adducts and breast cancer incidence may be elevated among overweight/obese women.

Interaction between polyunsaturated fatty acids and genetic variants in relation to breast cancer incidence

Higher intake of ω-3 relative to ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may reduce breast carcinogenesis via different metabolic pathways. The PUFA-breast cancer association remains inconclusive, thus, we hypothesized that interactions between the ratio of dietary ω-3:ω-6 intake and polymorphisms from PUFA-related metabolic pathways would help elucidate an association. Utilizing resources from the Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project, a population-based case-control study (n=1035 cases/1075 controls), we examined interactions between ω-3:ω-6 ratio and 18 polymorphisms of 15 genes. Compared to the putative lowest risk group (high ω-3:ω-6,low-risk FASL rs763110 CT/TT genotype), the odds ratio (OR) for breast cancer from unconditional logistic regression models was weakly increased for other exposure-genotype combinations (high ω-3:ω-6,high-risk FASL CC genotype, OR=1.18,95% confidence interval(CI)=0.90,1.53; low ω-3:ω-6,CT/TT genotype, OR=1.35,95%CI=1.09,1.66); but was approximately null for the putative highest risk group (low ω-3:ω-6,CC genotype; OR=1.06,95%CI=0.81,1.38). We observed an interaction between the ω-3:ω-6 ratio and FASL rs763110 on the additive scale [Relative Excess Risk Due to Interaction(RERI)=-0.47, 95%CI=-0.92,-0.02]. Interactions with other polymorphisms considered were not evident. Our findings suggest that the PUFA-breast cancer association may be modified by FASL. However, additional research is needed given this interaction may be due to chance and is inconsistent with our a priori biologic hypothesis.

Prediagnosis aspirin use and outcomes in a prospective cohort of esophageal cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Esophageal cancer remains associated with poor outcomes, yet little is known regarding factors that influence survival. Aspirin use prior to cancer diagnosis may influence outcomes. We aimed to assess the effects of prediagnosis aspirin use in patients with esophageal cancer.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study of newly-diagnosed esophageal cancer patients at two tertiary care centers. We assessed history of prediagnosis aspirin use, and prospectively followed patients and assessed mortality, cause of death, and development of metastases.

RESULTS

We enrolled 130 patients, the majority of whom were male (81.5%) and had adenocarcinoma (80.8%). Overall, 57 patients (43.9%) were regular aspirin users. In unadjusted analyses, we found no difference in all-cause mortality between aspirin users and nonusers. In multivariate analyses, prediagnosis aspirin use was not associated with all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.48-1.57] or esophageal cancer-specific mortality (HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.52-2.21). Prediagnosis aspirin use was associated with a significantly increased risk of interval metastasis (HR 3.59, 95% CI 1.08-11.96).

CONCLUSIONS

In our cohort of esophageal cancer patients, prediagnosis aspirin use was not associated with all-cause or cancer-specific mortality. However, risk of interval metastatic disease was increased among those who took aspirin regularly prediagnosis. Future studies are warranted to assess whether aspirin influences the molecular characteristics of esophageal tumors, with potential prognostic and therapeutic implications.

Use of Partial Nephrectomy after Acquisition of a Surgical Robot: A Population Based Study

INTRODUCTION

The advent of robotics may promote the dissemination of partial nephrectomy, and allow patients to experience survival and functional benefits compared to radical nephrectomy. Therefore, we assessed the impact of hospital acquisition of a robotic surgery platform on the rate of partial nephrectomy recorded in a nationwide database.

METHODS

We identified 53,364 patients with a diagnosis of localized renal cell carcinoma who underwent extirpative surgery from 2006 to 2012 using the Perspective database. Procedures were categorized based on extent of surgery (radical nephrectomy vs partial nephrectomy), approach (open, laparoscopic, robotic) and hospital ownership of a surgical robot. Changes in the proportion of partial nephrectomies performed over time and the effect of acquiring a surgical robot on the proportion of partial nephrectomies performed were assessed with multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Overall 40,147 (75.2%) radical nephrectomies and 13,217 (24.8%) partial nephrectomies were performed between 2006 and 2012. The proportion of hospitals using a surgical robot for renal cancer surgery increased from 1.8% in the first quarter of 2006 to 47.7% by the end of 2012. Partial nephrectomy use ranged from 19.1% to 31.2%. More robotic hospitals performed partial nephrectomy than nonrobotic hospitals (29.6% vs 18.0%, p <0.001). After acquisition of a surgical robot the partial nephrectomy rate increased from 16.4% to 34.3% (p <0.001). Hospitals with a robot were more likely to use partial nephrectomy than radical nephrectomy (OR 1.464, CI 1.39-1.54, p <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

While laparoscopic partial nephrectomy remains a challenging operation, this study demonstrates that hospital ownership of a surgical robot is associated with increased use of partial nephrectomy in the treatment of localized renal masses.

Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Survival Following Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure is hypothesized to influence survival after breast cancer, but few studies have examined this association.

METHODS

A population-based cohort of women (N = 1,508) diagnosed with first primary invasive or in situ breast cancer in 1996 to 1997 was interviewed shortly after diagnosis and again approximately 5 years later to assess ETS exposure, and women were followed for more than 18 years using the National Death Index; 597 deaths (237 associated with breast cancer) were identified. Multivariable Cox regression was used to estimate adjusted HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for mortality among women with breast cancer as related to at-diagnosis and at-/postdiagnosis changes in ETS exposure.

RESULTS

There was little or no association between at-diagnosis ETS exposure and all-cause (HR = 1.04; 95% CI, 0.78-1.40) or breast cancer-specific (HR = 0.98; 95% CI, 0.63-1.52) mortality. Mortality was elevated among women who reported cessation in postdiagnosis ETS exposure up to 1 year before the follow-up assessment, for all-cause (HR = 1.81; 95% CI, 0.87-3.74) and breast cancer mortality (HR = 1.89; 95% CI, 0.68-5.24); however, estimates were imprecise.

CONCLUSIONS

We found little evidence of an association between at-diagnosis ETS exposure and mortality after breast cancer. Postdiagnosis cessation of ETS exposure was positively associated with mortality, although we could not rule out chance and reverse causation as possible explanations.

IMPACT

Exposure to ETS does not appear to influence mortality after breast cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(2); 278-80. ©2016 AACR.