Completion of adjuvant radiation therapy among women with breast cancer

Evaluating Recurrence Risk in Patients Undergoing Breast-conserving Surgery Using E-cadherin Staining as a Biomarker

BACKGROUND/AIM

Following the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, radiotherapy is administered after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) in patients with more than four positive lymph nodes. Four positive lymph nodes are typically considered an indicator to assess disease spread and patient prognosis. However, the subjective counting of positive axillary lymph nodes underscores the need for biomarkers to improve diagnostic precision and reduce the risk of unnecessary treatments. Loss of E-cadherin expression is associated with cancer metastasis, but its potential as a predictive marker for cancer treatment remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the validity of E-cadherin as a reference for adjuvant radiotherapy in breast cancer patients with positive lymph nodes post-mastectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Immunohistochemistry was performed on 60 clinical tissue specimens to assess these implications.

RESULTS

Although no significant result was found in a single E-cadherin subgroup (low, medium, and high subgroups according to the X-tile algorithm), the proposed multivariate model, including the E-cadherin category, breast cancer subtype, and tumor size, yielded satisfactory recurrence risk estimation results for patients undergoing BCS. Patients with a low E-cadherin category, triple-negative breast cancers, and tumor size over 5 cm could have an increased risk of recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Our study proposed a multivariate model that serves as a candidate prognostic factor for recurrence-free survival in patients undergoing BCS and radiotherapy. Utilizing this model for patient stratification in high-risk diseases and as a standard for assessing postoperative intensified therapy can potentially improve patient outcomes.

The impact of individual-level income predicted from the BRFSS on the association between insurance status and overall survival among adults with cancer from the SEER program

INTRODUCTION

Among patients with cancer in the United States, Medicaid insurance is associated with worse outcomes than private insurance and with similar outcomes as being uninsured. However, prior studies have not addressed the impact of individual-level socioeconomic status, which determines Medicaid eligibility, on the associations of Medicaid status and cancer outcomes. Our objective was to determine whether differences in cancer outcomes by insurance status persist after accounting for individual-level income.

METHODS

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was queried for 18-64 year-old individuals with cancer from 2014-2016. Individual-level income was imputed using a model trained on Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance Survey participants including covariates also present in SEER. The association of 1-year overall survival and insurance status was estimated with and without adjustment for estimated individual-level income and other covariates.

RESULTS

A total of 416,784 cases in SEER were analyzed. The 1-yr OS for patients with private insurance, Medicaid insurance, and no insurance was 88.7%, 76.1%, and 73.7%, respectively. After adjusting for all covariates except individual-level income, 1-year OS differences were worse with Medicaid (-6.0%, 95% CI = -6.3 to -5.6) and no insurance (-6.7%, 95% CI = -7.3 to -6.0) versus private insurance. After also adjusting for estimated individual-level income, the survival difference for Medicaid patients was similar to privately insured (-0.4%, 95% CI = -1.9 to 1.1) and better than uninsured individuals (2.1%, 95% CI = 0.7 to 3.4).

CONCLUSIONS

Income, rather than Medicaid status, may drive poor cancer outcomes in the low-income and Medicaid-insured population. Medicaid insurance coverage may improve cancer outcomes for low-income individuals.

Association of Patient Experience of Care and Radiation Therapy Initiation Among Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer

PURPOSE

For women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy (RT) has been a guideline-recommended treatment. However, lumpectomy followed by hormonal therapy is also an approved treatment for certain women. It is unclear what patient-driven factors are related to decisions to receive RT. This study examined relationships between patient-reported experience of care, an important dimension of health care quality, and receipt of RT after lumpectomy.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We used National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data linked to the CMS Medicare Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems patient surveys (SEER-CAHPS) to examine experiences of care among women diagnosed with local/regional stage breast cancer 2000 to 2017 who received lumpectomy, were enrolled in fee-for-service Medicare, completed a CAHPS survey ≤18 months after diagnosis, and survived for this study period. Experience of care was assessed by patient-provided scores for physicians, doctor communication, care coordination, and other aspects of care. Multivariable logistic regression models assessed associations of receipt of external beam RT with care experience and patient sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.

RESULTS

The study population included 824 women; 655 (79%) received RT. Women with higher experience of care scores for their personal doctor were significantly more likely to have received any RT (odds ratio [OR], 1.18; P = .033). Nonsignificant trends were observed for associations of increased RT with higher CAHPS measures of doctor communications (OR, 1.15; P = .055) and care coordination (OR, 1.24; P = .051). In contrast, women reporting higher scores for Part D prescription drug plans were significantly less likely to have received RT (OR, 0.78; P = .030).

CONCLUSIONS

Patient experience of care was significantly associated with receipt of RT after lumpectomy among women with breast cancer. Health care organization leaders may want to consider incorporating experience of care into quality improvement initiatives and other activities that aim to improve patient decision-making, care, and outcomes.

Facing problems in radiotherapy for breast cancer patients in Yogyakarta, Indonesia: A cohort retrospective study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to explore problems in radiotherapy for breast cancer patients in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, focusing on overall treatment time (OTT) and completion rate.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted based on data from the Insurance Unit at a tertiary hospital in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The study included all female outpatients with breast cancer who were treated with radiotherapy from January to December 2017 and met the inclusion criteria. The primary outcomes were OTT and completion rate. The secondary outcomes included the number of radiotherapy fractions, radiotherapy doses, number of radiotherapy interruption days, and reasons for radiotherapy interruption. The chi-squared and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to assess the differences in outcomes between two insurance schemes (JKN-PBI (Beneficiaries of Health Insurance Contribution Assistance) and JKN-NON-PBI (Non-Beneficiaries of Health Insurance Contribution Assistance)).

RESULTS

The sample included 285 breast cancer patients (mean age: 53 years). The median OTT was 38 days (IQR: 17-48 days), with 123 (43.2%) patients having prolonged OTT. The completion rate was 57.9%. No significant differences in OTT (44.4% vs. 35.7%, p = 0.445) and completion rate (57.2% vs. 61.9%, p = 0.569) were found between the JKN-NON-PBI and JKN-PBI groups, respectively. In all, the data reported 3,022 interrupted days of radiotherapy across a total of 227 patients. The most common reason for radiotherapy interruption was unknown.

CONCLUSION

There are problems in timely delivery and low completion rate of radiotherapy among breast cancer patients in Indonesia. There are no significant differences in OTT and completion rate between the insurance schemes.

Food to Overcome Outcomes Disparities: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Food Insecurity Interventions to Improve Cancer Outcomes

PURPOSE

Food insecurity is prevalent among low-income immigrant and minority patients with cancer. To our knowledge, this randomized controlled trial is the first to prospectively examine the impact on cancer outcomes of food insecurity interventions, with the goal of informing evidence-based interventions to address food insecurity in patients with cancer.

METHODS

A three-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted among food-insecure (18-item US Department of Agriculture Household Food Security Survey Module score ≥ 3) patients with cancer (N = 117) at four New York City safety net cancer clinics. Arms included a hospital cancer clinic-based food pantry (arm 1), food voucher plus pantry (arm 2), and home grocery delivery plus pantry (arm 3). Treatment completion (primary outcome) and full appointment attendance were assessed at 6 months. Food security status, depression symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), and quality-of-life scores (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General) were assessed at baseline and at 6 months.

RESULTS

Voucher plus pantry had the highest treatment completion rate (94.6%), followed by grocery delivery plus pantry (82.5%) and pantry (77.5%; P = .046). Food security scores improved significantly in all arms, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General scores improved significantly in the pantry and delivery plus pantry arms.

CONCLUSION

Our findings in this preliminary study suggest that voucher plus pantry was the most effective intervention at improving treatment completion, and it met our a priori criterion for a promising intervention (≥ 90%). All interventions demonstrated the potential to improve food security among medically underserved, food-insecure patients with cancer at risk of impaired nutrition status, reduced quality of life, and poorer survival. All patients with cancer should be screened for food insecurity, with evidence-based food insecurity interventions made available.

Omission of adjuvant radiotherapy for older adults with early-stage breast cancer particularly in the COVID era: A literature review (on the behalf of Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology)

This review is aimed at evaluating whether radiation therapy (RT) can be omitted in older adult early-stage low-risk breast cancer (BC) patients. The published data are particularly relevant at present, during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency, to define a treatment strategy and to prioritize essential therapy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and PubMED were systematically researched from outset through April 2020 using Mesh terms. Only randomized controlled trials (RCT), with one arm without adjuvant whole-breast irradiation (WBI), were included in the analysis. Recent literature regarding the COVID pandemic and BC RT was assessed. The reported RCTs identified a group of BC patients (pT1-2N0M0 R0, grade 1-2, estrogen receptor (ER) positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) negative tumours) in which the absolute risk of local recurrence (LR) was considered low enough to omit RT. The most common risk factors were tumor diameter, nodal and receptor status. Adjuvant RT had a significant impact on LR but not on distant metastasis (DM) or death. During the COVID 19 pandemic, results from RTCs were re-considered to define treatment recommendations for BC patients. International scientific societies and radiation oncology experts suggested RT omission, whenever possible, in older adult early-stage BC patients. Adjuvant RT might be omitted in a highly selected group of older adult early-stage BC patients with favourable prognostic factors. Hypofractionated regimens should be the standard. RT omission, partial breast irradiation (PBI), and ultra- hypofractionated regimens could be considered in selected cases due to the pandemic.

Breast Cancer Treatment Following Health Reform: Evidence From Massachusetts

There are well-documented differences in breast cancer treatment by insurance status. Insurance expansions provide a context to assess the relationship between insurance and patterns of breast cancer care. We examine the association of Massachusetts health reform with use of breast conserving surgery, reconstruction, and adjuvant radiation using data from the Massachusetts Cancer Registry and Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results registries for 2001-2013 and a difference-in-differences approach. We observe statistically significant increases in breast conserving surgery among nonelderly women in Massachusetts relative to trends in states and age groups not affected by health reform. We also observe relative increases in reconstruction and adjuvant radiation, though trends in these outcomes were not the same across states prior to reform, limiting our ability to draw conclusions about the relationship between reform and these outcomes. Our results suggest that health reform was associated with some improvements in breast cancer treatment.

Complication Rates After IntraOperative Radiation Therapy: Do Applicator Size and Distance to Skin Matter?

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) has gained popularity for early stage breast cancer treatment. Few studies have examined the relationship between complications and both demographic and technical factors. The objective of the current study was to determine if applicator size or distances to the skin were significant risk factors for complications.

METHODS

Data was prospectively collected on patients who underwent lumpectomy followed by IORT from November 1, 2013 to August 31, 2018. Exclusion criteria included any prior radiation exposure or personal history of breast cancer. Comorbid conditions such as body mass index, diabetes, and smoking as well as technical specifications such as applicator size and distances to the skin were included for investigation. Student's t-test, Fisher's exact test, and odds ratios were utilized for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The study was comprised of 219 patients. None developed Clavien-Dindo grade 2 or above complications. Of 21.0% (n = 46) had minor complications. The most common complication was a palpable breast seroma (n = 37). Diabetes was the only comorbid condition with increased risk for complications (OR 3.2; 95% CI1.3-7.5; P = 0.008). The applicator sizes and average skin distances were similar between groups. Surprisingly, the closest skin distance was not a significant risk factor for post-operative complications (1.4 +/- 1.6 versus 1.4 +/- 1.9 cm; P = 1.0).

CONCLUSION

Neither applicator size nor the closest skin distance were associated with increased complications. Traditionally described risk factors such as BMI and smoking were not predictive. This data provides support for potentially expanding the utilization for IORT without increasing complications.

Attenuating Treatment-Related Cardiotoxicity in Women Recently Diagnosed With Breast Cancer via a Tailored Therapeutic Exercise Program: Protocol of the ATOPE Trial

OBJECTIVE

Therapeutic exercise is already used to ameliorate some of the side effects of cancer treatment. Recent studies examined its preventive potential regarding treatment-related toxicity, which can increase the risk of functional decline and lead to disease recurrence and death. This trial will examine whether the Tailored Therapeutic Exercise and Recovery Strategies (ATOPE) program, performed before treatment, can mitigate the onset and extent of cardiotoxicity beyond that achieved when the program is followed during treatment in recently diagnosed breast cancer patients.

METHODS

The intervention has a preparatory phase plus 12 to 18 sessions of tailored, high-intensity exercise, and post-exercise recovery strategies. A total of 120 women recently diagnosed with breast cancer, at risk of cardiotoxicity due to anticancer treatment awaiting surgery followed by chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, will be randomized to either group. In a feasibility study, measurements related to recruitment rate, satisfaction with the program, adherence to them, the retention of participants, safety, and adverse effects will be explored. In the main trial, the efficacy of these interventions will be examined. The major outcome will be cardiotoxicity, assessed echocardiographically via the left ventricular ejection fraction. Other clinical, physical, and anthropometric outcomes and biological and hormonal variables will also be assessed after diagnosis, after treatment, 1 year after treatment ends, and 3 years after treatment ends.

CONCLUSION

Given its potential effect on patient survival, the mitigation of cardiotoxicity is a priority, and physical therapists have an important role in this mitigation. If the ATOPE intervention performed before treatment returns better cardioprotection results, it may be recommendable that patients recently diagnosed follow this program.

IMPACT

The ATOPE program will highlight the need for a physical therapist intervention from the moment of diagnosis, in the prevention or mitigation of cardiotoxicity, in women with breast cancer. It could help physical therapists to establish an adequate therapeutic exercise dose adapted to breast cancer patients and to propose correct therapeutic exercise prescription according to the assimilation of the sessions.

Travel, Treatment Choice, and Survival Among Breast Cancer Patients: A Population-Based Analysis

Background: Travel distance to care facilities may shape urban-rural cancer survival disparities by creating barriers to specific treatments. Guideline-supported treatment options for women with early stage breast cancer involves considerations of breast conservation and travel burden: Mastectomy requires travel for surgery, whereas breast-conserving surgery (BCS) with adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) requires travel for both surgery and RT. This provides a unique opportunity to evaluate the impact of travel distance on surgical decisions and receipt of guideline-concordant treatment. Materials and Methods: We included 61,169 women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer between 2004 and 2013 from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database. Driving distances to the nearest radiation facility were calculated by using Google Maps. We used multivariable regression to model treatment choice as a function of distance to radiation and Cox regression to model survival. Results: Women living farthest from radiation facilities (>50 miles vs. <10 miles) were more likely to undergo mastectomy versus BCS (odds ratio [OR]: 1.48, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22-1.79). Among only those who underwent BCS, women living farther from radiation facilities were less likely to receive guideline-concordant RT (OR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.32-2.23). These guideline-discordant women had worse overall (hazards ratio [HR]: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.42-1.57) and breast-cancer specific survival (HR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.29-1.60). Conclusions: We report two breast cancer treatments with different clinical and travel implications to show the association between travel distance, treatment decisions, and receipt of guideline-concordant treatment. Differential access to guideline-concordant treatment resulting from excess travel burden among rural patients may contribute to rural-urban survival disparities among cancer patients.

Development and evaluation of a sustainable video health education program for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients in Malaysia

PURPOSE

Wider breast cancer (BC) treatment options, short consultation time with physicians, lack of knowledge, and poor coping skills at the time of diagnosis may affect patients' decisions causing treatment delays and non-adherence. To address this gap, a breast care nurse video orientation program was started. Our aim was to evaluate the video on patients' knowledge, satisfaction, and treatment adherence.

METHODS

The video was developed using the BC delay explanatory model. A self-administered pre- and post-survey on 241 newly diagnosed BC patients in University Malaya Medical Center was performed. The Wilcoxon matched paired signed rank test was used to evaluate patients' pre and post perceived knowledge using a Likert scale 0 to 4 (0 = "no knowledge," 4 = "a great degree of knowledge"). Treatment adherence among participants were measured after 1-year follow-up.

RESULTS

Eighty percent of the patients reported that the video met or exceeded their expectations. In total 80.5% reported that the video was very effective and effective in improving their perspective on BC treatments. There was improvement in perceived knowledge for treatment options (mean scores; M = 0.93 versus M = 2.97) (p < 0.001) and also for perceived knowledge on types of operation, information on chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, healthy diet, physical activity after treatments, and care of the arm after operation(p < 0.001). In total 89.4%, 79.3%, and 85.9% adhered to surgical, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy recommended treatment, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The video improved patients' perceived knowledge and satisfaction. The program improved access not only to new BC patients but also the public and found sustainable using the YouTube platform.

Predictors of Whole Breast Radiation Therapy Completion in Early Stage Breast Cancer Following Lumpectomy

BACKGROUND

Whole breast radiation therapy (RT) has become standard of care in early stage breast cancer treatment following lumpectomy. Predictors of RT completion have been sparsely studied, with no previous nationwide examination of the impact of fractionation regimen on completion rate.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The National Cancer Database identified patients with early stage breast cancer having undergone lumpectomy and RT from 2004 through 2015. Fraction size of 1.8-2.0 Gray (Gy) was defined as standard fractionation (SFRT); 2.66-2.70 Gy/fraction as hypofractionation (HFRT). RT completion was defined as receipt of at least 46 Gy for SFRT and 40 Gy for HFRT. A multivariable logistic regression model characterized RT completion predictors.

RESULTS

A total of 100,734 patients were identified where fraction size could be reliably characterized as above; more than 87% completed RT. Of these, 66.8% received SFRT, yet HFRT use significantly increased over time (5.2% increase/year; P < .0001). RT completion rates were significantly greater following HFRT (99.3%) versus SFRT (79.7%); patients receiving SFRT had higher odds of not completing RT (odds ratio, 41.5; 95% confidence interval, 36.6-47.1; P < .0001). Multivariable analysis revealed that African-American and Caucasian patients treated with SFRT versus HFRT had 22 and 43 times the odds of not completing RT, respectively (P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

SFRT remained the majority of RT fractionation in the studied time period, although HFRT use has increased over time. Patients residing > 10 miles from a treatment facility or of African-American race had lower odds of completing RT, as were patients treated with SFRT versus HFRT. These findings suggest compliance advantages of HFRT for patients with early stage breast cancer having undergone lumpectomy.

Risk of Invasive Anal Cancer in HIV-Infected Patients With High-Grade Anal Dysplasia: A Population-Based Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The progression rate and predictors of anal dysplastic lesions to squamous cell carcinoma of the anus remain unclear. Characterizing these parameters may help refine anal cancer screening guidelines.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the rate of progression of high-grade anal dysplasia to invasive carcinoma in HIV-infected persons.

DESIGN

Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database linked to Medicare claims from 2000 to 2011, we identified HIV-infected subjects with incident anal intraepithelial neoplasia III. To estimate the rate of progression of anal intraepithelial neoplasia III to invasive cancer, we calculated the cumulative incidence of anal cancer in this cohort. We then fitted Poisson models to evaluate the potential risk factors for incident anal cancer.

SETTINGS

This is a population-based study.

PATIENTS

Included were 592 HIV-infected subjects with incident anal intraepithelial neoplasia III.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome measured was incident squamous cell carcinoma of the anus.

RESULTS

Study subjects were largely male (95%) with a median age of 45.7 years. Within the median follow-up period of 69 months, 33 subjects progressed to anal cancer. The incidence of anal cancer was 1.2% (95% CI, 0.7%-2.5%) and 5.7% (95% CI, 4.0%-8.1%) at 1 and 5 years, following a diagnosis of anal intraepithelial neoplasia III. Risk of progression did not differ by anal intraepithelial neoplasia III treatment status. On unadjusted analysis, black race (p = 0.02) and a history of anogenital condylomata (p = 0.03) were associated with an increased risk of anal cancer incidence, whereas prior anal cytology screening was associated with a decreased risk (p = 0.04).

LIMITATIONS

The identification of some incident cancer episodes used surrogate measures.

CONCLUSIONS

In our population-based cohort of HIV-infected subjects with long-term follow-up, the risk of progression from anal intraepithelial neoplasia III to anal squamous cell carcinoma was higher than reported in other studies and was not associated with the receipt of anal intraepithelial neoplasia III treatment. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A933.

The Association Between Out-of-Pocket Costs and Adherence to Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy Among Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Patients

OBJECTIVE

To determine how out-of-pocket costs for adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) medication affects adherence among newly diagnosed breast cancer survivors with private health insurance who initiate therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We examined medical and pharmacy claims for the 1-year period after initiating AET using the Truven Health Analytics MarketScan database. Adherence was defined as ≥80% proportion of days covered. Mean out-of-pocket costs for AET fill were measured as the sum of copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles and adjusted to 30-day amounts. Using a multivariable logistic regression model we calculated adjusted risk ratios controlling for age, comorbidities, type of surgery, use of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, average out-of-pocket costs for other services, and pharmacy use characteristics.

RESULTS

Of the 6863 women 64 years and younger who were diagnosed with breast cancer and initiated AET, 73.9% were adherent (proportion of days covered≥80%). A total of 19% of patients had <$5 monthly out-of-pocket costs for AET, 30% had $5 to $9.99, 17% had $10 to $14.99, 10% had $15 to $19.99, and 25% had $20 or greater. Patients with out-of-pocket costs for AET between $10 and $14.99, $15 and $19.99, and >$20 were 6% to 8% less likely to be adherent compared with patients paying <$5.00, after controlling for covariates (P<0.05). Out-of-pocket costs for inpatient, outpatient, and other pharmacy services were not associated with adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

A substantial proportion of privately insured patients are nonadherent to AET and out-of-pocket costs for AET medication are significantly associated with a greater likelihood of nonadherence.

The role of the pharmacist in improving medication beliefs and adherence in cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Multiple factors have been reported to affect adherence to medication, including beliefs about medicines, while specifically tailored pharmaceutical care services for patients may improve adherence. The aim was to assess the impact of counselling by an oncology pharmacist on patients' medication adherence and beliefs.

METHODS

An interventional prospective study was performed in the oncology department at a tertiary hospital in Northern Cyprus from November 2017 to April 2018. The Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire was used to evaluate the balance between beliefs about necessity and concerns and medication beliefs before and after an educational intervention. The Morisky Green Levine Test 2018 was used to evaluate adherence.

RESULTS

In total, 81 patients (65.4% females; mean age: 59.1 ± 11.34 years; 34.6% hypertensive; 19.8% with diabetes) were analysed before and after receiving counselling from an oncology pharmacist. Pharmacist education significantly enhanced the mean patient necessity-concern balance scores by two-fold (M_T0(baseline) = -3.1 ± 8.6; M_{T1(posteducation)} =3.0 ± 7.3; p < 0.0001), with patients who received counselling for the first time experiencing the greatest benefit. Multivariate analysis showed that patients who had a negative balance between their beliefs about the necessity of the medication and their concerns were less likely to adhere to the medication (0.138 (0.025-0.772)).

CONCLUSION

Counselling by an oncology pharmacist was effective in decreasing patient concerns and increasing their understanding of the necessity of the medication, thus enhancing their adherence and consequently improving the care they received.

Validity of Administrative Data in Identifying Cancer-related Events in Adolescents and Young Adults: A Population-based Study Using the IMPACT Cohort

BACKGROUND

Despite the importance of estimating population level cancer outcomes, most registries do not collect critical events such as relapse. Attempts to use health administrative data to identify these events have focused on older adults and have been mostly unsuccessful. We developed and tested administrative data-based algorithms in a population-based cohort of adolescents and young adults with cancer.

METHODS

We identified all Ontario adolescents and young adults 15-21 years old diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, sarcoma, or testicular cancer between 1992-2012. Chart abstraction determined the end of initial treatment (EOIT) date and subsequent cancer-related events (progression, relapse, second cancer). Linkage to population-based administrative databases identified fee and procedure codes indicating cancer treatment or palliative care. Algorithms determining EOIT based on a time interval free of treatment-associated codes, and new cancer-related events based on billing codes, were compared with chart-abstracted data.

RESULTS

The cohort comprised 1404 patients. Time periods free of treatment-associated codes did not validly identify EOIT dates; using subsequent codes to identify new cancer events was thus associated with low sensitivity (56.2%). However, using administrative data codes that occurred after the EOIT date based on chart abstraction, the first cancer-related event was identified with excellent validity (sensitivity, 87.0%; specificity, 93.3%; positive predictive value, 81.5%; negative predictive value, 95.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

Although administrative data alone did not validly identify cancer-related events, administrative data in combination with chart collected EOIT dates was associated with excellent validity. The collection of EOIT dates by cancer registries would significantly expand the potential of administrative data linkage to assess cancer outcomes.

Associations of preoperative breast magnetic resonance imaging with subsequent mastectomy and breast cancer mortality

PURPOSE

To examine associations between pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) use and clinical outcomes among women undergoing breast-conserving surgery (BCS) with or without radiotherapy for early-stage breast cancer.

METHODS

We identified women from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare dataset aged 67-94 diagnosed during 2004-2010 with stage I/II breast cancer who received BCS. We compared subsequent mastectomy and breast cancer mortality with versus without pre-operative MRI, using Cox regression and competing risks models. We further stratified by receipt of radiotherapy for subgroup analyses.

RESULTS

Our sample consisted of 24,379 beneficiaries, 4691 (19.2%) of whom received pre-operative MRI. Adjusted rates of subsequent mastectomy and breast cancer mortality were not significantly different with and without MRI: 3.2 versus 4.1 per 1000 person-years [adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) 0.92; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70-1.19] and 5.3 versus 8.7 per 1000 person-years (AHR 0.89; 95% CI 0.73-1.08), respectively. In subgroup analyses, women receiving BCS plus radiotherapy had similar rates of subsequent mastectomy (AHR 1.17; 95% CI 0.84-1.61) and breast cancer mortality (AHR 1.00; 95% CI 0.80-1.24) with versus without MRI. However, among women receiving BCS alone, MRI use was associated with lower risks of subsequent mastectomy (AHR 0.60; 95% CI 0.37-0.98) and breast cancer mortality (AHR 0.57; 95% CI 0.36-0.92).

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-operative MRI was associated with improved outcomes among older women with breast cancer receiving BCS alone, but not among those receiving BCS plus radiotherapy. Further research is needed to identify appropriate settings for which MRI may be helpful.

Comparative Effectiveness of Conservative Management Compared to Cryotherapy in Localized Prostate Cancer Patients

The high frequency of treatment-related side effects for men with localized prostate cancer creates uncertainty for treatment outcomes. This study assessed the comparative effectiveness of treatment-related side effects associated with conservative management and cryotherapy in patients with localized prostate cancer. A retrospective longitudinal cohort study was conducted, using the linked data of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results and Medicare, which included patients diagnosed from 2000 through year 2013, and their Medicare claims information from 2000 through 2014. To compare the differences in baseline characteristics and treatment-related side effects between the study cohorts, χ² tests were conducted. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association between treatment selection and side effects. There were 7,998 and 3,051 patients in the conservative management and cryotherapy cohort, respectively. The likelihood of erectile dysfunction, lower urinary tract obstruction, urinary fistula, urinary incontinence, and hydronephrosis was reported to be significantly lower (53%, 35%, 69%, 65%, and 36%, respectively) in the conservative management cohort. Conservative management had a lower likelihood of treatment-related side effects compared to cryotherapy. However, further research is needed to compare other significant long-term outcomes such as costs associated with these treatment choices and quality of life.

Effect of a breast navigation programme in a teaching hospital in Africa

<strong>Background:</strong> Breast cancer screening programmes have been developed in few developing countries to aid curb the increasing burden. However, breast cancer is still being detected in late stage, attributed to barriers in health care. Patient navigation programmes have been implemented in developed countries to help patients overcome these barriers, and they have been associated with early detection and timely diagnosis. Despite the consistent positive effects of breast navigation programmes, there are no studies conducted to show its effect in Africa where the needs are enormous.<br /><strong>Aim:</strong> To evaluate the effect of patient navigation programme on patient return after an abnormal clinical breast cancer screening examination finding at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi(AKUH-N).<br /><strong>Setting:</strong> Women presenting for breast screening.<br /><strong>Methods:</strong> This was a before-and-after study conducted on 76 patients before and after the implementation of the navigation programme. They were followed up for 30 days. Measures included proportion of patient return and time to return.<br /><strong>Results:</strong> The proportion of return of patients in the navigated and non-navigated group was 57.9% and 23.7%, respectively (odds ratio [OR]: 4.43 [95% confidence interval, CI: 1.54– 12.78]; <em>p</em> = 0.0026).The proportion of timely return in the navigated group was 90.1% and 77.8% for the non-navigated group (OR: 2.85 [95% CI: 0.34–24.30], <em>p</em> = 0.34). The mean time to return in the non-navigated and navigated group was 7.33 days and 8.33 days, respectively (<em>p</em> = 0.67).<br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> There was an increase in the proportion of patients who returned for follow-up following abnormal clinical breast examination finding after implementation of the breast navigation programme at AKUH-N.

A Bayesian network and heuristic approach for systematic characterization of radiotherapy receipt after breast-conservation surgery

BACKGROUND

Breast-conservation surgery with radiotherapy is a treatment highly recommended by the guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. However, several variables influence the final receipt of radiotherapy and it might not be administered to breast cancer patients. Our objective is to propose a systematic framework to identify the clinical and non-clinical variables that influence the receipt of unexpected radiotherapy treatment by means of Bayesian networks and a proposed heuristic approach.

METHODS

We used cancer registry data of Detroit, San Francisco-Oakland, and Atlanta from years 2007-2012 downloaded from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. The samples had patients diagnosed with in situ and early invasive cancer with 14 clinical and non-clinical variables. Bayesian networks were fitted to the data of each region and systematically analyzed through the proposed Zoom-in heuristic. A comparative analysis with logistic regressions is also presented.

RESULTS

For Detroit, patients under stage 0, grade undetermined, histology lobular carcinoma in situ, and age between 26-50 were found more likely to receive breast-conservation surgery without radiotherapy. For stages I, IIA, and IIB patients with age between 51-75, and grade II were found to be more likely to receive breast-conservation surgery with radiotherapy. For San Francisco-Oakland, patients under stage 0, grade undetermined, and age >75 are more likely to receive BCS. For stages I, IIA, and IIB patients with age >75 are more likely to receive breast-conservation surgery without radiotherapy. For Atlanta, patients under stage 0, grade undetermined, year 2011, and primary site C509 are more likely to receive breast-conservation surgery without radiotherapy. For stages I, IIA, and IIB patients in year 2011, and grade III are more likely to receive breast-conservation surgery without radiotherapy.

CONCLUSION

For in situ breast cancer and early invasive breast cancer, the results are in accordance with the guidelines and very well demonstrates the usefulness of the Zoom-in heuristic in systematically characterizing a group receiving a treatment. We found a subset of the population from Detroit with ductal carcinoma in situ for which breast-conservation surgery without radiotherapy was received, but potential reasons for this treatment are still unknown.

Factors Associated with Adherence to Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy Among Privately Insured and Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Patients: A Quantile Regression Analysis

BACKGROUND

Adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer remains suboptimal, which suggests that women are not getting the full benefit of the treatment to reduce breast cancer recurrence and mortality. The majority of studies on adherence to AET focus on identifying factors among those women at the highest levels of adherence and provide little insight on factors that influence medication use across the distribution of adherence.

OBJECTIVE

To understand how factors influence adherence among women across low and high levels of adherence.

METHODS

A retrospective evaluation was conducted using the Truven Health MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database from 2007-2011. Privately insured women aged 18-64 years who were recently diagnosed and treated for breast cancer and who initiated AET within 12 months of primary treatment were assessed. Adherence was measured as the proportion of days covered (PDC) over a 12-month period. Simultaneous multivariable quantile regression was used to assess the association between treatment and demographic factors, use of mail order pharmacies, medication switching, and out-of-pocket costs and adherence. The effect of each variable was examined at the 40th, 60th, 80th, and 95th quantiles.

RESULTS

Among the 6,863 women in the cohort, mail order pharmacies had the greatest influence on adherence at the 40th quantile, associated with a 29.6% (95% CI = 22.2-37.0) higher PDC compared with retail pharmacies. Out-of-pocket cost for a 30-day supply of AET greater than $20 was associated with an 8.6% (95% CI = 2.8-14.4) lower PDC versus $0-$9.99. The main factors that influenced adherence at the 95th quantile were mail order pharmacies, associated with a 4.4% higher PDC (95% CI = 3.8-5.0) versus retail pharmacies, and switching AET medication 2 or more times, associated with a 5.6% lower PDC versus not switching (95% CI = 2.3-9.0).

CONCLUSIONS

Factors associated with adherence differed across quantiles. Addressing the use of mail order pharmacies and out-of-pocket costs for AET may have the greatest influence on improving adherence among those women with low adherence.

DISCLOSURES

This research was supported by a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award for Individual Predoctoral Fellowship grant from the National Cancer Institute (grant number F31 CA174338), which was awarded to Farias. Additionally, Farias was funded by a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Texas School of Public Health Cancer Education and Career Development Program through the National Cancer Institute (NIH Grant R25 CA57712). The other authors declare no conflicts of interest.

DISCLAIMER

The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Cancer Institute or the National Institutes of Health. Farias was primarily responsible for the study concept and design, along with Hansen and Zeliadt and with assistance from the other authors. Farias, Hansen, and Zeliadt took the lead in data interpretation, assisted by the other authors. The manuscript was written by Farias, along with Thompson and assisted by the other authors, and was revised by Ornelas, Li, and Farias, with assistance from the other authors.

Comparing treatment and outcomes of ductal carcinoma in situ among women in Missouri by race

PURPOSE

To investigate whether treatment (surgery, radiation therapy, and endocrine therapy) contributes to racial disparities in outcomes of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The analysis included 8184 non-Hispanic White and 954 non-Hispanic Black women diagnosed with DCIS between 1996 and 2011 and identified in the Missouri Cancer Registry. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) of treatment for race. We used Cox proportional hazards regression models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) of ipsilateral breast tumor (IBT) and contralateral breast tumor (CBT) for race.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between Black and White women in utilization of mastectomy (OR 1.16; 95 % CI 0.99-1.35) or endocrine therapy (OR 1.19; 95 % CI 0.94-1.51). Despite no significant difference in underutilization of radiation therapy (OR 1.14; 95 % CI 0.92-1.42), Black women had higher odds of radiation delay, defined as at least 8 weeks between surgery and radiation (OR 1.92; 95 % CI 1.55-2.37). Among 9138 patients, 184 had IBTs and 326 had CBTs. Black women had a higher risk of IBTs (HR 1.69; 95 % CI 1.15-2.50) and a comparable risk of CBTs (HR 1.19; 95 % CI 0.84-1.68), which were independent of pathological features and treatment.

CONCLUSION

Racial differences in DCIS treatment and outcomes exist in Missouri. This study could not completely explain the higher risk of IBTs in Black women. Future studies should identify differences in timely initiation and completion of treatment, which may contribute to the racial difference in IBTs after DCIS.

Factors associated with radiation therapy incompletion for patients with early-stage breast cancer

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study was to examine factors associated with adjuvant radiation treatment (RT) incompletion for women with breast cancer within a large national cancer database.

METHODS

We identified 394,334 women diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer during 2004-2012 in the national cancer database who initiated adjuvant external beam adjuvant RT and examined the proportion of women not completing treatment. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine patient, clinical, and facility factors associated with RT incompletion for those who had breast-conserving surgery (BCS), defined as <15 fractions and <3990 centiGray [cGy] (accounting for adoption of hypofractionation), and mastectomy (PMRT, defined as <5000 cGy and <25 fractions), separately. We also examined RT incompletion after BCS using more traditional definitions of <25 fractions and <4500 cGy for diagnosis years ≤2010.

RESULTS

Among the 319,003 women who underwent BCS and the 75,331 women who underwent mastectomy and initiated RT, 98.4 and 97.8 % completed radiation, respectively. In adjusted analyses, older age was associated with RT incompletion (odds ratio [O.R.] for age ≥80 = 2.53 for BCS-treated, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 2.19-2.92; O.R. for PMRT incompletion = 2.33, 95 % CI 1.84-2.96; both versus age <50). In addition, those with ≥2 comorbidities and lower-risk disease had higher odds of RT incompletion. After defining RT completion using more traditional definitions, 94.0 % completed treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Reassuringly, we found a very low proportion of patients not completing RT, though we observed a higher likelihood for treatment incompletion in some sub-groups, most notably older women. Further studies should focus on reasons for treatment discontinuation in populations at risk for suboptimal treatment.

Acute Toxicity From Breast Cancer Radiation Using Helical Tomotherapy With a Simultaneous Integrated Boost

PURPOSE

To evaluate 2 simultaneous integrated boost treatment planning techniques using helical tomotherapy for breast conserving therapy with regard to acute skin toxicity and dosimetry.

METHODS

Thirty-two patients were studied. The original approach was for 16 patients and incorporated a directional block of the ipsilateral lung and breast. An additional 16 patients were planned for using a modified approach that incorporates a full block of the ipsilateral lung exclusive of 4 cm around the breast. Dose-volume histograms of targets and critical structures were evaluated. Skin toxicity monitoring was performed throughout treatment and follow-up using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events.

RESULTS

Treatment was well tolerated with patients receiving a median dose of 59.36 Gy. Of the 16 patients in both groups, 8 had grade 2 erythema immediately after radiation. On 3-week follow-up, 10 and 7 patients in the original and modified groups showed grade 1 erythema. On 3- and 6-month follow-up, both groups had minimal erythema, with all patients having either grade 0 or 1 symptoms. No grade 2 or 3 toxicities were reported. Mean treatment time was 7.5 and 10.4 minutes using the original and modified methods. Adequate dose coverage was achieved using both methods (V95 = 99.5% and 98%). Mean dose to the heart was 10.5 and 1.8 Gy, respectively (P < .01). For right-sided tumors, the original and modified plans yielded a mean of 8.8 and 1.1 Gy (P < .01) versus 11.7 and 2.4 Gy for left-sided tumors (P < .01). The mean dose to the ipsilateral lung was also significantly lower in the modified plans (11.8 vs. 5.0 Gy, P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Tomotherapy is capable of delivering homogeneous treatment plans to the whole breast and lumpectomy cavity using simultaneous integrated boost treatment. Using the treatment methods described herein, extremely low doses to critical structures can be achieved without compromising acute skin toxicity.

Racial disparities in risk of second breast tumors after ductal carcinoma in situ

The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of race/ethnicity on second breast tumors among women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). We identified 102,489 women diagnosed with primary DCIS between 1988 and 2009 from the 18 NCI-SEER Registries. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to estimate race/ethnicity-associated relative risks (RRs) and their 95 % confidence intervals (CI) of ipsilateral breast tumors (IBT; defined as DCIS or invasive carcinoma in the ipsilateral breast) and contralateral breast tumors (CBT; defined as DCIS or invasive carcinoma in the contralateral breast). Overall, 2,925 women had IBT and 3,723 had CBT. Compared with white women, black (RR 1.46; 95 % CI 1.29-1.65), and Hispanic (RR 1.18; 95 % CI 1.03-1.36) women had higher IBT risk, which was similar for invasive IBT and ipsilateral DCIS. A significant increase in IBT risk among black women persisted, regardless of age at diagnosis, treatment, tumor grade, tumor size, and histology. The CBT risk was significantly increased among black (RR 1.21; 95 % CI 1.08-1.36) and Asian/PI (RR 1.16; 95 % CI 1.02-1.31) women compared with white women. The association was stronger for invasive CBT among black women and for contralateral DCIS among Asian/PI women (P heterogeneity < 0.0001). The black race-associated CBT risk was more pronounced among women ≥50 years at diagnosis and those with comedo DCIS; in contrast, a significant increase in risk among Asian/PI women was restricted to those <50 years and those with noncomedo DCIS. Racial/ethnic differences in risks of second breast tumors after DCIS could not be explained by pathologic features and treatment.

Socioeconomic disparities in breast cancer treatment among older women

BACKGROUND

Racial disparities in breast cancer treatment among Medicare beneficiaries have been documented. This study aimed to determine whether racial disparities exist among white and black female Medicare beneficiaries in Alabama, an economically disadvantaged U.S. state.

METHODS

From a linked dataset of breast cancer cases from the Alabama Statewide Cancer Registry and fee-for-service claims from Medicare, we identified 2,097 white and black females, aged 66 years and older, who were diagnosed with stages 1-3 breast cancer from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2002. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used to determine whether there were racial differences in initiating and completing National Comprehensive Cancer Network Clinical Practice guideline-specific treatment.

RESULTS

Sixty-two percent of whites and 64.7% of blacks had mastectomy (p=0.27); 34.6% of whites and 30.2% of blacks had breast conserving surgery (BCS) (p=0.12). Among those who had BCS, 76.8% of whites and 83.3% of blacks started adjuvant radiation therapy (p=0.33) and they equally completed adjuvant radiation therapy (p=0.29). For women with tumors over 1 centimeter, whites and blacks were equally likely to start (16.1% of whites and 18.3% of black; p=0.34) and complete (50.6% of whites and 46.3% of black; p=0.87) adjuvant chemotherapy. There were still no differences after adjusting for confounders using GEE. However, differences were observed by area-level socioeconomic status (SES), with lower SES residents more likely to receive a mastectomy (odds ratio [OR]=1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.57) and initiate radiation after BCS (OR=2.24; 95% CI: 1.28-3.93).

CONCLUSIONS

No racial differences were found in guideline-specific breast cancer treatment or treatment completion, but there were differences by SES. Future studies should explore reasons for SES differences and whether similar results hold in other economically disadvantaged U.S. states.

Factors influencing adherence to cancer treatment in older adults with cancer: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Cancer is a disease that mostly affects older adults. Treatment adherence is crucial to obtain optimal outcomes such as cure or improvement in quality of life. Older adults have numerous comorbidites as well as cognitive and sensory impairments that may affect adherence. The aim of this systematic review was to examine factors that influence adherence to cancer treatment in older adults with cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Systematic review of the literature published between inception of the databases and February 2013. English, Dutch, French and German-language articles reporting cross-sectional or longitudinal, intervention or observational studies of cancer treatment adherence were included. Data sources included MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL), Web of Science, ASSIA, Ageline, Allied and Complementary Medicine (AMED), SocAbstracts and the Cochrane Library. Two reviewers reviewed abstracts and abstracted data using standardized forms. Study quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool 2011.

RESULTS

Twenty-two manuscripts were identified reporting on 18 unique studies. The quality of most studies was good. Most studies focused on women with breast cancer and adherence to adjuvant hormonal therapy. More than half of the studies used data from administrative or clinical databases or chart reviews. The adherence rate varied from 52% to 100%. Only one qualitative study asked older adults about reasons for non-adherence. Factors associated with non-adherence varied widely across studies.

CONCLUSION

Non-adherence was common across studies but little is known about the factors influencing non-adherence. More research is needed to investigate why older adults choose to adhere or not adhere to their treatment regimens taking into account their multimorbidity.

Factors contributing to underuse of radiation among younger women with breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Evidence-based literature has confirmed the effectiveness of radiation therapy (RT) after breast-conserving surgery (BCS), especially for young women. However, women with young children may be less likely to be compliant. This study explores factors associated with noncompliance of RT among insured young patients.

METHOD

Using the MarketScan Database, we identified the study cohort as women aged 20 to 64 years who had a BCS between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2009, and had continuous enrollment 12 months before and after the date of BCS. Patients who had any radiation claims within a year of BCS were considered compliant. Adjusted odds of compliance were estimated from logistic regressions for the full sample and age-stratified subgroups. Sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the robustness of study findings. All statistical tests were two-sided.

RESULTS

Eighteen thousand one hundred twenty of 21 008 (86.25%) nonmetastatic BCS patients received RT. Among patients aged 20 to 64 years, those with children aged 7 to 12 years, those with children aged 13 to 17 years, and those with no children or children aged 18 years or older were more likely to receive RT than patients with at least one child aged less than 7 years (7-12 years: odds ratio (OR) = 1.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.05 to 1.66, P = .02; 13-17 years: OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.13 to 1.75, P = .002; no children or ≥18 years: OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.13 to 1.68, P = .001). Stratified analyses showed that the above association was primarily driven by women in the youngest age group (aged 20-50). Other important factors included breast cancer quality of care measures, enrollment in health maintenance organizations or capitated preferred provider organizations, travelled to a Census division outside their residence for BCS, and whether patients were primary holders of the insurance policy.

CONCLUSIONS

Competing demands from child care can constitute a barrier to complete guideline-concordant breast cancer therapy. Younger patients may be confronted by unique challenges that warrant more attention in future research.

Rates and predictors of consideration for adjuvant radiotherapy among high-risk breast cancer patients: a cohort study

Radiotherapy (RT) after breast conserving surgery (BCS) represents the standard for local control of breast cancer (BC). However, variations in practice persist. We aimed to characterize the rate of RT consideration (or referral) after BCS and identify predictors in Quebec, Canada, where universal health insurance is in place. A historical prospective cohort study using the provincial hospital discharge and medical services databases was conducted. All women with incident, non-metastatic BC (stages I–III) undergoing BCS (1998–2005) were identified. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for RT consideration were estimated with a generalized estimating equations regression model, adjusting for clustering of patients within physicians. Of the 27,483 women selected, 90 % were considered for RT and 84 % subsequently received it. Relative to women 50–69 years old, younger and older women were less likely to be considered: ORs of 0.82 (95 % CI 0.73–0.93) and 0.10 (0.09–0.12), respectively. Emergency room visits and hospitalizations unrelated to BC were associated with decreased odds of RT consideration: 0.85 (0.76–0.94) and 0.83 (0.71–0.97). Women with regional BC considered for chemotherapy were more likely to be considered for RT: 3.41 (2.83–4.11). RT consideration odds increased by 7 % (OR of 1.07, 95 % CI 1.03–1.10) for every ten additional BCSs performed by the surgeon in the prior year. Social isolation, comorbidities, and greater distance to a referral center lowered the odds. Demographic and clinical patient-related risk factors, health service use, gaps in other aspects of BC management, and surgeon’s experience predicted RT consideration.

Survival implications associated with variation in mastectomy rates for early-staged breast cancer

Despite a 20-year-old guideline from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Development Conference recommending breast conserving surgery with radiation (BCSR) over mastectomy for woman with early-stage breast cancer (ESBC) because it preserves the breast, recent evidence shows mastectomy rates increasing and higher-staged ESBC patients are more likely to receive mastectomy. These observations suggest that some patients and their providers believe that mastectomy has advantages over BCSR and these advantages increase with stage. These beliefs may persist because the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that served as the basis for the NIH guideline were populated mainly with lower-staged patients. Our objective is to assess the survival implications associated with mastectomy choice by patient alignment with the RCT populations. We used instrumental variable methods to estimate the relationship between surgery choice and survival for ESBC patients based on variation in local area surgery styles. We find results consistent with the RCTs for patients closely aligned to the RCT populations. However, for patients unlike those in the RCTs, our results suggest that higher mastectomy rates are associated with reduced survival. We are careful to interpret our estimates in terms of limitations of our estimation approach.

[Compliance of patients concerning recommended radiotherapy in breast cancer : Association with recurrence, age, and hormonal therapy]

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In this study, we investigated how often guidelines for radiation therapy in patients with breast cancer are not complied with, which patient group is mostly affected, and how this influences local recurrence.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients (n = 1,903) diagnosed between November 2003 and December 2008 with primary invasive or intraductal breast cancer in the interdisciplinary breast center of the Charité Hospital Berlin were included and followed for a median 2.18 years.

RESULTS

Patients who, in contrast to the recommendation of the interdisciplinary tumor board, did not undergo postoperative radiation experienced a fivefold higher local recurrence rate (p < 0.0005), corresponding to a 5-year locoregional recurrence-free survival of 74.5% in this group. The 5-year locoregional recurrence-free survival of patients following the recommendations was 93.3%. Guideline compliance was dependent on age of patients, acceptance of adjuvant hormonal treatment or chemotherapy, and increased diameter of the primary tumor. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed an association between compliance and age or hormonal therapy.

CONCLUSION

In order to avoid local recurrence patients should be motivated to comply with guideline driven therapy. Since a higher number of local recurrences is observed in health services research compared to clinical research, studies on the value of adjuvant treatment following local recurrence should be performed.

Association between treatment with brachytherapy vs whole-breast irradiation and subsequent mastectomy, complications, and survival among older women with invasive breast cancer

CONTEXT

Brachytherapy is a radiation treatment that uses an implanted radioactive source. In recent years, use of breast brachytherapy after lumpectomy for early breast cancer has increased substantially despite a lack of randomized trial data comparing its effectiveness with standard whole-breast irradiation (WBI). Because results of long-term randomized trials will not be reported for years, detailed analysis of clinical outcomes in a nonrandomized setting is warranted.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the likelihood of breast preservation, complications, and survival for brachytherapy vs WBI among a nationwide cohort of older women with breast cancer with fee-for-service Medicare.

DESIGN

Retrospective population-based cohort study of 92,735 women aged 67 years or older with incident invasive breast cancer, diagnosed between 2003 and 2007 and followed up through 2008. After lumpectomy 6952 patients were treated with brachytherapy vs 85,783 with WBI.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Cumulative incidence and adjusted risk of subsequent mastectomy (an indicator of failure to preserve the breast) and death were compared using the log-rank test and proportional hazards models. Odds of postoperative infectious and noninfectious complications within 1 year were compared using the χ(2) test and logistic models. Cumulative incidences of long-term complications were compared using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

Five-year incidence of subsequent mastectomy was higher in women treated with brachytherapy (3.95%; 95% CI, 3.19%-4.88%) vs WBI (2.18%; 95% CI, 2.04%-2.33%; P < .001) and persisted after multivariate adjustment (hazard ratio [HR], 2.19; 95% CI, 1.84-2.61, P < .001). Brachytherapy was associated with more frequent infectious (16.20%; 95% CI, 15.34%-17.08% vs 10.33%; 95% CI, 10.13%-10.53%; P < .001; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.76; 1.64-1.88) and noninfectious (16.25%; 95% CI, 15.39%-17.14% vs 9.00%; 95% CI, 8.81%-9.19%; P < .001; adjusted OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.89-2.17) postoperative complications; and higher 5-year incidence of breast pain (14.55%, 95% CI, 13.39%-15.80% vs 11.92%; 95% CI, 11.63%-12.21%), fat necrosis (8.26%; 95% CI, 7.27-9.38 vs 4.05%; 95% CI, 3.87%-4.24%), and rib fracture (4.53%; 95% CI, 3.63%-5.64% vs 3.62%; 95% CI, 3.44%-3.82%; P ≤ .01 for all). Five-year overall survival was 87.66% (95% CI, 85.94%-89.18%) in patients treated with brachytherapy vs 87.04% (95% CI, 86.69%-87.39%) in patients treated with WBI (adjusted HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.84-1.05; P = .26).

CONCLUSION

In a cohort of older women with breast cancer, treatment with brachytherapy compared with WBI was associated worse with long-term breast preservation and increased complications but no difference in survival.

Administrative data algorithms to identify second breast cancer events following early-stage invasive breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Studies of breast cancer outcomes rely on the identification of second breast cancer events (recurrences and second breast primary tumors). Cancer registries often do not capture recurrences, and chart abstraction can be infeasible or expensive. An alternative is using administrative health-care data to identify second breast cancer events; however, these algorithms must be validated against a gold standard.

METHODS

We developed algorithms using data from 3152 women in an integrated health-care system who were diagnosed with stage I or II breast cancer in 1993-2006. Medical record review served as the gold standard for second breast cancer events. Administrative data used in algorithm development included procedures, diagnoses, prescription fills, and cancer registry records. We randomly divided the cohort into training and testing samples and used a classification and regression tree analysis to build algorithms for classifying women as having or not having a second breast cancer event. We created several algorithms for researchers to use based on the relative importance of sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) in future studies.

RESULTS

The algorithm with high specificity and PPV had 89% sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI] = 84% to 92%), 99% specificity (95% CI = 98% to 99%), and 90% PPV (95% CI = 86% to 94%); the high-sensitivity algorithm had 96% sensitivity (95% CI = 93% to 98%), 95% specificity (95% CI = 94% to 96%), and 74% PPV (95% CI = 68% to 78%).

CONCLUSIONS

Algorithms based on administrative data can identify second breast cancer events with high sensitivity, specificity, and PPV. The algorithms presented here promote efficient outcomes research, allowing researchers to prioritize sensitivity, specificity, or PPV in identifying second breast cancer events.

Prognosis following the use of complementary and alternative medicine in women diagnosed with breast cancer

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess whether CAM use affected breast cancer prognosis in those who did not receive systemic therapy.

DESIGN

Secondary data analysis of baseline/survey data from the Women's Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) study. 2562 breast cancer survivors participating in the study completed baseline assessments and a CAM use questionnaire. Cox regression models were conducted to evaluate the use of CAM modalities and dietary supplements on time to an additional breast cancer event (mean follow-up=7.3 years).

SETTING

A US-based multi-site randomized dietary trial.

OUTCOME

Time to additional breast cancer events.

RESULTS

The women who did not receive any systemic treatment had a higher risk for time to additional breast cancer events (HR=1.9, 95% CI: 1.32, 2.73) and for all-cause mortality (HR=1.7, 95% CI: 1.06, 2.73) compared to those who had received systemic treatment. Among 177 women who did not receive systemic treatment, CAM use was not significantly related to additional breast cancer events. There were no significant differences between high supplement users (≥3 formulations per day) and low supplement users in either risk for additional breast cancer events.

CONCLUSION

The risk for an additional breast cancer event and/or death was higher for those who did not receive any systemic treatments; the use of dietary supplements or CAM therapies did not change this risk. This indicates that complementary and alternative therapies did not alter the outcome of breast cancer and should not be used in place of standard treatment.

Use and timeliness of radiation therapy after breast-conserving surgery in low-income women with early-stage breast cancer

PURPOSE

To characterize overall receipt and timeliness of radiation therapy (RT) following breast-conserving surgery among Medicaid-insured patients.

METHOD

State cancer registry data linked with Medicaid claims from 2003 to 2009 were analyzed. Multivariate logistic and Cox proportional hazards regressions were employed.

RESULTS

Overall, 81% of patients received guideline-recommended RT. Significant variation in timing of RT initiation was documented. Having fewer comorbitidies and receiving chemotherapy were correlated with higher odds of RT initiation within 1 year.

CONCLUSION

Although RT use in Medicaid-insured women appears to have improved since earlier studies, documented delays in RT are troublesome and warrant further investigation.

Adjuvant Radiation and Outcomes After Breast Conserving Surgery in Publicly Insured Patients

OBJECTIVES: Epidemiologic studies report that lack of adjuvant radiation (RT) after breast conserving surgery (BCS) is associated with higher short-term mortality. It is generally accepted that adjuvant RT decreases risk of breast cancer recurrence and thereby lowers long-term mortality; here, we explore reasons for its relationship to short-term mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 1,583 publically insured women who had BCS between 1998 and 2002 (mean 71.8 years, range 27-101), of whom 1,346 (85%) received RT. Multivariate analyses with Cox Proportional Hazards and Logistic Regression models included: age; race; comorbidity; insurance status; tumor size; number of nodes positive; hormone receptor status; receipt of radiation; adjuvant chemotherapy; preventive care - including mammography, Pap smear and primary care visits; and hospitalization. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 52.8 months, overall mortality was significantly lower in those who received RT (HR 0.45, p<0.0001) and higher with older age (HR 1.05, p<0.0001) and greater comorbidity (HR 1.16, p=0.0007). Local recurrence was less with receipt of optimal radiation (HR 0.47; p=0.03). Breast cancer event, as determined by a clinically logical algorithm to detect breast cancer recurrence and death, however, was not significantly associated with receipt of RT (OR 1.32, p=0.2). CONCLUSION: These results imply that the higher short-term mortality in women not receiving RT after BCS is related to factors other than breast cancer recurrence.

Anthracycline regimen adherence in older patients with early breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Rates of anthracycline adherence in breast cancer (BC) patients are unknown, but noncompletion of chemotherapy is associated with worse outcomes.

METHODS

Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database, we obtained demographics, comorbidities, tumor characteristics, and treatment and hospitalization data from stage I-III BC patients diagnosed at age ≥66 years in 1996-2005 treated with surgery who had anthracycline claims. We compared variables between patients with claims for less than four cycles, considered nonadherent cases, and those with claims for four or more cycles using logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

The sample included 7,399 patients, of whom 1,222 (16.5%) were nonadherent cases. Two hundred forty-three (3.3%) patients had one claim, 298 (4.0%) had two claims, and 681 (9.2%) had three claims. The multivariate regression model showed statistically significant associations between nonadherence and older age, black race, unmarried status, diagnosis before the year 2001, and hospitalizations.

CONCLUSIONS

Eighty-three percent of older patients with early-stage BC completed at least four cycles of an anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimen. We identified a subset of patients with a higher likelihood of not adhering to the course of treatment. Further research is warranted to develop interventions to enhance adherence.

The influence of comorbidities on overall survival among older women diagnosed with breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that summary measures of comorbid conditions are associated with decreased overall survival in breast cancer patients. However, less is known about associations between specific comorbid conditions on the survival of breast cancer patients.

METHODS

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database was used to identify primary breast cancers diagnosed from 1992 to 2000 among women aged 66 years or older. Inpatient, outpatient, and physician visits within the Medicare system were searched to determine the presence of 13 comorbid conditions present at the time of diagnosis. Overall survival was estimated using age-specific Kaplan-Meier curves, and mortality was estimated using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age, race and/or ethnicity, tumor stage, cancer prognostic markers, and treatment. All statistical tests were two-sided.

RESULTS

The study population included 64,034 patients with breast cancer diagnosed at a median age of 75 years. None of the selected comorbid conditions were identified in 37,306 (58%) of the 64,034 patients in the study population. Each of the 13 comorbid conditions examined was associated with decreased overall survival and increased mortality (from prior myocardial infarction, adjusted hazard ratio [HR] of death = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.19, P = .006; to liver disease, adjusted HR of death = 2.32, 95% CI = 1.97 to 2.73, P < .001). When patients of age 66-74 years were stratified by stage and individual comorbidity status, patients with each comorbid condition and a stage I tumor had similar or poorer overall survival compared with patients who had no comorbid conditions and stage II tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

In a US population of older breast cancer patients, 13 individual comorbid conditions were associated with decreased overall survival and increased mortality.

Acute toxicity of second generation HIV protease-inhibitors in combination with radiotherapy: a retrospective case series

BACKGROUND

There is little data on the safety of combining radiation therapy and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitors to treat cancers in HIV-positive patients. We describe acute toxicities observed in a series of HIV-positive patients receiving modern radiation treatments, and compare patients receiving HIV protease inhibitors (PI) with patients not receiving HIV PIs.

METHODS

By reviewing the clinical records beginning January 1, 2009 from the radiation oncology department, we identified 29 HIV-positive patients who received radiation therapy to 34 body sites. Baseline information, treatment regimen, and toxicities were documented by review of medical records: patient age, histology and source of the primary tumor, HIV medication regimen, pre-radiation CD4 count, systemic chemotherapy, radiation therapy dose and fractionation, irradiated body region, toxicities, and duration of follow-up. Patients were grouped according to whether they received concurrent HIV PIs and compared using Pearson's chi-square test.

RESULTS

At baseline, the patients in the two groups were similar with the exception of HIV medication regimens, CD4 count and presence of AIDS-defining malignancy. Patients taking concurrent PIs were more likely to be taking other HIV medications (p = 0.001) and have CD4 count >500 (p = 0.006). Patients taking PIs were borderline less likely to have an AIDS-defining malignancy (p = 0.06). After radiation treatment, 100 acute toxicities were observed and were equally common in both groups (64 [median 3 per patient, IQR 1-7] with PIs; 36 [median 3 per patient, IQR 2-3] without PIs). The observed toxicities were also equally severe in the two groups (Grades I, II, III respectively: 30, 30, 4 with PIs; 23, 13, 0 without PIs: p = 0.38). There were two cases that were stopped early, one in each group; these were not attributable to toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study of recent radiotherapy in HIV-positive patients taking second generation PIs, no difference in toxicities was observed in patients taking PIs compared to patients not taking PIs during radiation therapy. This suggests that it is safe to use unmodified doses of PIs and radiation therapy in HIV cancer patients, and that it is feasible to use PIs as a radiosensitizer in cancer therapy, as has been suggested by pre-clinical results.

Treatment interruption and discontinuation in radiotherapy for rectal cancer

Radiotherapy with chemotherapy for rectal cancer reduces local recurrence risk. Of 113 patients (59 male, 54 female) undergoing treatment at New York Presbyterian Hospital, 1998-2007, 6 discontinued radiotherapy; all were female. Females were also more likely to have a treatment interruption (35% vs 12%, p = .004). Other factors associated with treatment interruption included adjuvant versus neoadjuvant therapy (OR 14.08, 95%CI 1.55-127.87), use of capecitabine versus 5-fluorouracil (OR 75.90, 95%CI 3.33->999), and development of any adverse event (OR 20.66, 95%CI 1.76-242.12). While radiotherapy discontinuation was uncommon in our cohort, for unknown reasons, females were more likely to discontinue or interrupt treatment.