Rectal cancer survival in the United States by race and stage, 2001 to 2009: Findings from the CONCORD-2 study

Racial comparisons in treatment of rectal adenocarcinoma and survival in the military health system

BACKGROUND

Racial disparities in treatment and outcomes of rectal cancer have been attributed to patients' differential access to care. We aimed to study treatment and outcomes of rectal cancer in the equal access Military Health System (MHS) to better understand potential racial disparities.

METHODS

We accessed the MilCanEpi database to study a cohort of patients aged 18 and older who were diagnosed with rectal adenocarcinoma between 1998 and 2014. Receipt of guideline recommended treatment per tumor stage, cancer recurrence, and all-cause death were compared between non-Hispanic White and Black patients using multivariable regression models with associations expressed as odds (AORs) or hazard ratios (AHRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

The study included 171 Black and 845 White patients with rectal adenocarcinoma. Overall, there were no differences in receipt of guideline concordant treatment (AOR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.45 to 1.29), recurrence (AHR = 1.34, 95% CI = 0.85 to 2.12), or survival (AHR = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.77 to 1.54) for Black patients compared with White patients. However, Black patients younger than 50 years of age at diagnosis (AOR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.13 to 0.90) or with stage III or IV tumors (AOR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.12 to 0.64) were less likely to receive guideline recommended treatment than White patients in stratified analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

In the equal access MHS, although there were no overall racial disparities in rectal cancer treatment or clinical outcomes between Black and White patients, disparities among those with early-onset or late-stage rectal cancers were noted. This suggests that factors other than access to care may play a role in the observed disparities and warrants further research.

Differences in survival and recurrence of colorectal cancer by stage across population-based European registries

Recurrence after colorectal cancer resection is rarely documented in the general population while a key clinical determinant for patient survival. We identified 8785 patients with colorectal cancer diagnosed between 2010 and 2013 and clinically followed up to 2020 in 15 cancer registries from seven European countries (Bulgaria, Switzerland, Germany, Estonia, France, Italy, and Spain). We estimated world age-standardized net survival using a flexible cumulative excess hazard model. Recurrence rates were calculated for patients with initially resected stage I, II, or III cancer in six countries, using the actuarial survival method. The proportion of nonmetastatic resected colorectal cancers varied from 58.6% to 78.5% according to countries. The overall 5-year net survival by country ranged between 60.8% and 74.5%. The absolute difference between the 5-year survival extremes was 12.8 points for stage II (Bulgaria vs Switzerland), 19.7 points for stage III (Bulgaria vs. Switzerland) and 14.8 points for Stage IV and unresected cases (Bulgaria vs. Switzerland or France). Five-year cumulative rate of recurrence among resected patients with stage I-III was 17.7%. As compared to the mean of the whole cohort, the risk of developing a recurrence did not differ between countries except a lower risk in Italy for both stage I/II and stage III cancers and a higher risk in Spain for stage III. Survival after colorectal cancer differed across the concerned European countries while there were slight differences in recurrence rates. Population-based collection of cancer recurrence information is crucial to enhance efforts for evidence-based management of colorectal cancer follow up.

Recent racial/ethnic disparities in cancer-specific mortality among patients diagnosed with rectal cancer

Background

African American patients frequently receive nonstandard treatment and demonstrate poorer overall survival (OS) outcomes compared to White patients. Our objective was to analysis whether racial/ethnic disparities in rectal cancer-specific mortality remain after accounting for clinical characteristics, treatment, and access-to-care-related factors.

Methods

Individuals diagnosed with rectal cancer between 2011 and 2020 were identified using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database. The cumulative incidence of rectal cancer-specific mortality was computed. Sub-distribution hazard ratios (sdHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for rectal cancer-specific mortality associated with race/ethnicity were estimated using Fine and Gray model with stepwise adjustments for clinical characteristics, treatment modalities, and factors related to access-to-care.

Results

Among 54,370 patients, non-Hispanic (NH) Black individuals exhibited the highest cumulative incidence of rectal cancer-specific mortality (39%), followed by American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) (35%), Hispanics (32%), NH-White (31%), and Asian/Pacific Islander (API) (30%). After adjusting for clinical characteristics, NH-Black patients had a 28% increased risk of rectal cancer mortality (sdHR, 1.28; 95% CI: 1.20-1.35) compared to NH-White patients. In contrast, mortality disparities between Hispanic-White, AI/AN-White, and API-White groups were not significant. The Black-White mortality differences persisted even after adjustments for treatment and access-to-care-related factors. In stratified analyses, among patients with a median household income below $59,999, AI/AN patients showed higher mortality than NH-Whites when adjusted for clinical characteristics (sdHR, 1.32; 95% CI: 1.03-1.70).

Conclusions

Overall, the racial/ethnic disparities in rectal cancer-specific mortality were largely attributable to differences in clinical characteristics, treatment modalities, and factors related to access-to-care. These findings emphasize the critical need for equitable healthcare to effectively address and reduce the significant racial/ethnic disparities in rectal cancer outcomes.

Non-operative management in low-lying rectal cancers undergoing chemoradiation

PURPOSE

To evaluate the outcomes of post-neoadjuvant chemoradiation (NACTRT) wait-and-watch Strategy (WWS) in distal rectal cancers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All consecutive patients from December 2012 to 2019 diagnosed with distal rectal tumors (T2-T4 N0-N+) having a complete or near-complete response (cCR or nCR, respectively) post-NACTRT and wishing for the non-surgical treatment option of WWS were included in this study. Patients were observed with 3 monthly magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs), sigmoidoscopies, and digital rectal examination for 2 years and 6 monthly thereafter. Organ preservation rate (OPR), local regrowth rate (LRR), non-regrowth recurrence-free survival (NR-RFS) and overall survival (OAS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and factors associated with LRR were identified on univariate and multivariate analysis using the log-rank test (P < 0.05 significant).

RESULTS

Sixty-one consecutive patients post-NACTRT achieving cCR[44 (72%)] and nCR[17 (28%)], respectively, were identified. All patients received pelvic radiotherapy at a dose of 45-50Gy conventional fractionation and concurrent capecitabine. An additional boost dose with either an external beam or brachytherapy was given to 39 patients. At a median follow-up of 39 months, 11 (18%) patients had local regrowth, of which seven were salvaged with surgery and the rest are alive with the disease, as they refused surgery. The overall OPR, NR-RFS, and OS were 83%, 95%, and 98%, respectively. Seven (11%) patients developed distant metastasis, of which six underwent metastatectomy and are alive and well. LRR was higher in patients with nCR versus cCR (P = 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The WWS is a safe non-operative alternative management for selected patients attaining cCR/nCR after NACTRT with excellent outcomes.

Connecting the dots in the associations between diet, obesity, cancer, and microRNAs

The prevalence of obesity has reached pandemic levels worldwide, leading to a lower quality of life and higher health costs. Obesity is a major risk factor for noncommunicable diseases, including cancer, although obesity is one of the major preventable causes of cancer. Lifestyle factors, such as dietary quality and patterns, are also closely related to the onset and development of obesity and cancer. However, the mechanisms underlying the complex association between diet, obesity, and cancer remain unclear. In the past few decades, microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs, have been demonstrated to play critical roles in biological processes such as cell differentiation, proliferation, and metabolism, highlighting their importance in disease development and suppression and as therapeutic targets. miRNA expression levels can be modulated by diet and are involved in cancer and obesity-related diseases. Circulating miRNAs can also mediate cell-to-cell communications. These multiple aspects of miRNAs present challenges in understanding and integrating their mechanism of action. Here, we introduce a general consideration of the associations between diet, obesity, and cancer and review the current knowledge of the molecular functions of miRNA in each context. A comprehensive understanding of the interplay between diet, obesity, and cancer could be valuable for the development of effective preventive and therapeutic strategies in future.

Efficacy of endoscopic surveillance in the detection of local recurrence after radical rectal cancer surgery is limited? A retrospective study

Background

Rectal cancer, one of most common neoplasms, is characterized by an overall survival rate exceeding 60%. Nonetheless, local recurrence (LR) following surgery for rectal cancer remains a formidable clinical problem. The aim of this study was to assess the value of postoperative endoscopic surveillance (PES) for the early detection of LR in rectal cancer after radical anterior resection with sigmoid-rectal anastomosis.

Methods

We performed an anterior resection in 228 patients with stages I‑III rectal cancer who had undergone surgery from 2001 to 2008 in the Oncology Center in Bydgoszcz, Poland. Of these patients, 169 had perioperative radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy. All patients underwent PES with abdominal and pelvic imaging (abdominal ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance) and clinical examination. Sensitivities, specificities, positive likelihood ratios, negative likelihood ratios, and receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated to compare the value of colonoscopy versus imaging techniques for the diagnosis of LR.

Results

During the 5-year follow-up, recurrences occurred in 49 (21%) patients; of these, 15 (6%) had LR, which was most often located outside the intestinal lumen (n = 10, 4%). Anastomotic LR occurred in 5 (2%) patients. The mean time to anastomotic LR was 30 months after initial surgery, similar to that of other locations (29 months). Both imaging and endoscopy were shown to be efficient techniques for the diagnosis of LR in anastomotic sites. In the study group, endoscopy did not provide any additional benefit in patients who were receiving radiation therapy.

Conclusions

The benefit of PES for the detection of LR after curative treatment of rectal cancer is limited and not superior to imaging techniques. It remains a useful method, however, for the histopathological confirmation of suspected or confirmed recurrence.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12957-021-02413-0.

Improvement of Survival over Time for Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Population-Based Study

Purpose: In this study, we analyzed the mortality and survival of colorectal cancer patients in Lithuania. Methods: This was a national cohort study. Population-based data from the Lithuanian Cancer Registry and period analyses were collected. Overall, 20,980 colorectal cancer patients were included. We examined the changes in colorectal cancer mortality and survival rates between 1998 and 2012 according to cancer anatomical sub-sites and stages. We calculated the 5-year relative survival estimates using period analysis. Results: Overall, 20,980 colorectal cancer cases reported from 1998 to 2012 were included in the study. The total number of newly diagnosed colorectal cancers increased from 1998–2002 to 2008–2012 by 12.1%. The highest number of colorectal cancers was localized and increased from 33.9% to 42.0%. The number of cancers with regional metastases and advanced cancers decreased by 11.1% and 15.5%, respectively. An increased number of new cases was observed for almost all colon cancer sub-sites. The overall 5-year relative survival rate increased from 37.9% in 1998–2002 to 51.5% in 2008–2012. We showed an increase in survival rates for all stages and all sub-sites. In the most recent period, patients with a localized disease had a 5-year survival rate of 78.6%, while survival estimates for advanced cancer patients remained low at 6.6%. Conclusion: Although survival rates variated in colorectal cancer patients according to disease stages and sub-sites, we showed increased survival rates for all patients.

Prognostic Factors Affecting Short- and Long-Term Recurrence-Free Survival of Patients with Rectal Cancer using Cure Models: A Cohort Study

Background:

Understanding the prognostic factors affecting the recurrence-free survival (RFS) of patients with rectal cancer (RC) is the mainstay of care. The present study aimed to identify factors affecting both short- and long-term RFS of patients with RC using semiparametric mixture cure models.

Methods:

The data were obtained from the database of the Colorectal Research Center of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, which was collected during 2007-2017. To determine the factors affecting recurrence, cure models were applied to short-term and long-term RFS of patients with RC separately. The cure rate was calculated using the smcure package in R 3.5.1 (2018-07-02) software. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

Out of the 376 eligible patients with RC, 75.8% of men and 74.5% of women were long-term survivors. The mean age of the patients was 57.0±13.8 years. Lymph node ratio (LNR)≤0.2 increased the probability of short-term RFS. The prominent factors affecting long-term RFS were body mass index (BMI)<25 kg/m² (OR=1.98, P=0.047), tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage (OR=6.48, P<0.001), abdominal pain (OR=2.15, P=0.007), and computed tomography (CT) scan detected pelvic lymph nodes (OR=3.40, P=0.01). Over a 9-year follow-up period, the empirical and estimated values of cure rates were 75.3% and 83.9%, respectively.

Conclusion:

The results showed that factors affecting short-term RFS might be different from long-term RFS. A lower BMI was related to a poorer prognosis in patients with RC. Early diagnosis leads to a lower TNM stage and could increase the probability of long-term RFS.

The Effects of Continuous Care Model of Information-Based Hospital-Family Integration on Colostomy Patients: a Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of continuous care model of information-based hospital-family integration on colostomy patients. Miles' operation is a major operative method for treating low rectal cancer, and this operation results in a permanent colostomy. It is difficult for patients to adapt to their colostomy. Previous studies have applied generally conventional nursing models to colostomy patients. This was a single-blind randomized controlled trial study. The sample of 155 patients who met the inclusion criteria was randomly assigned to either the experimental (n = 81) or control group (n = 74). The control group was provided with a routine standard of care. The experimental group was provided with an experimental treatment that consisted of an information-based (WeChat, blog, QQ, telephone, etc.) hospital-family integration continuous care model. Study variables were collected and instruments were selected as follows: basic information, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), a self-efficacy scale, a colostomy complication assessment table, a quality of life scale, and a table of the degree of satisfaction. No statistically significant differences were found in demographic information between the experimental and control groups. In comparison with the control group, subjects in the experimental group had less anxiety and could better cope with anxiety, had a better self-efficacy and quality of life scores, and had fewer complications. The patients in the experimental group were shown to be more satisfied with the care model. In addition, the most useful and popular service is the online social tools WeChat and QQ, because they can communicate with video, and they are more real-time, efficient, and cheap. The continuous care model of information-based hospital-family integration significantly strengthened patients' self-efficacy and confidence, which decreased colostomy complications, ultimately improving the quality of life.

Evaluation of Access to Hospitals Most Ready to Achieve National Accreditation for Rectal Cancer Treatment

Importance

The American College of Surgeons National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC) promotes multidisciplinary care to improve oncologic outcomes in rectal cancer. However, accreditation requirements may be difficult to achieve for the lowest-performing institutions. Thus, it is unknown whether the NAPRC will motivate care improvement in these settings or widen disparities.

Objectives

To characterize hospitals' readiness for accreditation and identify differences in the patients cared for in hospitals most and least prepared for accreditation.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A total of 1315 American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer-accredited hospitals in the National Cancer Database from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2015, were sorted into 4 cohorts, organized by high vs low volume and adherence to process standards, and patient and hospital characteristics and oncologic outcomes were compared. The patients included those who underwent surgical resection with curative intent for rectal adenocarcinoma, mucinous adenocarcinoma, or signet ring cell carcinoma. Data analysis was performed from November 2017 to January 2018.

Exposures

Hospitals' readiness for accreditation, as determined by their annual resection volume and adherence to 5 available NAPRC process standards.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Hospital characteristics, patient sociodemographic characteristics, and 5-year survival by hospital.

Results

Among the 1315 included hospitals, 38 (2.9%) met proposed thresholds for all 5 NAPRC process standards and 220 (16.7%) met the threshold on 4 standards. High-volume hospitals (≥20 resections per year) tended to be academic institutions (67 of 104 [64.4%] vs 159 of 1211 [13.1%]; P = .001), whereas low-volume hospitals (<20 resections per year) tended to be comprehensive community cancer programs (530 of 1211 [43.8%] vs 28 of 104 [26.9%]; P = .001). Patients in low-volume hospitals were more likely to be older (11 429 of 28 076 [40.7%] vs 4339 of 12 148 [35.7%]; P < .001) and have public insurance (13 054 of 28 076 [46.5%] vs 4905 of 12 148 [40.4%]; P < .001). Low-adherence hospitals were more likely to care for black and Hispanic patients (1980 of 19 577 [17.2%] vs 3554 of 20 647 [10.1%]; P < .001). On multivariable Cox proportional hazards model regression, high-volume hospitals had better 5-year survival outcomes than low-volume hospitals (hazard ratio, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.99-1.00; P < .001), but there was no significant survival difference by hospital process standard adherence.

Conclusions and Relevance

Hospitals least likely to receive NAPRC accreditation tended to be community institutions with worse survival outcomes, serving patients at a lower socioeconomic position. To possibly avoid exacerbating disparities in access to high-quality rectal cancer care, the NAPRC study findings suggest enabling access for patients with socioeconomic disadvantage or engaging in quality improvement for hospitals not yet achieving accreditation benchmarks.

Analysis of racial disparities in the treatment and outcomes of colorectal cancer in young adults

BACKGROUND

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in young adults is increasing. Minority populations with CRC are known to have worse survival outcomes. The aim of this study is to evaluate adults under age 50 years with CRC by race and ethnicity.

METHODS

Data were obtained from all US hospitals that contributed to the National Cancer Database (NCDB) between 2004 and 2013. Univariate and multivariable testing was done to identify factors associated with patient outcome. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards models were used for association between patient characteristics and survival.

RESULTS

A total of 83,449 patients between 18 and 50 years of age were identified. Median age was 45 years (SD ± 6), with male preponderance (53.9%). 72% were non-Hispanic Whites (NHW), Blacks (AA) were 15.1% and Hispanics (who did not identify as Blacks) were 8.3% of the study population. Distribution across stages IIV was 15.6%, 22.4%, 33.9% and 27% consecutively. 41.8% of NHW and 28.4% of AA had rectal cancers (p < 0.001). Despite equally receiving standard of care (SOC) as per national guidelines, AA had significantly lower 5-year survival rates (58.8%) compared to Hispanics (64.8%) and NHW (66.9%; HR 1.42; 1.38-1.46; p < 0.001). Furthermore, NHW (HR 0.85; 0.81-0.88; p < 0.001) and Hispanics (HR 0.75; 0.70-0.79; p < 0.001) were more likely to benefit from chemotherapy compared to AA. SOC utilization was associated with improved survival across all racial groups, especially in AA (HR 0.64; 0.60-0.69; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Despite comparable rates of SOC utilization, AA young adults had worse survival outcomes compared to other races. More colon (compared to rectal) cancers in AA may have contributed to their worse outcomes.

Increased cancer-specific mortality of very small size in carcinoembryonic antigen-elevated rectal cancer

Background

The present study aimed to investigate the cause-specific survival (CSS) of very small rectal cancer in the context of preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) elevation.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with node-negative rectal cancer from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from January 2004 to December 2010 meeting the inclusion criteria were identified for this study. The Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were conducted to identify independent factors associated with CSS. Pearson's chi-squared tests and Kaplan-Meier methods were performed.

Results

A total of 8,413 patients were included into our study. Kaplan-Meier analyses showed lower 7-year CSS rate of very small tumors (≤5 mm) compared to those larger than 40 mm (70.4% vs. 76.0%, log-rank P=0.469). Multivariate Cox analyses showed that patients with very small tumor size (≤5 mm) was also associated with a significantly increased risk of cancer-specific mortality compared with those with large tumor size (HR =2.567, 95% CI: 1.285 to 5.130, P=0.008, using ≥41 mm, C+ as a reference).

Conclusions

Very small tumor size in the context of preoperative serum CEA elevation could be a surrogate for biological aggressiveness. Our finding would provide a better understanding of tumor biology for us and elicit more future biological researches.

Rectal cancer in the young: analysis of contributing factors and surgical outcomes

Background

Rectal cancer (RC) among young patients (≤50 years) is on the rise. The factors associated with development of RC are established however; factors leading to early RC remain unclear. The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with RC among young patients.

Methods

National estimates for patients with RC were abstracted from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database [2010-2012]. Patients were divided into two groups: young (≤50 years) and old (>50 years). Demographic, comorbidities, procedures performed, and hospital outcomes were collected. Regression analysis was performed to compare both groups.

Results

A total of 68,699 patients with RC were included. Incidence of RC among young patients increased significantly over the study period (2.4% vs. 3.4%; P=0.04). Majority of young patients with RC were white females. Bleeding was the most common presentation among young patients (P=0.03). Younger patients were more likely to have a family history of RC (P=0.01) and were more likely to undergo elective surgery (P=0.04) and laparoscopic surgery (P=0.02) compared to the older patients. Younger patients with RC were also more likely to use alcohol (P=0.03), be obese (P=0.02) compared to elder patients. There was no difference in the other co-morbidities between the two groups. After controlling for all factors in a regression model, younger patients had a lower complication rate (P=0.01), hospital LOS (P=0.02), and mortality rate (P=0.04).

Conclusions

RC in younger patients appears as a different disease with different outcomes. There appears to be multifactorial and environmental factors contributing to this trend. Race and gender also play a role in the incidence of RC in the young. Identifying these risk factors will lead to a more robust intervention plan to help improve care among younger patients with RC.

Formation of Polyploid Giant Cancer Cells Involves in the Prognostic Value of Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

We previously reported that polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs) exhibit cancer stem cell properties and can generate daughter cells with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition phenotype. This study investigated the role of PGCC formation in the prognostic value of neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (nCRT) in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). The morphological characteristics were observed in patients with LARC after nCRT. Colorectal cancer cell lines were treated with irradiation or chemotherapeutic drugs, and the metastasis-related proteins were detected. 304 nCRT cases and 301 paired non-nCRT cases were collected for analysis. More PGCCs and morphologic characteristics related to invasion and metastasis appeared in tumor tissue after nCRT. Irradiation or chemicals could induce the formation of PGCCs with daughter cells exhibiting strong migratory, invasive, and proliferation abilities. In patients after nCRT, pathologic complete remission, partial remission, stable disease, and progressive disease were observed in 29 (9.54%), 125 (41.12%), 138 (45.39%), and 12 (3.95%) patients, respectively. Mucinous adenocarcinomas (MCs) occurred more frequently in nCRT than in non-nCRT patients (χ ² = 29.352, P=0.001), and the prognosis in MC patients was worse than that in non-MC patients (χ ² = 24.617, P=0.001). The difference in survival time had statistical significance for 60 days (χ ² = 5.357, P=0.021) and 70 days (χ ² = 18.830, P=0.001) rest interval time. On multivariable analysis, 60 days rest interval, Duke's stage, and recurrence and/or distant metastasis remained significant predictors of survival. In conclusion, irradiation or chemicals induce the formation of PGCCs and PGCCs produce daughter cells with strong migration and invasion abilities after a long incubation period. Appropriate rest interval (incubation period) is very important for patients with LARC who will receive nCRT.

Value of tumor size as a prognostic factor in metastatic colorectal cancer patients after chemotherapy: a population-based study

Aim: To evaluate the relationship between tumor size and survival in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients who received chemotherapy. Materials & methods: SEER database was accessed for eligible patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to compare the effect of tumor size on overall survival (OS) and CRC-specific survival (CCSS). Results: Tumor size ≥5 cm was an independent risk factor for OS and CCSS in mCRC patients treated with chemotherapy. Tumor size <5 cm did not show a survival advantage in patients whose primary tumor site was rectosigmoid junction, while tumor size ≥5 cm was associated with poor OS and CCSS in left-and right-sided colorectal cancer. Conclusion: Tumor size ≥5 cm was associated with poor prognosis after receiving chemotherapy treatment and a risk factor for survival of mCRC.

Surgery for pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer: survival and prognostic factors

Background

This study aimed to describe overall survival following pulmonary metastasectomy for colorectal cancer (CRC) in Sweden, and to assess the discrimination of a recently proposed risk prediction model.

Methods

Individual-level data of 756 patients who underwent resection of pulmonary metastases from CRC between 2009 and 2015 were obtained from ThoR, a Swedish national quality register for thoracic surgery. We classified patients into three risk categories according to the number of preoperative risk factors [age, disease-free interval (DFI), presence of extrathoracic lesions, number of pulmonary metastases] established in a prior study. We estimated the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) by Cox regression and the restricted mean survival time difference as group contrast measures.

Results

During a median follow-up time of 2.9 years, 35% (268/756) patients died. At 5 years, overall survival was 56% (95% CI: 51-60%). In a Cox regression model with risk category as the only independent variable, the HR for all-cause mortality was 1.94 (95% CI: 1.38-2.72, P<0.001) and 4.35 (95% CI: 2.49-7.62, P<0.001) in the moderate- (n=558) and high-risk categories (n=32), respectively, versus the low-risk category (n=166). At 5 years, the differences in restricted mean survival time were 6 months (P<0.001) and 1.5 years (P<0.001) in the moderate- and high-risk categories, respectively, versus the low-risk category.

Conclusions

Five-year survival after surgery for pulmonary metastases from CRC in Sweden was similar or higher compared with contemporary reports. A prognostic model, initially developed in Japanese patients, had excellent discrimination in an external validation cohort of Swedish patients.

Population-based cancer survival in the United States: Data, quality control, and statistical methods

BACKGROUND

Robust comparisons of population-based cancer survival estimates require tight adherence to the study protocol, standardized quality control, appropriate life tables of background mortality, and centralized analysis. The CONCORD program established worldwide surveillance of population-based cancer survival in 2015, analyzing individual data on 26 million patients (including 10 million US patients) diagnosed between 1995 and 2009 with 1 of 10 common malignancies.

METHODS

In this Cancer supplement, we analyzed data from 37 state cancer registries that participated in the second cycle of the CONCORD program (CONCORD-2), covering approximately 80% of the US population. Data quality checks were performed in 3 consecutive phases: protocol adherence, exclusions, and editorial checks. One-, 3-, and 5-year age-standardized net survival was estimated using the Pohar Perme estimator and state- and race-specific life tables of all-cause mortality for each year. The cohort approach was adopted for patients diagnosed between 2001 and 2003, and the complete approach for patients diagnosed between 2004 and 2009.

RESULTS

Articles in this supplement report population coverage, data quality indicators, and age-standardized 5-year net survival by state, race, and stage at diagnosis. Examples of tables, bar charts, and funnel plots are provided in this article.

CONCLUSIONS

Population-based cancer survival is a key measure of the overall effectiveness of services in providing equitable health care. The high quality of US cancer registry data, 80% population coverage, and use of an unbiased net survival estimator ensure that the survival trends reported in this supplement are robustly comparable by race and state. The results can be used by policymakers to identify and address inequities in cancer survival in each state and for the United States nationally. Cancer 2017;123:4982-93. Published 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Population-based cancer survival (2001 to 2009) in the United States: Findings from the CONCORD-2 study

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention helps to support a nationwide network of population‐based cancer registries that collect information regarding all patients diagnosed with cancer. These data tell a compelling story about the disproportionate burden of lower cancer survival experienced by vulnerable populations, and can be used by state and national partners to inform cancer control activities.

Lung cancer survival in the United States by race and stage (2001-2009): Findings from the CONCORD-2 study

BACKGROUND

Results from the second CONCORD study (CONCORD-2) indicated that 5-year net survival for lung cancer was low (range, 10%-20%) between 1995 and 2009 in most countries, including the United States, which was at the higher end of this range.

METHODS

Data from CONCORD-2 were used to analyze net survival among patients with lung cancer (aged 15-99 years) who were diagnosed in 37 states covering 80% of the US population. Survival was corrected for background mortality using state-specific and race-specific life tables and age-standardized using International Cancer Survival Standard weights. Net survival was estimated for patients diagnosed between 2001 and 2003 and between 2004 and 2009 at 1, 3, and 5 years after diagnosis by race (all races, black, and white); Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Summary Stage 2000; and US state.

RESULTS

Five-year net survival increased from 16.4% (95% confidence interval, 16.3%-16.5%) for patients diagnosed 2001-2003 to 19.0% (18.8%-19.1%) for those diagnosed 2004-2009, with increases in most states and among both blacks and whites. Between 2004 and 2009, 5-year survival was lower among blacks (14.9%) than among whites (19.4%) and ranged by state from 14.5% to 25.2%.

CONCLUSIONS

Lung cancer survival improved slightly between the periods 2001-2003 and 2004-2009 but was still low, with variation between states, and persistently lower survival among blacks than whites. Efforts to control well established risk factors would be expected to have the greatest impact on reducing the burden of lung cancer, and efforts to ensure that all patients receive timely and appropriate treatment should reduce the differences in survival by race and state. Cancer 2017;123:5079-99. Published 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.