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Moghanaki D, Taylor J, Bryant AK, Vitzthum LK, Sebastian N, Gutman D, Burns A, Huang Z, Lewis JA, Spalluto LB, Williams CD, Sullivan DR, Slatore CG, Behera M, Stokes WA. Lung Cancer Survival Trends in the Veterans Health Administration. Clin Lung Cancer 2024; 25:225-232. [PMID: 38553325 PMCID: PMC11098707 DOI: 10.1016/j.cllc.2024.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lung cancer survival is improving in the United States. We investigated whether there was a similar trend within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data from the Veterans Affairs Central Cancer Registry were analyzed for temporal survival trends using Kaplan-Meier estimates and linear regression. RESULTS A total number of 54,922 Veterans were identified with lung cancer diagnosed from 2010 to 2017. Histologies were classified as non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (64.2%), small cell lung cancer (SCLC) (12.9%), and 'other' (22.9%). The proportion with stage I increased from 18.1% to 30.4%, while stage IV decreased from 38.9% to 34.6% (both P < .001). The 3-year overall survival (OS) improved for stage I (58.6% to 68.4%, P < .001), stage II (35.5% to 48.4%, P < .001), stage III (18.7% to 29.4%, P < .001), and stage IV (3.4% to 7.8%, P < .001). For NSCLC, the median OS increased from 12 to 21 months (P < .001), and the 3-year OS increased from 24.1% to 38.3% (P < .001). For SCLC, the median OS remained unchanged (8 to 9 months, P = .10), while the 3-year OS increased from 9.1% to 12.3% (P = .014). Compared to White Veterans, Black Veterans with NSCLC had similar OS (P = .81), and those with SCLC had higher OS (P = .003). CONCLUSION Lung cancer survival is improving within the VHA. Compared to White Veterans, Black Veterans had similar or higher survival rates. The observed racial equity in outcomes within a geographically and socioeconomically diverse population warrants further investigation to better understand and replicate this achievement in other healthcare systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew Moghanaki
- Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Radiation Oncology Service, Los Angeles, CA; University of California Los Angeles Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA.
| | | | - Alex K Bryant
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Lucas K Vitzthum
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Office of Research and Development, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Nikhil Sebastian
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - David Gutman
- Department of Psychiatry, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Decatur, GA; Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - Abigail Burns
- Foundation for Atlanta Veterans Education and Research, Decatur, GA
| | - Zhonglu Huang
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Jennifer A Lewis
- Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) and Medicine Service, Veterans Health Administration-Tennessee Valley Healthcare System Geriatric Research, Nashville, TN; Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Lucy B Spalluto
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN; Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Veterans Health Administration-Tennessee Valley Health Care System Geriatric Research, Nashville, TN; Department of Radiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Christina D Williams
- Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC; Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC; Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC
| | - Donald R Sullivan
- Division of Pulmonary, Oregon Health and Science University, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Portland, OR; Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR; Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Oregon Health and Science University Knight Cancer Institute, Portland, OR
| | - Christopher G Slatore
- Division of Pulmonary, Oregon Health and Science University, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Portland, OR; Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR; Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR; Department of Radiation Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University Knight Cancer Institute, Portland, OR
| | | | - William A Stokes
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA
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Whitehead RA, Patel EA, Liu JC, Bhayani MK. Racial Disparities in Head and Neck Cancer: It's Not Just About Access. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2024; 170:1032-1044. [PMID: 38258967 DOI: 10.1002/ohn.653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Medical literature identifies stark racial disparities in head and neck cancer (HNC) in the United States, primarily between non-Hispanic white (NHW) and non-Hispanic black (NHB) populations. The etiology of this disparity is often attributed to inequitable access to health care and socioeconomic status (SES). However, other contributors have been reported. We performed a systematic review to better understand the multifactorial landscape driving racial disparities in HNC. DATA SOURCES A systematic review was conducted in Covidence following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Guidelines. A search of PubMed, SCOPUS, and CINAHL for literature published through November 2022 evaluating racial disparities in HNC identified 2309 publications. REVIEW METHODS Full texts were screened by 2 authors independently, and inconsistencies were resolved by consensus. Three hundred forty publications were ultimately selected and categorized into themes including disparities in access/SES, treatment, lifestyle, and biology. Racial groups examined included NHB and NHW patients but also included Hispanic, Native American, and Asian/Pacific Islander patients to a lesser extent. RESULTS Of the 340 articles, 192 focused on themes of access/SES, including access to high-quality hospitals, insurance coverage, and transportation contributing to disparate HNC outcomes. Additional themes discussed in 148 articles included incongruities in surgical recommendations, tobacco/alcohol use, human papillomavirus-associated malignancies, and race-informed silencing of tumor suppressor genes. CONCLUSION Differential access to care plays a significant role in racial disparities in HNC, disproportionately affecting NHB populations. However, there are other significant themes driving racial disparities. Future studies should focus on providing equitable access to care while also addressing these additional sources of disparities in HNC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell A Whitehead
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Evan A Patel
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jeffrey C Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mihir K Bhayani
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Lin J, Orestes MI, Shriver CD, Zhu K. Differences in Survival between Black and White Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Comparison of Data from the DOD Central Cancer Registry and SEER. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024; 33:426-434. [PMID: 38099827 DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-23-0862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Barriers to health care access may contribute to the poorer survival of Black patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) than their White counterparts in the U.S. general population. The Department of Defense's (DOD) Military Health System (MHS) provides universal health care access to all beneficiaries with various racial backgrounds. METHODS We compared overall survival of patients with HNSCC by race in the MHS and the general population, respectively, to assess whether there were differences in racial disparity between the two populations. The MHS patients were identified from the DOD's Central Cancer Registry (CCR) and the patients from the U.S. general population were identified from the NCI's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program. For each cohort, a retrospective study was conducted comparing survival by race. RESULTS Black and White patients in the CCR cohort had similar survival in multivariable Cox regression models with a HR of 1.04 and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of 0.81 to 1.33 after adjustment for the potential confounders. In contrast, Black patients in the SEER cohort exhibited significantly worse survival than White patients with an adjusted HR of 1.47 (95% CI = 1.43-1.51). These results remained similar in the subgroup analyses for oropharyngeal and non-oropharyngeal sites, respectively. CONCLUSIONS There was no racial difference in survival among patients with HNSCC in the MHS system, while Black patients had significantly poorer survival than White patients in the general population. IMPACT Equal access to health care could reduce racial disparity in overall survival among patients with HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Lin
- John P. Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
- Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Michael I Orestes
- Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Craig D Shriver
- John P. Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
- Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Kangmin Zhu
- John P. Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
- Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland
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Cyberski TF, Wang AZ, Baird BJ. Racial Disparities in Surgical Management For Early-Stage Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Recurrent Dysplasia. OTO Open 2024; 8:e119. [PMID: 38420351 PMCID: PMC10900919 DOI: 10.1002/oto2.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between race and the treatment of laryngeal dysplasia and early-stage laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Study design Retrospective Cohort Study. Setting Large multispecialty academic medical center. Methods Patients were treated for laryngeal dysplasia or LSCC between September 2019 and September 2022. A retrospective chart review was conducted to collect demographic and clinical information. Two-sample t tests, chi-square tests, and linear regression models were used to compare characteristics (α = 0.05). Analyses were performed in STATA 17. Results Sixty-five patients were identified that underwent potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) transoral laser microsurgery for management of early-stage LSCC (n = 29) or dysplasia (n = 36). The cohort consisted of 23 Black and 42 White patients. No significant difference was found in age, alcohol or tobacco use, rate of adjuvant radiotherapy, stage of disease, nor insurance status between the 2 groups. White patients underwent more procedures to address initial disease and subsequent recurrent dysplasia on average than Black patients (2.52 vs 1.52, P = .02). This remained true after adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics and insurance status in a linear regression model. While Black patients were more likely to be lost to follow-up than White patients (30.4% vs 9.5%, P = .03), the average number of procedures between the groups still differed significantly (2.63 vs 1.56, P = .04) when controlling for those lost to follow-up. Conclusion The findings presented here highlight potential inequities that exist for racial minorities at early stages of treatment and in addressing premalignant conditions, which may contribute to the known downstream disparities in laryngeal cancer outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexander Z. Wang
- Pritzker School of MedicineThe University of ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Brandon J. Baird
- Section of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Department of SurgeryThe University of Chicago MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
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Fei-Zhang DJ, Chelius DC, Sheyn AM, Rastatter JC. Large-data contextualizations of social determinant associations in pediatric head and neck cancers. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2023; 31:424-429. [PMID: 37712774 DOI: 10.1097/moo.0000000000000931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Prior investigations in social determinants of health (SDoH) and their impact on pediatric head and neck cancers are limited by the narrow scope of cancer types and SDoH being studied while lacking inquiry on the interrelational contribution of varied SDoH in real-world contexts. The purpose of this review is to discuss the current research tackling these shortcomings of SDoH-based studies in head and neck cancer and to discuss means of applying these findings in prospective initiatives and implementations. RECENT FINDINGS Through leveraging contemporary, large-data analyses measuring diverse social vulnerabilities, several studies have identified comprehensive delineations of which social disparities contribute the largest quantifiable impact on the care of head and neck cancer patients. Progressing from prior SDoH-based research of the decade, these studies contextualize the effect of social vulnerabilities and have laid the foundations to begin addressing these issues in the complex, modern-day environment of interrelatedsocial factors. SUMMARY Social determinants of health markedly affect pediatric head and neck cancer care and prognosis in complex and surprising ways. Modern-day tools and analyses derived from large-data techniques have unveiled the quantifiable underpinnings of how SDoH impact these pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel C Chelius
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Pediatric Thyroid Tumor Program and Pediatric Head and Neck Tumor Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Anthony M Sheyn
- Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center
- Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Jeff C Rastatter
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
- Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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Gobin C, Inkabi S, Lattimore CC, Gu T, Menefee JN, Rodriguez M, Kates H, Fields C, Bian T, Silver N, Xing C, Yates C, Renne R, Xie M, Fredenburg KM. Investigating miR-9 as a mediator in laryngeal cancer health disparities. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1096882. [PMID: 37081981 PMCID: PMC10112398 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1096882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background For several decades, Black patients have carried a higher burden of laryngeal cancer among all races. Even when accounting for sociodemographics, a disparity remains. Differentially expressed microRNAs have been linked to racially disparate clinical outcomes in breast and prostate cancers, yet an association in laryngeal cancer has not been addressed. In this study, we present our computational analysis of differentially expressed miRNAs in Black compared with White laryngeal cancer and further validate microRNA-9-5p (miR-9-5p) as a potential mediator of cancer phenotype and chemoresistance. Methods Bioinformatic analysis of 111 (92 Whites, 19 Black) laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) specimens from the TCGA revealed miRNAs were significantly differentially expressed in Black compared with White LSCC. We focused on miR-9-5 p which had a significant 4-fold lower expression in Black compared with White LSCC (p<0.05). After transient transfection with either miR-9 mimic or inhibitor in cell lines derived from Black (UM-SCC-12) or White LSCC patients (UM-SCC-10A), cellular migration and cell proliferation was assessed. Alterations in cisplatin sensitivity was evaluated in transient transfected cells via IC50 analysis. qPCR was performed on transfected cells to evaluate miR-9 targets and chemoresistance predictors, ABCC1 and MAP1B. Results Northern blot analysis revealed mature miR-9-5p was inherently lower in cell line UM-SCC-12 compared with UM-SCC-10A. UM -SCC-12 had baseline increase in cellular migration (p < 0.01), proliferation (p < 0.0001) and chemosensitivity (p < 0.01) compared to UM-SCC-10A. Increasing miR-9 in UM-SCC-12 cells resulted in decreased cellular migration (p < 0.05), decreased proliferation (p < 0.0001) and increased sensitivity to cisplatin (p < 0.001). Reducing miR-9 in UM-SCC-10A cells resulted in increased cellular migration (p < 0.05), increased proliferation (p < 0.05) and decreased sensitivity to cisplatin (p < 0.01). A significant inverse relationship in ABCC1 and MAP1B gene expression was observed when miR-9 levels were transiently elevated or reduced in either UM-SCC-12 or UM-SCC-10A cell lines, respectively, suggesting modulation by miR-9. Conclusion Collectively, these studies introduce differential miRNA expression in LSCC cancer health disparities and propose a role for low miR-9-5p as a mediator in LSCC tumorigenesis and chemoresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Gobin
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Samuel Inkabi
- College of Graduate Health Studies, A.T. Still University, Kirksville, MO, United States
| | - Chayil C. Lattimore
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Tongjun Gu
- Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research Bioinformatics Core Facility, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - James N. Menefee
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Mayrangela Rodriguez
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Heather Kates
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Christopher Fields
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Tengfei Bian
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Natalie Silver
- Head and Neck Institute/Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Chengguo Xing
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Clayton Yates
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Rolf Renne
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Mingyi Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Kristianna M. Fredenburg
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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Liu JC, Egleston BL, Blackman E, Ragin C. Racial survival disparities in head and neck cancer clinical trials. J Natl Cancer Inst 2023; 115:288-294. [PMID: 36477855 PMCID: PMC9996207 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djac219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Survival disparities between Black and White head and neck cancer patients are well documented, with access to care and socioeconomic status as major contributors. We set out to assess the role of self-reported race in head and neck cancer by evaluating treatment outcomes of patients enrolled in clinical trials, where access to care and socioeconomic status confounders are minimized. METHODS Clinical trial data from the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group studies were obtained. Studies were included if they were therapeutic trials that employed survival as an endpoint. Studies that did not report survival as an endpoint were excluded; 7 Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Studies were included for study. For each Black patient enrolled in a clinical trial, a study arm-matched White patient was used as a control. RESULTS A total of 468 Black participants were identified and matched with 468 White study arm-specific controls. White participants had better outcomes than Black participants in 60% of matched pairs (P < .001). Black participants were consistently more likely to have worse outcomes. When outcomes were measured by progression-free survival or disease-free survival, the failure rate was statistically significantly higher in Black participants (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.50, P < .001). Failure was largely due to locoregional failure, and Black participants were at higher risk (subdistribution HR =1.51, P = .002). The development of distant metastasis within the paired cohorts was not statistically significantly different. CONCLUSION In this study of clinical trial participants using self-reported race, Black participants consistently had worse outcomes in comparison to study arm-specific White controls. Further study is needed to confirm these findings and to explore causes underlying this disparity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey C Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Lewis Katz School of Medicine of Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Brian L Egleston
- Department of Biostatistics, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Blackman
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Camille Ragin
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Divakar P, Davies L. Trends in Incidence and Mortality of Larynx Cancer in the US. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2023; 149:34-41. [PMID: 36394832 PMCID: PMC9673027 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoto.2022.3636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Importance Larynx cancer is associated with considerable morbidity for patients and has a high mortality rate. Historical analyses showed that the incidence of larynx cancer was decreasing but the mortality was not similarly improving. Objective To assess whether incidence and mortality trends in larynx cancer in the US have improved. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study used population-based data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program database for patients older than 18 years who were diagnosed with laryngeal cancer between January 1, 1986, and December 31, 2018. Data were analyzed from May 1, 2021, to May 31, 2022. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcomes were incidence and mortality of larynx cancer by sex, subsite, and patterns of surgical treatment. Results Among 40 850 US patients with larynx cancer diagnosed from 1986 to 2018 (80.4% male), the incidence of larynx cancer decreased 55% from 5.00 per 100 000 people (95% CI, 4.70-5.32 per 100 000 people) to 2.26 per 100 000 people (95% CI, 2.11-2.42 per 100 000 people). During the same period, mortality decreased only 43% from 1.59 per 100 000 people (95% CI, 1.53-1.64 per 100 000 people) to 0.89 per 100 000 people (95% CI, 0.86-0.92 per 100 000 people). This corresponds to a 25% relative increase in case-fatality rate. Examination by stage showed a decrease in the incidence of localized disease at diagnosis of 40% from 2.65 per 100 000 people (95% CI, 2.44-2.89 per 100 000 people) to 1.60 per 100 000 people (95% CI, 1.45-1.76 per 100 000 people) from 1986 to 2002 and of 45% from 2.15 per 100 000 people (95% CI, 1.98-2.34 per 100 000 people) to 1.19 per 100 000 people (95% CI, 1.08-1.31 per 100 000 people) from 2005 to 2018. Distribution of larynx cancer by subsite remained stable, with most cases affecting the glottis. The proportion of patients receiving surgery as their first course of treatment decreased regardless of stage at presentation. Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study, between 1986 and 2018, the incidence of larynx cancer decreased in the US, primarily because of the decrease in the incidence of localized disease. Mortality did not decrease similarly, resulting in an increased case-fatality rate overall. Encouraging earlier referrals for cancer concern, focusing resources where larynx cancer rates remain highest, renewing attention to research on new biologic causes of different tumor biologic characteristics, and conducting trials to directly compare treatments may help reverse this trend.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashanthi Divakar
- Department of Surgery–Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Louise Davies
- The VA Outcomes Group, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, Vermont
- Department of Surgery–Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
- Associate Editor, JAMA Otolaryngology−Head & Neck Surgery
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Gillmeyer KR, Rinne ST, Qian SX, Maron BA, Johnson SW, Klings ES, Wiener RS. Socioeconomically disadvantaged veterans experience treatment delays for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Pulm Circ 2022; 12:e12171. [PMID: 36568691 PMCID: PMC9768567 DOI: 10.1002/pul2.12171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Prompt initiation of therapy after pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) diagnosis is critical to improve outcomes; yet delays in PAH treatment are common. Prior research demonstrates that individuals with PAH belonging to socially disadvantaged groups experience worse clinical outcomes. Whether these poor outcomes are mediated by delays in care or other factors is incompletely understood. We sought to examine the association between race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status and time-to-PAH treatment. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of Veterans diagnosed with incident PAH between 2006 and 2019 and treated with PAH therapy. Our outcome was time-to-PAH treatment. Our primary exposures were race/ethnicity, annual household income, health insurance status, education, and housing insecurity. We calculated time-to-treatment using multivariable mixed-effects Cox proportional hazard models. Of 1827 Veterans with PAH, 27% were Black, 4% were Hispanic, 22.1% had an income < $20,000, 53.3% lacked non-VA insurance, 25.5% had <high school education, and 3.9% had housing insecurity. Median time-to-treatment was 114 days (interquartile range [IQR] 21-336). Our multivariable models demonstrated increased time-to-treatment among patients with lower household income (hazard ratio [HR] 0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60-0.91 for < $20,000 vs. ≥ $100,000) and those without non-VA insurance (HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.82-1.00). Race/ethnicity, education, and housing insecurity were not associated with time-to-treatment. Veterans with PAH experienced substantial and potentially harmful treatment delays, with median time-to-treatment of 16 weeks after diagnosis. Those with lower income and those without non-VA health insurance experienced even greater treatment delays. Additional research is urgently needed to develop interventions to improve timely PAH treatment and mitigate economic disparities in treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari R. Gillmeyer
- The Pulmonary CenterBoston University School of MedicineBostonMassachusettsUSA,Center for Healthcare Organization & Implementation ResearchVA Bedford Healthcare System and VA Boston Healthcare SystemBedford and BostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Seppo T. Rinne
- The Pulmonary CenterBoston University School of MedicineBostonMassachusettsUSA,Center for Healthcare Organization & Implementation ResearchVA Bedford Healthcare System and VA Boston Healthcare SystemBedford and BostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Shirley X. Qian
- Center for Healthcare Organization & Implementation ResearchVA Bedford Healthcare System and VA Boston Healthcare SystemBedford and BostonMassachusettsUSA,VA Boston Healthcare SystemBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Bradley A. Maron
- Department of CardiologyVA Boston Healthcare SystemBostonMassachusettsUSA,Division of Cardiovascular MedicineBrigham and Women's HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Shelsey W. Johnson
- The Pulmonary CenterBoston University School of MedicineBostonMassachusettsUSA,Center for Healthcare Organization & Implementation ResearchVA Bedford Healthcare System and VA Boston Healthcare SystemBedford and BostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Elizabeth S. Klings
- The Pulmonary CenterBoston University School of MedicineBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Renda S. Wiener
- The Pulmonary CenterBoston University School of MedicineBostonMassachusettsUSA,Center for Healthcare Organization & Implementation ResearchVA Bedford Healthcare System and VA Boston Healthcare SystemBedford and BostonMassachusettsUSA
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Voora RS, Qian AS, Kotha NV, Qiao EM, Meineke M, Murphy JD, Orosco RK. Frailty Index as a Predictor of Readmission in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2022; 167:89-96. [PMID: 34520305 DOI: 10.1177/01945998211043489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the predictive utility of the Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS), a stratification tool based on the ICD-10 (International Classification of Disease, Tenth Revision), and other risk factors for 30-day readmissions and mortality in a nationally representative cohort. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective database review. SETTING Nationwide Readmissions Database (2017). METHODS Patients with head and neck cancer who underwent major surgical procedures were identified from the 2017 Nationwide Readmissions Database, representing 116 medical centers nationwide. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression methods were used to identify factors associated with unplanned 30-day readmission, 30-day readmission mortality, and increased length of hospital stay. RESULTS A total of 14,420 patients underwent major head and neck cancer surgery. Unplanned readmission occurred in 11% of patients. The most common reasons for unplanned readmission were procedural complications (26.5%), sepsis (7.3%), and respiratory failure (3.9%). Elevated frailty index (HFRS ≥5) was identified in 22% of patients. Frailty was associated with higher 30-day readmission rates (18.0% vs 9.5%, P < .01), which held on multivariate modeling (odds ratio [OR], 1.59 [95% CI, 1.37-1.85]). Frail patients spent more days in the hospital (8.2 vs 6.8, P = .02) and incurred more charges across hospital stays ($275,000 vs $188,000, P < .01). Patients >75 years old (OR, 1.26 [1.03-1.55]) and patients with electrolyte abnormalities (OR, 1.25 [1.07-1.46] were significantly more likely to be readmitted. CONCLUSION In this head and neck cancer surgical population, HFRS significantly predicted unplanned readmission. HFRS is a potential risk stratification tool and should be compared with other methods and explored in other cancer populations. Beyond the challenge of identifying at-risk patients, future work should explore potential interventions aimed at mitigating readmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohith S Voora
- School of Medicine, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.,Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Alexander S Qian
- School of Medicine, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Nikhil V Kotha
- School of Medicine, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Edmund M Qiao
- School of Medicine, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Minhthy Meineke
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - James D Murphy
- Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.,Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Ryan K Orosco
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.,Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, California, USA
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11
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Del Valle JP, Fillmore NR, Molina G, Fairweather M, Wang J, Clancy TE, Ashley SW, Urman RD, Whang EE, Gold JS. Socioeconomic Disparities in Pancreas Cancer Resection and Survival in the Veterans Health Administration. Ann Surg Oncol 2022; 29:3194-3202. [PMID: 35006509 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-021-11250-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disparities based on socioeconomic factors such as race, ethnicity, marital status, and insurance status are associated with pancreatic cancer resection, but these disparities are usually not observed for survival after resection. It is unknown if there are disparities when patients undergo their treatment in a non-fee-for-service, equal-access healthcare system such as the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). METHODS Patients having T1-T3 M0 pancreatic adenocarcinoma diagnosed between 2006 and 2017 were identified from the VHA Corporate Data Warehouse. Socioeconomic, demographic, and tumor variables associated with resection and survival were assessed. RESULTS In total, 2580 patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer were identified. The resection rate was 36.5%. Surgical resection was independently associated with younger age [odds ratio (OR) 0.94, p < 0.001], White race (OR 1.35, p = 0.028), married status (OR 1.85, p = 0.001), and employment status (retired vs. unemployed, OR 1.41, p = 0.008). There were no independent associations with Hispanic ethnicity, geographic region, or Social Deprivation Index. Resection was associated with significantly improved survival (median 21 vs. 8 months, p = 0.001). Among resected patients, survival was independently associated with younger age (HR 1.019, p = 0.002), geographic region (South vs. Pacific West, HR 0.721, p = 0.005), and employment (employed vs. unemployed, HR 0.752, p = 0.029). Race, Hispanic ethnicity, marital status, and Social Deprivation Index were not independently associated with survival after resection. CONCLUSIONS Race, marital status, and employment status are independently associated with resection of pancreatic cancer in the VHA, whereas geographic region and employment status are independently associated with survival after resection. Further studies are warranted to determine the basis for these inequities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Pastrana Del Valle
- Surgical Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury, MA, USA
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nathanael R Fillmore
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Jamaica Plain, MA, USA
| | - George Molina
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mark Fairweather
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jiping Wang
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thomas E Clancy
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stanley W Ashley
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Richard D Urman
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Edward E Whang
- Surgical Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jason S Gold
- Surgical Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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12
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Voora RS, Panuganti BA, Flagg M, Nelson T, Kotha NV, Qiao EM, Qian AS, Kumar A, Stewart TF, Rose B, Califano J, Weissbrod PA, Mell LK, Orosco RK. Patterns of Failure After Definitive Treatment of T4a Larynx Cancer. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2021; 167:274-285. [PMID: 34609937 DOI: 10.1177/01945998211049211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recurrence is known to predict laryngeal squamous cell cancer (LSCC) survival. Recurrence patterns in T4a LSCC are poorly characterized and represent a possible explanation for observed survival discrepancies by treatment rendered. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective database review. SETTING Veterans Affairs national database. METHODS Patients with T4a LSCC between 2000 and 2017 were identified and stratified by treatment (chemoradiotherapy [CRT] vs total laryngectomy + neck dissection + adjuvant therapy [surgical]). Primary outcomes were locoregional and distant recurrence. Secondary outcomes of overall mortality, larynx cancer mortality, and noncancer mortality were evaluated in Cox and Fine-Gray models. RESULTS A total of 1043 patients had comparable baseline demographics: 438 in the CRT group and 605 in the surgical group. Patients undergoing CRT had higher proportions of node positivity (64.6% vs 53.1%, P < .001). Locoregional and distant recurrence were less common in the surgical group (23.0% vs 37.2%, P < .001; 6.8% vs 13.3%, P < .001, respectively); however, distant metastatic rates did not differ within the N0 subgroup (P = .722). On multivariable regression, surgery demonstrated favorable locoregional recurrence (hazard ratio [HR], 0.49; 95% CI, 0.39-0.62; P < .001), distant recurrence (HR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.31-0.71; P < .001), overall mortality (HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.64-0.87; P < .001), and larynx cancer mortality (HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.56-0.85; P < .001). CONCLUSION T4a LSCC survival discrepancies between surgical and nonsurgical treatment are influenced by varying recurrence behaviors. Surgery was associated with superior disease control and improved survival. Beyond the known benefit in locoregional control with surgery, there may be a protective effect on distant recurrence that depends on regional disease burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohith S Voora
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.,Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.,Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Bharat A Panuganti
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.,Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Mitchell Flagg
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.,Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Tyler Nelson
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.,Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Nikhil V Kotha
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.,Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Edmund M Qiao
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.,Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Alexander S Qian
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.,Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Abhishek Kumar
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Tyler F Stewart
- Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, California, USA.,Divisions of Hematology-Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Brent Rose
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.,Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, California, USA.,Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Joseph Califano
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.,Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.,Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Philip A Weissbrod
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.,Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Loren K Mell
- Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, California, USA.,Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Ryan K Orosco
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.,Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.,Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, California, USA
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