Risk of second cancer after lymphohematopoietic neoplasm

Coexisting and Second Primary Cancers in Patients with Uveal Melanoma: A 10-Year Nationwide Database Analysis

Uveal melanoma is the most common intraocular tumor in adults. Metastatic disease occurs in about 30% of patients, for which there is currently no effective treatment. More than half of patients are long-term survivors, and it is well established that cancer survivors are prone to developing second primary cancers. In this study, we analyzed 10 years’ worth of data from the nationwide database to determine the rates of coexisting malignancies and second primary cancers associated with uveal melanoma. The mean annual incidence of uveal melanoma was 1.1 per million. Approximately 43% of patients had coexisting cancers. The most common coexisting cancer was lung cancer (10%) followed by liver cancer (6%) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (6%). In patients whose first cancer in their lifetime was uveal melanoma, the 10-year cumulative incidence of second primary cancers was 22% (95% confidence interval, 9–31%). The age- and sex-adjusted standard incidence rates was 3.61 (95% confidence interval, 2.61–4.86). The most common second primary cancers were lung cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma, followed by prostate, thyroid, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers. Age was the only factor associated with second primary cancer development. Our findings will be helpful in providing counseling for cancer screening in uveal melanoma patients.

Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma: A Novel Form of Composite Lymphoma Potentially Mimicking Richter Syndrome

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) is an indolent small B-cell neoplasm that may transform into a clinically aggressive disease, namely Richter syndrome, usually as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Besides, CLL/SLL encompasses an increased risk of developing other secondary cancers, including a variety of T-cell lymphomas, often of the anaplastic large-cell type or with a cytotoxic phenotype. Here, we report a small series of patients with composite lymphomas consisting of CLL/SLL and angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), a hitherto unrecognized association. The 3 patients (1 male/2 females, 68 to 83 y) presented with high-grade-type symptoms. One patient was clinically suspicious for Richter syndrome, in the others CLL/SLL and AITL were concomitant de novo diagnoses. CLL/SLL and AITL were admixed in the same lymph nodes (3/3 cases) and in the bone marrow (1/2 cases). In all cases, the AITL comprised prominent clear cells with a strong T follicular helper immunophenotype and similar mutations consisting of TET2 or DNMT3A alterations, IDH2 R172K/M, and RHOA G17V. The 3 patients received chemotherapy. One died of early AITL relapse. The other 2 remained in complete remission of AITL, 1 died with recurrent CLL, and 1 of acute myeloid leukemia. These observations expand the spectrum of T-cell lymphoma entities that occur in association with CLL/SLL, adding AITL to the rare variants of aggressive neoplasms manifesting as Richter syndrome. Given that disturbances of T-cell homeostasis in CLL/SLL affect not only cytotoxic but also helper T-cell subsets, these may contribute to the emergence of neoplasms of T follicular helper derivation.

Significant current epidemiological trend: Haematological malignancies as subsequent primary tumours in cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Numbers of patients who develop subsequent primary tumours have markedly increased recently. This study aimed to carry out a comprehensive analysis documenting the risk of incidence of subsequent haematological malignancies.

METHODS

The Czech National Cancer Registry was the main data source, containing records of 126,822 haematological malignancies diagnosed in the period 1977-2016. Subsequent haematological malignancies were identified according to IACR rules. Joinpoint regression was employed to assess the time trends. The risk of development of subsequent haematological malignancy was evaluated by the standardised incidence ratio. The Kaplan-Meier curves were used to assess the differences in survival.

RESULTS

Age-standardised incidence of subsequent haematological malignancies increased from 0.5 in 1977 to 9.1 in 2016. In 1992, there was a significant change in the trend: a sharp increase by 7.7 % annually was revealed thereafter. The risk of development of a haematological malignancy was approximately 1.5 times higher in persons with history of any cancer than in the general Czech population. Patients with haematological malignancies - mainly myelodysplastic syndromes, polycythaemia vera and non-Hodgkin lymphoma - were shown to be at the highest risk of developing a subsequent haematological malignancy. While the median survival following a first haematological malignancy was 2.3 years, it was only 1.1 years for subsequent haematological malignancies (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study identified the highest-risk diagnoses in terms of development of subsequent haematological malignancy. The results might be useful to set up correctly follow-up procedures from which cancer patients could benefit.

Sarcoma as Second Cancer in a Childhood Cancer Survivor: Case Report, Large Population Analysis and Literature Review

The majority of pediatric patients are cured of their primary cancer with current advanced developments in pediatric cancer therapy. However, survivors often experience long-term complications from therapies for primary cancer. The delayed mortality rate has been decreasing with the effort to reduce the therapeutic exposure of patients with pediatric cancers. Our study investigates the incidence of sarcoma as second cancer in pediatric cancer survivors. We present a 9-year-old male who survived embryonal hepatoblastoma diagnosed at 22 months of age. At 4.5 years of age, he presented with a non-metastatic primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) of the left submandibular area. He has no evidence of recurrence of either cancer for 51 months after finishing all chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to identify the current rate of second sarcomas in pediatric cancer survivors. Our literature review and large population analysis emphasize the impact of sarcoma as a second malignancy and provide help to physicians caring for pediatric cancer survivors.

Change in Pattern of Secondary Cancers After Kaposi Sarcoma in the Era of Antiretroviral Therapy

Importance

Studies performed in the 1980s and early 1990s have shown that people who develop Kaposi sarcoma (KS) are at higher risk of developing other cancers. The demographics of those affected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS and KS have changed, and individuals with HIV/AIDS and KS now live longer.

Objectives

To test the hypothesis that the secondary cancers developing in patients with KS have changed in recent years and to assess the risk of secondary cancers after KS in different periods.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Longitudinal data from 9 cancer registries in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were used to identify cases of KS diagnosed from January 1973 to December 2013. The dates of the analysis were November 2016 to February 2017.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was the development of secondary cancers in individuals with KS. Secondary cancers were considered only if diagnosed 2 months after a diagnosis of KS. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated for the development of new secondary cancers in the pre-AIDS era (1973-1979), pre-highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era (1980-1995), and HAART era (1996-2013). Stratified analysis was then performed on a subset of the cases diagnosed from 1996 to 2013 based on age at diagnosis (<65 and ≥65 years), latency period between KS and the development of secondary cancers (1 year, 2-5 years, >5 to 10 years, and >10 years), and registries with higher vs lower reported rates of HIV/AIDS.

Results

Among 14 905 individuals with diagnosed KS, 13 721 (92.1%) were younger than 65 years at the time of diagnosis, and 14 356 (96.3%) were male. From 1980 to 1995, SIRs were 2.01 (95% CI, 1.00-3.60) for cancer of the rectum, 49.70 (95% CI, 33.53-70.94) for cancer of the anus, 4.98 (95% CI, 2.79-8.22) for cancer of the liver, 13.70 (95% CI, 2.82-40.03) for cancer of the cervix, 6.40 (95% CI, 2.76-12.60) for Hodgkin lymphoma, and 48.97 (95% CI, 44.85-53.36) for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. From 1996 to 2013, cancer of the anus, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and cancer of the liver remained associated with KS, with the addition of the following significant SIRs: 6.99 (95% CI, 3.20-13.27) for cancer of the tongue, 10.28 (95% CI, 1.24-37.13) for cancer of the penis, and 17.62 (95% CI, 3.63-51.49) for acute lymphocytic leukemia. The SIR of developing any tumor after KS decreased significantly from 3.36 to 1.94 from the pre-HAART era to the HAART era.

Conclusions and Relevance

There has been a significant decline in the overall risk of secondary cancers after KS. Certain cancers, including acute lymphocytic leukemia, cancer of the tongue, and cancer of the penis, are increasingly becoming more common in the HAART era compared with the pre-HAART era. Close monitoring and screening for these secondary cancers is desirable in patients with KS.

Risk Factors for Melanoma Among Survivors of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

PURPOSE

Previous studies have reported that survivors of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) have an increased risk of developing cutaneous melanoma; however, risks associated with specific treatments and immune-related risk factors have not been quantified.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We evaluated second melanoma risk among 44,870 1-year survivors of first primary NHL diagnosed at age 66 to 83 years from 1992 to 2009 and included in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database. Information on NHL treatments, autoimmune diseases, and infections was derived from Medicare claims.

RESULTS

A total of 202 second melanoma cases occurred among survivors of NHL, including 91 after chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) and 111 after other NHL subtypes (cumulative incidence by age 85 years: CLL/SLL, 1.37%; other NHL subtypes, 0.78%). Melanoma risk after CLL/SLL was significantly increased among patients who received infused fludarabine-containing chemotherapy with or without rituximab (n=18: hazard ratio [HR], 1.92; 95% CI, 1.09 to 3.40; n=10: HR, 2.92; 95% CI, 1.42 to 6.01, respectively). Significantly elevated risks also were associated with T-cell activating autoimmune diseases diagnosed before CLL/SLL (n=36: HR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.34 to 3.84) or after CLL/SLL (n=49: HR, 2.92; 95% CI, 1.66 to 5.12). In contrast, among patients with other NHL subtypes, melanoma risk was not associated with specific treatments or with T-cell/B-cell immune conditions. Generally, infections were not associated with melanoma risk, except for urinary tract infections (CLL/SLL), localized scleroderma, pneumonia, and gastrohepatic infections (other NHLs).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest immune perturbation may contribute to the development of melanoma after CLL/SLL. Increased vigilance is warranted among survivors of NHL to maximize opportunities for early detection of melanoma.

Risk of disability pension for patients diagnosed with haematological malignancies: a register-based cohort study

Patients with haematological malignancies are at increased risk of experiencing work-related problems. The aims of this study were to compare the risk of disability pension (DP) among patients diagnosed with eight subtypes of haematological malignancies to a reference cohort, and to determine if relative risks differ between these subtypes; to evaluate the influence of socioeconomic factors, demographic factors, and clinical factors on the risk of DP; and to investigate if these associations differ between the reference cohort and the patient cohort.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We combined data from national registers on Danish patients diagnosed with haematological malignancies between 2000 and 2007 and a reference cohort without a history of these diseases. A total of 3194 patients and 28 627 reference individuals were followed until DP, emigration, old age pension or anticipatory pension, death or 26 February 2012, whichever came first.

RESULTS

A total of 550 (17%) patients and 1511 (5%) reference individuals were granted DP. Age- and gender-adjusted relative risks differed significantly between the subgroups of haematological malignancies and ranged from 2.64 (95% CI 1.84-3.78) for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma to 12.53 (95% CI 10.57-14.85) for patients with multiple myeloma. In the patient cohort we found that gender, age, comorbidity, ethnicity, educational level, household income, history of long-term sick leave, and need of treatment with anxiolytics or antidepressants after diagnosis were associated with receiving DP. However, most of these associations were stronger in the reference cohort.

CONCLUSION

All eight subtypes of haematological malignancies were associated with an increased risk of DP compared to the reference cohort. The relative risks differed according to subtype, and patients with multiple myeloma had the highest risk of DP. Furthermore, most socioeconomic, demographic and clinical factors had a stronger impact on the risk of DP in the reference cohort than in the patient cohort.

Long-term risk of secondary skin cancers after radiation therapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma

PURPOSE

Survivors of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) are at risk of secondary tumors. We investigated the risk of secondary skin cancers after radiotherapy compared to treatment without radiation and to an age-matched population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 889 HL patients treated between 1965 and 2005. Data on secondary skin cancers and treatment fields were retrieved. Incidence rates were compared to observed rates in the Dutch population.

RESULTS

318 skin cancers were diagnosed in 86 patients, showing significantly higher risks of skin cancers, the majority being BCC. The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of BCC in HL survivors was significantly increased (SIR 5.2, 95% CI 4.0-6.6), especially in those aged <35 years at diagnosis (SIR 8.0, 95% CI 5.8-10.7). SIR increased with longer follow-up to 15.9 (95% CI 9.1-25.9) after 35 years, with 626 excess cases per 10,000 patients per year. Most (57%) skin cancers developed within the radiation fields, with significantly increased risk in patients treated with radiotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone (p=0·047, HR 2·75, 95% CI 1·01-7.45).

CONCLUSION

Radiotherapy for HL is associated with a strongly increased long-term risk of secondary skin cancers, both compared to the general population and to treatment with chemotherapy alone.

Increased risk of second malignancies in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia patients as compared with follicular lymphoma patients: a Canadian population-based study

Background:

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients have an increased risk of other malignancies. This may be due to surveillance bias, treatment or immunosuppression.

Methods:

Cohort study of 612 consecutively diagnosed CLL patients in a Canadian province, with comparisons to follicular lymphoma (FL) patients.

Results:

Treated CLL patients had a 1.7-fold increased risk of second cancers compared with untreated CLL patients. As compared with untreated FL patients, untreated CLL patients had a two-fold increased incidence of second malignancies.

Conclusion:

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia patients have an inherent predisposition to second cancers and the incidence is further increased by treatment.

Melanoma as a subsequent neoplasm in adult survivors of childhood cancer: a report from the childhood cancer survivor study

BACKGROUND

Childhood cancer survivors have a sixfold increased risk of developing subsequent neoplasms when compared to the general population. We sought to describe the occurrence of melanoma as a subsequent neoplasm among adult survivors of childhood cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Among 14,358 5-year survivors of childhood cancer diagnosed between 1970 and 1986, we calculated the cumulative incidence, standardized incidence ratio (SIR), and absolute excess risk (AER) of subsequent melanoma. Potential risk factors were assessed using a cause-specific hazards model.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven melanomas (46 invasive, 2 ocular, and 9 in situ) occurred in 51 survivors. The median time to the development of melanoma was 21.0 years (range: 5.6-35.4 years) and the median age at melanoma was 32.3 years (range: 10.9-49.0 years). Initial cancer diagnoses included soft tissue and bone sarcoma (n = 15), leukemia (13), lymphoma (14), central nervous system malignancy (5), Wilms tumor (3), and neuroblastoma (1). The cumulative incidence of first subsequent melanoma at 35 years from initial cancer diagnosis was 0.55% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.37-0.73]. The SIR of subsequent invasive malignant melanoma of the skin was 2.42 (95% CI: 1.77-3.23), and the AER was 0.10 (95% CI: 0.05-0.15) per 1,000 person-years. No statistically significant associations were found between melanoma risk and family history of cancer, demographic, or treatment-related factors.

CONCLUSION

Survivors of childhood cancer have an approximate 2.5-fold increased risk of melanoma. Early screening and prevention strategies are warranted.

A case report of T cell prolymphocytic leukemia and Kaposi sarcoma and a review of T cell prolymphocytic leukemia

T cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is a rare mature T cell lymphoproliferative disease. It has been associated with an aggressive course, a poor response to conventional chemotherapy and a short median survival. Here we present a rare case of concurrent T-PLL and Kaposi sarcoma who achieved a complete hematologic and cytogenetic remission after a very short course of treatment with alemtuzumab. A review of T-PLL was done. In this review, clinical features, laboratory features and current therapeutic strategies of T-PLL are presented.

High-grade supraclavicular soft tissue sarcoma as secondary malignancy after successful treatment of acute myeloid leukemia: case report and literature review

It is well known that the treatment protocols for hematopoetic neoplasms carry a high risk of long-term oncogenicity. However, few reports have been published of sarcomas as secondary malignancies. An unusual case report of a soft tissue sarcoma appearing as a secondary cancer is presented, with a review of the published data. The present report involves a soft tissue sarcoma of the neck that occurred 18 years after curative treatment of acute myeloid leukemia by induction chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation. Consecutive graft-versus-host disease affected the cervical skin. Soft tissue sarcomas appearing as secondary tumors are rare in oncology. The presented case describes the appearance of a sarcoma 18 years after curative treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. This is only the second case of this type reported in published studies.

An increased incidence of Hodgkin's lymphoma in patients with adult-onset sarcoma

BACKGROUND

Sarcomas are rare, often fatal malignancies of connective tissues that can occur in genetic predisposition syndromes or result from carcinogen exposure. Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is not known to contribute to any recognised familial cancer syndrome comprising sarcomas, but is known to be associated with a variety of second cancers, including sarcomas. This study describes the prevalence of HL in families affected by sarcoma.

METHODS

The International Sarcoma Kindred Study (ISKS) is a prospective cohort of 561 families ascertained via a proband with adult-onset sarcoma. Cancer-specific standardised incidence ratios (SIR) for multiple primary malignancies in probands were estimated. Clinical characteristics of individuals reporting both sarcoma and HL were described. Standardised incidence ratios for the occurrence of cancer in ISKS families were also estimated.

RESULTS

Multiple primary cancers were reported in 16% of probands, significantly higher than in the general population. The risk of HL in probands was increased 15.8-fold (95%CI 7.9-31.6) and increased risks were also seen for breast cancer (SIR 2.9, 95%CI 1.9-4.4) and thyroid cancer (SIR 8.4, 95%CI 4.2-16.8). In 8 probands with both HL and sarcoma, the diagnosis of HL preceded that of sarcoma in 7 cases, and occurred synchronously in one case. Only 3 cases of sarcoma occurred in or close to prior radiotherapy fields. The overall incidence of HL in the ISKS cohort was not significantly increased by comparison with age- and gender-specific population estimates (SIR 1.63, 95%CI 1.05-2.43), suggesting that the association between HL and sarcomas did not extend to other family members. The age of onset of non-sarcoma, non-HL cancers in families affected by both HL and sarcoma was younger than the general population (56.2 y vs 65.6 y, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The basis for the association between HL and sarcomas may include the carcinogenic effects of therapy combined with excellent survival rates for HL. Common risk factors for both may also exist, including both environmental and heritable factors.

Household chemical exposures and the risk of canine malignant lymphoma, a model for human non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Epidemiologic studies of companion animals offer an important opportunity to identify risk factors for cancers in animals and humans. Canine malignant lymphoma (CML) has been established as a model for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Previous studies have suggested that exposure to environmental chemicals may relate to development of CML.

METHODS

We assessed the relation of exposure to flea and tick control products and lawn-care products and risk of CML in a case-control study of dogs presented to a tertiary-care veterinary hospital (2000-2006). Cases were 263 dogs with biopsy-confirmed CML. Controls included 240 dogs with benign tumors and 230 dogs undergoing surgeries unrelated to cancer. Dog owners completed a 10-page questionnaire measuring demographic, environmental, and medical factors.

RESULTS

After adjustment for age, weight, and other factors, use of specific lawn care products was associated with greater risk of CML. Specifically, the use of professionally applied pesticides was associated with a significant 70% higher risk of CML (odds ratio(OR)=1.7; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.1-2.7). Risk was also higher in those reporting use of self-applied insect growth regulators (OR=2.7; 95% CI=1.1-6.8). The use of flea and tick control products was unrelated to risk of CML.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that use of some lawn care chemicals may increase the risk of CML. Additional analyses are needed to evaluate whether specific chemicals in these products may be related to risk of CML, and perhaps to human NHL as well.

Second cancer incidence and cancer mortality among chronic lymphocytic leukaemia patients: a population-based study

Background:

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) are known to have increased risks of second cancer. The incidence of second cancers after CLL has not been reported in detail for Australia, a country with particularly high levels of ultraviolet radiation (UVR).

Methods:

The study cohort comprised of all people diagnosed with a primary CLL between 1983 and 2005 in Australia. Standardised incidence ratios (SIRs) and standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated using Australian population rates.

Results:

Overall, the risk of any second incident cancer was more than double that of the general population (SIR=2.17, 95% confidence interval (CI)=2.07, 2.27) and remained elevated for at least 9 years after CLL. Risks were increased for many cancers, particularly melanoma (SIR=7.74, 95% CI=6.85, 8.72). The risk of melanoma increased at younger ages, but was constant across >9 years of follow-up. Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia patients also had an increased risk of death because of melanoma (SMR=4.79, 95% CI=3.83, 5.90) and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC; SMR=17.0, 95% CI=14.4, 19.8), suggesting that these skin cancers may be more aggressive in CLL patients.

Conclusion:

We speculate that a shared risk factor, such as general immune suppression, modulated by UVR exposure may explain the increased risk of melanoma and NMSC in CLL patients.

Non-AIDS associated Kaposi's sarcoma: clinical features and treatment outcome

Background

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in HIV negative patients is rare and has to be distinguished from AIDS associated KS. Two groups are at risk to develop non-AIDS related KS: elderly men mainly of Mediterranean origin and persons with iatrogenic immunosuppression.

Patients and Methods

In order to define risk-groups and major clinical features we retrospectively evaluated clinical data of all patients with non-AIDS associated KS presenting to the Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Tuebingen between 1987 and 2009. Data were extracted from the tumor registry of the Comprehensive Cancer Center Tuebingen and from patient records.

Results

20 patients with non-AIDS KS have been identified. The average age at KS onset was 66.6 years; the male-to-female-ratio was 3∶1. Most of the patients were immigrants from Mediterranean or Eastern European countries (60%). 15 cases of classic KS versus 5 cases of iatrogenic KS were observed. In 95% of the cases, KS was limited to the skin, without mucosal, lymph node or visceral manifestation. KS lesions were in all cases multiple and mostly bilateral, the most common localization was the skin of the lower extremities. Tumor control was achieved in nearly all cases by the use of local or systemic therapy. No patient died from KS.

Conclusions

Unlike KS in AIDS patients, non-AIDS associated KS is a rather localized process which rarely involves lymph nodes or organs. It is mostly seen in elderly males from Mediterranean or Eastern European countries and in most cases responsive on local or systemic therapeutic strategies.