Increased risk of second lung cancer in Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivors: a meta-analysis. Lung. 2013;191:117-134. [PMID: 23053567 DOI: 10.1007/s00408-012-9418-4]

Risk of Subsequent Neoplasms in Childhood Cancer Survivors After Radiation Therapy: A PENTEC Comprehensive Review

PURPOSE

A Pediatric Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic (PENTEC) analysis of published investigations of central nervous system (CNS) subsequent neoplasms (SNs), subsequent sarcomas, and subsequent lung cancers in childhood cancer survivors who received radiation therapy (RT) was performed to estimate the effect of RT dose on the risk of SNs and the modification of this risk by host and treatment factors.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A systematic literature review was performed to identify data published from 1975 to 2022 on SNs after prior RT in childhood cancer survivors. After abstract review, usable quantitative and qualitative data were extracted from 83 studies for CNS SNs, 118 for subsequent sarcomas, and 10 for lung SNs with 4 additional studies (3 for CNS SNs and 1 for lung SNs) later added. The incidences of SNs, RT dose, age, sex, primary cancer diagnosis, chemotherapy exposure, and latent time from primary diagnosis to SNs were extracted to assess the factors influencing risk for SNs. The excess relative ratio (ERR) for developing SNs as a function of dose was analyzed using inverse-variance weighted linear regression, and the ERR/Gy was estimated. Excess absolute risks were also calculated.

RESULTS

The ERR/Gy for subsequent meningiomas was estimated at 0.44 (95% CI, 0.19-0.68); for malignant CNS neoplasms, 0.15 (95% CI, 0.11-0.18); for sarcomas, 0.045 (95% CI, 0.023-0.067); and for lung cancer, 0.068 (95% CI, 0.03-0.11). Younger age at time of primary diagnosis was associated with higher risk of subsequent meningioma and sarcoma, whereas no significant effect was observed for age at exposure for risk of malignant CNS neoplasm, and insufficient data were available regarding age for lung cancer. Females had a higher risk of subsequent meningioma (odds ratio, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.22-1.76; P < .0001) relative to males, whereas no statistically significant sex difference was seen in risk of malignant CNS neoplasms, sarcoma SNs, or lung SNs. There was an association between chemotherapy receipt (specifically alkylating agents and anthracyclines) and subsequent sarcoma risk, whereas there was no clear association between specific chemotherapeutic agents and risk of CNS SNs and lung SNs.

CONCLUSIONS

This PENTEC systematic review shows a significant radiation dose-response relationship for CNS SNs, sarcomas, and lung SNs. Given the linear dose response, improved conformality around the target volume that limits the high dose volume might be a promising strategy for reducing the risk of SNs after RT. Other host- and treatment-related factors such as age and chemotherapy play a significant contributory role in the development of SNs and should be considered when estimating the risk of SNs after RT among childhood cancer survivors.

Pulmonary lesions in early response assessment in pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma: prevalence and possible implications for initial staging

BACKGROUND

Disseminated pulmonary involvement in pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma (pHL) is indicative of Ann Arbor stage IV disease. During staging, it is necessary to assess for coexistence of non-malignant lung lesions due to infection representing background noise to avoid erroneously upstaging with therapy intensification.

OBJECTIVE

This study attempts to describe new lung lesions detected on interim staging computed tomography (CT) scans after two cycles of vincristine, etoposide, prednisolone, doxorubicin in a prospective clinical trial. Based on the hypothesis that these new lung lesions are not part of the underlying malignancy but are epiphenomena, the aim is to analyze their size, number, and pattern to help distinguish true lung metastases from benign lung lesions on initial staging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the EuroNet-PHL-C1 trial re-evaluated the staging and interim lung CT scans of 1,300 pediatric patients with HL. Newly developed lung lesions during chemotherapy were classified according to the current Fleischner glossary of terms for thoracic imaging. Patients with new lung lesions found at early response assessment (ERA) were additionally assessed and compared to response seen in hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes.

RESULTS

Of 1,300 patients at ERA, 119 (9.2%) had new pulmonary lesions not originally detectable at diagnosis. The phenomenon occurred regardless of initial lung involvement or whether a patient relapsed. In the latter group, new lung lesions on ERA regressed by the time of relapse staging. New lung lesions on ERA in patients without relapse were detected in 102 (7.8%) patients. Pulmonary nodules were recorded in 72 (5.5%) patients, the majority (97%) being<10 mm. Consolidations, ground-glass opacities, and parenchymal bands were less common.

CONCLUSION

New nodules on interim staging are common, mostly measure less than 10 mm in diameter and usually require no further action because they are most likely non-malignant. Since it must be assumed that benign and malignant lung lesions coexist on initial staging, this benign background noise needs to be distinguished from lung metastases to avoid upstaging to stage IV disease. Raising the cut-off size for lung nodules to ≥ 10 mm might achieve the reduction of overtreatment but needs to be further evaluated with survival data. In contrast to the staging criteria of EuroNet-PHL-C1 and C2, our data suggest that the number of lesions present at initial staging may be less important.

A case of concurrent follicular lymphoma and lung cancer requiring differentiation from lymph node metastasis

Lung cancer complicated by follicular lymphoma has rarely been reported in the literature. A 69-year-old male with an abnormal shadow on a chest radiograph was referred to our hospital. A mass in the right lung was seen on chest computed tomography (CT). Positron emission tomography-CT showed fluorodeoxyglucose accumulation in the esophagus and multiple intra-abdominal lymph nodes, in addition to the right lung lesion. The lung lesion was diagnosed as a pulmonary adenocarcinoma after biopsy. Upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopies did not reveal the presence of a tumor. Open lymph node biopsy was performed to determine the course of treatment, leading to a diagnosis of follicular lymphoma. The patient finally underwent radical resection for lung cancer; the follicular lymphoma was judged to be low-grade and was followed up. When complications involving other organs are detected during systemic examination of a patient with lung cancer, it is necessary to distinguish between metastasis to other organs and complications of other malignant diseases, as this will greatly influence the treatment strategy.

Screening for lung cancer with computed tomography: protocol for systematic reviews for the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care

PURPOSE

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Canada, and because early cancers are often asymptomatic screening aims to prevent mortality by detecting cancer earlier when treatment is more likely to be curative. These reviews will inform updated recommendations by the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care on screening for lung cancer.

METHODS

We will update the review on the benefits and harms of screening with CT conducted for the task force in 2015 and perform de novo reviews on the comparative effects between (i) trial-based selection criteria and use of risk prediction models and (ii) trial-based nodule classification and different nodule classification systems and on patients' values and preferences. We will search Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central (for questions on benefits and harms from 2015; comparative effects from 2012) and Medline, Scopus, and EconLit (for values and preferences from 2012) via peer-reviewed search strategies, clinical trial registries, and the reference lists of included studies and reviews. Two reviewers will screen all citations (including those in the previous review) and base inclusion decisions on consensus or arbitration by another reviewer. For benefits (i.e., all-cause and cancer-specific mortality and health-related quality of life) and harms (i.e., overdiagnosis, false positives, incidental findings, psychosocial harms from screening, and major complications and mortality from invasive procedures as a result of screening), we will include studies of adults in whom lung cancer is not suspected. We will include randomized controlled trials comparing CT screening with no screening or alternative screening modalities (e.g., chest radiography) or strategies (e.g., CT using different screening intervals, classification systems, and/or patient selection via risk models or biomarkers); non-randomized studies, including modeling studies, will be included for the comparative effects between trial-based and other selection criteria or nodule classification methods. For harms (except overdiagnosis) we will also include non-randomized and uncontrolled studies. For values and preferences, the study design may be any quantitative design that either directly or indirectly measures outcome preferences on outcomes pertaining to lung cancer screening. We will only include studies conducted in Very High Human Development Countries and having full texts in English or French. Data will be extracted by one reviewer with verification by another, with the exception of result data on mortality and cancer incidence (for calculating overdiagnosis) where duplicate extraction will occur. If two or more studies report on the same comparison and it is deemed suitable, we will pool continuous data using a mean difference or standardized mean difference, as applicable, and binary data using relative risks and a DerSimonian and Laird model unless events are rare (< 1%) where we will pool odds ratios using Peto's method or (if zero events) the reciprocal of the opposite treatment arm size correction. For pooling proportions, we will apply suitable transformation (logit or arcsine) depending on the proportions of events. If meta-analysis is not undertaken we will synthesize the data descriptively, considering clinical and methodological differences. For each outcome, two reviewers will independently assess within- and across-study risk of bias and rate the certainty of the evidence using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation), and reach consensus.

DISCUSSION

Since 2015, additional trials and longer follow-ups or additional data (e.g., harms, specific patient populations) from previously published trials have been published that will improve our understanding of the benefits and harms of screening. The systematic review of values and preferences will allow fulsome insights that will inform the balance of benefits and harms.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42022378858.

Personal history of cancer as a risk factor for second primary lung cancer: Implications for lung cancer screening

BACKGROUND

Personal history of cancer is an independent risk factor for lung cancer but is omitted from existing lung cancer screening eligibility criteria. In this study, we assess the lung cancer risk among cancer survivors and discuss potential implications for screening.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, secondary analysis of data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) registry and the MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC). We estimated the standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for lung cancer by site of first primary cancer using data from SEER. We assessed the lung cancer risk among head and neck cancer survivors from MDACC using cumulative incidence and compared the risk ratios (RR) by individuals' screening eligibility status.

RESULTS

Other than first primary lung cancer (SIR: 5.10, 95% CI: 5.01-5.18), cancer survivors in SEER with personal history of head and neck cancer (SIR: 3.71, 95% CI: 3.63-3.80) had the highest risk of developing second primary lung cancer, followed by bladder (SIR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.81-1.90) and esophageal cancers (SIR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.61-1.96). Head and neck cancer survivors had higher risk to develop lung cancer compared to the National Lung Screening Trial's subjects, (781 vs. 572 per 100,000 person-years, respectively). Head and neck cancer survivors ineligible for lung cancer screening seen at MDACC had significantly higher lung cancer risk than head and neck cancer survivors from SEER (RR: 1.9, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Personal history of cancer, primarily head and neck cancer, is an independent risk factor for lung cancer and may be considered as an eligibility criterion in future lung cancer screening recommendations.

Survivorship care for patients curatively treated for Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a scoping review

PURPOSE

We undertook a scoping review of the literature to synthesize what is known about lymphoma survivorship and develop a comprehensive set of lymphoma-specific survivorship recommendations.

METHODS

We searched the peer-reviewed literature from January 1995 to April 2022, focused on topics relevant to survivorship care in patients ≥ 18 years of age, treated curatively for non-Hodgkin's and Hodgkin's lymphoma, and in remission for at least 2 years.

RESULTS

We retained 92 articles; themes included late effects of treatment (53.3%, 49/92), particularly fatigue and sleep disturbances, and fertility, as well as psychosocial considerations of survivors (27.2%; 25/92), screening for secondary malignancies (22.8%; 21/92), outcomes of interventions to improve survivorship care (10.9%; 10/92), and best practices and elements for survivorship plans (8.7%; 8/92). While there were published guidelines for screening for recurrence and secondary malignancies, despite the considerable number of articles on the psychosocial aspects of survivorship care, there remains limited guidance on screening frequency and management strategies for anxiety and depression, sleep disturbances, and treatment-related fatigue within the lymphoma population.

CONCLUSION

We have developed a comprehensive set of lymphoma-survivorship recommendations; however, work is needed to adapt them to local healthcare contexts.

IMPLICATIONS FOR SURVIVORS

While there is a focus in the literature on the long-term psychosocial impacts of cancer and its treatment on lymphoma survivors, there remains no concrete recommendations on effective screening and management of detriments to quality of life such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, and distress, and availability of local resources vary widely.

Cancer pain and alcohol self-medication

BACKGROUND

Cancer survivors are at increased risk of pain due to their either cancer and/or treatments. Substances like alcohol may be used to self-medicate cancer pain; however, these substances pose their own health risks that may be more pronounced for cancer survivors.

METHODS

We used cross-sectional data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2012-2019 to quantify the association between cancer pain and alcohol use. We used negative binomial regression, with interaction terms added to examine variations across age, sex, and race. We also examined whether alcohol use relates to cancer pain control status.

RESULTS

Cancer survivors with cancer pain were more likely to be younger, female, Black, and to have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Cancer pain was associated with lower alcohol consumption (incidence rate ratio (IRR): 0.88, confidence interval (CI): 0.77, 0.99). This association was primarily among people 65 and older, women, and white and Hispanic people. Cancer pain control status was not related to alcohol use.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower alcohol use among cancer survivors with pain has many possible explanations, including several alternative pain management strategies or a decrease in social engagement. Our findings of racial and gender disparities in cancer pain are consistent with the broader evidence on disparities in pain.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Cancer pain management for marginalized groups should be improved. Healthcare providers should screen cancer survivors for both pain and substance use, to prevent unhealthy self-medication behaviors.

Predictors of Secondary Lung Cancer Among Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors: A Nationwide Analysis

PURPOSE

There is insufficient data regarding the incidence rate of secondary lung cancer among Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) survivors and the predisposing factors.

METHODS

We analyzed the data from the cohort of patients who had HL between 1973 and 2015 using the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database (SEER). Data on patient's age, gender, year of diagnosis with HL, Ann-Arbor stage, Histology, racial groups, date of last follow-up, date of death, and treatment modalities were collected.

RESULTS

We identified a total of 56,856 patients with HL; of those, 862 had secondary lung cancer, with an incidence rate of 157 (95%CI: 147-168) per 100,000 person-years. The median overall survival from time of HL diagnosis for those with secondary lung cancer was 12.1 years (95% CI: 10.7-13) compared to 27.1 years (95% CI: 26.5-27.6) for those who did not develop lung cancer (log-rank P-value of <.01). After propensity score weighting, radiation therapy was associated with a higher risk of secondary lung cancer (hazard ratio (HR): 1.23, 95% CI: 1.002-1.55) with a P-value of 0.048. Older age at the time of HL diagnosis and male gender were associated with higher risk, with an HR of 1.07 (95% CI 1.062-1.073) and an HR of 1.602 (95% CI 1.33-1.94), respectively. Furthermore, chemotherapy increased the risk only among older age groups.

CONCLUSION

Older age at the time of HL diagnosis, male gender, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy only among older age groups were associated with higher risk for secondary lung cancer, with 50% of the cases occurring within 9.1 years following HL diagnosis.

Cancer Prevention for Survivors: Incidence of Second Primary Cancers and Sex Differences-A Population-Based Study from an Italian Cancer Registry

BACKGROUND

The number of cancer survivors continues to increase, thanks to advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Unfortunately, the incidence of a second primary cancer (SPC) is also increasing, but limited studies reporting incidence data are available regarding multiple cancers. This study presents our observations on multiple primary malignant cancers, the associations between sites, and the inherent sex differences.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We report the data, disaggregated by sex, concerning the SPCs that were recorded in the "Registro Tumori Integrato" (RTI) a population-based cancer registry in Sicily, Italy, as observed in the period from 2003 to 2017, in a total population of approximately 2,300,000. SPCs were divided into synchronous and metachronous cancers. The International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, third edition (ICD-O-3), was used for topographical and morphological classifications. Multiple primary cancers with multi-organ primitiveness were selected from the database of the RTI by extracting patients with more than one diagnosis. SPCs had different histology or morphology from the particular cancer that was considered to be the index cancer case. Multicenter or multifocal cancers, or metastases, were excluded. The percentages of cancer by sex and topography, the average age of incidence, and a breakdown by age were computed.

RESULTS

Differences were observed between sexes in terms of incidence and site for SPCs. The most frequent SPC was skin cancer (20% of the SPCs observed). The associations among sites of multiple cancers are reported.

CONCLUSION

There are many gaps in our knowledge of sex differences in cancer. The study of multiple primary cancers could bring more likely opportunities for evaluation of the cancer burden and trends that can be used to identify new research areas by population health programs, as well as for clinical researchers.

Lung Cancer as a Subsequent Malignant Neoplasm in Survivors of Childhood Cancer

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer, the most common cause of cancer-related death in adults, has not been well studied as a subsequent malignant neoplasm (SMN) in childhood cancer survivors. We assessed prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes for lung SMN in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) cohort.

METHODS

Among 25,654 5-year survivors diagnosed with childhood cancer (<21 years), lung cancer was self-reported and confirmed by pathology record review. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) and cumulative incidences were calculated, comparing survivors to the general population, and hazard ratios (HR) were estimated using Cox regression for diagnosis and treatment exposures.

RESULTS

Forty-two survivors developed a lung SMN [SIR, 4.0; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.9-5.4] with a cumulative incidence of 0.16% at 30 years from diagnosis (95% CI, 0.09%-0.23%). In a treatment model, chest radiation doses of 10-30 Gy (HR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.05-11.0), >30-40 Gy (HR, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.5-14.3), and >40 Gy (HR, 9.1; 95% CI, 3.1-27.0) were associated with lung SMN, with a monotone dose trend (P trend < 0.001). Survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma (SIR, 9.3; 95% CI, 6.2-13.4) and bone cancer (SIR, 4.4; 95% CI, 1.8-9.1) were at greatest risk for lung SMN.

CONCLUSIONS

Survivors of childhood cancer are at increased risk for lung cancer compared with the general population. Greatest risk was observed among survivors who received chest radiotherapy or with primary diagnoses of Hodgkin lymphoma or bone cancer.

IMPACT

This study describes the largest number of observed lung cancers in childhood cancer survivors and elucidates need for further study in this aging and growing population.

The perspectives of survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma on lung cancer screening: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Hodgkin lymphoma survivors (HLS) are at excess risk of lung cancer as a consequence of HL treatment. HLS without a heavy smoking history are currently unable to access lung cancer screening (LCS) programmes aimed at ever smokers, and there is an unmet need to develop a targeted LCS programme. In this study we prospectively explored HLS perspectives on a future LCS programme, including motivating factors and potential barriers to participation, with the aim of identifying ways to optimise uptake in a future programme.

METHODS

Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted with HLS, aged 18-80 and lymphoma-free for ≥5 years, selected from a clinical database (ADAPT). Participants provided informed consent. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Despite awareness of other late effects, most participants were unaware of their excess risk of lung cancer. Most were willing to participate in a future LCS programme, citing the potential curability of early-stage lung cancer and reassurance as motivating factors, whilst prior experience of healthcare was a facilitator. Whilst the screening test (a low dose CT scan) was considered acceptable, radiation risk was a concern for some and travel and time off work were potential barriers to participation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that most HLS would participate in a future LCS programme, motivated by perceived benefits. Their feedback identified a need to develop educational materials addressing lung cancer risk and concerns about screening, including radiation risk. Such materials could be provided upon an invitation to LCS. Uptake in a future programme may be further optimized by offering flexible screening appointments close to home.

Hounsfield units and fractal dimension (test HUFRA) for determining PET positive/negative lymph nodes in pediatric Hodgkin's lymphoma patients

Objectives

We had developed a method that can help detect and identify lymph nodes affected by the neoplastic process. Our group evaluated the fractal dimension (FD) and X-ray attenuation (XRA) of lymph nodes in HL and compared to their metabolic activity as measured by 18F-FDG-PET examination.

Methods

The training set included 72 lymph nodes from 31 consecutive patients, and the tested set of 71 lymph nodes from next 19 patients. The measurement of FD of each lymph node was performed before the start of therapy using original software. X-ray attenuation (XRA) expressed in HU (Hounsfield Units) from CT scans was compared with the metabolic activity of the lymphatic nodes, measured by 18F-FDG-PET examination.

Results

Significant differences were observed between XRA_max and FD_max values in assessing the PET(+) and PET(-) nodes. All nodes were scored from 0 to 2. The HUFRA test properly qualified 95% with a score of 2 and 0 points as PET(+) or PET(-).

Conclusion

The HUFRA test can differentiate about 70–80% of lymph nodes as PET(+) or PET(-) based solely on the CT examination. It can be useful in patients who were not subjected to 18FFDG-PET/CT examination before the treatment, or who had an unreliable result of 18F-FDG-PET/CT with further research requirements.

Prognostic factors of lung cancer in lymphoma survivors (the LuCiLyS study)

Background

Second cancer is the leading cause of death in lymphoma survivors, with lung cancer representing the most common solid tumor. Limited information exists about the treatment and prognosis of second lung cancer following lymphoma. Herein, we evaluated the outcome and prognostic factors of Lung Cancer in Lymphoma Survivors (the LuCiLyS study) to improve the patient selection for lung cancer treatment.

Methods

This is a retrospective multicentre study including consecutive patients treated for lymphoma disease that subsequently developed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Data regarding lymphoma including age, symptoms, histology, disease stage, treatment received and lymphoma status at the time of lung cancer diagnosis, and data on lung carcinoma as age, smoking history, latency from lymphoma, symptoms, histology, disease stage, treatment received, and survival were evaluated to identify the significant prognostic factors for overall survival.

Results

Our study population included 164 patients, 145 of which underwent lung cancer resection. The median overall survival was 63 (range, 58–85) months, and the 5-year survival rate 54%. At univariable analysis no-active lymphoma (HR: 2.19; P=0.0152); early lymphoma stage (HR: 1.95; P=0.01); adenocarcinoma histology (HR: 0.59; P=0.0421); early lung cancer stage (HR: 3.18; P<0.0001); incidental diagnosis of lung cancer (HR: 1.71; P<0.0001); and lung cancer resection (HR: 2.79; P<0.0001) were favorable prognostic factors. At multivariable analysis, no-active lymphoma (HR: 2.68; P=0.004); early lung cancer stage (HR: 2.37; P<0.0001); incidental diagnosis of lung cancer (HR: 2.00; P<0.0001); and lung cancer resection (HR: 2.07; P<0.0001) remained favorable prognostic factors. Patients with non-active lymphoma (n=146) versus those with active lymphoma (n=18) at lung cancer diagnosis presented better median survival (64 vs. 37 months; HR: 2.4; P=0.02), but median lung cancer specific survival showed no significant difference (27 vs. 19 months; HR: 0.3; P=0.17).

Conclusions

The presence and/or a history of lymphoma should not be a contraindication to resection of lung cancer. Inclusion of lymphoma survivors in a lung cancer-screening program may lead to early detection of lung cancer, and improve the survival.

Caring for survivors of childhood cancer: it takes a village

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Over 80% of children diagnosed with cancer are now cured. The burgeoning population of survivors of childhood cancer experiences high rates of morbidity and mortality due to 'late-effects' of treatment. These can be defined as any consequence of treatment that persists beyond or develops after the completion of cancer therapy. Awareness of late-effects is critically important for pediatricians and adult providers alike, as late-effects impact children in proximity to cancer treatment, as well as adults many decades removed. This review presents the importance of lifelong follow-up care for survivors, highlights existing screening guidelines, and reviews various models of survivor care.

RECENT FINDINGS

National and international guidelines have been developed to standardize screening for survivors, and multiple models of survivorship care exist. The optimal model likely depends on individual factors, including the survivor's needs and preferences, as well as local resources. Key strategies for the successful care of survivors include accurate risk-stratification for specific late-effects, individualized screening plans, education of survivors and professionals, clear communication between providers, and well coordinated transition of care across services.

SUMMARY

Early identification and management of late-effects are important for survivors of childhood cancer. Providers should be familiar with the risks for specific late-effects and have access to screening guidelines. The strengths and weaknesses of care models, along with individual circumstances, should be considered in designing the optimal approach to care for each survivor.

Estimating the risk of lung cancer and cardiac mortality from doses to the lung and heart from modern tangent-only breast radiotherapy

Purpose

The Early Breast Cancer Trialists’ Collaborative Group (EBCTCG) reported that the risks of breast cancer treatment in woman smokers may outweigh the benefits. The data used doses from published reports using a variety of treatment techniques. In our study, the risks of lung cancer and heart disease were determined from a modern era tangential-only technique.

Methods and materials

Doses to the lung and heart were obtained for tangential radiotherapy to the breast or chest wall. The risk of lung cancer incidence and cardiac mortality were calculated by taking the ratio of our doses to those published by the EBCTG.

Results

A total of 77 women were identified meeting our inclusion criteria. The mean combined whole lung dose was 2·0 Gy. The mean whole heart dose was 0·9 Gy. The estimated risk of lung cancer and cardiac mortality in a 50-year-old life-long smoker was estimated to be 1·5 and <1%, respectively.

Conclusions

Tangential only radiotherapy delivered substantially lower doses to the combined whole lung and whole heart than those reported by the EBCTCG. In this cohort, the risks of radiation induced lung cancer and heart disease are outweighed by the benefits of radiotherapy even in those that are smokers.

Conditional relative survival among long-term survivors of adolescent and young adult cancers

BACKGROUND

Many studies have examined long-term outcomes after childhood cancer, but few address outcomes for adolescent and young adult (AYA; those aged 15-39 years) cancer survivors. Conditional survival reflects changing mortality risk with time since cancer diagnosis and is a useful measure for planning long-term follow-up care.

METHODS

Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry 9 database, the authors identified a cohort of AYA patients diagnosed with a first malignant cancer between 1973 and 2009 and followed through 2014. They estimated 5-year relative survival at the time of diagnosis and at each additional year survived up to 25 years after diagnosis, conditional on the individual being alive at the beginning of that year.

RESULTS

A total of 205,954 AYA patients with cancer were identified. Thyroid cancer, melanoma, testicular cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma, leukemia, and central nervous system (CNS) tumors comprised 67% of all cancers. For all cancers combined, 5-year relative survival was 84.5% (95% confidence interval, 84.3%-84.7%) at 1 year after diagnosis and 94.0% (95% CI, 93.9%-94.2%) at 5 years. The relative survival first exceeded 95%, reflecting minimal excess mortality compared with the general population, at 7 years. Patients with thyroid cancer, testicular cancer, melanoma, and breast cancer reached a relative survival of >95% at the time of diagnosis and at 1, 3, and 18 years after diagnosis, respectively. Estimates for those with Hodgkin lymphoma and leukemia were >95% at 6 and 13 years, respectively, but declined to <95% at 20 years. AYA individuals with CNS tumors did not reach 95% by 25 years after diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

For AYA survivors of breast cancer, CNS tumors, and hematologic malignancies, long-term excess mortality should be considered when planning follow-up care. Cancer 2018;124:3037-43. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

Life years lost attributable to late effects after radiotherapy for early stage Hodgkin lymphoma: The impact of proton therapy and/or deep inspiration breath hold

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Due to the long life expectancy after treatment, the risk of late effects after radiotherapy (RT) is of particular importance for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Both deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) and proton therapy have been shown to reduce the dose to normal tissues for mediastinal HL, but the impact of these techniques in combination is unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare the life years lost (LYL) attributable to late effects after RT for mediastinal HL using intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in free breathing (FB) and DIBH, and proton therapy in FB and DIBH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Plans for each technique were created for 22 patients with HL. Doses were extracted and the risk of late effects and LYL were estimated.

RESULTS

We found that the use of DIBH, proton therapy, and the combination significantly reduced the LYL compared to IMRT in FB. The lowest LYL was found for proton therapy in DIBH. However, when IMRT in DIBH was compared to proton therapy in FB, no significant difference was found.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient-specific plan comparisons should be used to select the optimal technique when comparing IMRT in DIBH and proton therapy in FB.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer as a Second Primary Among Patients With Previous Malignancy: Who Is at Risk?

BACKGROUND

Patients with previous malignancies could be at increased risk of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the extent of the risk is unknown for many cancer types; thus, it is unclear who might benefit from screening.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data set from 1992 to 2012 was used to identify patients with previous malignancies who received a diagnosis of NSCLC ≥ 6 months after their initial cancer diagnosis. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for NSCLC were calculated as a ratio of the observed to expected cases adjusted by person-years at risk. Cancers with a SIR > 1.0 had a risk of NSCLC greater than expected. The analyses were stratified by sex, radiation therapy use, and histologic type.

RESULTS

Among the cancer survivors, 32,058 developed NSCLC. Smoking-related (lung, head and neck, bladder) and hematologic malignancies, regardless of previous radiation therapy, had the greatest SIR for NSCLC (range, 1.97-4.88). Colorectal and renal cancer survivors also had an increased SIR for NSCLC (1.16 and 1.21, respectively). Women with previous pancreatic cancer treated with radiation, breast cancer with or without radiation therapy, and those with thyroid cancer demonstrated a greater SIR for lung adenocarcinoma. Men with previous irradiated prostate cancer also had an elevated SIR (1.08; 99% confidence interval, 1.01-1.15) for lung adenocarcinoma. Patients with melanoma, prostate or uterine cancer had a lower SIR for NSCLC than expected.

CONCLUSION

Smoking-related malignancies had the greatest risk of NSCLC. Radiation therapy conferred an elevated risk of NSCLC for certain cancers. Melanoma, prostate, and uterine cancer survivors had a low risk of NSCLC. These results could help identify high-risk screening candidates in the growing population of cancer survivors.

Lung cancer screening: Should we be excluding people with previous malignancy?

The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) was a large, randomized, controlled study showing a 20% reduction of lung cancer mortality and 7% reduction of all cause mortality using annual low dose computed tomography (LDCT) in a high risk population. NLST excluded people with a previous history of cancer treatment within the past 5 years and all people with a history lung cancer. The aim of this work is to review how lung cancer screening trials addressed the confounding effect of previous malignancy. We also review the subsequent recommendations by the United States Preventative Task Force Services, multiple professional societies and the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services which defer either to NLST criteria or, clinician judgment or refrain from asserting any recommendation on the topic, respectively. Implications of lung cancer screening in the setting of previous malignancies, specifically lung, head and neck, esophageal, gastric, breast, colorectal cancer and lymphoma are also discussed. With lung cancer screening, an antecedent malignancy introduces the possibility of discovering metastasis as well as lung cancer. In some circumstances diagnosis and treatment of oligometastatic disease may confer a survival benefit. The survival benefit of treating either lung cancer or oligometastatic disease as result of lung cancer screening has yet to be determined. Further studies are needed to determine the role of lung cancer screening in the setting of previous malignancy.

Subsequent Neoplasms in Adult Survivors of Childhood Genitourinary Tumors

Treatment for childhood genitourinary tumors such as Wilms tumor, rhabdomyosarcoma, and germ cell tumors has progressed to the point that cure can be expected in many cases. However, survivorship is often coupled with a variety of late effects, of which subsequent neoplasms may be the most concerning if not the most life threatening. Here, we review current literature to assess and report issues relating to subsequent neoplasms in patients with a history of childhood genitourinary tumors, including causative factors, overall risks, the most prevalent subsequent neoplasms, and current recommendations for surveillance and screening.

Risk of second malignancies in patients with early-stage classical Hodgkin's lymphoma treated in a modern era

Second malignancies remain an issue affecting morbidity and mortality in long-term survivors of early stage Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). We undertook this study to determine if treatment in the modern era resulted in decreased second malignancies. Patients diagnosed with stage I–II cHL between 1988 and 2009 who received radiation therapy (RT) were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Freedom from second malignancy (FFSM) was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Univariate analysis (UVA) was performed using the Log-Rank test, and included age, gender, year of diagnosis, and stage. Multivariable analysis (MVA) was performed using Cox Proportional Hazards modeling. The study cohort included 8807 patients. The median age at diagnosis was 32 years (range: 2–85). The majority of patients had stage II disease (n = 6044, 69%), 597 (7%) had extranodal involvement (ENI), and 1925 (22%) had B symptoms. Median follow-up for the entire cohort was 7.2 years (range: 0–22). Five hundred twenty-three (6%) patients developed a second malignancy. Median latency to second malignancy was 5.8 years (range: 0.1–21.5). Of the 523 patients that developed a second malignancy, 228 (44%) occurred in the first 5 years, 139 (27%) were diagnosed between years 5–10, and 156 (30%) beyond 10 years. The 10 year FFSM for patients treated between 1988 and 1999 was 93.0% versus 95.1% for patients treated between 2000 and 2009 (P = 0.04), On MVA, treatment between 2000 and 2009 was associated with a HR for second malignancy of 0.77 (95% Confidence Interval: 0.62–0.96, P = 0.02) compared to the treatment between 1988 and 1999. Our analysis suggests that in patients treated with RT for stage I or II cHL, treatment prior to 2000 had a slightly higher risk of second malignancy compared to treatment in 2000 and later. Further studies, with longer follow-up of patients treated in the modern era are needed to confirm these findings.

Secondary cancer in a survivor of Hodgkin's lymphoma: A case report and review of the literature

Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) is one of the most curable malignant diseases in adults. However, HL patients have a higher risk of developing second malignancies compared with the general population. The population of adult cancer survivors is growing, thus, the long-term effects of cancer treatment, including secondary cancer development, have become an increasingly important concern in the field of oncology. The current study presents the case of a female HL survivor who developed two secondary malignancies within 29 years of follow-up. Furthermore, a review of the literature was conducted, which focused on secondary breast and gastrointestinal cancers in HL survivors.

Second primary cancer risk - the impact of applying different definitions of multiple primaries: results from a retrospective population-based cancer registry study

Background

There is evidence that cancer survivors are at increased risk of second primary cancers. Changes in the prevalence of risk factors and diagnostic techniques may have affected more recent risks.

Methods

We examined the incidence of second primary cancer among adults in the West of Scotland, UK, diagnosed with cancer between 2000 and 2004 (n = 57,393). We used National Cancer Institute Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results and International Agency for Research on Cancer definitions of multiple primary cancers and estimated indirectly standardised incidence ratios (SIR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

There was a high incidence of cancer during the first 60 days following diagnosis (SIR = 2.36, 95% CI = 2.12 to 2.63). When this period was excluded the risk was not raised, but it was high for some patient groups; in particular women aged <50 years with breast cancer (SIR = 2.13, 95% CI = 1.58 to 2.78), patients with bladder (SIR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.19 to 1.67) and head & neck (SIR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.67 to 2.21) cancer. Head & neck cancer patients had increased risks of lung cancer (SIR = 3.75, 95% CI = 3.01 to 4.62), oesophageal (SIR = 4.62, 95% CI = 2.73 to 7.29) and other head & neck tumours (SIR = 6.10, 95% CI = 4.17 to 8.61). Patients with bladder cancer had raised risks of lung (SIR = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.62 to 2.88) and prostate (SIR = 2.41, 95% CI = 1.72 to 3.30) cancer.

Conclusions

Relative risks of second primary cancers may be smaller than previously reported. Premenopausal women with breast cancer and patients with malignant melanomas, bladder and head & neck cancers may benefit from increased surveillance and advice to avoid known risk factors.

Survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer: life-long risks and responsibilities

Survival rates for most paediatric cancers have improved at a remarkable pace over the past four decades. In developed countries, cure is now the probable outcome for most children and adolescents who are diagnosed with cancer: their 5-year survival rate approaches 80%. However, the vast majority of these cancer survivors will have at least one chronic health condition by 40 years of age. The burden of responsibility to understand the long-term morbidity and mortality that is associated with currently successful treatments must be borne by many, including the research and health care communities, survivor advocacy groups, and governmental and policy-making entities.