Social inequality and incidence of and survival from cancers of the oesophagus, stomach and pancreas in a population-based study in Denmark, 1994-2003

Cervical, liver and stomach cancer incidence and mortality in non-Western immigrant women: a retrospective cohort study from four Nordic countries

BACKGROUND

Cervical, liver and stomach cancers are the most common infection-associated malignancies and the leading cause of morbidity in non-Western regions. We compared the incidence and mortality of these cancers between non-Western immigrant and non-immigrant Nordic female populations. We also analysed the effect of age at immigration, duration of residence and education on cancer burden.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Study population consisted of women residents in Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway in 1973-2020. Non-Western women contributed 3.1% of the total 260 million person-years at risk. All women were followed from their 20th birthday, or from the date of immigration if after, until the date of their first primary cancer diagnosis, death, emigration, or the end of the country-specific study period. All data were adjusted for 10-year age groups and calendar periods, and immigrant data was further broken down by region of birth, age at immigration and education level. Country-specific estimates were produced by multivariable Poisson regression and pooled in Finland with a random effects model.

RESULTS

Altogether, there were 60 982 cases of cervical, liver and stomach cancer in the study population, causing 36 582 deaths. The immigrant women had significantly higher liver (rate ratio [RR] 1.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-3.06) and stomach cancer incidence (RR 1.68, CI 1.29-2.18), and stomach cancer mortality (RR 1.49, CI 1.17-1.92) than non-immigrant women. In the immigrant population, high education was related to lower incidence and mortality of studied cancers. The rate ratio of cervical cancer decreased with duration of residence and increased with rising age at immigration.

CONCLUSION

Due to the increased incidence and mortality of infection-related cancers and changes in cancer patterns by age at immigration and duration of residence, attention should be paid to targeted health care services for immigrants. Special efforts should be given to women who have spent their youth in high-risk areas.

Socioeconomic Status and Distance to Reference Centers for Complex Cancer Diseases: A Source of Health Inequalities? A Population Cohort Study Based on Catalonia (Spain)

The centralization of complex surgical procedures for cancer in Catalonia may have led to geographical and socioeconomic inequities. In this population-based cohort study, we assessed the impacts of these two factors on 5-year survival and quality of care in patients undergoing surgery for rectal cancer (2011-12) and pancreatic cancer (2012-15) in public centers, adjusting for age, comorbidity, and tumor stage. We used data on the geographical distance between the patients' homes and their reference centers, clinical patient and treatment data, income category, and data from the patients' district hospitals. A composite 'textbook outcome' was created from five subindicators of hospitalization. We included 646 cases of pancreatic cancer (12 centers) and 1416 of rectal cancer (26 centers). Distance had no impact on survival for pancreatic cancer patients and was not related to worse survival in rectal cancer. Compared to patients with medium-high income, the risk of death was higher in low-income patients with pancreatic cancer (hazard ratio (HR) 1.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15-1.86) and very-low-income patients with rectal cancer (HR 5.14, 95% CI 3.51-7.52). Centralization was not associated with worse health outcomes in geographically dispersed patients, including for survival. However, income level remained a significant determinant of survival.

Development and Validation of a Risk Prediction Model for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Using Cohort Studies

INTRODUCTION

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) carries a poor prognosis, but earlier tumor detection would improve survival. We aimed to develop and externally validate a risk prediction model based on exposure to readily available risk factors to identify high-risk individuals of ESCC.

METHODS

Competing risk regression modeling was used to develop a risk prediction model. Individuals' absolute risk of ESCC during follow-up was computed with the cumulative incidence function. We used prospectively collected data from the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT) for model derivation and the UK Biobank cohort for validation. Candidate predictors were age, sex, tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, body mass index (BMI), education, cohabitation, physical exercise, and employment. Model performance was validated internally and externally by evaluating model discrimination using the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) and model calibration.

RESULTS

The developed risk prediction model included age, sex, smoking, alcohol, and BMI. The AUC for 5-year risk of ESCC was 0.76 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.58-0.93) in the derivation cohort and 0.70 (95% CI, 0.64-0.75) in the validation cohort. The calibration showed close agreement between the predicted cumulative risk and observed probabilities of developing ESCC. Higher net benefit was observed when applying the risk prediction model than considering all participants as being at high risk, indicating good clinical usefulness. A web tool for risk calculation was developed: https://sites.google.com/view/escc-ugis-ki.

DISCUSSION

This ESCC risk prediction model showed good discrimination and calibration and validated well in an independent cohort. This readily available model can help select high-risk individuals for preventive interventions.

Socioeconomic inequalities in cancer incidence in Europe: a comprehensive review of population-based epidemiological studies

Background

Since the end of the previous century, there has not been a comprehensive review of European studies on socioeconomic inequality in cancer incidence. In view of recent advances in data source linkage and analytical methods, we aimed to update the knowledge base on associations between location-specific cancer incidence and individual or area-level measures of socio-economic status (SES) among European adults.

Materials and methods

We systematically searched three databases (PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science) for articles on cancer incidence and SES. Qualitative synthesis was performed on the 91 included English language studies, published between 2000 and 2019 in Europe, which focused on adults, relied on cancer registry data and reported on relative risk (RR) estimates.

Results

Adults with low SES have increased risk of head and neck, oesophagogastric, liver and gallbladder, pancreatic, lung, kidney, bladder, penile and cervical cancers (highest RRs for lung, head and neck, stomach and cervix). Conversely, high SES is linked with increased risk of thyroid, breast, prostate and skin cancers. Central nervous system and haematological cancers are not associated with SES. The positive gap in testicular cancer has narrowed, while colorectal cancer shows a varying pattern in different countries. Negative associations are generally stronger for men compared to women.

Conclusions

In Europe, cancers in almost all common locations are associated with SES and the inequalities can be explained to a varying degree by known life-style related factors, most notably smoking. Independent effects of many individual and area SES measures which capture different aspects of SES can also be observed.

miR-135a suppresses migration of gastric cancer cells by targeting TRAF5-mediated NF-κB activation

Background

As crucial regulators and possible biomarkers for cancer development, miRNAs have attracted intensive attention during the last two decades. Among the known miRNAs, miR-135a has been indicated as a tumor suppressor in several cancer types, whereas its roles and mechanisms in gastric cancer (GC) remain largely unclear.

Materials and methods

Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was conducted to detect the expression of miR-135a in paired GC tissues as well as cell lines. The prognostic value was evaluated by Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Wound healing and transwell assays were performed to determine the roles of miR-135a in GC cell migration. Dual-luciferase reporter assay, qPCR, and Western blot analysis were used to validate the targeting of TRAF5 and subsequent NF-κB pathway by miR-135a. Rescue experiments were done to explain the involvement of TRAF5 in mediating the anti-migration effect of miR-135a in GC cells. Finally, the expression of TRAF5 was examined in paired GC tissues.

Results

miR-135a was confirmed to be decreased in GC tissues and cell lines, and its lower expression predicted worse overall survival. Cellular experiments proved that miR-135a suppressed migration in GC cells. Through directly targeting TRAF5 and subsequently inhibiting NF-κB pathway, miR-135a might efficiently inhibit GC cell metastasis. Furthermore, we found that TRAF5 overexpression was negatively correlated with miR-135a expression in GC tissues.

Conclusion

Our study indicated that miR-135a serves a suppressing role in GC cell migration by targeting TRAF5 and the downstream NF-κB pathway.

MiRNA-545 negatively regulates the oncogenic activity of EMS1 in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is a common malignant tumor of the digestive system. In addition, GC metastasis is an extremely complicated process. In this article, high expression levels of EMS1 mRNA and protein were found to be positively correlated with an enhanced malignant potential of GC cells and a poor clinical prognosis of GC patients. Interestingly, the expression levels of EMS1 mRNA and protein in GC cells were inhibited by microRNA-545 (miR-545), which was identified by a bioinformatics analysis. The expression level of miR-545 in carcinoma tissues was significantly lower than that in para-carcinoma tissues. The proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of GC cells were suppressed by exogenous oligonucleotides of miR-545 mimics. In addition, the expression levels of EMT-associated markers were altered with the expression of miR-545. Notably, the growth rates of tumors in nude mice were seriously restrained by an intratumoral injection of oligonucleotides of the miR-545 mimics. These results suggest a negative regulatory role of miR-545 on the oncogenic activity of EMS1. In addition, EMS1 and miR-545 may be potential biomarkers for GC diagnosis. Synthesized oligonucleotides of miR-545 mimics may be developed as important gene medicines for GC therapy in the future.

The effect of individual and neighborhood socioeconomic status on esophageal cancer survival in working-age patients in Taiwan

Esophageal cancer is the sixth leading cause of cancer mortality. More than 90% of patients with esophageal cancer in Taiwan have squamous cell carcinoma. Survival of such patients is related to socioeconomic status (SES). We studied the association between SES (individual and neighborhood) and the survival of working-age patients with esophageal cancer in Taiwan. A population-based study was conducted of 4097 patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer between 2002 and 2006. Each was traced for 5 years or until death. Individual SES was defined by enrollee job category. Neighborhood SES was based on household income and dichotomized into advantaged or disadvantaged. Multilevel logistic regression was used to compare the survival rates by SES group after adjustment for possible confounding and risk factors. Hospital and neighborhood SES were used as random effects in multilevel logistic regression. In patients younger than 65 years, 5-year overall survival rates were worst for those with low individual SES living in disadvantaged neighborhoods. After adjustment for patient characteristics, esophageal cancer patients with high individual SES had a 39% lower risk of mortality than those with low individual SES (odds ratio 0.61, 95% confidence interval 0.48-0.77). Patients living in disadvantaged areas with high individual SES were more likely to receive surgery than those with low SES (odds ratio 1.45, 95% confidence interval 1.11-1.89). Esophageal cancer patients with low individual SES have the worst 5-year survival, even with a universal healthcare system. Public health, education, and social welfare programs should address the inequality of esophageal cancer survival.

A Systematic Review of the Burden of Pancreatic Cancer in Europe: Real-World Impact on Survival, Quality of Life and Costs

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to assess the overall burden of pancreatic cancer in Europe, with a focus on survival time in a real-world setting, and the overall healthy life lost to the disease.

METHODS

Real-world data were retrieved from peer-reviewed, observational studies identified by an electronic search. We performed two de novo analyses: a proportional shortfall analysis to quantify the proportion of healthy life lost to pancreatic cancer and an estimation of the aggregate life-years lost annually in Europe.

RESULTS

Ninety-one studies were included. The median, age-standardised incidence of pancreatic cancer per 100,000 was 7.6 in men and 4.9 in women. Overall median survival from diagnosis was 4.6 months; median survival was 2.8-5.7 months in patients with metastatic disease. The proportional shortfall analysis showed that pancreatic cancer results in a 98 % loss of healthy life, with a life expectancy at diagnosis of 4.6 months compared to 15.1 years for an age-matched healthy population. Annually, 610,000-915,000 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) are lost to pancreatic cancer in Europe. Patients had significantly lower scores on validated health-related quality of life instruments versus population norms.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to systematically review real-world overall survival and patient outcomes of pancreatic cancer patients in Europe outside the context of clinical trials. Our findings confirm the poor prognosis and short survival reported by national studies. Pancreatic cancer is a substantial burden in Europe, with nearly a million aggregate life-years lost annually and almost complete loss of healthy life in affected individuals.

Trends in cancer of the liver, gall bladder, bile duct, and pancreas in elderly in Denmark, 1980-2012

BACKGROUND

Cancers of the liver, bile duct, gall bladder and pancreas (HPB-c) are a heterogeneous group, united almost exclusively by a poor prognosis. As the number of elderly in the Western world continues to rise and HPB-c are associated with age, we wanted to examine changes in incidence, mortality, prevalence and relative survival for these cancers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HBP-c was defined as ICD-10 codes C22 (liver), C23-24 (gall bladder), and C25 (pancreas). Data derived from the NORDCAN database with comparable data on cancer incidence, mortality, prevalence and relative survival in the Nordic countries, where the Danish data were delivered from the Danish Cancer Registry and the Danish Cause of Death Registry with follow-up for death or emigration until the end of 2013.

RESULTS

The incidence and mortality rates of cancer of the liver and pancreas increased over time while the rates of cancer of the gall bladder and bile duct decreased. All HBP-c were more frequent in persons over the age of 70 than in younger persons. The relative one- and five-year survival rose in most HPB-c, but mainly occurring in the younger population of 0-69 years with only small to no gains in the 80 + group.

CONCLUSION

As the number of persons aged 80 years or more will increase dramatically in the following years, and our results show a gap in relative survival, it is important to continue to study this population in order to improve management and outcome.

Increased pancreas cancer in a bio-technological research laboratory

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic cancer is extremely rare among people under 55 years old. Its prognosis is poor, and the causal background remains almost unresolved. A previous study observed an increased occurrence of pancreatic cancer in workers in a French biochemical laboratory.

METHODS

CASE REPORT

During an approximate 10 year period in a Danish bio-chemical laboratory with about 50 stable employees, four cases of pancreatic cancer have been diagnosed at a mean age of 53 years. Approximately 0.02 cases should be expected if the laboratory employees had experienced the same rate of pancreatic cancer as that observed in the respective general Danish populations.

RESULT

All the four cases had a long-term occupational history of exposure to carcinogens during the early bio-technology period.

CONCLUSIONS

Causal conclusions cannot be made yet, but observation of former and present workers in biotechnological laboratories and their cancer occurrence is warranted.

Gastric cancer survival and affiliation to health insurance in a middle-income setting

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether health insurance affiliation and socioeconomic deprivation is associated with overall cause survival from gastric cancer in a middle-income country.

METHODS

All patients resident in the Bucaramanga metropolitan area (Colombia) diagnosed with gastric cancer between 2003 and 2009 (n=1039), identified in the population-based cancer registry, were followed for vital status until 31/12/2013. Kaplan-Meier models provided crude survival estimates by health insurance regime (HIR) and social stratum (SS). Multivariate Cox-proportional hazard models adjusting HIR and SS for sex, age and tumor grade, were performed.

RESULTS

Overall 1 and 5 year survival proportions were 32.4% and 11.0%, respectively, varying from 49.3% and 15.8% for patients affiliated to the most generous HIR to 12.9% and 5.3% for unaffiliated patients, and from 41.4% and 20.7% for patients in the highest SS, versus 27.1% and 7.4% for the lowest SS. The multivariate analyses showed type of HIR as well as SS to remain independently associated with survival, with an 11% improvement in survival for each increase in SS subgroup (HR 0.89 (95% CI 0.83; 0.96), and with worse survival in the subsidized (least generous) HIR and unaffiliated patients compared to the contributory HIR (HR subsidized 1.20 (95% CI 1.00; 1.43) and HR not affiliated 2.03 (95% CI 1.48; 2.78)). Of the non-affiliated patients, 60% had died at the time of diagnosis, versus 4-14% of affiliated patients (p<0.0005).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the 'universal' health insurance system, large socioeconomic differences in gastric cancer survival exist in Colombia. Both social stratum and access to effective diagnostic and curative care strongly influence survival.

Sociodemographic trends in the incidence of pancreatic and biliary tract cancer in UK primary care

BACKGROUND

The UK incidence of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is approximately 9/100,000 population compared with 1-2/100,000 for biliary tract cancer (BTC). This study explores the incidence of these cancers over time and the influence of socio-demographic and geographic factors in a UK primary care cohort.

METHODS

This study uses data from a large UK primary care database, The Health Improvement Network (THIN). All adult patients contributing data to THIN between January 2000 and December 2010 were included. Annual incidence rates were calculated, adjusted for age, gender, time period, deprivation score (Townsend quintile) and strategic health authority.

RESULTS

From 2000-2010, the annual incidence of PDAC increased by an average of 3% per year (95% CI 1.00-4.00%) and BTC by 4% (95% CI 2.00-6.00%). Incidence of both cancers increased steeply with age and was higher in men. BTC was associated with increasing deprivation (most deprived versus least deprived quintile (OR: 1.45 [95% CI: 1.17, 1.79.]).

CONCLUSIONS

The overall incidence of both cancers is low but increasing. Variations in incidence may reflect changes in coding practice or increased exposure to associated risk factors.

Association between socioeconomic factors and cancer risk: a population cohort study in Scotland (1991-2006)

BACKGROUND

Lung and upper aero-digestive tract (UADT) cancer risk are associated with low socioeconomic circumstances and routinely measured using area socioeconomic indices. We investigated effect of country of birth, marital status, one area deprivation measure and individual socioeconomic variables (economic activity, education, occupational social class, car ownership, household tenure) on risk associated with lung, UADT and all cancer combined (excluding non melanoma skin cancer).

METHODS

We linked Scottish Longitudinal Study and Scottish Cancer Registry to follow 203,658 cohort members aged 15+ years from 1991-2006. Relative risks (RR) were calculated using Poisson regression models by sex offset for person-years of follow-up.

RESULTS

21,832 first primary tumours (including 3,505 lung, 1,206 UADT) were diagnosed. Regardless of cancer, economically inactivity (versus activity) was associated with increased risk (male: RR 1.14, 95% CI 1.10-1.18; female: RR 1.06, 95% CI 1.02-1.11). For lung cancer, area deprivation remained significant after full adjustment suggesting the area deprivation cannot be fully explained by individual variables. No or non degree qualification (versus degree) was associated with increased lung risk; likewise for UADT risk (females only). Occupational social class associations were most pronounced and elevated for UADT risk. No car access (versus ownership) was associated with increased risk (excluding all cancer risk, males). Renting (versus home ownership) was associated with increased lung cancer risk, UADT cancer risk (males only) and all cancer risk (females only). Regardless of cancer group, elevated risk was associated with no education and living in deprived areas.

CONCLUSIONS

Different and independent socioeconomic variables are inversely associated with different cancer risks in both sexes; no one socioeconomic variable captures all aspects of socioeconomic circumstances or life course. Association of multiple socioeconomic variables is likely to reflect the complexity and multifaceted nature of deprivation as well as the various roles of these dimensions over the life course.

Esophageal cancer mortality during 2004-2009 in Yanting County, China

OBJECTIVE

Yanting County is a high risk area for esophageal cancer (EC) in China. The purpose of this study was to describe the mortality and mortality change of EC from 2004 to 2009 in Yanting County.

METHODS

EC mortality data from 2004 to 2009 obtained from the Cancer Registry in Yanting were analyzed. Annual percentage changes (APC) were calculated to assess the trends in EC mortality. Age-standardized mortality was calculated based on world standard population of 2000.

RESULTS

The average EC mortality was 54.7/105 in males and 31.6/105 in females over the 6 years. A decline in EC mortality with time was observed in both genders, with a rate of -8.70% per year (95% CI: -13.23%~-3.93%) in females and -4.11% per year (95%CI: -11.16%~3.50%) in males.

CONCLUSION

EC mortality decreased over the six years in both genders, although it remained high in the Yanting area. There is still a need to carry out studies of risk factors for improved cancer prevention and further reduction in the disease burden.

Socio-demographic and geographical factors in esophageal and gastric cancer mortality in Sweden

Background

Socio-demographic factors and area of residence might influence the development of esophageal and gastric cancer. Large-scale population-based research can determine the role of such factors.

Methods

This population-based cohort study included all Swedish residents aged 30–84 years in 1990–2007. Educational level, marital status, place of birth, and place of residence were evaluated with regard to mortality from esophageal or gastric cancer. Cox regression yielded hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusted for potential confounding.

Results

Among 84 920 565 person-years, 5125 and 12 230 deaths occurred from esophageal cancer and gastric cancer, respectively. Higher educational level decreased the HR of esophageal cancer (HR = 0.61, 95%CI 0.42–0.90 in women, HR = 0.71, 95%CI 0.60–0.84 in men) and gastric cancer (HR = 0.80, 95%CI 0.63–1.03 in women, HR = 0.73, 95%CI 0.64–0.83 in men). Being unmarried increased HR of esophageal cancer (HR = 1.64, 95%CI 1.35–1.99 in women, HR = 1.64, 95%CI 1.50–1.80 in men), but not of gastric cancer. Being born in low density populated areas increased HR of gastric cancer (HR = 1.23, 95%CI 1.10–1.38 in women, HR = 1.37, 95%CI 1.25–1.50 in men), while no strong association was found with esophageal cancer. Living in densely populated areas increased HR of esophageal cancer (HR = 1.31, 95%CI 1.14–1.50 in women, HR = 1.40, 95%CI 1.29–1.51 in men), but not of gastric cancer.

Conclusion

These socio-demographic inequalities in cancer mortality warrant efforts to investigate possible preventable mechanisms and to promote and support healthier lifestyles among deprived groups.

Educational inequalities in cancer incidence and mortality in Lithuania: a record linkage study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to describe associations between incidence and mortality by major cancer sites and education in Lithuania.

METHODS

The study is based on the linkage between all records of the 2001 population census and all records from Lithuanian Cancer Registry (cancer incidence) and Statistics Lithuania (deaths) for the period between 1 July 2001 and 31 December 2004. Education-specific incidence and mortality rate ratios were estimated by means of multivariate Poisson regression models.

RESULTS

We found both the positive and inverse educational gradients in cancer incidence and mortality. The risk of developing cancer (all sites) was lower among men and women with the lowest education, whereas cancer mortality was higher among lower educated men. The higher educational level was also associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer among men and an increased risk of breast cancer among women. However, prostate cancer mortality was the highest in the lowest education group, whereas breast cancer mortality among women did not show any statistically significant differences. Lower educated men had significantly higher incidence and mortality due to lung and stomach cancers. Strikingly high incidence and mortality due to cervix cancer was observed among women with secondary and lower than secondary education.

CONCLUSION

The results point to inequalities in early diagnosis and survival from cancer and failures ensuring equal access to medical care. Further more in-depth studies are needed in order to understand the nature and determinants of these inequalities.

Incidence and survival for hepatic, pancreatic and biliary cancers in England between 1998 and 2007

INTRODUCTION

Hepatic, pancreatic and biliary (HPB) cancers are a group of diverse malignancies managed ideally in specialist centres. This study describes recent patterns in the incidence and survival of HPB cancers in England over a ten year period (1998-2007).

METHODS

Data on 99,379 English patients (50,656 males; 48,723 females) diagnosed with HPB cancers between 1998 and 2007 were extracted from the National Cancer Data Repository. Data were divided into six site-specific cancer groups; pancreas, ampulla of Vater, biliary tract, primary liver, gallbladder and duodenum. Age-standardised incidence rates (per 100,000 European standard population, (ASR(E))) were calculated for each of the six groups by year of diagnosis and by socioeconomic deprivation. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

The largest group was pancreatic cancers (63%), followed by primary liver (14%) and biliary cancers (13%). ASR(E) were highest for pancreatic and primary liver cancers whereas cancers of the gallbladder, duodenum and ampulla of Vater had a very low incidence. Over time the incidence of all six groups remained relatively stable, although primary liver cancer increased slightly in males. Incidence rates were higher in males than in females in all groups except gallbladder cancer, and all six groups had a higher incidence in the more deprived quintiles. Overall survival was poor in each of the HPB cancer groups.

CONCLUSIONS

HPB tumours are uncommon and are associated with poor long term survival reflecting the late stage at presentation. Incidence patterns suggest variable rates linked to socioeconomic deprivation and highlight a male predominance in all sites except the gallbladder. Identification of high risk populations should be emphasised in initiatives to raise awareness and facilitate earlier diagnosis.

Gastric cancer incidence and mortality in Zhuanghe, China, between 2005 and 2010

AIM: To investigate the incidence and mortality of gastric cancer (GC) in Zhuanghe region, northeast China and the influencing factors for their changing trends.

METHODS: All new cancer cases and deaths registered from 2005 to 2010 in Zhuanghe County were reviewed. The annual GC cases, constituent ratio, crude rates, age-standardized rates, their sex and age distribution and temporal trends were assessed. The method of annual percentage change (APC) was used to estimate the trends of GC.

RESULTS: Altogether 2634 new cases of GC and 1722 related deaths were registered, which accounted for 21.04% and 19.13% of all cancer-related incidence and deaths, respectively. The age-standardized incidence rate steadily decreased from 57.48 in 2005 to 44.53 in 2010 per 10⁵ males, and from 18.13 to 14.70 per 10⁵ females, resulting in a APC of -5.81% for males and -2.89% for females over the entire period. The magnitude of APC in GC mortality amounted to -11.09% and -15.23%, respectively, as the age-standardized mortality rate steadily decreased from 42.08 in 2005 to 23.71 in 2010 per 10⁵ males, and from 23.86 to 10.78 per 10⁵ females. Females had a significantly lower incidence (a male/female ratio 2.80, P < 0.001) and mortality (a male/female ratio 2.30, P < 0.001). In both genders, the peak incidence and mortality occurred in the 80-84 years age group. The age-standardized mortality/incidence ratio also decreased from the peak of 0.73 in 2005 to 0.53 in 2010 for males, and from 1.32 to 0.73 for females.

CONCLUSION: Encouraging declines of incidence and mortality of GC were observed in Zhuanghe region between 2005 and 2010, possibly due to the economic development and efficient GC control strategies.

Socioeconomic inequalities in incidence of lung and upper aero-digestive tract cancer by age, tumour subtype and sex: a population-based study in Scotland (2000-2007)

BACKGROUND

Lung and upper aero-digestive tract (UADT) cancer risk is associated with socioeconomic inequality (SEI) but the degree of socioeconomic burden by age, tumour subtype, and sex is not known.

METHODS

We reviewed 216,305 cases excluding non melanoma skin cancer (All Cancer) comprising 37,274 lung; 8216 head and neck; and 6534 oesophageal cancers from 2000 to 2007 classified into anatomical or morphology subtypes. Deprivation was measured using the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation and SEI was measured using the Slope Index of Inequality and the Relative Index of Inequality (RII). Analyses were partitioned by 5-year age group and sex. RII was adapted to rank tumour type contribution to All Cancer SEI and to examine subtype by age and sex simultaneously. Rank was defined as proportion of All Cancer SEI.

RESULTS

All Cancer SEI was greater for males (RII=0.366; female RII=0.279); the combination of lung and UADT SEI contributed 91% and 81% respectively to All Cancer SEI. For both sexes lung and UADT subtypes showed significant SEI (P<0.001) except oesophageal adenocarcinoma in males (P=0.193); for females, SEI was borderline significant (P=0.048). Although RII rank differed by sex, all lung and larynx subtypes contributed most to All Cancer SEI with RII rank for oral cavity, oesophagus-squamous cell, and oropharynx following. For males 40-44 years, SEI increased abruptly peaking at 55-59 years. For females, SEI gradually peaked 10 years later. In both sexes, the SEI peak preceded peak incidence.

CONCLUSION

SEI in lung and UADT cancers vary greatly by age, tumour subtype and sex; these variations are likely to largely reflect differences between the sexes in risk behaviours which vary by birth cohort and are socioeconomically patterned.

Influence of socioeconomic environment on survival in patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer: a population-based study

The influence of social environment on survival in patients with cancer has been demonstrated in many studies, subjects living in the most deprived areas having a poorer prognosis. Geographic remoteness and limited access to specialized care centers are often associated with socioeconomic deprivation. The aim was to assess the influence of social environment and geographic remoteness on the relative survival of patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer between 1997 and 2004 in the department of Calvados in France. The study population, which was provided by the Calvados digestive cancer registry, included 629 patients. Relative survival was used to estimate the influence of social environment and geographic remoteness on patient survival. Five-year survival rates were 14.1%, 15.1%, 11.8%, 8.8%, and 11.4%, respectively, for patients living in the least to the most deprived areas (P= 0.39). The influence of social environment was significant after adjustment for clinical variables, patients living in the most deprived areas having the worst survival. These discrepancies cannot totally be explained by differences in access to care, cancer extension, or morphology at diagnosis. No association was observed between distance to the nearest cancer center and survival. Social environment appears to induce disparities among patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer, with a worse prognosis for patients living in the most deprived areas.

Pancreatic cancer; reporting and long-term survival in Sweden

BACKGROUND

The overall completeness of the Swedish Cancer Register is high, although underreporting for certain sites must be acknowledged. The aims of the present study were twofold. Firstly to assess the completeness of reporting of pancreatic cancer to the Swedish Cancer Register, and secondly to identify and characterise long-term survivors based on information from two separate population-based register resources.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

To assess the completeness of the Cancer Register, pancreatic cancer cases registered in the National Patient Register between 1987 and 1999 were compared to cases reported to the Cancer Register. For estimations of long-term survival, the study population was restricted to 4321 cases identified both in the Cancer Register and the Patient Register with a histopathologically confirmed diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. A complete follow-up of survival in this group was performed till December 31, 2004.

RESULTS

There was a considerable underreporting of pancreatic cancer to the Cancer Register. During the period under study, a total of 19 745 patients were identified with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Of these, only 73% had been reported to the Cancer Register. The underreporting increased markedly with age at diagnosis and was more pronounced during the second period under study. Only 2.8% of patients with a histopathologically confirmed diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma survived five years or longer. The likelihood of long-term survival was strongly associated with younger age and surgery. Pancreatic resection was reported in 20.4% of all patients. Median survival among those operated on was 12 months compared to 4.6 months in all patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Underreporting of pancreatic cancer to the Swedish Cancer Register was pronounced and increased with older age. Less than 3% of patients with a record of pancreatic cancer both in the Cancer Register and the Patient Register survived five years or longer.

Prognostic factors for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma--a population-based study in Golestan Province, Iran, a high incidence area

Golestan Province in northern Iran is an area with a high incidence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We aimed to investigate prognostic factors for ESCC and survival of cases in Golestan, on which little data were available. We followed-up 426 ESCC cases participating in a population-based case-control study. Data were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method and the Cox proportional hazard models. Median survival was 7 months. Age at diagnosis was inversely associated with survival, but the association was disappeared with adjustment for treatment. Residing in urban areas (hazard ratio, HR = 0.70; 95% CI 0.54–0.90) and being of non-Turkmen ethnic groups (HR = 0.76; 95% CI 0.61–0.96) were associated with better prognosis. In contrast to other types of tobacco use, nass (a smokeless tobacco product) chewing was associated with a slightly poorer prognosis even in models adjusted for other factors including stage of disease and treatment (HR = 1.38; 95% CI 0.99–1.92). Opium use was associated with poorer prognosis in crude analyses but not in adjusted models. Almost all of potentially curative treatments were associated with longer survival. Prognosis of ESCC in Golestan is very poor. Easier access to treatment facilities may improve the prognosis of ESCC in Golestan. The observed association between nass chewing and poorer prognosis needs further investigations; this association may suggest a possible role for ingestion of nass constituents in prognosis of ESCC.

Disparities in survival of stomach cancer among different socioeconomic groups in North-East Netherlands

BACKGROUND

Survival differences in stomach cancer are depended on patient, tumour and treatment factors. Some populations are more prone to develop stomach cancer, such as people with low socioeconomic status (SES). The aim of this population based study was to assess whether differences in socioeconomic status (SES) alone, after adjusting for confounding factors, also influence survival.

METHODS

From 1989 to 2007 all patients with stomach cancer were selected from the cancer registry of the Comprehensive Cancer Centre North-East. Postal code at diagnosis was used to determine SES, dividing patients in three groups; low, intermediate and high SES. Associations between age, localization, grade, stage, and treatment were determined using Chi-square analysis. Relative survival analysis was used to estimate relative excess risk (RER) of dying according to SES.

RESULTS

In low SES neighbourhoods diagnosis was established at older age. More distal tumours were detected in patients with low SES, whereas pathology showed more poorly differentiated tumours in patients with high SES. Overall, more resections were performed in, and more chemotherapy was administrated to patients in high SES neighbourhoods. After adjusting for confounding factors, the risk of dying was lower for patients with high SES (RER 0.89, 95% Confidence Interval 0.81-0.98) compared to patients with low SES.

CONCLUSION

SES proved to be an independent prognostic factor for survival in patients with stomach cancer.

Sociodemographics and comorbidities influence decisions to undergo pancreatic resection for neoplastic lesions

INTRODUCTION

Pancreatic resection is being performed with increasing frequency and safety. Technical outcomes and long-term survival for neoplastic lesions are well reported; however, reasons why patients do not undergo surgery for potentially resectable lesions are not well understood. The aim of this study was to determine the factors contributing to the decision not to operate for resectable pancreatic neoplasms.

METHODS

From 2004 to 2008, all patients with resectable pancreatic neoplasms at a single high-volume hepatopancreaticobiliary center were evaluated. The impact of patient factors, sociodemographics, medical comorbidities (Charlson combined comorbidity index (CCI) and ACCI), disease factors (tumor characteristics), and surgical factors (type of resection required) on the decision to undergo pancreatectomy were analyzed using univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Three hundred seventy-five patients with resectable pancreatic lesions were identified. The median age was 62 years (21-93); 203 out of 375 (54.1%) were males. Fifty-five (14.7%) did not undergo resection. On univariate analysis, age (odds ratio (OR) 1.116, p < 0.001), non-English speaking background (NESB; OR 4.276, p = 0.001), tumor type (p = 0.001 increased for cystic neoplasms including intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm), CCI score (OR 1.239, p = 0.001), and ACCI score (OR 1.433, p < 0.001) were associated with an increased risk of not undergoing resection. Gender, age, marital status, and urban residence were not predictive. On multivariate analysis, NESB (p = 0.018) and the ACCI (p = 0.002) remained predictive of not undergoing resection. The majority of patients did not undergo surgery because the patient declined in 25 out of 55 (45.5%), and resection was not offered in 15 out of 55 (27.3%). In the remainder, medical contraindications precluded surgery. Advanced age, tumor type, comorbidities (27.3%), age (21.8%), surgical risk (29.1%), frailty (18.2%), and uncertain diagnosis (5.5%) were cited as reasons for not proceeding with surgery.

CONCLUSION

Patients with a higher ACCI and those from a NESB are less likely to undergo surgery for resectable neoplastic lesions of the pancreas. These factors must be taken into consideration in the decision-making process when considering surgery for patients with pancreatic neoplasms. Novel strategies should be employed to optimize access to surgery for patients with resectable pancreatic neoplasms.

Social inequality in incidence of and survival from cancer in a population-based study in Denmark, 1994-2003: Summary of findings

The purpose of this nationwide, population register-based study was to describe variations in cancer incidence and survival by social position in a social welfare state, Denmark, on the basis of a range of socioeconomic, demographic and health-related indicators. Our study population comprised all 3.22 million Danish residents born in 1925-1973 and aged >or=30 years, who were followed up for cancer incidence in 1994-2003 and for survival in 1994-2006, yielding 147,973 cancers. The incidence increased with lower education and income, especially for tobacco- and other lifestyle-related cancers, although for cancers of the breast and prostate and malignant melanoma the association was inverse. Conversely there was a general increase in incidence among early retirement pensioners, persons living in rented housing and those living in the smallest dwellings. Also incidence rates were generally higher in persons living alone compared to those living with a partner and in the capital area compared to the rural areas. Social inequality in the prognosis of most cancers was observed, despite the equal access to health care in Denmark, with poorer relative survival related to fewer advantages, regardless of how they were measured, often most pronounced in the first year after diagnosis. Also living alone and having somatic or psychiatric comorbidity negatively impacted the relative survival after most cancers. Our study shows that inequalities in cancer incidence and survival must be addressed in all aspects of public health, with interventions both to reduce incidence and to prolong survival.