Socioeconomic Disparities in Pancreas Cancer Resection and Survival in the Veterans Health Administration

Lung Cancer Survival Trends in the Veterans Health Administration

INTRODUCTION

Lung cancer survival is improving in the United States. We investigated whether there was a similar trend within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from the Veterans Affairs Central Cancer Registry were analyzed for temporal survival trends using Kaplan-Meier estimates and linear regression.

RESULTS

A total number of 54,922 Veterans were identified with lung cancer diagnosed from 2010 to 2017. Histologies were classified as non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (64.2%), small cell lung cancer (SCLC) (12.9%), and 'other' (22.9%). The proportion with stage I increased from 18.1% to 30.4%, while stage IV decreased from 38.9% to 34.6% (both P < .001). The 3-year overall survival (OS) improved for stage I (58.6% to 68.4%, P < .001), stage II (35.5% to 48.4%, P < .001), stage III (18.7% to 29.4%, P < .001), and stage IV (3.4% to 7.8%, P < .001). For NSCLC, the median OS increased from 12 to 21 months (P < .001), and the 3-year OS increased from 24.1% to 38.3% (P < .001). For SCLC, the median OS remained unchanged (8 to 9 months, P = .10), while the 3-year OS increased from 9.1% to 12.3% (P = .014). Compared to White Veterans, Black Veterans with NSCLC had similar OS (P = .81), and those with SCLC had higher OS (P = .003).

CONCLUSION

Lung cancer survival is improving within the VHA. Compared to White Veterans, Black Veterans had similar or higher survival rates. The observed racial equity in outcomes within a geographically and socioeconomically diverse population warrants further investigation to better understand and replicate this achievement in other healthcare systems.

Disparities in Primary Spinal Osseous Malignant Bone Tumor Survival by Medicaid Status: A National Population-Based Risk Analysis

BACKGROUND

The impact of Medicaid status on survival outcomes of patients with spinal primary malignant bone tumors (sPMBT) has not been investigated.

METHODS

Using the SEER-Medicaid database, adults diagnosed between 2006 and 2013 with sPMBT including chordoma, osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, or malignant giant cell tumor (GCT) were studied. Five-year survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Adjusted survival analysis was performed using Cox proportional-hazards regression controlling for age, sex, marital status, cancer stage, poverty level, vertebral versus sacral location, geography, rurality, tumor diameter, tumor grade, tumor histology, and therapy.

RESULTS

A total of 572 patients with sPMBT (Medicaid: 59, non-Medicaid: 513) were identified. Medicaid patients were more likely to be younger (P < 0.001), Black (P < 0.001), live in high poverty neighborhoods (P = 0.006), have distant metastases at diagnosis (P < 0.001), and less likely to receive surgery (P = 0.006). The 5-year survival rate was 65.7% (chondrosarcoma: 70.0%, chordoma: 91.5%, Ewing sarcoma: 44.6%, GCT: 90.0%, osteosarcoma: 34.2%). Medicaid patients had significantly worse 5-year survival than non-Medicaid patients (52.0% vs. 67.2%, P = 0.02). Minority individuals on Medicaid were associated with an increased risk of cancer-specific mortality compared with White non-Medicaid patients (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 2.51, [95% CI 1.18-5.35], P = 0.017). Among Medicaid patients, those who received surgery had significantly better survival than those who did not (64.5% vs. 30.6%, P = 0.001). For all patients, not receiving surgery (aHR = 1.90 [1.23-2.95], P = 0.004) and tumor diameter >50 mm (aHR=1.89 [1.10-3.25], P = 0.023) were associated with an increased risk of mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Medicaid patients may be less likely to receive surgery and suffer from poorer survival. These disparities may be especially prominent among minorities.

Analysis of Uveal Melanoma 5-Year Survival Rates by Medicaid Status: A Nationwide Analysis

PURPOSE

The survival outcomes of patients with primary uveal melanomas based on Medicaid status have not been previously discussed in the literature.

METHODS

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Medicaid database were utilized to identify patients with primary uveal melanomas diagnosed between 2006 and 2013. The Kaplan-Meier method was utilized to construct 5-year survival curves in adult, non-elderly patients. Log-rank testing was used to determine differences in survival rates, and multivariate Cox proportional hazards modeling was utilized to perform adjusted survival analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 1,765 patients were included (Medicaid: 81, non-Medicaid: 1684). A total of 1683 (95.4%) were White. The average age was 51.75 years (SD = 9.5 years). Medicaid patients were more likely to be unmarried, live in a high poverty neighborhood, and live in a rural area (all p < .001). We observed no significant difference in 5-year survival rates between those enrolled in Medicaid (86.6%, 95% CI: 79.1%1-94.7%) and those not enrolled in Medicaid (85.5, 95% CI: 83.8%-87.2%) (p = .80). After controlling for socioeconomic and clinical factors, Medicaid enrollment was not associated with an increased risk of mortality compared to non-Medicaid enrollment. Age (aHR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02-1.06, p < .001) and tumor size >10 mm (aHR: 3.04, 95% CI: 1.49-6.21, p = .002) were associated with an increased risk of mortality.

CONCLUSION

Medicaid enrollment was not associated with worse cancer-specific 5-year survival. Further research needs to be elicited to better understand the role of Medicaid enrollment in patients with primary uveal melanoma.

Pancreatic Cancer Health Disparity: Pharmacologic Anthropology

Pancreatic cancer (PCa) remains a formidable global health challenge, with high mortality rates and limited treatment options. While advancements in pharmacology have led to improved outcomes for various cancers, PCa continues to exhibit significant health disparities, disproportionately affecting certain populations. This paper explores the intersection of pharmacology and anthropology in understanding the health disparities associated with PCa. By considering the socio-cultural, economic, and behavioral factors that influence the development, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of PCa, pharmacologic anthropology provides a comprehensive framework to address these disparities and improve patient care.

Disparities in primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma survival by Medicaid-status: A national population-based risk analysis

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC) has one of the highest mortality rates among all malignancies. While previous research has analyzed socioeconomic factors' effect on PAC survival, outcomes of Medicaid patients are understudied.

METHODS

Using the SEER-Medicaid database, we studied non-elderly, adult patients with primary PAC diagnosed between 2006 and 2013. Five-year disease-specific survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and adjusted analysis using Cox proportional-hazards regression.

RESULTS

Among 15,549 patients (1799 Medicaid, 13,750 non-Medicaid), Medicaid patients were less likely to receive surgery (p < .001) and more likely to be non-White (p < .001). The 5-year survival of non-Medicaid patients (8.13%, 274 days [270-280]) was significantly higher than that of Medicaid patients (4.97%, 152 days, [151-182], p < .001). Among Medicaid patients, those in high poverty areas had significantly lower survival rates (152 days [122-154]) than those in medium poverty areas (182 days [157-213], p = .008). However, non-White (152 days [150-182]) and White Medicaid patients (152 days [150-182]) had similar survival (p = .812). On adjusted analysis, Medicaid patients were still associated with a significantly higher risk of mortality (aHR 1.33 [1.26-1.41], p < .0001) compared to non-Medicaid patients. Unmarried status and rurality were associated with a higher risk of mortality (p < .001).

DISCUSSION

Medicaid enrollment prior to PAC diagnosis was generally associated with a higher risk of disease-specific mortality. While there was no difference in the survival between White and non-White Medicaid patients, Medicaid patients living in high poverty areas were shown to be associated with poor survival.

Advances and Remaining Challenges in the Treatment for Borderline Resectable and Locally Advanced Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the deadliest malignancies in the United States. Improvements in imaging have permitted the categorization of patients according to radiologic involvement of surrounding vasculature, i.e., upfront resectable, borderline resectable, and locally advanced disease, and this, in turn, has influenced the sequence of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. Though surgical resection remains the only curative treatment option, recent studies have shown improved overall survival with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, especially among patients with borderline resectable/locally advanced disease. The role of radiologic imaging after neoadjuvant therapy and the potential benefit of adjuvant therapy for borderline resectable and locally advanced disease remain areas of ongoing investigation. The advances made in the treatment of patients with borderline resectable/locally advanced disease are promising, yet disparities in access to cancer care persist. This review highlights the significant advances that have been made in the treatment of borderline resectable and locally advanced PDAC, while also calling attention to the remaining challenges.

Effects of marital status on survival of retroperitoneal liposarcomas stratified by age and sex: A population-based study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that marital status is associated with survival in patients with a variety of cancer types, including lung cancer, prostate cancer, and bladder cancer. However, to date, the impact of marital status on the survival of patients with retroperitoneal liposarcomas (RPLs) has not been established.

METHODS

A total of 1211 eligible patients diagnosed with RPLs were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The relationships between marital status and survival in patients with RPLs were assessed. Patients were stratified by age to determine whether an association exists between marital status and age. We also probed the association between marital status and survival in males and females.

RESULTS

Our findings suggest that divorced, separated, or widowed patients have more advanced cancer stages, and more of these patients do not undergo surgery. Meanwhile, divorced, separated, or widowed patients have worse survival outcomes than married patients (overall survival (OS): HR = 1.66 (95% CI, 1.12, 2.46)); cancer-specific survival (CSS): HR = 1.90 (95% CI, 1.13, 3.19)). OS does not differ between single patients and married patients (HR = 1.21 [95% CI, 0.81, 1.81]) or CSS (HR = 1.36 [95% CI, 0.80, 2.29]). In addition, these results demonstrate that being divorced, separated, or widowed can play a significant detrimental role in mortality in older and female patients.

CONCLUSION

Married patients have earlier disease stages at diagnosis and better survival outcomes than divorced, separated, or widowed patients with RPLs. In addition, this effect is especially pronounced in older people and females.