Trends in Incidence and Mortality of Gynecological and Breast Cancers in Poland (1980-2018)

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to analyze and determine the incidence and mortality trends in gynecological and breast cancers (BCs) in Poland. The gynecological cancers assessed were cervical cancer (CC), corpus uteri cancer (CUC), ovarian cancer (OC), vaginal cancer (VAC), and vulvar cancer (VUC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data concerning the incidence and mortality for the period of 1980-2018 were obtained from the Polish National Cancer Registry (PNCR). Joinpoint regression analysis was performed to identify trends, which were described using the annual percentage change (APC) and the average annual percent change (AAPC).

RESULTS

Statistically significant increases were observed in BC incidence (AAPC: 2.3; CI: 1.8 to 2.9; p<0.05), CUC incidence (AAPC: 2.3; CI: 1.9 to 2.7; p<0.05), CUC mortality (AAPC: 0.4; CI: 0.1 to 0.7; p<0.05) and VUC mortality (AAPC: 1.16, CI: 0.1 to 2.2; p<0.05). VAC mortality decreased (AAPC: -3.5, CI: -5.0 to -2.0; p<0.05), as did CC incidence and mortality (AAPC: -2.1, CI: -2.3 to -1.8; p<0.05, AAPC: -2.0, CI: -2.2 to -1.8; p<0.05, respectively). Between 1980 and 1993, OC incidence initially increased and then stabilized (AAPC: 0.9; CI: 0.7 to 1.1; p<0.05). After 2007, OC mortality decreased (AAPC: 0.0; CI: -0.2 to 0.2; p=0.8). Trends in VUC and VAC incidence and BC mortality were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study showed a significant increase in OC, CUC, and BC incidence, and a decrease in the incidence of CC and VAC. The VUC trends were stable. Mortality trends for BC initially fluctuated and, since 2010, has begun to increase. Throughout the observed period, mortality due to VUC and CUC increased, whereas decreased among patients with CC. OC mortality was stable, but not significant. Furthermore, the study showed a correlation between age group and rate of incidence and mortality of each assessed cancer.

A large scale prospective clinical and psychometric validation of the EORTC colorectal (QLQ-CR29) module in Polish patients with colorectal cancer

The purpose of our study was to assess if the Polish translation of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Colorectal Cancer (CRC)-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-CR29) is an acceptable and psychometrically valid measure to collect quality of life (QoL) data in Polish patients with CRC for use in clinical trials and clinical practice. A total of 150 patients undergoing treatment for CRC were prospectively enrolled in the study. Psychometric assessment of the translated QLQ-CR29 structure, reliability, convergent and divergent validity, and clinical validity was subsequently performed. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient ranged from 0.70-0.89, indicating acceptable internal consistency. For test-retest reliability, the ICCs for each item ranged from 0.59-0.91, with exceptions for urinary incontinence and dysuria, indicating good to excellent reproducibility. In multi-trait scaling analyses, the criterion for item convergent and divergent validity was satisfied. The correlations between the EORTC QLQ-CR29 and QLQ-C30 scales were mostly low (r < .40), with a few items demonstrating higher correlations. The known group comparisons analyses demonstrated the ability of the questionnaire to distinguish between patients' differing age, stoma status, and treatment intent. The Polish translation of the QLQ-CR29 is a psychometrically reliable and valid tool. The results of this study are congruent with that of EORTC validation.

Evaluation of tolerance and toxicity of high-dose-rate brachytherapy boost combined with interstitial hyperthermia for prostate cancer

Purpose The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the tolerance and early as well as late toxicity of high dose rate brachytherapy (HDRBT) boost combined with interstitial hyperthermia (IHT) in patients treated for prostate cancer. Material and methods Between January 2011 and June 2013 76 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer received treatment consisting of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), followed by a HDRBT boost combined with IHT. IHT was performed before each brachytherapy fraction. Results The median follow-up time was 26.3 months (range 7-43 months). Early genitourinary (GU) grade 1 and 2 toxicities were common, but only two patients (2.6%) experienced acute urinary retention requiring temporary catheterisation (grade 2 toxicity). No grade 3 or 4 genitourinary or gastrointestinal toxicities were observed. In the group analysed, 59 of 76 patients had follow-up times longer than 18 months. The incidence of grade 2 late toxicity in the group studied did not exceed 23.7%. There were no late grade 2 or higher complications from the gastrointestinal tract. Conclusions The tolerance of HDRBT boost combined with IHT is good. The profile and the percentage of early and late complications are acceptable.

Gastroscopy in patients with hiatal hernia with and without gastroesophageal mucosal prolapse

There are still many doubts in the literature regarding gastroesophageal mucosal prolapse (GEMP) and its clinical course. We still do not know what determines mucosal wedging in esophagogastric junction, and what is the role of the anatomy of that site. To investigate that problem we performed 120 upper digestive tract endoscopies in which a hiatal hernia was diagnosed. Patients referred to our unit with different complaints most frequently of typical or atypical gastroesophageal (GE) reflux symptoms. The aim of that study was to assess hernia dimensions in patients with and without GEMP diagnosed during endoscopy. Additionally we analyzed the type and prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms reported by patients to confirm the observation that GEMP symptoms differ from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms.

METHODS

One-hundred and twenty patients were included in this study. All of the patients were diagnosed with a hiatal hernia during routine gastroscopy. Using standardized methodology the region of the hiatal hernia was photographed, and hernia longitudinal and transverse dimensions were measured.

RESULTS

The study group comprised 57 females (52.5%) and 63 males - mean age (SD) 58.5 ± 18.4. Most of the patients had standard GERD symptoms (n = 96; 80%). The average length of hiatus, in patients with GEMP (n = 24; 20%) was 3.56 ± 0.59 cm, and the average width was 2.32 ± 0.62 cm (n = 96; 80%) vs. 4.64 ± 0.74 cm and 2.98 ± 0.68 cm respectively in patients without GEMP (p <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

GEMP occurs in smaller sized hiatal hernias. We confirmed that disease symptoms of the majority of patients with GEMP differ from patient with GERD but without GEMP. However this difference was not significant enough to allow to differentiate between diagnoses based solely on the symptoms.

Validation of the Polish version of the EORTC Head and Neck module (QLQ-H&N35)

AIM

The aim of this study was to psychometrically validate the EORTC translated, Polish version of the EORTC QLQ-H&N35 questionnaire to support using it in the Polish clinical setting in patients with head and neck malignancies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with histologically confirmed head and neck malignancies were included in the study. All patients filled in the Polish version of the EORTC QLQ-C30, the EORTC QLQ-H&N35 module, and a demographic questionnaire. Standardized validity and reliability analyses were performed.

RESULTS

During the recruitment period a total of 176 patients (82 females - 46.6%) were enrolled into the study, with a mean age of 54.3 ± 11.2 years. Cronbach alpha values ranged from 0.71 to 0.87. Satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity in multi-trait scaling analyses was seen.

CONCLUSIONS

The Polish version of the EORTC QLQ-H&N35 module is a reliable and valid tool for measuring HRQoL in Polish patients with head and neck malignancies. It can be fully recommended for use in the Polish clinical setting.

Validation of the Polish version of the EORTC QLQ-OV28 module for the assessment of health-related quality of life in women with ovarian cancer

The aim of our study was to undertake a prospective validation study of the Polish version of the EORTC ovarian cancer (EORTC QLQ-OV28) module used together with the EORTC QLQ-C30. The translated module was pilot-tested according to the EORTC guidelines. Patients with histological confirmation of ovarian cancer were eligible for the study. All patients filled out the Polish version of the EORTC QLQ-OV28, the EORTC QLQ-C30 and a demographic questionnaire. Standard validity and reliability analyses were performed. One-hundred and forty patients agreed to take part in the study (mean age ± standard deviation: 63.3 ± 10.2 years). Cronbach's alpha coefficients showed positive internal consistency (0.78-0.91). Interclass correlations for the EORTC QLQ-OV28 ranged from 0.77 to 0.93 and proved appropriate test-retest reliability. Satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity in multi-trait scaling analyses was seen. The Polish version of the EORTC QLQ-OV28 module proved to be a reliable and valid tool for measuring health-related quality of life in patients with ovarian cancer.

Validation of the Polish version of the EORTC QLQ-CX24 module for the assessment of health-related quality of life in women with cervical cancer

The aim of our study was to undertake a prospective validation study of the Polish version of the EORTC cervical cancer (EORTC QLQ-CX24) module used alongside the EORTC core measure. The translated module was pilot-tested according to the established EORTC guidelines. Patients with histological confirmation of cervical cancer were eligible for the study. All patients filled out the Polish version of the EORTC QLQ-CX24 module in addition to EORTC QLQ-C30 and a demographic questionnaire. Standardised validity and reliability analyses were performed. One hundred and seventy-one patients were enrolled into the study, mean age ± SD: 52.1 ± 9.6. Cronbach alpha coefficients, range 0.81-0.88, showed positive internal consistency. Re-test was undertaken with 40 patients (23.4%). Interclass correlations for the EORTC QLQ-CX24 ranged from 0.85 to 0.89 and proved appropriate test-retest reliability. Satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity in multi-trait scaling analyses was seen. Concluding, the Polish version of the EORTC QLQ-CX24 module is a reliable and valid tool for measuring HRQoL in patients with cervical cancer. It can be fully recommended for use in clinical and epidemiological settings in the Polish population.

[Colposcopy screening for prevention of uterine neck neoplasms]

Cervical cancer, throughout the world, is the second most common neoplasm among women. In Europe approximately 22,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year. This study assessed colposcopy as a screening method in the detection of pre- and early neoplastic lesions. This retrospective study analysed 3264 women hospitalized or treated on an outpatient basis at the Gynaecology and Oncology Clinic of CMUJ from 1995 to 1997. Among 81.2% patients the unsuspected colposcopic pictures were found which were histologically verified. In 5.9% of all examined patients the colposcopic pictures suggested lesions of CIN and early invasive cancer. In these cases the colposcopy presented false positive pictures in 2.6%. From this analysis the colposcopy is a method of good concordance with histologic examination result. This allows to eliminate unnecessary punch biopsies and even diagnostic conisation in significant percentage.

[Operative treatment of early cancerous stages and a woman's quality of life]

The operative treatment of early cervical cancerous stages changes the womans quality of life. In the literature there exist works on influence of radical treatment of invasive cervical cancer on the psychical and psychological state of the operated woman. There are few works on the influence of early cancerous stages and social activity of woman. The aim of this work is the assessment of influence of precancerous and cancerous cervical disease of psychical state, partnership, family life and professional and social activity of woman. The material were 153 women aged 20-47 years diagnosed and treated in the Department of Gynaecology and Oncology CM UJ Krakow in the period 1989-1994 for CIN 3 and the cervical cancer in IA stage. During the hospitalisation the women were tested psychologically and were performed special examination with originally constructed formula in 3, 6 and 12 month after the treatment. There has been stated that the precancerous and early cancerous disease diagnosis causes the disease awareness in these women who stated themselves as healthy, causes the fear of the life and saving the reproductive organ and protection the reproduction ability, their further family, professional activities i.e. woman's quality of life.