Knowledge and attitudes of Australian dermatologists towards sentinel lymph node biopsy for melanoma: a mixed methods study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: In melanoma management, sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is used to stage patients and to indicate prognosis. More recently, it has been used to select patients for adjuvant therapy. This study aimed to report knowledge of and attitudes towards SLNB for patients with melanoma among Australian dermatologists. METHODS: Mixed methods study using cross-sectional questionnaires (n = 88) and semi-structured interviews (n = 13), May-September 2019. RESULTS: Of the dermatologists surveyed, 56% thought SLNB had an important role in melanoma management, 26% were unsure and 18% thought SLNB unimportant. Of the 92% who would discuss SLNB with their patients, the main stated value of SLNB was for assessing eligibility for adjuvant therapies (79%); only 60% indicated SLNB was of value for providing prognostic information, and just over half (53%) thought it could improve staging. Interview data indicated that attitudes towards SLNB are shifting among dermatologists, driven by data from landmark clinical trials and the influence of professional networks. Accordingly, interviewees adopted one of three positions in relation to SLNB: (a) believed in utility of SLNB and adhered to the guidelines; (b) were unconvinced about utility of SLNB but adhered to the guidelines; and (c) were unconvinced about utility of SLNB and did not adhere to the guidelines. CONCLUSION: Although most of the dermatologists surveyed were familiar with and follow the SLNB recommendations, some disagreement with and distrust of the recommendations was evident. Greater acceptance of the SLNB recommendations appeared to be driven by the improved outcomes demonstrated in stage III patients receiving adjuvant systemic therapy.

Measuring stroke outcomes for 74 501 patients using linked administrative data: System-wide estimates and validation of 'home-time' as a surrogate measure of functional status.

AIMS: Administrative data offer cost-effective, whole-of-population stroke surveillance yet the lack of validated measures of functional status is a shortcoming. The number of days spent living at home after stroke ('home-time') is a patient-centred outcome that can be objectively ascertained from administrative data. Population-based validation against both severity and outcome measures and for all subtypes is lacking. We aimed to report representative 'home-time' estimates and validate 'home-time' as a surrogate measure of functional status after stroke. METHODS: Stroke hospitalisations from a state-wide census in New South Wales, Australia, from January 1, 2005 to March 31, 2014 were linked to prehospital data, poststroke admissions and deaths. We correlated 90-day 'home-time' with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, measured upon a patient's initial contact with paramedics and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores, measured upon entry to rehabilitation after the acute hospital stroke admission. Negative binomial regressions identified predictors of 'home-time'. RESULTS: Patients with stroke (N = 74 501) spent a median of 53 days living at home 90 days after the event. Median 'home-time' was 60 days after ischaemic stroke, 49 days after subarachnoid haemorrhage and 0 days after intracerebral haemorrhage. GCS and FIM scores significantly correlated with 'home-time' (P < .001). Women spent significantly less time at home compared with men after stroke, although being married increased 'home-time' after ischaemic stroke and subarachnoid haemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore the immediate and adverse impact of stroke. 'Home-time' measured using administrative data is a robust, replicable and valid patient-centred outcome enabling inexpensive population-based surveillance and system-wide quality assessment.

Follow-Up Recommendations after Diagnosis of Primary Cutaneous Melanoma: A Population-Based Study in New South Wales, Australia.

BACKGROUND: Follow-up practices after diagnosis and treatment of primary cutaneous melanoma vary considerably. We aimed to determine factors associated with recommendations for follow-up setting, frequency, skin surveillance, and concordance with clinical guidelines. METHODS: The population-based Melanoma Patterns of Care study documented clinicians' recommendations for follow-up for 2148 patients diagnosed with primary cutaneous melanoma over a 12-month period (2006/2007) in New South Wales, Australia. Multivariate log binomial regression models adjusted for patient and lesion characteristics were used to examine factors associated with follow-up practices. RESULTS: Of 2158 melanomas, Breslow thickness was < 1 mm for 57% and ≥ 1 mm for 30%, while in situ melanomas accounted for 13%. Follow-up was recommended for 2063 patients (96%). On multivariate analysis, factors associated with a recommendation for follow-up at a specialist center were Breslow thickness ≥ 1 mm [prevalence ratio (PR) 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.09] and initial treatment at a specialist center (PR 1.12, 95% CI 1.08-1.16). Longer follow-up intervals of > 3 months were more likely to be recommended for females, less likely for people living in rural compared with urban areas, and less likely for thicker (≥ 1 mm) melanomas compared with in situ melanomas. Skin self-examination was encouraged in 84% of consultations and was less likely to be recommended for patients ≥ 70 years (PR 0.88, 95% CI 0.84-0.93) and for those with thicker (≥ 1 mm) melanomas (PR 0.92, 95% CI 0.86-0.99). Only 1% of patients were referred for psychological care. CONCLUSIONS: Follow-up recommendations were generally consistent with Australian national guidelines for management of melanoma, however some variations could be targeted to improve patient outcomes.

Neurotropic melanoma: an analysis of the clinicopathological features, management strategies and survival outcomes for 671 patients treated at a tertiary referral center.

Neurotropic cutaneous melanoma is a rare melanoma subtype that invades nerves and is often associated with desmoplastic melanoma. Limited data suggest that it has a greater propensity to recur locally, but it is unknown whether its behavior differs from that of other melanoma subtypes, including desmoplastic melanoma. We investigated clinicopathological predictors of outcome in a cohort of 671 patients with neurotropic melanoma to develop evidence-based management recommendations. Patients with primary neurotropic melanoma diagnosed from 1985 to 2013 were identified from the Melanoma Institute Australia database, along with a control cohort of 718 non-neurotropic melanoma patients. Features predictive of sentinel lymph node status, recurrence, melanoma-specific survival and response to adjuvant radiotherapy were sought. Neither local recurrence (hazard ratio: 1.28 (0.73-2.25) P=0.39) nor melanoma-specific survival (hazard ratio: 0.79 (0.55-1.15) P=0.22) were significantly affected by the presence of neurotropism on multivariate analysis. However, there was a markedly reduced likelihood of sentinel node positivity (hazard ratio: 0.61 (0.41-0.89) P=0.01) in neurotropic melanoma patients. Surgical margins ≥8mm halved the recurrence risk compared with <2 mm margins (hazard ratio: 0.46 (0.31-0.68) P<0.001). Additionally, in neurotropic melanoma patients with <8 mm margins, adjuvant radiotherapy halved the recurrence risk (hazard ratio: 0.48 (0.27-0.87) P=0.02). This, the largest study of neurotropic melanoma reported to date, has demonstrated that the presence of neurotropism does not alter the risk of melanoma recurrence or survival but does reduce the likelihood of sentinel node positivity. For successful treatment of neurotropic melanoma, adequate excision margins are of paramount importance. However, when adequate margins cannot be achieved, adjuvant radiotherapy reduces the risk of recurrence.

Poor Adherence to National Clinical Management Guidelines: A Population-Based, Cross-Sectional Study of the Surgical Management of Melanoma in New South Wales, Australia.

BACKGROUND: Standardization of the clinical management of melanoma through the formulation of national guidelines, based on interpretation of the existing evidence and consensus expert opinion, seeks to improve quality of care; however, adherence to national guidelines has not been well studied. METHODS: A population-based, cross-sectional study of the clinical management of all patients with newly notified primary melanomas in the state of New South Wales, Australia, during 2006/2007 was conducted using cancer registry identification and questionnaires completed by treating physicians. RESULTS: Surgical margin guidelines were adhered to in 35% of cases; 45% were over treated and 21% were undertreated. Factors independently associated with non-concordance on multivariate analysis were lower Breslow thickness, lower socio-economic status of the physician's practice location, older physician age, lower physician caseload, and physicians who biopsied the lesion and then referred for definitive management. Complications were not related to over- or under-treatment on multivariate analysis (p = 0.72). Sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed in 17% of patients with invasive melanoma, with the main determinant for selection being a Breslow thickness >0.75 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The low level of concordance with national guidelines for surgical management of melanoma resulted in overtreatment of many patients. However, a fifth of patients were undertreated, which is likely to have resulted in increased locoregional recurrence rates. The better concordance achieved by physicians treating >30 melanomas per year suggests that a minimum caseload threshold for physicians treating melanoma patients would be desirable. High guideline concordance will ensure patients receive optimal care and minimize morbidity and health service costs.

Differentiating Incident from Recurrent Stroke Using Administrative Data: The Impact of Varying Lengths of Look-Back Periods on the Risk of Misclassification.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Administrative data are widely used to monitor epidemiological trends in stroke and outcomes; yet there is scant empirical guidance on how to best differentiate incident from recurrent stroke. METHODS: We identified all hospital admissions in New South Wales, Australia, with a principal stroke diagnosis from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014, linked to 12 years of previous admissions. We calculated the proportion of cases identified with a prior stroke to determine the number of years of look-back required to minimise misclassification of incident and recurrent strokes. RESULTS: Using the maximum available look-back period of 12 years, 1,171 out of 8,364 eligible stroke cases (14.0%) had a stroke history. A 1-year look-back period identified only 25.1% of these patients and 1 in 10 stroke cases were misclassified as incident. With a 10-year clearance period, less than 1 in 100 stroke cases were misclassified as incident. The risk of misclassification was lower in patients younger than 65 years and in those with haemorrhagic stroke. CONCLUSION: Hospital administrative data sets linked to prior admissions can be used to distinguish recurrent from incident stroke. The risk of misclassifying recurrent stroke cases as incident events is negligible with a look-back period of 10 years.

Diagnosis and clinical management of melanoma patients at higher risk of a new primary melanoma: A population-based study in New South Wales, Australia.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To describe the method of diagnosis, clinical management and adherence to clinical practice guidelines for melanoma patients at high risk of a subsequent primary melanoma, and compare this with melanoma patients at lower risk. METHODS: The Melanoma Patterns of Care study was a population-based, observational study based on doctors' reported clinical management of melanoma patients in New South Wales, Australia, diagnosed with in situ or invasive melanoma over a 12-month period from October 2006. Of 2605 patients with localised melanoma, 1019 (39%) were defined as at higher risk due to the presence of one or more of the following factors: a family history of melanoma (11%), multiple primary melanomas (17%), or many naevi (24%). RESULTS: Compared to patients at lower risk, high risk patients were more likely to receive their initial care from a primary care physician (56% vs 50%, P = 0.002), have their melanoma detected during a routine skin check (40% vs 33%, P < 0.001), have their lesion assessed with dermoscopy (63% vs 56%, P = 0.002), and be encouraged to have skin surveillance (84% vs 77%, P < 0.001) and skin self-examination (87% vs 83%, P = 0.03). Higher socioeconomic status and urban residence were associated with patients at higher risk receiving initial treatment from a specialist doctor. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical management of higher risk patients was more likely to conform to clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis and skin surveillance than to melanoma patients at lower risk.

Physical Activity Correlates, Barriers, and Preferences for Women With Gynecological Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Physical activity is associated with improved health outcomes for people with cancer. We aimed to identify physical activity correlates, barriers, and preferences among women with gynecological cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 101 women diagnosed with gynecological cancer (mostly ovarian cancer [59%] and endometrial cancer [23%]) within the previous 2 years, at 2 major hospitals in Sydney, Australia. Physical activity was measured for the past 7 days. Thirteen potential barriers were scored on a 5-point scale. Associations with physical activity were assessed using Spearman correlations (rs) and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Factors associated with being sufficiently active (≥150 min/wk physical activity) were being in the follow-up phase of the cancer trajectory (odds ratio [OR], 7.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5 to 33.4 compared with other phases) and prediagnosis physical activity (OR, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.1 to 18.5 for the highest vs lowest tertile). The most common barriers were "too tired" and "not well enough," and both were associated with lower physical activity (rs, -0.20 and -0.22, respectively). The odds of having disease-specific barriers was higher for women with ovarian cancer (OR, 4.6; P = 0.04) and women receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy (OR, 8.3; P = 0.008). "Lack of interest" (rs, -0.26) and "never been active" (rs, -0.23) were also inversely correlated with physical activity, although less common. Forty-three percent of women indicated that they were extremely or very interested to have a one-to-one session with an exercise physiologist. Participants' preferred time of starting a physical activity program was 3 to 6 months after treatment (26%) or during treatment (23%). Walking was the preferred type of physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Strategies to increase physical activity among women with gynecological cancer should include a focus on reducing disease-specific barriers and target women who have done little physical activity in the past or who are in the treatment phases of care.

Exposure to the 'Dark Side of Tanning' skin cancer prevention mass media campaign and its association with tanning attitudes in New South Wales, Australia.

Melanoma is the most common cancer among 15- to 29-year-olds in Australia, with rates increasing with age. The 'Dark Side of Tanning' (DSOT) mass media campaign was developed in 2007 to influence attitudes related to tanning. This study aimed to assess recall and impact of the DSOT campaign. Data were collected using online surveys of 13- to 44-year-olds living in New South Wales in the summer months of 2007-2010 (n = 7490). Regression models were used to determine predictors of recall of DSOT and to investigate associations between exposure to the campaign and tanning attitudes. The campaign achieved consistently high recall (unprompted recall 42-53% during campaign periods; prompted recall 76-84%). Those who recalled DSOT advertisements had a higher likelihood of reporting negative tanning attitudes compared with those who reported no recall, after adjusting for other factors (odds ratio [OR] 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.27 for unprompted recall; OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.03-1.36 for prompted recall). Being interviewed in later campaign years was also a significant predictor of negative tanning attitudes (e.g. fourth year of campaign versus first year: OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.01-1.53). These results suggest that mass media campaigns have potential to influence tanning-related attitudes and could play an important role in skin cancer prevention.

Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma growth rates and determinants of size in community patients.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) have poorer outcomes if treated when large. OBJECTIVE: We sought to estimate the growth rate of BCCs and SCCs and examine the relationship of personal, pathway, and cancer factors with cancer size (diameter). METHODS: We surveyed patients, pathology, and treatment for invasive BCCs and SCCs in 1 Australian region in 2000 through 2001. RESULTS: BCC size increased with increasing time since first noticed. Relative to mean size at 0 to 2 months, the mean size ratio was 1.10 at 2 to 8 months and increased steadily to 1.81 at 5 to 10 years (P < .001). Few BCCs were untreated beyond 10 years. There was no consistent evidence that SCC size increased with increasing time. Larger BCCs were independently associated with older age, male sex, no skin checks by a physician, aggressive tumor type, ulceration and lesion-associated scar tissue, and larger SCCs with male sex, skin checks by a physician every 1 to 3 months, and location on limbs. LIMITATIONS: Patient recall of dates and lack of thickness for SCCs are limitations. CONCLUSION: Earlier diagnosis of BCCs, perhaps through skin checks by a physician, may reduce their size and improve outcome. SCC size did not evidently increase with time.

Cervical screening, high-grade squamous lesions, and cervical cancer in illicit drug users.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Women who use illicit drugs ("drug users") are exposed to human papillomaviruses (HPVs) from lifestyle risks that include sex risk behaviors, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and high levels of tobacco smoking. Both HPVs and tobacco smoking are recognized causes of cervical cancer, but little is known about risk in drug users. We sought to examine risk of cervical neoplasia and to estimate cervical screening prevalence in drug users compared to non-drug-users in Australia. METHODS: Our study linked hospital admission records of women aged 20-54 in 2000-2007 to Pap Test Register and Cancer Registry records for 19,699 with an illicit drug-related admission and 194,089 without. We designed a nested case-control study of risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2/3 and cervical cancer and a cross-sectional study of screening prevalence in this cohort of women. RESULTS: Drug users were less likely than non-users to be screened in the past 3 years (crude prevalence 47 vs 58%; prevalence ratio 0.80; 95% CI 0.78-0.81). Odds ratios (ORs) in drug users, adjusted for cervical screening history and smoking, were 1.13 (95% CI 1.04-1.23) for CIN 2/3 and 1.43 (95% CI 0.96-2.15) for cervical cancer. The adjusted ORs in each case were similar in cannabinoid users and users of other drugs. CONCLUSIONS: The increased risks of CIN 2/3 and cervical cancer we observed are probably due to sex risk behaviors and their associated high risk of HPV. Interventions in drug users, such as HPV vaccination and barrier contraception and more cervical screening, might reduce the risk of cervical neoplasia.

MC1R genotype as a predictor of early-onset melanoma, compared with self-reported and physician-measured traditional risk factors: an Australian case-control-family study.

BACKGROUND: Melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene variants are very common and are associated with melanoma risk, but their contribution to melanoma risk prediction compared with traditional risk factors is unknown. We aimed to 1) evaluate the separate and incremental contribution of MC1R genotype to prediction of early-onset melanoma, and compare this with the contributions of physician-measured and self-reported traditional risk factors, and 2) develop risk prediction models that include MC1R, and externally validate these models using an independent dataset from a genetically similar melanoma population. METHODS: Using data from an Australian population-based, case-control-family study, we included 413 case and 263 control participants with sequenced MC1R genotype, clinical skin examination and detailed questionnaire. We used unconditional logistic regression to estimate predicted probabilities of melanoma. Results were externally validated using data from a similar study in England. RESULTS: When added to a base multivariate model containing only demographic factors, MC1R genotype improved the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) by 6% (from 0.67 to 0.73; P < 0.001) and improved the quartile classification by a net 26% of participants. In a more extensive multivariate model, the factors that contributed significantly to the AUC were MC1R genotype, number of nevi and previous non-melanoma skin cancer; the AUC was 0.78 (95% CI 0.75-0.82) for the model with self-reported nevi and 0.83 (95% CI 0.80-0.86) for the model with physician-counted nevi. Factors that did not further contribute were sun and sunbed exposure and pigmentation characteristics. Adding MC1R to a model containing pigmentation characteristics and other self-reported risk factors increased the AUC by 2.1% (P = 0.01) and improved the quartile classification by a net 10% (95% CI 1-18%, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Although MC1R genotype is strongly associated with skin and hair phenotype, it was a better predictor of early-onset melanoma than was pigmentation characteristics. Physician-measured nevi and previous non-melanoma skin cancer were also strong predictors. There might be modest benefit to measuring MC1R genotype for risk prediction even if information about traditional self-reported or clinically measured pigmentation characteristics and nevi is already available.

Relative survival after transient ischaemic attack: results from the Program of Research Informing Stroke Management (PRISM) study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There is a lack of modern-day data quantifying the effect of transient ischemic attack (TIA) on survival, and recent data do not take into account expected survival. METHODS: Data for 22 157 adults hospitalized with a TIA from July 1, 2000, to June 30, 2007, in New South Wales, Australia, were linked with registered deaths to June 30, 2009. We estimated survival relative to the age- and sex-matched general population up to 9-years after hospitalization for TIA comparing relative risk of excess death between selected subgroups. RESULTS: At 1 year, 91.5% of hospitalized patients with TIA survived compared with 95.0% expected survival in the general population. After 5 years, observed survival was 13.2% lower than expected in relative terms. By 9 years, observed survival was 20% lower than expected. Females had higher relative survival than males (relative risk, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.69-0.90; P<0.001). Increasing age was associated with an increasing risk of excess death compared with the age-matched population. Prior hospitalization for stroke (relative risk, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.98-3.49) but not TIA (relative risk, 1.42; 95% CI, 0.86-2.35) significantly increased the risk of excess death. Of all risk factors assessed, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and prior hospitalization for stroke most strongly impacted survival. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to quantify the long-term effect of hospitalized TIA on relative survival according to age, sex, and medical history. TIA reduces survival by 4% in the first year and by 20% within 9 years. TIA has a minimal effect on mortality in patients <50 years but heralds significant reduction in life expectancy in those >65 years.

MC1R genotypes and risk of melanoma before age 40 years: a population-based case-control-family study.

The contribution of melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene variants to the development of early-onset melanoma is unknown. Using an Australian population-based, case-control-family study, we sequenced MC1R for 565 cases with invasive cutaneous melanoma diagnosed between ages 18 and 39 years, 409 unrelated controls and 518 sibling controls. Variants were classified a priori into "R" variants (D84E, R142H, R151C, I155T, R160W, D294H) and "r" variants (all other nonsynonymous variants). We estimated odds ratios (OR) for melanoma using unconditional (unrelated controls) and conditional (sibling controls) logistic regression. The prevalence of having at least one R or r variant was 86% for cases, 73% for unrelated controls and 81% for sibling controls. R151C conferred the highest risk (per allele OR 2.57, 95% confidence interval 1.86-3.56 for the case-unrelated-control analysis and 1.70 (1.12-2.60) for the case-sibling-control analysis). When mutually adjusted, the ORs per R allele were 2.23 (1.77-2.80) and 2.06 (1.47-2.88), respectively, from the two types of analysis, and the ORs per r allele were 1.69 (1.33-2.13) and 1.25 (0.88-1.79), respectively. The associations were stronger for men and those with none or few nevi or with high childhood sun exposure. Adjustment for phenotype, nevi and sun exposure attenuated the overall log OR for R variants by approximately 18% but had lesser influence on r variant risk estimates. MC1R variants explained about 21% of the familial aggregation of melanoma. Some MC1R variants are important determinants of early-onset melanoma. The strength of association with melanoma differs according to the type and number of variants.

Bodyweight and other correlates of symptom-detected breast cancers in a population offered screening.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors associated with symptom-detected breast cancers in a population offered screening. METHODS: We interviewed 1,459 Australian women aged 40-69, 946 with symptom-detected and 513 with mammogram-detected invasive breast cancers ≥ 1.1 cm in diameter about their personal, mammogram, and breast histories before diagnosis and reviewed medical records for tumor characteristics and mammogram dates, calculating ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for symptom- versus mammogram-detected cancers in logistic regression models. RESULTS: Lack of regular mammograms (<2 mammograms in the 4.5 years before diagnosis) was the strongest correlate of symptom-detected breast cancer (OR = 3.04 for irregular or no mammograms). In women who had regular mammograms (≥ 2 mammograms in the 4.5 years before diagnosis), the independent correlates of symptom-detected cancers were low BMI (OR < 25 kg/m(2) vs. ≥ 30 kg/m(2) = 2.18, 95% CI 1.23-3.84; p = 0.008), increased breast density (available in 498 women) (OR highest quarter vs. lowest = 3.50, 95% CI 1.76-6.97; p (trend) = 0.004), high-grade cancer, and a larger cancer (each p < 0.01). In women who did not have regular mammograms, the independent correlates were age <50 years, a first cancer, and a ≥ 2-cm cancer. Smoking appeared to modify the association of symptom-detected cancer with low BMI (higher ORs for low BMI in current smokers) and estrogen receptor (ER) status (higher ORs for low BMI in ER cancers). CONCLUSION: Women with low BMI may benefit from a tailored approach to breast cancer detection, particularly if they smoke.

Clinicopathologic features of incident and subsequent tumors in patients with multiple primary cutaneous melanomas.

BACKGROUND: 0.6-12.7% of patients with primary cutaneous melanoma will develop additional melanomas. Pathologic features of tumors in patients with multiple primary cutaneous melanomas have not been well described. In this large, international, multicenter, case-control study, we compared the clinicopathologic features of a subsequent melanoma with the preceding (usually the first) melanoma in patients with multiple primary cutaneous melanomas, and with those of melanomas in patients with single primary cutaneous melanomas. METHODS: Multiple primary melanoma (cases) and single primary invasive melanoma (controls) patients from the Genes, Environment and Melanoma (GEM) study were included if their tumors were available for pathologic review and confirmed as melanoma. Clinicopathologic characteristics of invasive subsequent and first melanomas in cases and invasive single melanomas in controls were compared. RESULTS: A total of 473 pairs comprising a subsequent and a first melanoma and 1,989 single melanomas were reviewed. Forward stepwise regression modeling in 395 pairs with complete data showed that, compared with first melanomas, subsequent melanomas were more commonly contiguous with a dysplastic nevus, more prevalent on the head/neck and legs than other sites, and thinner. Compared with single primary melanomas, subsequent melanomas were more likely to be associated with a contiguous dysplastic nevus, more prevalent on the head/neck and legs, and thinner. The same differences were observed when subsequent melanomas were compared with single melanomas. First melanomas were more likely than single melanomas to have associated solar elastosis and no observed mitoses. CONCLUSIONS: Thinner subsequent than first melanomas suggest earlier diagnosis, perhaps due to closer clinical scrutiny. The association of subsequent melanomas with dysplastic nevi is consistent with the latter being risk factors or risk markers for melanoma.

Sunbed use during adolescence and early adulthood is associated with increased risk of early-onset melanoma.

Sunbed use is associated with increased risk of melanoma. Younger people might be more susceptible to the carcinogenic effects of ultraviolet radiation. We investigated the association between sunbed use and risk of early-onset cutaneous malignant melanoma. From the Australian Melanoma Family Study, a multicentre, population-based, case-control-family study, we analysed data for 604 cases diagnosed between ages 18 and 39 years and 479 controls. Data were collected by interview. Associations were estimated as odds ratios (ORs) using unconditional logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, city, education, family history, skin color, usual skin response to sunlight and sun exposure. Compared with having never used a sunbed, the OR for melanoma associated with ever-use was 1.41 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.96), and 2.01 (95% CI 1.22-3.31) for more than 10 lifetime sessions (P(trend) 0.01 with cumulative use). The association was stronger for earlier age at first use (P(trend) 0.02). The association was also stronger for melanoma diagnosed when aged 18-29 years (OR for more than 10 lifetime sessions = 6.57, 95% CI 1.41-30.49) than for melanoma diagnosed when 30-39 years (OR 1.60, 95% CI 0.92-2.77; P(interaction) 0.01). Among those who had ever used a sunbed and were diagnosed between 18 and 29 years of age, three quarters (76%) of melanomas were attributable to sunbed use. Sunbed use is associated with increased risk of early-onset melanoma, with risk increasing with greater use, an earlier age at first use and for earlier onset disease.

Early-life sun exposure and risk of melanoma before age 40 years.

OBJECTIVE: To examine associations between early-life sun exposure and risk of invasive cutaneous melanoma diagnosed between ages 18 and 39 years. METHODS: Data were analysed from 606 cases and 481 controls from the Australian Melanoma Family Study, a population-based, case-control-family study. Self- and parent-reported sun exposure was collected by interview. Odds ratios (OR) were estimated using unconditional logistic regression, adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: Self-reported childhood total sun exposure was not associated with melanoma overall, but was positively associated with melanoma diagnosed at 18-29 years of age (OR for highest vs. lowest quartile: 3.21, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.38-7.44; P (trend) 0.02; P (interaction) by age group 0.09). Analyses restricted to participants whose self-reported sun exposure was concordant with that recalled by their parents gave an OR for the highest versus lowest tertile of childhood total sun exposure of 2.28 (95% CI 1.03-5.04; P (trend) 0.05), and for any versus no severe childhood sunburn of 2.36 (95% CI 1.05-5.31). The association of self-reported severe sunburn with melanoma was evident only in people who tended to tan rather than burn and in people who had few nevi. CONCLUSION: The association of early-life sun exposure with early-onset melanoma is influenced by host factors.

Outcomes for patients with ischaemic stroke and atrial fibrillation: the PRISM study (A Program of Research Informing Stroke Management).

BACKGROUND: In the past decade the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been increasing in ageing populations while stroke prevention and management have advanced. To inform clinician practice, health service planning and further research, it is timely to reassess the burden of AF-related ischaemic stroke. METHODS: We identified patients aged 18+ years with a primary or stay diagnosis of ischaemic stroke (ICD-10-AM I63.x), from July 1, 2000 to June 30, 2006, using an administrative health dataset of all hospitalisations in New South Wales (population ∼7 million). Fact of death was determined to December 2007. RESULTS: Of the 26,960 index cases of ischaemic stroke, 25.4% had AF recorded during admission. Median age for AF and non-AF patients was 80.4 and 75.2 years, respectively (p < 0.001). Mortality was significantly higher in patients with AF at 30 days (19.4 vs. 11.5%), 90 days (27.7 vs. 15.8%) and 365 days (38.5 vs. 22.6%) (p values <0.0001). Adjusting for age and co-morbidities reduced these differences, with 90-day mortality of 20.9% in AF patients versus 14.7% in non-AF patients (p value <0.0001). The effect of AF on outcomes appears stronger in younger stroke patients relative to patients without AF (p value(interaction) <0.0001). At 30 days, the relative risk of mortality due to AF was 3.16 (95% CI 1.92-5.25) amongst those younger than 50, 1.71 (95% CI 1.32-2.22) in patients aged 50-64 years, 1.39 (95% CI 1.16-1.66) in patients aged 65-74 years, 1.29 (95% CI 1.17-1.43) in those aged 75-84 years, and 1.23 (95% CI 1.13-1.33) in those aged 85+ years. AF patients, surviving admission, spent a median of 19.2 days (95% CI 18.4-20.1) in hospital compared with 14.5 days (95% CI 13.9-15.1) for patients without AF (p < 0.001), with differences in length of stay greatest in younger patients (p value(interaction) <0.0001). 90-Day stroke survivors with AF spent an average of 21.5 days (95% CI 20.6-22.4) in hospital versus 16.6 days (95% CI 15.9-17.2) in those without AF. AF patients accessed more in-hospital rehabilitation (36.6%; 95% CI 35.0-38.2) than patients without AF (31.8%; 95% CI 31.0-32.7) (p value <0.0001), and differences in the proportion of AF versus non-AF patients accessing rehabilitation was greatest in younger patients (p value(interaction) <0.0006). CONCLUSIONS: Ischaemic stroke patients with AF have substantially worse outcomes than patients without AF, which can be partly explained by older age and greater co-morbidities. We have quantified the large effect of AF in younger patients and our results strongly argue for new antithrombotic research in young AF patients.

Magnetic resonance imaging and incidental findings of lateral ankle pathologic features with asymptomatic ankles.

We prospectively evaluated 102 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations in 100 patients with asymptomatic lateral ankles. The patients were undergoing MRI for other ankle pathologic features, including medial ankle, posterior ankle, soft tissue masses, or Achilles tendon pain. No patient had had a recent lateral ankle injury or any surgery. Whether the anterior talofibular ligament, calcaneofibular ligament, and peroneal tendons were intact, torn, or absent was recorded. The average patient age was 46.4 years. Of the 100 patients, 67 (66%) had no history of a lateral ankle sprain, and 35 (34%) had sustained 1 or more sprains in the remote past. Also, 72 had an intact anterior talofibular ligament (71%), 90 had an intact calcaneofibular ligament (89%), 67 had intact peroneus brevis tendons (66%), and 68 (67%) had intact peroneus longus tendons. One accessory peroneal tendon was noted. Approximately 30% of asymptomatic patients undergoing MRI had abnormal anterior talofibular ligaments and peronei. Because the published data show that functional rehabilitation is successful for 90% of symptomatic lateral ankle patients, caution is warranted if choosing surgical treatment on the basis of the MRI findings alone.