Influence of migrant background on patient preference and expectations in breast and gynecological malignancies (NOGGO-expression V study): results of a prospective multicentre study in 606 patients in Germany.

BACKGROUND: An effective cross-cultural doctor-patient communication is vital for health literacy and patient compliance. Building a good relationship with medical staff is also relevant for the treatment decision-making process for cancer patients. Studies about the role of a specific migrant background regarding patient preferences and expectations are lacking. We therefore conducted a multicentre prospective survey to explore the needs and preferences of patients with a migrant background (PMB) suffering from gynecological malignancies and breast cancer to evaluate the quality of doctor-patient communication and cancer management compared to non-migrants (NM). METHODS: This multicentre survey recruited patients with primary or recurrence of breast, ovarian, peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer. The patients either filled out a paper form, participated via an online survey, or were interviewed by trained staff. A 58-item questionnaire was primarily developed in German and then translated into three different languages to reach non-German-speaking patients. RESULTS: A total of 606 patients were included in the study: 54.1% (328) were interviewed directly, 9.1% (55) participated via an online survey, and 36.8% (223) used the paper print version. More than one quarter, 27.4% (166) of the participants, had a migrant background. The majority of migrants and NM were highly satisfied with the communication with their doctors. First-generation migrants (FGM) and patients with breast cancer were less often informed about participation in clinical trials (p < 0.05) and 24.5% of them suggested the help of an interpreter to improve the medical consultation. Second and third-generation migrants (SGM and TGM) experienced more fatigue and nausea than expected. CONCLUSIONS: Our results allow the hypothesis that training medical staff in intercultural competence and using disease-related patient information in different languages can improve best supportive care management and quality of life in cancer patients with migrant status.

An expanded landscape of human long noncoding RNA.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as key regulators of multiple essential biological processes involved in physiology and pathology. By analyzing the largest compendium of 14,166 samples from normal and tumor tissues, we significantly expand the landscape of human long noncoding RNA with a high-quality atlas: RefLnc (Reference catalog of LncRNA). Powered by comprehensive annotation across multiple sources, RefLnc helps to pinpoint 275 novel intergenic lncRNAs correlated with sex, age or race as well as 369 novel ones associated with patient survival, clinical stage, tumor metastasis or recurrence. Integrated in a user-friendly online portal, the expanded catalog of human lncRNAs provides a valuable resource for investigating lncRNA function in both human biology and cancer development.

The Moore Criteria: Applicability in a diverse, non-trial, recurrent cervical cancer population.

OBJECTIVE: The Moore Criteria is a prognostic index for recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer based on five factors. The criteria were developed retrospectively and validated prospectively in clinical trial populations receiving systemic chemotherapy (C). Our objective was to evaluate the prognostic value of the Moore Criteria in a largely minority, non-trial population at first recurrence. METHODS: Patients treated for recurrent cervical cancer diagnosed between 2012 and 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. Progression free survival (PFS) was defined from the date of recurrence to date of second recurrence. Overall survival (OS) was defined from the date of recurrence to date of death. RESULTS: Of 274 patients identified, 78 were treated in the second line. 48 (61.5%) were Hispanic, 22 (28.2%) were black, and 7 (9%) were white non-Hispanic. By Moore criteria, 9 patients (11.5%) were classified as low-risk, 48 (61.5%) as moderate risk, and 21 (26.9%) as high-risk. 53 patients (67.9%) received C, and 25 (32.1%) received other treatment modalities without C. The high-risk category carried a significantly higher hazard ratio for both PFS (5.24, p < .001) and OS (3.15, p = .002) compared with the low- and intermediate-risk combined group. The low- and intermediate-risk groups demonstrated 78.9% response rate, compared with 33.3% in the high-risk category (p = .001). Black race did not affect survival or response rate. CONCLUSION: The Moore Criteria carries prognostic value across a diverse recurrent cervical cancer population outside of the clinical trial setting. Our data suggest that in a non-trial population, black race is not predictive of worse OS or PFS.

Does race predict the development of metastases in men who receive androgen-deprivation therapy for a biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy?

BACKGROUND: In this study among men who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP), African American men (AAM) were 28% more likely to develop recurrent disease compared with Caucasian men (CM). However, among those who had nonmetastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), race did not predict metastases or overall survival. Whether race predicts metastases among men who receive androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) after a biochemical recurrence (BCR) (ie, before CRPC but after BCR) is untested. METHODS: The authors identified 595 AAM and CM who received ADT for a BCR that developed after RP between 1988 and 2015 in the Shared Equal-Access Regional Cancer Hospital (SEARCH) database. Univariable and multivariable Cox models were used to test the association between race and the time from ADT to metastases. Secondary outcomes included the time to CRPC, all-cause mortality, and prostate cancer-specific mortality. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 66 months after ADT, 62 of 354 CM (18%) and 38 of 241 AAM (16%) developed metastases. AAM were younger at the time they received ADT (63 vs 67 years; P < .001), had received ADT in a more recent year (2008 vs 2006; P < .001), had higher prostate-specific antigen levels at RP (11.1 vs 9.2 ng/mL; P < .001), lower pathologic Gleason scores (P = .004), and less extracapsular extension (38% vs 48%; P = .022). On multivariable analysis, there was no association between race and metastases (hazard radio, 1.20; P = .45) or any of the other secondary outcomes (all P > .5). CONCLUSIONS: Among veterans who received ADT post-BCR after RP, race was not a predictor of metastases or other adverse outcomes. The current findings suggest that research efforts to understand racial differences in prostate cancer biology should focus on early stages of the disease (ie, closer to the time of diagnosis).

Endometrial carcinoma recurrence according to race and ethnicity: An NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group 210 Study.

Non-Hispanic black (NHB) women are more likely to experience an endometrial carcinoma (EC) recurrence compared to non-Hispanic white (NHW) women. The extent to which tumor characteristics, socioeconomic status (SES) and treatment contribute to this observation is not well defined. In the NRG Oncology/Gynecology Oncology Group (GOG) 210 Study we evaluated associations between race/ethnicity and EC recurrence according to tumor characteristics with adjustment for potential confounders. Our analysis included 3,199 NHW, 532 NHB and 232 Hispanic women with EC. Recurrence was documented during follow-up. We used Cox regression to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between race/ethnicity and EC recurrence in models stratified by histologic subtype (low-grade endometrioid, high-grade endometrioid, serous, mixed cell, carcinosarcoma, clear cell) or stage (I, II, III) and adjusted for age, SES, body mass index, smoking status and treatment. In histologic subtype-stratified models, higher EC recurrence was noted in NHB women with low-grade endometrioid (HR = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.21-3.10) or carcinosarcomas (HR = 1.66, 95% CI = 0.99-2.79) compared to NHWs. In stage-stratified models, higher EC recurrence was noted among NHB women with stage I (HR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.06-2.05) and Hispanic women with stage III disease (HR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.11-2.95). Our observations of higher EC recurrence risk among NHB and Hispanic women, as compared to NHW women, were not explained by tumor characteristics, SES, treatment or other confounders. Other factors, such as racial differences in tumor biology or other patient factors, should be explored as contributors to racial disparities in EC recurrence.

Variations in breast cancer histology and treatment patterns between the major ethnic groups of South West Sydney.

Studies in the United States and United Kingdom have demonstrated ethnic variations in breast cancer receptor status, histology, and treatment access. This study aimed to investigate whether ethnicity variation similarly exists in Australia. Patients diagnosed with breast cancer between 2006 and 2011 across all public hospitals in the South Western Sydney Local Health District were identified and patient data collected retrospectively. Logistic regression analysis was used to measure the association between various biologic and treatment parameters and ethnicity. Ethnicity was found to have an influence on age of diagnosis, histology, treatment utilization, and recurrence in breast cancer patients.

Predictors of biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy in an Afro-Caribbean population in Guadeloupe (French West Indies).

PURPOSE: Few studies have investigated predictive risk factors of biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP) in other than Caucasian and Asian populations. We aimed to identify pre- and post-operative predictors of BCR after RP in an Afro-Caribbean population in Guadeloupe (French West Indies). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 964 patients who underwent RP for clinically localized prostate cancer between April 1, 2000 and December 31, 2010 in the University Hospital of Guadeloupe. The hazard ratio (HR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) for single variable associations with BCR were calculated using the Cox proportional hazards regression. Multiple variable analyses for association with BCR were performed, including all variables that reached statistical significance (P value<0.05) in univariate analysis. A backward selection model was then applied with a P value ≥0.1 for retention in the final model. Sensitivity analysis was performed and restricted to patients with known values for all variables (complete case analysis). RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 4.8 years, the BCR rate was 26.7%. In multivariable analysis, predictors of BCR before surgery were diabetes mellitus type 2 (DT2) (HR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.02-1.85; P=0.038), pre-operative PSA>7.5ng/ml (1.49, 1.15-1.92; P=0.002), clinical stage T2 (1.55, 1.21-1.98; P=0.0006), Gleason score>7 or 4+3 (2.12, 1.54-2.91; P<0.0001), and percentage of length of biopsy positive scores (1.66, 1.24-2.20; P=0.0006). Predictors of BCR after surgery were DT2 (HR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.01-1.85; P=0.045), pre-operative PSA>7.5ng/ml (1.37, 1.06-1.79; P=0.018), pathological Gleason score>7 or 4+3 (2.36, 1.74-3.19; P<0.0001), pathological stage pT3b (1.68, 1.15-2.45; P=0.007), positive surgical margins (1.72, 1.32-2.45; P=0.0001), and perioperative blood loss>2000ml (3.74, 1.37-10.2; P=0.01). The results were virtually the same by sensitivity analysis (complete cases), except for DT2, which was associated with BCR with borderline statistical significance in the pre-operative model and not retained in the post-operative model. CONCLUSIONS: Afro-Caribbean populations in French West Indies share the same major clinical and pathological risk factors of BCR after RP identified in other ethnic groups. Perioperative blood loss appears to be an additional and independent predictive factor of BCR. LEVEL OF PROOF: 4.

Race and risk of metastases and survival after radical prostatectomy: Results from the SEARCH database.

BACKGROUND: Black race is associated with prostate cancer (PC) diagnosis and poor outcome. Previously, the authors reported that black men undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) in equal-access hospitals had an increased risk of biochemical disease recurrence (BCR), but recurrences were equally aggressive as those occurring in white men. The authors examined the association between race and long-term outcomes after RP. METHODS: Data regarding 1665 black men (37%) and 2791 white men (63%) undergoing RP were analyzed. Using Cox models, the authors tested the association between race and BCR, BCR with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) doubling time <9 months (aggressive disease recurrence), metastases, PC-specific death, and overall death. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 102 months, 1566 men (35%) developed BCR, 217 men (5%) experienced aggressive disease recurrence, 193 men (4%) developed metastases, and 1207 men (27%) had died, 107 of whom (2%) died of PC. White men were older and had a lower preoperative PSA level, a lower biopsy and pathological grade group, and more capsular penetration but less seminal vesicle invasion and positive surgical margins versus black men (all P<.05). Black men were found to have a more recent surgery year (P<.001). On univariable analysis, black race was associated with increased BCR (P = .003) and reduced overall death (P = .017). On multivariable analysis, black race was not found to be associated with BCR (hazard ratio [HR], 1.07; P = .26), aggressive recurrence (HR, 1.14; P = .42), metastasis (HR, 1.24; P = .21), PC-specific death (HR, 1.03; P = .91), or overall death (HR, 1.03; P = .67). CONCLUSIONS: Among men undergoing RP at equal-access centers, although black men were found to have an increased risk of BCR, they had similar risks of aggressive disease recurrence, metastasis, and PC-specific death compared with white men, and the risk of BCR was found to be similar after controlling for risk parameters. Longer follow-up is needed to confirm these findings. Cancer 2017;123:4199-4206. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Exploring characteristics, predictors, and consequences of fear of cancer recurrence among Asian-American breast cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: To address the fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) research gap, we used prospective data to explore FCR predictors and FCR associations with health-related quality of life among Asian-American breast cancer survivors (BCS). METHODS: A total of 208 diverse Asian-American BCS completed T1 survey, and 137 completed T2 survey after 1 year. RESULTS: Fear of cancer recurrence scores (range = 0-4) were 2.01 at T1 and 1.99 at T2 reflecting low-to-moderate FCR. Scores of FCR were stable over the 1-year period (t(126) = .144, P = .886). Multiple regression analyses showed that Chinese women reported lower FCR both at T1 (t(193) = -2.92, P = .004) and T2 (t(128) = -2.56, P = .012) compared to other Asian women. Also, more positive health care experience at T1 predicted lower FCR at T2 (ß = -.18, P = .041). Controlling for other covariates, greater FCR at T1 predicted poorer outcomes 1 year later including lower physical (ß = -.31, P < .001), emotional (ß = -.37, P < .001) and functional (ß = -.16, P = .044) well-being and health-related quality of life specific to breast cancer at T2 (ß = -.31, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: We found substantial consistencies and some divergences between our findings with Asian-American BCS and the existing literature. This prospective investigation reveals new information suggesting that Asian-American subgroup variation exists and health care system factors may influence FCR. Thus, FCR studies should consider Asian subgroupings, cultural aspects, ie, level of acculturation and health care system factors including provider-patient communication and treatment setting. Future research may benefit from contextualizing FCR within a broader distress framework to advance the science and practice of patient-centered and whole-person care.

[Impact of Gleason score on biochemical recurrence free survival after radical prostatectomy with positive surgical margins]. / Impact du score de Gleason sur la survie sans récidive biologique après prostatectomie totale pour cancer avec marges chirurgicales positives.

PURPOSE: Research of predictive factors of biochemical recurrence to guide the establishment of an adjuvant treatment after radical prostatectomy for cancer with positive surgical margins. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective cohort of 1577 afro-caribbean patients undergoing radical prostatectomy operated between 1st January 2000 and 1st July 2013 was analyzed. In this cohort, 406 patients had positive surgical margin, we excluded 11 patients who received adjuvant therapy (radiotherapy, hormonotherapy, radio-hormonotherapy) and 2 patients for whom histological analysis of the surgical specimen was for a pT4 pathological stage. After a descriptive analysis, we used a Cox model to look for predictors of survival without biochemical recurrence then, depending on the significant variables, we separated our population into six groups: stage pT2 with Gleason score≤3+4 (group 1), stage pT2 with a score of Gleason≥4+3 (group 2), stage pT3a with a Gleason core≤3+4 (group 3), pT3a stage with a score of Gleason≥4+3 (group 4), stage pT3b with a Gleason score≤3+4 (group 5) and stage pT3b Gleason≥with a score of 4+3 (group 6) and compared survival without biochemical recurrence using a log rank test. After radical prostatectomy with surgical margins with an anatomopathological stage≤pT3b, a Gleason score≥4+3 had a pejorative survival without biochemical recurrence than pathological stage (P<0.001). RESULTS: In multivariate analysis, predictors of survival without biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy with positive surgical margins were the majority Gleason postoperative (P<0.0001), pathological stage (P=0.049) adjusted preoperative PSA (P=0.826), with the body mass index (BMI) (P=0.59) and tumor volume (P=0.95). CONCLUSION: A high postoperatively Gleason score (≥4+3) has a better predictive value of biochemical recurrence than pathological stage pT2 or pT3 at the patients having been treated for prostate cancer by radical prostatectomy with positive surgical margins. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Utilization and impact of 21-gene recurrence score assay for breast cancer in clinical practice across the United States: lessons learned from the 2010 to 2012 National Cancer Data Base analysis.

The aim of our study is to investigate patient selection for the 21-gene recurrence score assay (RS) for breast cancer (BC) and the RS impact on chemotherapy administration (Chemo) in clinical practice across the United States through the retrospective observational study of National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) patients from 2010 to 2012. NCDB captures ~70 % of all newly diagnosed malignancies in the USA annually. The 2010-2012 period depicts data from the beginning of the NCDB that required recording of molecular assays and their data release in April 2015. De-identified demographic and clinical variables of patients that had RS results were analyzed. 513,080 patients had BC; 406,525 were estrogen receptor-positive (ER+). 74,334/91,651 patients with RS recorded as a numerical value (0-100) were analyzed (18.2 % of ER+). Patients' ages ranged from 18 to 90 (mean = 58.8, median = 59); 99.1 % were females. Patients of Caucasian race, from regions with <7 % having no high school education, and >$63,000 median household income were more likely to be tested than patients of other races, education, or income (p < 0.001). 58.1 % of tests were performed in ER+/lymph node-negative/>1 cm tumors; 16.4 % included ≥N1 disease; 9.9 % included T1a, T3, Stage III and IV, or HER2-positive cancers. Low-risk RS result had 92.2 % negative predictive value for no Chemo. Intermediate-risk RS result had 40.1 % positive predictive value (PPV); high-risk RS had 81.2 % PPV for Chemo. RS is obtained in ~1/5 of ER + BC patients across the USA. Further studies investigating influence and implementation of the newest evidence-based management guidelines regarding patients' selection for RS test and chemotherapy administration upon obtaining of test results are warranted.

Effect of race and histology on patterns of failure in women with early stage endometrial cancer treated with high dose rate brachytherapy.

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials have helped refine management of early stage endometrial cancer (EC). For patients with intermediate risk features, adjuvant radiation is considered, primarily vaginal cuff brachytherapy. For higher risk patients, there may be a role for chemotherapy and radiation. The purpose of this study is to examine patterns of failure for early stage EC patients treated with postoperative high dose rate brachytherapy. METHODS: In this single institution retrospective cohort study, 208 women with early stage endometrial cancer who received definitive therapy between January 1, 2000 and January 1, 2013 were identified. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 46.4 (range, 6.2-137.3) months. Thirteen (6.3%) patients developed with locoregional recurrent disease and 15 (7.2%) patients developed distant metastasis. Freedom from recurrence at 5 years was 88.6% for white patients and 60.5% for black patients (p=0.0093). Five year recurrence free survival (RFS) for white vs. black patients was 82.9% vs. 48.9% (p=0.0007). Five year overall survival (OS) was 86.8% for white patients and 59.5% for black patients (p=0.0023). Black patients with unfavorable histology treated with chemotherapy and vaginal brachytherapy had a 15% locoregional recurrence rate, more than double the rate of local recurrence compared to AA patients with endometrioid histology and white patients with any histology (6% locoregional recurrence rate). CONCLUSIONS: Black women with unfavorable histology early stage EC experience increased rates of recurrence and worse survival compared to white patients. Patterns of failure in this group also indicate a high locoregional failure rate for the black patients with unfavorable histology (type II).

Racial disparity in survival from early breast cancer in the department of defense healthcare system.

BACKGROUND: Racial disparity is often identified as a factor in survival from breast cancer in the United States. Current data regarding survival in patients treated in the Department of Defense Military Healthcare System is lacking. METHODS: The Department of Defense Automated Central Tumor Registry (ACTUR) was queried for all women diagnosed with Stage I or II breast cancer from January 1, 1996 through December 31, 2008. Statistical analyses evaluated demographics, surgical treatment, tumor stage, and survival rates. RESULTS: There were 8,890 patients meeting inclusion criteria. Patients who were younger, Asian American (versus white or black), lower T and/or N stage had significantly improved survival rates. Interestingly, white and black patients demonstrated similar survival in this study. Patients with a longer period of time between diagnosis and treatment had no decrement in survival. As would be expected, patients with a longer recurrence free period enjoyed longer survival. CONCLUSIONS: Survival from early stage breast cancer is equivalent between white and black patients in the Department of Defense Healthcare System. This finding is contrary to reports from our civilian counterparts and may be indicative of improved access to care and overall improved cancer surveillance.

Impact of Microvascular Invasion and Tumor Necrosis on the Prognosis of Korean Patients with pT1b Renal Cell Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate prognostic factors in pT1b renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients for which no specific studies have been conducted on. METHODS: The data of 270 patients diagnosed with pT1bN0M0 RCC at 2 institutions between January 1998 and June 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses using Cox proportional hazard models were used to identify pathologic and clinical factors that influenced prognosis. Five-year recurrence-free survival and cancer-specific survival were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 55.5 months, and the mean patient age was 55.2 years (range: 26-80). There were 12 cancer-related deaths, and tumor recurrence was noted in 22 patients between 8 and 120 months after surgery. Sites of metastases included the lung in 13 patients, bone in 5 patients, and other sites in 4 patients. Five-year recurrence-free survival and cancer-specific survival rates were 91.2 and 93.5%, respectively. Multivariate analyses revealed that the presence of microvascular invasion and tumor necrosis independently predicted prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Microvascular invasion and tumor necrosis were found to be independent prognostic factors in pT1b RCC. This result will help urologists to provide patients with more accurate prognoses, and patients with confirmed microvascular invasion and tumor necrosis will require closer follow-up.

A randomized trial comparing methyl aminolaevulinate photodynamic therapy with and without Er:YAG ablative fractional laser treatment in Asian patients with lower extremity Bowen disease: results from a 12-month follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Methyl aminolaevulinate photodynamic therapy (MAL-PDT) is an effective treatment for Bowen disease (BD) of the lower extremities. Er:YAG (erbium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet) ablative fractional laser (AFL) treatment removes the stratum corneum to increase MAL uptake and may improve efficacy. However, no studies have directly compared the efficacy of MAL-PDT with and without Er:YAG AFL therapy in treating BD of the lower extremities in Asians. OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy, recurrence rate, cosmetic outcomes and safety between Er:YAG AFL-assisted MAL-PDT (Er:YAG AFL-PDT) and standard MAL-PDT. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with a total of 58 BD lesions randomly received either one session of Er:YAG AFL-PDT or two sessions of MAL-PDT in two symmetrical areas. Er:YAG AFL therapy was performed with 550-600 µm ablation depth, level 1 coagulation, 22% treatment density and a single pulse. MAL cream was then applied under occlusion for 3 h and illuminated with a red light-emitting diode lamp at 37 J cm(-2) . A second session of MAL-PDT was administered 7 days later. Overall response rate, recurrence rate, cosmetic outcomes and safety were assessed at 1 week, 3 and 12 months after treatment. RESULTS: After 3 months, Er:YAG AFL-PDT was significantly more effective (93.8%) than MAL-PDT (73.1%; P = 0.031), and the recurrence rate was significantly lower for Er:YAG AFL-PDT (6.7%) than MAL-PDT (31.6%) at 12 months (P = 0.022). No significant difference was found between Er:YAG AFL-PDT and MAL-PDT in terms of cosmetic outcomes or safety. CONCLUSIONS: Er:YAG AFL-PDT showed significantly higher efficacy and lower recurrence rate than did standard MAL-PDT for treating lower extremity BD in an Asian population.

Characterization of localized osteosarcoma of the extremity in children, adolescents, and young adults from a single institution in South Texas.

BACKGROUND: Osteosarcoma is the most common bone malignancy in children, adolescents, and young adults. Most study cohorts have 10% to 15% Hispanic patients that encompass many different Hispanic backgrounds. This study characterizes the effect of mainly Mexican American ethnicity on the outcome of children, adolescents, and young adults with osteosarcoma. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of demographics, tumor characteristics, response to treatment, and survival outcome of all localized osteosarcoma of the extremity patients below 30 years of age was performed. A Kaplan-Meier estimates with log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazard regression models were used. RESULTS: Fifty patients (median age, 15; range, 2 to 28 y) with localized high-grade osteosarcoma of the extremity were diagnosed between January 2000 and December 2010. The cohort was 70% Mexican Americans. With a median follow-up of 39 months (range, 5 to 142 mo), patients had a 5-year overall survival and event-free survival of 65% and 48%, respectively. We observed a significantly decreased 5-year event-free survival in patients diagnosed before age 12 relative to patients diagnosed between ages 12 and 29 (11% vs. 57%, P<0.001). We also found that tumor necrosis was not predictive of outcome in our patients. CONCLUSIONS: The preadolescent patients of predominately Mexican American ethnicity had an increased rate of relapse when compared with previous studies. Tumor necrosis is not directly predictive of outcome in this population.

Breast cancer survivors willingness to participate in an acupuncture clinical trial: a qualitative study.

PURPOSE: Acupuncture is a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modality that shows promise as a component of supportive breast cancer care. Lack of robust recruitment for clinical trial entry has limited the evidence base for acupuncture as a treatment modality among breast cancer survivors. The objective of this study is to identify key decision-making factors among breast cancer survivors considering entry into an acupuncture clinical trial for treatment of symptoms. METHODS: Semistructured interviews were conducted among African-American (n=12) and Caucasian (n=13) breast cancer survivors. Verbatim transcripts were made and analyzed by two or more independent coders using NVivo software. Major recurring themes were identified and a theoretical framework developed. RESULTS: Six themes emerged reflecting key attributes of the decision to enter a clinical trial: (1) symptom appraisal, (2) practical barriers (e.g., distance and travel), (3) beliefs about the interventions (e.g., fear of needles and dislike of medications), (4) comfort with elements of clinical trial design (e.g., randomization, the nature of the control intervention, and blinding), (5) trust, and (6) altruism. African-American and Caucasian women weighed similar attributes but differed in the information sources sought regarding clinical trial entry and in concerns regarding the use of a placebo in a clinical trial. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings contribute to the development of a theoretical model of decision making for breast cancer survivors considering participation in a CAM clinical trial. Insights regarding the decision making process can inform interventions to support informed decision making and robust recruitment to CAM trials among cancer survivors.

Breast cancer fear in African American breast cancer survivors.

The purpose of this study was to describe breast cancer fear according to phase of survivorship, determine whether breast cancer fear levels differed among survivorship phases, and determine the relationship between fear and age in African-American breast cancer survivors. The study utilized secondary data analysis from the study, Inner Resources as Predictors of Psychological Well-Being in AABCS. A new subscale entitled, "Breast Cancer Fear" was adapted from the Psychological Well Being Subscale by Ferrell and Grant. There was no significant difference between fear and phase of survivorship. There was a significant positive relationship between age and fear.

Colorectal cancer outcomes among Hispanic/Latino patients in the United States: a scoping review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: This scoping review will identify the patterns of survival, treatment, and recurrence among Hispanic and/or Latino/a/x (H/L) patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) living in the United States (US) and Puerto Rico. Additionally, population- and individual-level determinants of cancer outcomes among H/L CRC patients will be mapped to highlight under-reported/under-investigated research areas. INTRODUCTION: CRC is the third most common cancer excluding skin cancers in the US. Unlike non-Hispanic White populations, cancer is the number one cause of death in H/L populations and currently represents 21% of total deaths. Despite this, a lack of consensus exists on CRC outcomes for H/L patients. Most research on H/L individuals has examined incidence and screening of CRC, with fewer studies focusing on cancer outcomes. INCLUSION CRITERIA: All epidemiological study designs and systematic reviews will be considered. The review will only include peer-reviewed studies that report on survival, treatment, and/or recurrence patterns for H/L patients with CRC residing in the US and Puerto Rico. METHODS: A 3-step search with a 2-stage study selection process will be followed, as recommended by JBI and Arksey and O'Malley. Databases to be searched will include MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase (Ovid), and Scopus. A data extraction tool will be designed based on JBI recommendations. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRSIMA-ScR) will be used, with the results presented in a PRISMA diagram. Publications in English from database inception to the present will be considered. REVIEW REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework https://osf.io/y6qf5.

Significance of ethnicity in the risk of acute graft-versus-host disease and leukemia relapse after unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

The significance of patient and donor ethnicity on risk of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and disease relapse after unrelated donor hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is not known. A total of 4335 patient-donor pairs from the International Histocompatibility Working Group in HCT met the following 3 criteria: (1) HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1, and -DQB1 allele matched donor, (2) diagnosis of leukemia, and (3) non-T cell depleted GVHD prophylaxis. Posttransplantation risks of acute GVHD and leukemia relapse were defined in Asian/Pacific Islander, white, African American, Hispanic, and Native American patients that underwent transplantation from donors with the same self-described background. Asian patients had a significantly lower incidence of acute GVHD (Japanese patients: 40.0% grades II to IV and 15.3% grades III to IV; non-Japanese Asian patients: 42.1% grades II to IV and 15.7% grades III to IV) compared with white patients (56.5% grades II to IV and 22.6% grades III to IV) (P < .001). The hazard ratio of acute GVHD for white patients was significantly higher than for Japanese patients. Unexpectedly, the hazard ratio of leukemia relapse in white patients with early disease status was also significantly higher than that in Japanese patients. These results provide a platform for future investigation into the genetic factors for unrelated donor HCT and clinical implications of diverse ethnic background.