Treatment outcome according to genetic tumour alterations and clinical characteristics in digestive high-grade neuroendocrine neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy has limited efficacy in advanced digestive high-grade neuroendocrine neoplasms (HG-NEN) and prognosis is dismal. Predictive markers for palliative chemotherapy are lacking, and prognostic markers are limited. METHODS: Digestive HG-NEN patients (n = 229) were prospectively included 2013-2017. Pathological re-assessment revealed 188 neuroendocrine carcinomas (NEC) and 41 neuroendocrine tumours (NET G3). Tumour-DNA was sequenced across 360 cancer-related genes, assessing mutations (mut) and copy number alterations. We linked sequencing results to clinical information and explored potential markers for first-line chemotherapy efficacy and survival. RESULTS: In NEC given cis/carboplatin and etoposide (PE), TP53mut predicted inferior response rate in multivariate analyses (p = 0.009) and no BRAFmut NEC showed response. In overall assessment of PE-treated NEC, no genetic alterations were prognostic for OS. For small-cell NEC, TP53mut were associated with longer OS (p = 0.011) and RB1 deletions predicted lack of immediate-progression (p = 0.003). In non-small cell NEC, APC mut were associated with immediate-progression and shorter PFS (p = 0.008/p = 0.004). For NET G3, ATRXmut, ARID1A- and ERS1 deletions were associated with shorter PFS. CONCLUSION: Correlations between genetic alterations and response/immediate-progression to PE were frequent in NEC but affected PFS or OS only when subdividing for cell-type. The classification of digestive NEC into large- and small-cell seems therefore molecularly and clinically relevant.

Risk and survival in colorectal cancer with increasing body mass index: A nationwide population-based cohort study.

AIM: The aim was to explore potential associations between the body mass index (BMI) and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), including subsites of the colon, and cancer-specific death. METHODS: A registry-based cohort study was conducted with baseline data gathered from the Norwegian Tuberculosis Screening Programme, collected between 1963 and 1975, and linked to follow-up data from the Cancer Registry of Norway and the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry. Cox regression models were used to explore associations between BMI and CRC risk and cancer-specific death. RESULTS: Of 1 723 692 included individuals, 76 616 developed CRC during 55 370 707 person-years of follow-up. In men, a 5 kg/m2 increase in BMI was associated with an increased risk of colon cancer, including both right and left subsites, and rectal cancer. Allowing for nonlinearities, we found a U-shaped association for the right colon and an inverse U-shape for the left colon and rectum cancer. In women, a 5 kg/m2 increase in BMI in early adulthood was associated with increased risk of colon cancer, including both subsites. In women, an increased risk of CRC death with increasing BMI was found for colon cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Men of all ages have an increased risk of CRC with increasing BMI, with the highest risk for right-sided colon cancer. An increased risk for colon cancer was also found in women with high BMI in early adulthood. Furthermore, women of all age groups appeared to have an increased risk of CRC death with higher BMI.

Cancer risk and survival according to body mass index in hepatobiliary malignancies: a nationwide registry-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore the associations between BMI and cancer of the liver, bile ducts, and gallbladder. METHODS: A registry-based cohort study was performed by linking data from several national registries in Norway. RESULTS: The cohort comprised 1 723 692 individuals including 4768 hepatobiliary cancer cases during 55 743 509 person-years of follow-up. In men, we found increased risk of cancer per 5 kg/m2 BMI increase for hepatocellular carcinoma and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. In women there was increased risk of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer. Women with high BMI in early adulthood had increased risk of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Reduced cancer-specific survival was found for all hepatobiliary malignancies in women with overweight and obesity. In men, reduced survival was observed in individuals with obesity for all hepatobiliary cancers, except gallbladder cancer. Increased risk of cancer-death per 5 kg/m2 BMI increase was found for hepatocellular carcinoma, intra-, and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in women. For men, 5 kg/m2 BMI increase was positively associated with cancer-death from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. DISCUSSION: This study supports the notion of an increased risk of hepatobiliary cancers with increasing BMI, with sex and age variations. The findings also suggest a higher risk of cancer-death with increasing BMI.

Long-term first-in-man Phase I/II study of an adjuvant dendritic cell vaccine in patients with high-risk prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Patients with high-risk prostate cancer (PC) can experience biochemical relapse (BCR), despite surgery, and develop noncurative disease. The present study aimed to reduce the risk of BCR with a personalized dendritic cell (DC) vaccine, given as adjuvant therapy, after robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP). METHODS: Twelve weeks after RALP, 20 patients with high-risk PC and undetectable PSA received DC vaccinations for 3 years or until BCR. The primary endpoint was the time to BCR. The immune response was assessed 7 weeks after surgery (baseline) and at one-time point during the vaccination period. RESULTS: Among 20 patients, 11 were BCR-free over a median of 96 months (range: 84-99). The median time from the end of vaccinations to the last follow-up was 57 months (range: 45-60). Nine patients developed BCR, either during (n = 4) or after (n = 5) the vaccination period. Among five patients diagnosed with intraductal carcinoma, three experienced early BCR during the vaccination period. All patients that developed BCR remained in stable disease within a median of 99 months (range: 74-99). The baseline immune response was significantly associated with the immune response during the vaccination period (p = 0.015). For patients diagnosed with extraprostatic extension (EPE), time to BCR was longer in vaccine responders than in non-responders (p = 0.09). Among 12 patients with the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade 5 PC, five achieved remission after 84 months, and all mounted immune responses. CONCLUSION: Patients diagnosed with EPE and ISUP grade 5 PC were at particularly high risk of developing postsurgical BCR. In this subgroup, the vaccine response was related to a reduced BCR incidence. The vaccine was safe, without side effects. This adjuvant first-in-man Phase I/II DC vaccine study showed promising results. DC vaccines after curative surgery should be investigated further in a larger cohort of patients with high-risk PC.

Risk of multiple myeloma and other malignancies among first- and second-degree relatives of patients with multiple myeloma: A population-based study.

OBJECTIVES: We conducted a population-based study to assess the risk for multiple myeloma (MM) and other cancers in first- and second-degree relatives of MM patients, and to investigate whether evidence of anticipation is present in familial MM. METHODS: We retrieved 24 845 first-degree relatives and 41 008 second-degree relatives of 7847 MM patients, and 86 984 first-degree relatives, and 138 660 second-degree relatives of 26 511 matched controls. A Cox model was used to assess the risk for MM and other cancers in relatives of MM patients. Anticipation was assessed by a Cox model, where all parents and offspring of MM patients were included in the risk set. RESULTS: In second-degree relatives of MM patients, no overall significant association with an MM diagnosis was observed (HR 1.99; 95%CI:0.86-4.57). In parents and offspring of MM patients, we found no significant difference in the ages at onset of MM (HR 1.28;95% CI:0.50-3.28). In affected parent-offspring pairs, we observed no statistically significant difference in overall survival between the generations (HR 0.74; 95%CI:0.20-2.69). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, second-degree relatives of MM patients were not associated with an increased risk for MM. Our study supports that genetic anticipation is not present in familial MM.

Long-term satisfaction with curative treatment and follow-up in prostate cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: In a cross-sectional observational study to explore long-term satisfaction with treatment among men who had undergone radical prostatectomy (RP) or definitive pelvic radiotherapy (RT) for prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS: After mean 7 years from therapy (range: 6-8), 431 PCa-survivors (RP: n = 313, RT: n = 118) completed a mailed questionnaire assessing persistent treatment-related adverse effects (AEs) (Expanded Prostate cancer Index Composite [EPIC-26]) and seven Quality indicators describing satisfaction with the health care service following a most often general practitioner (GP)-led follow-up plan. A logistic regression model evaluated the associations between long-term satisfaction and treatment modality, age, the seven satisfaction-related Quality indicators, and persistent AEs. The significance level was set at p< .05. RESULTS: Four of five (81%) PCa-survivors reported long-term satisfaction with their treatment. In a multivariable model, satisfaction was positively associated with sufficient information about treatment and AEs, patient-perceived sufficient cooperation between the hospital and the GP and sufficient follow-up of AEs (ref.: insufficient). Age ≥70 years (ref.: <70) and a rising summary score within the EPIC-26 sexual domain additionally increased long-term satisfaction. The treatment modality itself (RP versus RT) did not significantly impact on satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of curatively treated PCa-survivors are satisfied with their treatment more than 5 years after primary therapy. Sufficient information, improved cooperation between the hospital specialists and the responsible GP and optimized follow-up of AEs may further increase long-term satisfaction among prostatectomized and irradiated PCa-survivors.

Completion surgery vs. primary TME for early rectal cancer: a national study.

PURPOSE: While local excision by transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) or transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) is an option for low-risk early rectal cancers, inaccuracies in preoperative staging may be revealed only upon histopathological evaluation of the resected specimen, demanding completion surgery (CS) by formal resection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of CS in a national cohort. METHOD: This was a retrospective analysis of national registry data, identifying and comparing all Norwegian patients who, without prior radiochemotherapy, underwent local excision by TEM or TAMIS and subsequent CS, or a primary total mesorectal excision (pTME), for early rectal cancer during 2000-2017. Primary endpoints were 5-year overall and disease-free survival, 5-year local and distant recurrence, and the rate of R0 resection at completion surgery. The secondary endpoint was the rate of permanent stoma. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients received CS, and 1098 underwent pTME. There was no difference in overall survival (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.27-2.01), disease-free survival (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.32-1.63), local recurrence (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.14-8.27) or distant recurrence (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.21-2.18). In the CS group, 53% had a permanent stoma vs. 32% in the pTME group (P = 0.002); however, the difference was not significant when adjusted for age, sex, and tumor level (OR 2.17, 0.95-5.02). CONCLUSIONS: Oncological results were similar in the two groups. However, there may be an increased risk for a permanent stoma in the CS group.

A Consensus-Developed Morphological Re-Evaluation of 196 High-Grade Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms and Its Clinical Correlations.

High-grade gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) are classified according to morphology as well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) G3 or poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs). Little data exist concerning which morphological criteria this subdivision should be based on. Uncertainty exists if the NEC group should be further subdivided according to proliferation rate. Clinical data on NET G3 and NEC with a lower Ki-67 range are limited. A total of 213 patients with high-grade GEP-NEN (Ki-67 >20%) were included from the Nordic NEC Registries. Four experienced NET pathologists re-evaluated the cases to develop the best morphological criteria to separate NET G3 from NEC, assuming longer survival in NET G3. Organoid growth pattern, capillary network in direct contact to tumour cells, and absence of desmoplastic stroma were found to best separate NET G3 from NEC. Of 196 patients with metastatic disease, NET G3 was found in 12.3%, NEC with a Ki-67 <55% (NEC < 55) in 29.6%, and NEC with a Ki-67 ≥55% (NEC ≥ 55) in 56.6%. Only in 1.5%, the morphology was ambiguous. Of 164 patients receiving first-line chemotherapy, 88% received platinum/etoposide treatment. Response rate was higher for NEC ≥ 55 (44%) than that of NEC < 55 (25%) and NET G3 (24%) (p = 0.025 and p = 0.026). Median progression-free survival was 5 months for all groups. Median overall survival was 33 months for NET G3 compared to 11 months for both NEC < 55 and NEC ≥ 55 (p = 0.004 and 0.003). Specific morphological criteria can separate NET G3 from NECs and show prognostic significance. High-grade GEP-NEN patients stratified by morphology and proliferation rate demonstrate significant differences in response to chemotherapy and survival.

Patterns of previous and secondary malignancies in patients with multiple myeloma.

OBJECTIVES: In contrast to secondary primary malignancies (SPM) following multiple myeloma (MM), less is known about previous malignancies. We therefore conducted a population-based study to assess the patterns of previous malignancies in MM patients as well as the risk for SPM. METHODS: Using data from the Cancer Registry of Norway, we included 9574 MM patients and 37 810 matched control subjects. The association between previous malignancies and a subsequent diagnosis of MM was analysed by a logistic regression model and the risk for SPM by a Cox model. RESULTS: A previous diagnosis of myeloproliferative neoplasia (MPN) (OR 3.57; 95% CI:1.45-8.80) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) (OR 3.66; 95% CI: 1.40-9.55) was associated with the subsequent development of MM. For MPN, the association with MM was explained by an excess of primary myelofibrosis (PMF) in the MM group. The overall incidence of a previous malignancy was not different between MM patients and the control subjects (OR 0.93; 95% CI: 0.87-1.00). MM patients had an increased risk for secondary acute myelogenous leukaemia/myelodysplastic syndromes (HR 6.1, 95% CI: 3.9-9.5). CONCLUSIONS: A previous diagnosis of HL and PMF was associated with a subsequent diagnosis of MM, whereas the overall incidence of previous cancers was not increased for MM patients.

Chondrosarcoma local recurrence in the Cancer Registry of Norway cohort (1990-2013): Patterns and impact.

BACKGROUND: There appears to be an association between local recurrence (LR) and risk of metastasis and death in central conventional chondrosarcoma (CCCS) of bone, but this has not been quantified in modern cohorts at a subtype level. METHODS: We identified nonmetastatic cases of CCCS (N = 180) from the Cancer Registry of Norway. We present prognostic analysis of LR accounting for immortal time bias by descriptive statistics and multivariable Cox models. RESULTS: Of 40 LR, one case demonstrated upgrading while two dedifferentiation. LR was associated with increased risk of metastasis (hazard ratio [HR] = 4.1 [confidence interval, 1.5-10.7]) and death (HR = 9.3 [5.0-17.5]) overall. LR was associated with significant increased risk of metastasis for those with a soft tissue component, axial location, malignancy grade 2, but not atypical cartilaginous tumor's, appropriately treated curettage patients, intramedullary tumors, grade 1 histology, extremity location or "Oslo low risk" group status. We found an increased risk of death for all groups except for those treated by appropriate curettage or belonging to the "Oslo low risk" group. About 50% of LR CCCS were asymptomatic and revealed by routine follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Upgrading of LR for CCCS was a seldom event. LR was associated with significant increased risk of metastasis and death overall, but not for appropriately treated curettage patients or "Oslo low risk" status.

Continuing increased risk of second cancer in long-term testicular cancer survivors after treatment in the cisplatin era.

Using complete information on total treatment burden, this population-based study aimed to investigate second cancer (SC) risk in testicular cancer survivors (TCS) treated in the cisplatin era. The Cancer Registry of Norway identified 5,625 1-year TCS diagnosed 1980-2009. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated to evaluate the total and site-specific incidence of SC compared to the general population. Cox regression analyses evaluated the effect of treatment on the risk of SC. After a median observation time of 16.6 years, 572 TCS developed 651 nongerm cell SCs. The SC risk was increased after surgery only (SIR 1.28), with site-specific increased risks of thyroid cancer (SIR 4.95) and melanoma (SIR 1.94). After chemotherapy (CT), we observed 2.0- to 3.7-fold increased risks for cancers of the small intestine, bladder, kidney and lung. There was a 1.6- to 2.1-fold increased risk of SC after ≥2 cycles of cisplatin-based CT. Radiotherapy (RT) was associated with 1.5- to 4.4-fold increased risks for cancers of the stomach, small intestine, liver, pancreas, lung, kidney and bladder. After combined CT and RT, increased risks emerged for hematological malignancies (SIR 3.23). TCS treated in the cisplatin era have an increased risk of developing SC, in particular after treatment with cisplatin-based CT and/or RT.

Incidence and survival of multiple myeloma: a population-based study of 10 524 patients diagnosed 1982-2017.

Population-based studies from high-quality nationwide cancer registries provide an important alternative to clinical trials in the assessment of the impact of modern myeloma treatment. Based on data from the Cancer Registry of Norway, we investigated trends in incidence and relative survival (RS) for 10 524 patients in three age groups diagnosed between 1982 and 2017. Nationwide myeloma drug consumption statistics were obtained from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Patients aged <65 years had a steady increase in both 5- and 10-year RS across all calendar periods from 1982. For patients aged 65-79 years, RS was stable until the calendar period 1998-2002, followed by an improvement in both 5- and 10-year RS. The 5-year RS for patients aged ≥80 years also increased significantly between the first and the last calendar period. In conclusion, we demonstrate a significant improvement in 5-year RS in all age groups. Improved RS in patients aged ≥80 years at the time of diagnosis is only rarely described in other population-based studies. For patients aged ≥65 years, the improvement in RS coincides with the introduction of modern drugs, whereas patients aged <65 years had an ongoing improvement before the introduction of autologous stem-cell transplant.

Impact of positive surgical margins on secondary treatment, palliative radiotherapy and prostate cancer-specific mortality. A population-based study of 13 198 patients.

BACKGROUND: The results of studies evaluating the impact of positive surgical margins on prostate cancer-specific mortality have been inconsistent. We, therefore, evaluated the impact of surgical margin status on subsequent secondary treatment, palliative radiotherapy, and prostate cancer-specific mortality. METHODS: A total of 14 837 men treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) during the period 2001 to 2015 were identified from the Cancer Registry of Norway. Of those, 13 198 (89%) patients had complete data on the preoperative prostate-specific antigen level, pathological T-category, Gleason score in the prostatectomy specimen, and margin status. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the risk, and flexible parametric models for the cumulative incidence were fitted to predict the probabilities of secondary treatment (salvage radiotherapy or prophylactic breast radiation), palliative radiotherapy, and prostate cancer-specific mortality. RESULTS: After a median follow-up time of 5.2 years (3591 patients with ≥8 years of follow-up), positive surgical margins (PSMs) were independently predictive of secondary treatment (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.21-2.66) and palliative radiotherapy (HR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.03-2.05). After 10 years, the absolute increased risk for palliative radiotherapy in patients with PSMs after RP varied between 0.1% in pT2 tumors with a Gleason score of 6, to 12% for pT3b tumors with a Gleason score of 9 to 10. PSMs were not independently associated with prostate cancer-specific mortality (HR = 1.14, 95% CI = 0.82-1.59). CONCLUSION: PSMs were associated with increased application of secondary treatment and palliative radiotherapy but were not predictive of prostate cancer-specific mortality. As the use of palliative radiotherapy was only marginally increased in patients with PSMs and the lowest-risk disease characteristics, avoiding PSMs may be of greatest prognostic relevance in patients with higher-risk disease characteristics.

Factors influencing access to palliative radiotherapy: a Norwegian population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Palliative radiotherapy (PRT) comprises half of all radiotherapy use and is an effective and important treatment modality for improving quality of life in incurable cancer patients. We have described the use of PRT in Norway and aimed to identify and quantify the impact of factors associated with PRT utilization. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Population-based data from the Cancer Registry of Norway identified 25,281 patients who died of cancer, 1 July 2009-31 December 2011. Additionally, individual-level data on socioeconomic status and community-level data on travel distance were collected. The proportion of patients who received PRT in the last two years of life (PRT2Y) was calculated, and multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors that influenced the PRT2Y. Analyses of geographic variation in PRT use were also performed for the time period 2012-2016. RESULTS: PRT2Y for all cancer sites combined was 29.6% with wide geographic variations (standardized inter-county range; 21.8-36.6%). Female gender, increasing age at death, certain cancer sites, short survival time, and previous receipt of curative radiotherapy were associated with decreased odds of receiving PRT. Patients with low education, those living in certain counties, or with travel distances 100-499 km, were also less likely to receive PRT. Patients with low household income (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.63; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.56-0.72) and those diagnosed in hospitals without radiotherapy facility (OR = 0.70; 95% CI = 0.64-0.77) had especially low likelihood of receiving PRT. Significant inter-county variation in use of PRT remained during the time period 2012-2016. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a publicly funded, universal healthcare system with equity as a stated health policy aim, utilization of PRT in Norway is significantly associated with factors such as household income and availability of radiotherapy facility at the diagnosing hospital. Even after adjustments for relevant factors, unexplained geographic variations in PRT utilization exist.

Survival after secondary cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy compared with chemotherapy alone for first recurrence in patients with platinum-sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer and no residuals after primary treatment. A registry-based study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate whether secondary cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy improved survival among patients with recurrent, platinum-sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer compared with those who received platinum-based chemotherapy alone, and to identify possible predictors for selection to secondary cytoreductive surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included 397 patients who had a primary diagnosis of FIGO stage I-IV epithelial ovarian cancer recorded in the Cancer Registry of Norway between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2012, received primary surgery with no residuals followed by platinum-based chemotherapy, had first recurrence six or more months after completion of primary platinum-based chemotherapy, and received secondary treatment with either secondary cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy (secondary cytoreductive surgery+platinum-based chemotherapy group) or platinum-based chemotherapy alone (platinum-based chemotherapy group). Outcomes were progression-free survival to second recurrence or death and overall survival. Hazard ratios were estimated using multivariable Cox regression. RESULTS: There were 75 patients in the secondary cytoreductive surgery+platinum-based chemotherapy group in whom complete resection was achieved for 60 (80%), and 322 patients in the platinum-based chemotherapy group. Both progression-free survival (hazard ratio 0.45, 95% confidence interval 0.32-0.62) and overall survival (hazard ratio 0.50, 95% confidence interval 0.32-0.70) were improved in the secondary cytoreductive surgery+platinum-based chemotherapy compared with the platinum-based chemotherapy group. A survival benefit was only seen in patients with no residuals at secondary cytoreductive surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In selected epithelial ovarian cancer patients with no residuals after primary surgery and a recurrent, platinum-sensitive tumor, the complete resection of recurrent tumor at secondary cytoreductive surgery improves progression-free survival and overall survival. Our results suggest that a long treatment-free interval and non-disseminated lesions (three or fewer lesions) on radiological images could be useful predictors for complete resection at secondary cytoreductive surgery.

A population-based study on incidence rates, Lauren distribution, stage distribution, treatment, and long-term outcomes for gastric adenocarcinoma in Central Norway 2001-2011.

BACKGROUND: Population-based studies for gastric adenocarcinoma are scarce, particularly studies conducted within a defined geographical area with publicly available censuses that allow incidence rates to be calculated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Population-based study in Central Norway from 2001 to 2011, covering a population of 636 000-680 000, respectively. Patients were identified through the Cancer Registry of Norway and the Norwegian Patient Register, and were characterized by data from individual electronic patient records. Outcomes were compared across the early and the late half of the study period. RESULTS: A total of 878 patients were identified with a median age of 76.2 years. The male to female ratio was 1.72. Annual world age-standardized incidence was 8.0/105 and 3.6/105, respectively. The Lauren diffuse type was significantly more frequent among patients below 60 years, among females and for non-cardia cancers, compared to their counterparts (p < .001). The Lauren mixed type had a stable proportion of around 13% irrespective of age, sex or tumor location. Early gastric cancers (EGC) represented 8.3% of the cases, whereas 44% of all patients were diagnosed with metastatic disease. In males, the proportion of cardia cancers increased from 29.7% to 39.1% during the study period (p = .005). The five-year overall survival was 16%, and was substantially better for the Lauren intestinal type compared to the diffuse type, log-rank p = .003. The R0-R1 resection rate was 39%, with a corresponding five-year survival of 40.9%. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides population-derived data lacking in hospital-based studies. Lauren categories with epidemiological aspects and clinical outcomes are displayed. Gastric cancer was associated with a dismal prognosis. Few patients had EGC and close to 50% had metastatic disease. Many were too old or frail to be considered for surgery.

Pre- and post-prostatectomy variables associated with pelvic post-operative radiotherapy in prostate cancer patients: a national registry-based study.

BACKGROUND: In patients with prostate cancer (PCa), the lack of clear guidelines on the use of radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy (RP) invites unwanted variation of this treatment. We describe the hazard ratios and probabilities related to the use of post-RP radiotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were collected from the Cancer Registry of Norway and nine radiotherapy units. All patients were diagnosed with a non-metastatic PCa from January 2004 through June 2011. Adjuvant radiotherapy was defined as pelvic radiotherapy initiated <5 months after RP at a PSA <0.2 ng/ml. All other pelvic radiotherapy series were categorized as salvage radiotherapy, and, combined with adjuvant radiotherapy they were termed post-RP radiotherapy. RESULTS: Of 6840 prostatectomized patients, 1170 (17%) had undergone post-RP radiotherapy, mainly as salvage radiotherapy. The number of adjuvant radiotherapy series almost tripled from 2009. Based on pre-prostatectomy variables (PSA, Gleason score, and clinical risk group) and findings in the prostatectomy specimens (status of resection margins, pathological tumor category and Gleason's score), the probability of post-RP radiotherapy ranged respectively from 14% to 73%, and from 4% to 83%. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, post-RP radiotherapy was applied in approximately one in six patients. Based on the combination of PCa-specific variables routinely available at the time of diagnosis, a patient's probability of post-RP radiotherapy can be determined before decision of primary treatment strategy, followed by probability determination based on histopathological variables emerging from the prostatectomy specimen.

National Early Rectal Cancer Treatment Revisited.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of early stage rectal cancer has excellent oncological results. To reduce treatment-related mortality and morbidity and improve functional results, a focus on local resections is increasingly important. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes after transanal endoscopic microsurgery and total mesorectal excision for early stage rectal cancer (T1 + T2) in Norway. DESIGN: This was an observational study based on prospective data from the Norwegian Colorectal Cancer Registry. SETTINGS: The study was conducted as a national, population-based study. PATIENTS: All 543 patients with T1 and 1593 patients with T2 rectal cancer without distant metastases that was treated by transanal endoscopic microsurgery or total mesorectal excision without radiochemotherapy during 2000-2009 were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes were 5-year relative survival and 5-year local recurrence rate. RESULTS: Among 543 patients with T1 cancer, the 5-year overall survival rate was 65.3% after transanal endoscopic microsurgery versus 81.5% after total mesorectal excision (p = 0.012). Adjusted for age and sex there was no excess mortality for transanal endoscopic microsurgery (HR = 1.28 (95% CI, 0.8-1.9); p = 0.22). The 5-year relative survival rate was 96.8% after transanal endoscopic microsurgery versus 98.2% after total mesorectal excision (p = 0.603), and the 5-year local recurrence rate was 14.5% versus 1.4% (p < 0.001). Among 1593 patients with T2 cancer, 5-year overall survival was 42.1% versus 76.1% (p < 0.001), 5-year relative survival was 65.4% versus 93.9% (p < 0.001), and 5 year local recurrence rate was 11.4% versus 4.4% in the 2 groups. LIMITATIONS: The study is limited by its observational design and that the 2 groups were different according to patient and tumor characteristics. Another limitation was the low number of transanal endoscopic microsurgery procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery had comparable 5-year relative survival to total mesorectal excision in T1 rectal cancer but inferior 5-year relative survival in T2 rectal cancer. Transanal endoscopic microsurgery was associated with higher local recurrence rates for both T1 and T2 tumors.

Nationwide improvement of rectal cancer treatment outcomes in Norway, 1993-2010.

BACKGROUND: The Norwegian Rectal Cancer Project was initated in 1993 with the aims of improving surgery, decreasing local recurrence rates, improving survival, and establishing a national rectal cancer registry. Here we present results from the Norwegian Colorectal Cancer Registry (NCCR) from 1993 to 2010. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 15 193 patients were diagnosed with rectal cancer in Norway 1993-2010, and were registered with clinical data regarding diagnosis, treatment, locoregional recurrences and distant metastases. Of these, 10 796 with non-metastatic disease underwent tumour resection. The results were stratified into five time periods, and the treatment outcomes were compared. Recurrence rates are presented for the 9785 patients who underwent curative major resection (R0/R1). RESULTS: Among all 15 193 patients, relative five-year survival increased from 54.1% in 1993-1997 to 63.4% in 2007-2010 (p < 0.001). Among the 10 796 patients with stage I-III disease who underwent tumour resection, from 1993-1997 to 2007-2010, relative five-year survival improved from 71.2% to 80.6% (p < 0.001). An increasing proportion of these patients underwent surgery at large-volume hospitals; and 30- and 100-day mortality rates, respectively, decreased from 3.0% to 1.4% (p < 0.001) and from 5.1% to 3.0% (p < 0.011). Use of preoperative chemoradiotherapy increased from 6.5% in 1993 to 39.0% in 2010 (p < 0.001). Estimated local recurrence rate after major resection (R0/R1) decreased from 14.5% in 1993-1997 to 5.0% in 2007-2009 (p < 0.001), and distant recurrence rate decreased from 26.0% to 20.2% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Long-term outcomes from a national population-based rectal cancer registry are presented. Improvements in rectal cancer treatment have led to decreased recurrence rates of 5% and increased survival on a national level.

Pretreatment Patient-reported Overall Health: A Prognostic Factor for Early Overall Mortality After Primary Curative Treatment of Prostate Cancer.

Background and objective: Registry-based studies for prostate cancer (PCa) document higher overall mortality (OM) after high-dose radiotherapy (RT) than after radical prostatectomy (RP). Our aim was to explore the association between pretreatment patient-reported health ("OverallHealth": OH) and curative treatment type, and the impact on early OM. Methods: New PCa patients registered between 2017 and 2019 in the Cancer Registry of Norway (n = 1949) completed the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Core 30 (QLQ-C30) questionnaire before RP (n = 592) or RT (n = 610) or after allocation to active surveillance (AS; n = 747). We dichotomised the QLQ-C30 summary score to classify patients with un-impaired versus impaired OH. Standard univariable and multivariable analyses with treatment type or OM as the outcome were conducted. The mean observation time was 4.7 years (standard deviation 1.0). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Key findings and limitations: Impaired OH was more frequent in the RT group (38%) than in the RP (25%) or AS (28%) group (p < 0.001). Higher age, higher risk group, and impaired OH increased the probability of undergoinRT rather than RP (p < 0.001). Impaired OH was associated with a twofold higher early OM rate in the RT group (16% vs 8%; p = 0.009) and fourfold higher OM rate in the AS group (13% vs 3%; p < 0.001). These findings remained significant in Cox regression analyses controlled for age and risk group. After RP, only locally advanced high-risk tumours were significantly associated with OM. Unknown psychometrics for the OH variable is the main study limitation. Conclusions and clinical implications: Pretreatment patient-reported impaired OH, measured as the QLQ-C30 summary score, was positively associated with allocation to RT or AS and is a prognostic factor for early OM. Before allocation to RT or AS, elderly patients with PCa should be screened and treated for health problems that can be remedied. Future studies should determine the psychometrics of the QLQ-C30 summary score in comparison to established frailty screening instruments. Patient summary: Patient-reported scores reflecting their overall health can help in choosing curative treatment for prostate cancer and are associated with survival during the first 5 years after treatment.