Variation in causes of death in patients with non-small cell lung cancer according to stage and time since diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Many patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) die within the first few years of diagnosis, and considerable excess mortality remains even after 5 years. We investigated the death rate and the distribution of causes of death for NSCLC patients by age and stage at diagnosis during long-term follow-up. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All 72 021 patients aged 45-89 years diagnosed with stage I-III NSCLC between 1989 and 2008 in the Netherlands and who died up till 2011 were derived from the Netherlands Cancer Registry and linked with the database of Statistics Netherlands for underlying causes of death. Mortality ratios and proportional distribution of causes of death were calculated during 5 time periods after diagnosis of NSCLC (up to 15 years). RESULTS: Median follow-up was 9.6 years (range: 0-23 years). Lung cancer was the predominant cause of death in the first 6 years after diagnosis (being 80%-85% and ∼90% up to 3 years for localized and locally advanced disease, respectively, and ∼60%-75% and ∼75%-85% during years 4-6 for both stage groups, respectively). Thereafter, lung cancer as cause of death proportionally decreased with time since diagnosis, but remained over 30%. Hence, cardiovascular diseases and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) became more important causes of death, especially for patients aged >60 years at diagnosis (up to 34% for cardiovascular diseases and up to 19% for COPD). CONCLUSIONS: With time, the relative contribution of cardiovascular and COPD causes of death increased, although the absolute contribution of lung cancer remained high in non-metastatic NSCLC. Therefore, managing morbidity of these diseases remains relevant.

Small but significant excess mortality compared with the general population for long-term survivors of breast cancer in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: Coinciding with the relatively good and improving prognosis for patients with stage I-III breast cancer, late recurrences, new primary tumours and late side-effects of treatment may occur. We gained insight into prognosis for long-term breast cancer survivors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data on all 205 827 females aged 15-89 diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer during 1989-2008 were derived from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Conditional 5-year relative survival was calculated for every subsequent year from diagnosis up to 15 years. RESULTS: For stage I, conditional 5-year relative survival remained ~95% up to 15 years after diagnosis (a stable 5-year excess mortality rate of 5%). For stage II, excess mortality remained 10% for those aged 15-44 or 45-59 and 15% for those aged 60-74. For stage III, excess mortality decreased from 35% at diagnosis to 10% at 15 years for those aged 15-44 or 45-59, and from ~40% to 30% for those aged ≥60. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with stage I or II breast cancer had a (very) good long-term prognosis, albeit exhibiting a small but significant excess mortality at least up to 15 years after diagnosis. Improvements albeit from a lower level were mainly seen for patients who had been diagnosed with stage III disease. Caregivers can use this information to better inform (especially disease-free) cancer survivors about their actual prognosis.

Increased risk of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia among cancer survivors in the Netherlands: increased detection, causal factors or both?

We assessed the risk of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) following earlier primary malignancies (EPM) to explore the extent and determinants of this risk. We used the Netherlands Cancer Registry data of 1,313,232 cancer survivors who were at risk to be subsequently diagnosed with CLL between 1989 and 2008. Cancer survivors were categorized based on gender, age, time since diagnosis of EPM and type of EPM. CLL was regarded synchronous when diagnosed within 3 months after diagnosis of EPM; metachronous CLLs were those diagnosed later. Overall, we found that cancer survivors had a 90 % higher risk to be diagnosed with CLL than the general population. In the first year after diagnosis, we found a more than four-fold increased risk of CLL (standardized incidence ratio (SIR), 4.4; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 4.1-4.8); however, no increased risk was observed after excluding synchronous cases. After 1 year, the excess risk of subsequent CLL ranged from 1.2 to 1.8. An increased risk for metachronous CLL was found in prostate (SIR 1.3; 95 % CI 1.1-1.5) and squamous cell skin cancer survivors (SIR 2.3; 95 % CI 1.9-2.7). Intensive clinical checkups after/around diagnosis of the EPM seemed to be the main cause for the increased risk of CLL among cancer survivors. However, possible shared risk factors between prostate cancer and CLL and skin cancer and CLL cannot be excluded. Further clinical research aimed at CLL as subsequent primary malignancy (SPM) is warranted to elucidate possible shared biological and predisposing risk factors.

Trends in incidence and predictions of cutaneous melanoma across Europe up to 2015.

BACKGROUND: Melanoma is a significant health problem in Caucasian populations. The most recently available data from cancer registries often have a delay of several months up to a few years and they are generally not easily accessible. OBJECTIVES: To assess recent age- and sex-specific trends in melanoma incidence and make predictions for 2010 and 2015. METHODS: A retrospective registry-based analysis was performed with data from 29 European cancer registries. Most of them had data available from 1990 up to 2006/7. World-standardized incidence rates (WSR) and the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) were computed. Predictions were based on linear projection models. RESULTS: Overall the incidence of melanoma is rapidly rising and will continue to do so. The incidence among women in Europe was generally higher than in men. The highest incidence rates were seen for Northern and north-western countries like the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands. The lowest incidence rates were observed in Portugal and Spain. The incidence overall remained stable in Norway, where, amongst young (25-49 years) Norwegian males rates significantly decreased (EAPC -2.8, 95% CI -3.6; -2.0). Despite a low melanoma incidence among persons above the age of 70, this age group experienced the greatest increase in risk during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Incidence rates of melanoma are expected to continue rising. These trends are worrying in terms of disease burden, particularly in eastern European countries.

New insights into the aetiology of scrotal cancer, a nationwide case-control study in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: Although scrotal cancer is traditionally regarded as an occupational disease, there is increasing evidence that factors which are involved in cutaneous and genital carcinogenesis might play a role in the carcinogenesis of scrotal cancer. OBJECTIVE: This exploratory study aimed to detect exposures that might have an aetiological relation with scrotal cancer. METHODS: A nationwide population-based case-control study was conducted in the Netherlands. The patients were identified through the Netherlands cancer registry. Controls were recruited among acquaintances of the cancer registry registrars. The participants completed a questionnaire that included questions on occupational exposures, naked sunbathing, use of sunbeds, skin diseases and their treatments, treatments for cancer and sexually transmitted diseases. Age-adjusted odds-ratios (ORs) were calculated. RESULTS: Forty-seven scrotal cancer patients and 125 controls completed the questionnaire. The patients were categorized according to histology of the scrotal tumours. Having had a skin disease (OR = 6.3, 95% CI = 1.8-22), especially psoriasis (OR = 8.7), increased the risk of squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the scrotum. A previous cancer diagnosis may affect the risk of scrotal basal cell carcinomas (BCC; OR = 4.9, 95% CI = 0.9-27.3). Furthermore, an association between the number of sexual partners and the occurrence of scrotal sarcoma was found. CONCLUSION: Scrotal SCCs may be related with skin diseases or skin disease treatments. Having had cancer may be a risk factor for a BCC of the scrotum. Scrotal sarcomas seem to be correlated with the number of sexual partners. This study suggests that scrotal cancer has characteristics of both cutaneous and genital carcinogenesis.

Increasing prevalence of comorbidity in patients with colorectal cancer in the South of the Netherlands 1995-2010.

Comorbidity has large impact on colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment and outcomes and may increase as the population ages. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and time trends of comorbid diseases in patients with CRC from 1995 to 2010. The Eindhoven Cancer Registry registers comorbidity in all patients with primary CRC in the South of the Netherlands. We analyzed the prevalence of serious comorbid diseases in four time frames from 1995 to 2010. Thereby, we addressed its association with age, gender and socio-economic status (SES). The prevalence of comorbidity was registered in 27,339 patients with primary CRC. During the study period, the prevalence of comorbidity increased from 47% to 62%, multimorbidity increased from 20% to 37%. Hypertension and cardiovascular diseases were most prevalent and increased largely over time (respectively 16-29% and 12-24%). Pulmonary diseases increased in women, but remained stable in men. Average age at diagnosis increased from 68.3 to 69.5 years (p = 0.004). A low SES and male gender were associated with a higher risk of comorbidity (not changing over time). This study indicates that comorbidity among patients with CRC is common, especially in males and patients with a low SES. The prevalence of comorbidity increased from 1995 to 2010, in particular in presumably nutritional diseases. Ageing, increased life expectancy and life style changes may contribute to more comorbid diseases. Also, improved awareness among health care providers on the importance of comorbidity may have resulted in better registration. The increasing burden of comorbidity in patients with CRC emphasizes the need for more focus on individualized medicine.

Re-attendance after false-positive screening mammography: a population-based study in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: In the current study, mammography adherence of women who had experienced a false-positive referral is evaluated, with emphasis on the probability of receiving surveillance mammography outside the national screening programme. METHODS: We included 424,703 consecutive screens and collected imaging, biopsy and surgery reports of 3463 women who experienced a false-positive referral. Adherence to screening, both in and outside the screening programme, was evaluated. RESULTS: Two years after the false-positive referral, overall screening adherence was 94.6%, with 64.7% of women returning to the national screening programme, compared with 94.9% of women re-attending the screening programme after a negative screen (P<0.0001). Four years after the false-positive screen, the overall adherence had decreased to 85.2% (P<0.0001) with a similar proportion of the women re-attending the screening programme (64.4%) and a lower proportion (20.8%) having clinical surveillance mammography. Women who had experienced a false-positive screen at their first screening round were less likely to adhere to mammography than women with an abnormal finding at one of the following screening rounds (92.4% vs 95.5%, P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Overall screening adherence after previous false-positive referral was comparable to the re-attendance rate of women with a negative screen at 2-year follow-up. Overall adherence decreased 4 years after previous false-positive referral from 94.6% to 85.2%, with a relatively high estimate of women who continue with clinical surveillance mammography (20.8%). Women with false-positive screens should be made aware of the importance to re-attend future screening rounds, as a way to improve the effectiveness of the screening programme.

Trends in breast biopsies for abnormalities detected at screening mammography: a population-based study in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic surgical breast biopsies have several disadvantages, therefore, they should be used with hesitation. We determined time trends in types of breast biopsies for the workup of abnormalities detected at screening mammography. We also examined diagnostic delays. METHODS: In a Dutch breast cancer screening region 6230 women were referred for an abnormal screening mammogram between 1 January 1997 and 1 January 2011. During two year follow-up clinical data, breast imaging-, biopsy-, surgery- and pathology-reports were collected of these women. Furthermore, breast cancers diagnosed >3 months after referral (delays) were examined, this included review of mammograms and pathology specimens to determine the cause of the delays. RESULTS: In 41.1% (1997-1998) and in 44.8% (2009-2010) of referred women imaging was sufficient for making the diagnosis (P<0.0001). Fine-needle aspiration cytology decreased from 12.7% (1997-1998) to 4.7% (2009-2010) (P<0.0001), percutaneous core-needle biopsies (CBs) increased from 8.0 to 49.1% (P<0.0001) and surgical biopsies decreased from 37.8 to 1.4% (P<0.0001). Delays in breast cancer diagnosis decreased from 6.7 to 1.8% (P=0.003). CONCLUSION: The use of diagnostic surgical breast biopsies has decreased substantially. They have mostly been replaced by percutaneous CBs and this replacement did not result in an increase of diagnostic delays.

Inferior survival for young patients with contralateral compared to unilateral breast cancer: a nationwide population-based study in the Netherlands.

To compare overall survival between women with unilateral breast cancer (UBC) and contralateral breast cancer (CBC). Women with UBC (N = 182,562; 95 %) and CBC (N = 8,912; 5 %) recorded in the Netherlands Cancer Registry between 1989 and 2008 were included and followed until 2010. We incorporated CBC as a time-dependent covariate to compute the overall mortality rate ratio between women with CBC and UBC. Prognostic factors for overall death were examined according to age at first breast cancer. Women with CBC exhibited a 30 % increase in overall mortality (Hazard Ratio (HR), 95 % Confidence Interval: 1.3, 1.3-1.4) compared with UBC, decreasing with rising age at diagnosis of first breast cancer (<50 years: 2.3, 2.2-2.5 vs. ≥70 years: 1.1, 1.0-1.1). Women older than 50 years at CBC diagnosis and diagnosed 2-5 years after their first breast cancer exhibited a 20 % higher death risk (1.2, 1.0-1.3) compared to those diagnosed within the first 2 years. In women younger than 50 years, the HR was significantly lower if the CBC was diagnosed >5 years after the first breast cancer (0.7, 0.5-0.9). The prognosis for women with CBC significantly improved over time (2004-2008: 0.6, 0.5-0.7 vs. 1989-1993). Women with CBC had a lower survival compared to women with UBC, especially those younger than 50 years at first breast cancer diagnosis. A tailored follow-up strategy beyond current recommendations is needed for these patients who, because of their age and absence of known familial risk, are currently not invited for population-based screening.

Large variation between hospitals in follow-up for colorectal cancer in southern Netherlands.

PURPOSE: The aims of the study were to describe the follow-up of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients in southern Netherlands and examine their overall and disease-free survival. METHODS: Patients newly diagnosed with CRC in 2003-2005 and 2008 with a survival of at least 1 year after diagnosis and recorded in the retrospective Eindhoven Cancer Registry were included (n = 579). Follow-up was defined as at least one liver imaging and at least two carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) measurements. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess determinants of follow-up. Proportions of patients undergoing colonoscopy, CEA measurements and liver and chest imaging were calculated. Overall and disease-free survival were calculated. RESULTS: Patients ≥75 years (odds ratio (OR) 0.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.3-0.7)) were less likely to receive follow-up, contrasting patients <50 years (OR 3.1 (95% CI 1.3-7.4)). In 2008, follow-up intensity increased (OR 2.3 (95% CI 1.2-4.3)), especially for liver imaging and CEA measurements. There were large differences in follow-up intensity and activities between hospitals, which were unaffected by comorbidity: ranges for colonoscopy 15-73 %, CEA measurement 46-91 % and imaging of the liver 22-70 % between hospitals. No effect of follow-up intensity was found on 5-year disease-free survival for patients aged <75 years (64 vs. 68 %; p = 0.6). Similarly, no effect of follow-up intensity on 5-year overall survival was found in these patients (77 vs. 82 %; p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: Large variation in follow-up was found for patients with CRC, mainly declining with age and hospital of follow-up. Over time, follow-up became more intensive, especially with respect to liver imaging and CEA measurements. However, follow-up consisting of at least one liver imaging and at least two CEA measurements did not improve overall and disease-free survival.

Disease-specific mortality among stage I-III colorectal cancer patients with diabetes: a large population-based analysis.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of our study was to investigate overall and disease-specific mortality of colorectal cancer patients with diabetes. METHODS: In this population-based study, we included all colorectal cancer patients, newly diagnosed with stage I-III cancer, between 1997 and 2007 in the registration area of the Eindhoven Cancer Registry. Stage of cancer, cancer treatment and comorbidities were actively collected by reviewing hospital medical records. Data on patients with and without diabetes were linked to Statistics Netherlands to assess vitality, date of death and underlying cause of death. Follow-up of all patients was completed until 1 January 2009. RESULTS: We included 6,974 patients with colon cancer and 3,888 patients with rectal cancer, of whom 820 (12%) and 404 (10%), respectively, had diabetes at the time of cancer diagnosis. During follow-up, death occurred in 611 (50%) of 1,224 cancer patients with diabetes and 3,817 (40%) of 9,638 cancer patients without diabetes. Multivariate Cox regression analyses, adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic status, stage, lymph nodes examined, adjuvant therapy and year of diagnosis, showed that overall mortality was significantly higher for colon (HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.01, 1.25) and rectal (HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.03, 1.41) cancer patients with diabetes than for those without. Disease-specific mortality was only significantly increased for rectal cancer patients (HR 1.30, 95% CI 1.06, 1.60). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Diabetes at the time of rectal cancer diagnosis was independently associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer mortality compared with no diabetes, suggesting a specific interaction between diabetes and rectal cancer. Future in-depth studies including detailed diabetes- and cancer-related variables should elucidate pathways.

Risk of cancer in patients on insulin glargine and other insulin analogues in comparison with those on human insulin: results from a large population-based follow-up study.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Several publications suggest an association between certain types of insulin and cancer, but with conflicting results. We investigated whether insulin glargine (A21Gly,B31Arg,B32Arg human insulin) is associated with an increased risk of cancer in a large population-based cohort study. METHODS: Data for this study were obtained from dispensing records from community pharmacies individually linked to hospital discharge records from 2.5 million individuals in the Netherlands. In a cohort of incident users of insulin, the association between insulin glargine and other insulin analogues, respectively, and cancer was analysed in comparison with human insulin using Cox proportional hazard models with cumulative duration of drug use as a time-varying determinant. The first hospital admission with a primary diagnosis of cancer was considered as the main outcome; secondary analyses were performed with specific cancers as outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 19,337 incident insulin users enrolled, 878 developed cancer. Use of insulin glargine was associated with a lower risk of malignancies in general in comparison with human insulin (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.71, 0.80). In contrast, an increased risk was found for breast cancer (HR 1.58, 95% CI 1.22, 2.05). Dose-response relationships could not be identified. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: Users of insulin glargine and users of other insulin analogues had a lower risk of cancer in general than those using human insulin. Both associations might be a consequence of residual confounding, lack of adherence or competing risk. However, as in previous studies, we demonstrated an increased risk of breast cancer in users of insulin glargine in comparison with users of human insulin.

Increased risks of third primary cancers of non-breast origin among women with bilateral breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the risk of third cancer of non-breast origin (TNBC) among women with bilateral breast cancer (BBC; either synchronous or metachronous), focussing on the relation with breast cancer treatment. METHODS: Risk was assessed, among 8752 Dutch women diagnosed with BBC between 1989 and 2008, using standardised incidence ratios (SIR) and Cox regression analyses to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of TNBC for different treatment modalities. RESULTS: Significant increased SIRs were observed for all TNBCs combined, haematological malignancies, stomach, colorectal, non-melanoma skin, lung, head and neck, endometrial, and ovarian cancer. A 10-fold increased risk was found for ovarian cancer among women younger than 50 years (SIR=10.0, 95% confidence interval (CI)=5.3-17.4). Radiotherapy was associated with increased risks of all TNBCs combined (HR=1.3; 95%CI=1.1-1.6, respectively). Endocrine therapy was associated with increased risks of all TNBCs combined (HR=1.2; 95%CI=1.0-1.5), haematological malignancies (HR=2.0; 95%CI=1.1-3.9), and head and neck cancer (HR=3.3; 95%CI=1.1-10.4). After chemotherapy decreased risks were found for all TNBCs combined (HR=0.63; 95%CI=0.5-0.87). CONCLUSION: Increased risk of TNBC could be influenced by genetic factors (ovarian cancer) or an effect of treatment (radiotherapy and endocrine therapy). More insight in the TNBC risk should further optimise and individualise treatment and surveillance protocols in (young) women with BBC.

Small but significant socioeconomic inequalities in axillary staging and treatment of breast cancer in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: The use of sentinel node biopsy (SNB), lymph node dissection, breast-conserving surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormonal treatment for breast cancer was evaluated in relation to socioeconomic status (SES) in the Netherlands, where access to care was assumed to be equal. METHODS: Female breast cancer patients diagnosed between 1994 and 2008 were selected from the nationwide population-based Netherlands Cancer Registry (N=176 505). Socioeconomic status was assessed based on income, employment and education at postal code level. Multivariable models included age, year of diagnosis and stage. RESULTS: Sentinal node biopsy was less often applied in high-SES patients (multivariable analyses, ≤ 49 years: odds ratio (OR) 0.70 (95% CI: 0.56-0.89); 50-75 years: 0.85 (0.73-0.99)). Additionally, lymph node dissection was less common in low-SES patients aged ≥ 76 years (OR 1.34 (0.95-1.89)). Socioeconomic status-related differences in treatment were only significant in the age group 50-75 years. High-SES women with stage T1-2 were more likely to undergo breast-conserving surgery (+radiotherapy) (OR 1.15 (1.09-1.22) and OR 1.16 (1.09-1.22), respectively). Chemotherapy use among node-positive patients was higher in the high-SES group, but was not significant in multivariable analysis. Hormonal therapy was not related to SES. CONCLUSION: Small but significant differences were observed in the use of SNB, lymph node dissection and breast-conserving surgery according to SES in Dutch breast cancer patients despite assumed equal access to health care.

Use of aspirin postdiagnosis improves survival for colon cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: The preventive role of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin, in particular, on colorectal cancer is well established. More recently, it has been suggested that aspirin may also have a therapeutic role. Aim of the present observational population-based study was to assess the therapeutic effect on overall survival of aspirin/NSAIDs as adjuvant treatment used after the diagnosis of colorectal cancer patients. METHODS: Data concerning prescriptions were obtained from PHARMO record linkage systems and all patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (1998-2007) were selected from the Eindhoven Cancer Registry (population-based cancer registry). Aspirin/NSAID use was classified as none, prediagnosis and postdiagnosis and only postdiagnosis. Patients were defined as non-user of aspirin/NSAIDs from the date of diagnosis of the colorectal cancer to the date of first use of aspirin or NSAIDs and user from first use to the end of follow-up. Poisson regression was performed with user status as time-varying exposure. RESULTS: In total, 1176 (26%) patients were non-users, 2086 (47%) were prediagnosis and postdiagnosis users and 1219 (27%) were only postdiagnosis users (total n=4481). Compared with non-users, a survival gain was observed for aspirin users; the adjusted rate ratio (RR) was 0.77 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.63-0.95; P=0.015). Stratified for colon and rectal, the survival gain was only present in colon cancer (adjusted RR 0.65 (95%CI 0.50-0.84; P=0.001)). For frequent users survival gain was larger (adjusted RR 0.61 (95%CI 0.46-0.81; P=0.001). In rectal cancer, aspirin use was not associated with survival (adjusted RR 1.10 (95%CI 0.79-1.54; P=0.6). The NSAIDs use was associated with decreased survival (adjusted RR 1.93 (95%CI 1.70-2.20; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Aspirin use initiated or continued after diagnosis of colon cancer is associated with a lower risk of overall mortality. These findings strongly support initiation of a placebo-controlled trial that investigates the role of aspirin as adjuvant treatment in colon cancer patients.

Trends of cutaneous melanoma in The Netherlands: increasing incidence rates among all Breslow thickness categories and rising mortality rates since 1989.

BACKGROUND: It has been debated that the epidemic of melanoma is largely due to overdiagnosis, since increases in incidence were mainly among thin melanomas and mortality rates remained stable. Our objective was to examine this controversy in The Netherlands. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Information on newly diagnosed melanoma patients was obtained from The Netherlands Cancer Registry. European Standardized Rates and estimated annual percentage change were calculated for the period 1989-2008. Cohort-based, period-based and multivariate survival analyses were carried out. RESULTS: The incidence rate of melanoma increased with 4.1% (95% confidence interval 3.6-4.5) annually. Incidence rates of both thin melanomas (≤ 1 mm) and thick melanomas (> 4 mm) increased since 1989. Mortality rates increased mainly in older patients (> 65 years). Ten-year relative survival of males improved significantly from 70% in 1989-1993 to 77% in 2004-2008 (P < 0.001) and for females the 10-year relative survival increased from 85% to 88% (P < 0.01). Recently diagnosed patients had a better prognosis even after adjusting for all known prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: Since incidence of melanomas among all Breslow thickness categories increased as well as the mortality rates, the melanoma epidemic in The Netherlands seems to be real and not only due to overdiagnosis.

Changes in incidence, survival and mortality of prostate cancer in Europe and the United States in the PSA era: additional diagnoses and avoided deaths.

BACKGROUND: We describe changes in prostate cancer incidence, survival and mortality and the resulting impact in additional diagnoses and avoided deaths in European areas and the United States. METHODS: Using data from 12 European cancer registries and the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results program, we describe changes in prostate cancer epidemiology between the beginning of the PSA era (USA: 1985-1989, Europe: 1990-1994) and 2002-2006 among patients aged 40-64, 65-74, and 75+. Additionally, we examine changes in yearly numbers of diagnoses and deaths and variation in male life expectancy. RESULTS: Incidence and survival, particularly among patients aged <75, increased dramatically, yet both remain (with few exceptions in incidence) lower in Europe than in the United States. Mortality reductions, ongoing since the mid/late 1990 s, were more consistent in the United States, had a distressingly small absolute impact among patients aged 40-64 and the largest absolute impact among those aged 75+. Overall ratios of additional diagnoses/avoided deaths varied between 3.6 and 27.6, suggesting large differences in the actual impact of prostate cancer incidence and mortality changes. Ten years of remaining life expectancy was reached between 68 and 76 years. CONCLUSION: Policies reflecting variation in population life expectancy, testing preferences, decision aids and guidelines for surveillance-based management are urgently needed.

Two sides of the medallion: poor treatment tolerance but better survival by standard chemotherapy in elderly patients with advanced-stage diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: We investigated treatment of unselected elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and its subsequent impact on treatment tolerance and survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data from all 419 advanced-stage DLBCL patients, aged 75 or older and newly diagnosed between 1997 and 2004, were included from five regional population-based cancer registries in The Netherlands. Subsequent data on comorbidity, performance status, treatment, motives for adaptations or refraining from chemotherapy and toxic effects was collected from the medical records. Follow-up was completed until 1st January 2009. RESULTS: Only 46% of patients received the standard therapy [aggressive chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (CHOP)-like chemotherapy]. Motives for withholding chemotherapy were refusal by patient/family, poor performance status or estimated short life expectancy. Of all patients receiving CHOP-like chemotherapy, only 56% could complete at least six cycles. Grade 3 or 4 toxicity occurred in 67% of patients receiving standard therapy. The independent effect of therapy on survival remained after correction for the age-adjusted International Prognostic Index. CONCLUSIONS: Standard therapy was applied less often in elderly patients with a subsequent independent negative impact on survival. Furthermore, high toxicity rate and the impossibility of the majority of patients to complete treatment were seen. This implies that better treatment strategies should be devised including a proper selection of senior patients for this aggressive chemotherapy.

Diverging trends in incidence and mortality, and improved survival of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, in the Netherlands, 1989-2007.

BACKGROUND: We studied progress in the fight against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in the Netherlands by describing the changes in incidence, treatment, relative survival, and mortality during 1989-2007. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We included all adult patients with NHL [i.e. all mature B-, T-, and natural killer (NK) cell neoplasms, with the exception of plasma cell neoplasms], newly diagnosed in the period 1989-2007 and recorded in the Netherlands Cancer Registry (n=55 069). Regular mortality data were derived from Statistics Netherlands. Follow-up was completed up to 1 January 2009. Annual percentages of change in incidence, mortality, and relative survival were calculated. RESULTS: The incidence of indolent B-cell and T- and NK-cell neoplasms rose significantly (estimated annual percentage change=1.2% and 1.3%, respectively); incidence of aggressive B-cell neoplasms remained stable. Mortality due to NHL remained stable between 1989 and 2003, and has decreased since 2003. Five-year relative survival rates rose from 67% to 75%, and from 43% to 52%, respectively, for indolent and aggressive mature B-cell neoplasms, but 5-year survival remained stable at 48% for T- and NK-cell neoplasms. CONCLUSIONS: In the Netherlands, incidence of indolent mature B-cell and mature T- and NK-cell neoplasms has increased since 1989 but remained stable for aggressive neoplasms. Survival increased for all mature B-cell neoplasms, preceding a declining mortality and increased prevalence of NHL (17 597 on 1 January 2008).

Treatment and survival of patients with small-cell lung cancer: small steps forward, but not for patients >80.

BACKGROUND: Seventy-five percent of newly diagnosed patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) are aged 60+ and quite a few are treated less aggressively because of fear of toxic effects. We described trends in treatment and survival of unselected SCLC patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: For the present study, all 13,007 SCLC patients aged 60+ diagnosed in The Netherlands from 1997 to 2007 were included. RESULTS: Among patients with limited disease, the proportion receiving chemoradiation increased from 35% to almost 60% for those aged 60-69, from 28% to 48% in age group 70-74, from 17% to 33% in age group 75-79, but remained <10% for those aged 80+. Among patients with extensive disease, the proportion receiving chemotherapy (CT) decreased from 81% of patients aged 60-64 to 23% of those aged 85+, without substantial changes over time. Survival has only improved for patients <80 years. CONCLUSIONS: CT (+radiotherapy) has improved survival for unselected SCLC patients <80. A better understanding of the impact of frailty on completion of treatment and toxic effects among patients aged 80+ would enable the treating physician to anticipate toxic effects better and to discuss risks and benefits of treatment with the patient.