Current Concepts in the Business of Orthopaedics.

Practice management within orthopaedic surgery demands a multifaceted skillset including clinical expertise, technical proficiency, and business acumen, yet the latter is rarely taught during orthopaedic training. As the healthcare system evolves in the United States, surgeons continue to face challenges such as decreasing reimbursements, increased regulatory burdens, and potential for practice acquisition. To remain competitive and provide exceptional care for patients, orthopaedic surgeons must cultivate a business-minded approach. This article highlights the growing significance of the business of orthopaedics and offers guidance on ambulatory surgical center ownership models, effective management of ancillary services, the effect of private equity in orthopaedic practice, real estate investment opportunities in medical office buildings, and the importance of brand recognition. By understanding these concepts, orthopaedic surgeons can exercise greater control over their practice's finances while providing quality care for their patients.

Assessment of the AJCC staging system of pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the performance of the AJCC 8th staging system for pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) based on a population-based cohort. METHODS: Surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER)-18 registry database was reviewed, and patients with PPGLs diagnosed 2004-2015 were reviewed. AJCC stage for each patient was reconstructed from the collaborative stage dataset. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates according to the AJCC stage were reviewed, and multivariable Cox regression analysis was conducted to determine the impact of AJCC stages on overall and cancer-specific survival. RESULTS: A total of 416 patients with PPGLs were eligible and were included in the current analysis. Using Kaplan-Meier survival estimates, patients with stage IV seem to have the worst overall survival (P < 0.001). When the results were stratified by the site of origin (adrenal vs. extra-adrenal), similar findings were observed in both strata (P < 0.001 in each stratum). Using multivariable Cox regression analysis for overall survival, HR for stage I vs. II was: 0.59; (95% CI: 0.27-1.27), HR for stage II vs. III: 0.82; (95% CI: 0.41-1.63), and HR for stage III vs. IV was: 0.37; (95% CI: 0.24-0.58). Likewise, for cancer-specific survival, HR for stage I vs. II was: 0.72; (95% CI: 0.26-1.97), HR for stage II vs. III: 0.64; (95% CI: 0.25-1.63), and HR for stage III vs. IV was: 0.33; (95% CI: 0.19-0.56). C-statistic for AJCC 8th staging system was: 0.723 (95% CI: 0.669-0.776). CONCLUSION: Further improvements within AJCC 8th edition are possible, including the inclusion of the extent of metastatic disease in the subclassification of stage IV disease, and not considering primary tumor site when assigning T stage.

Patterns and association of vaccination among adults with a history of cancer in the USA: a population-based study.

Aim: To assess the association of vaccination status among adults with history of cancer in a population-based cohort in the USA. Materials & methods: National Health Interview Survey datasets (2008-2018) have been accessed and information about the patterns and associations of the following vaccinations were collected (influenza vaccination, pneumococcal vaccination, hepatitis B vaccination, hepatitis A vaccination and shingles vaccination). Association of different sociodemographic variables with each of the above types of vaccination was studied through multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Private health insurance (vs no private insurance) was associated with higher percentages of recommended vaccination (influenza vaccination: 65 vs 59.7%; pneumococcal vaccination: 74.9 vs 68.8%; hepatitis B vaccination: 22.9 vs 19.3%; hepatitis A vaccination: 10.1 vs 8.6%; shingles vaccination: 33.8 vs 26.7%; p < 0.001 for all comparisons). Within multivariable logistic regression analyses, African American race, lower education and lower income were associated with less probability of adherence to recommended vaccination (for influenza vaccination; odds ratio (OR) for black race vs white race: 0.785; 95% CI: 0.717-0.859; OR for ≤high school vs >high school education: 0.763; 95% CI: 0.723-0.805; OR for income ≤US$45,000 vs >US$45,000: 0.701; 95% CI: 0.643-0.764). Conclusion: There is evidence of socio-economic disparities in adherence to recommended vaccination among this cohort of cancer survivors in the USA. More efforts need to be done to ensure that recommended vaccination is being delivered to all cancer survivors in need (including enhancing coverage and awareness to under-represented groups of the society).

Patterns of cost-related medication underuse among Canadian adults with cancer: a cross-sectional study using survey data.

BACKGROUND: Cost-related medication underuse (CRMU) has been reported within the general population in Canada. In this study, we assessed patterns of CRMU among Canadian adults with cancer. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study using survey data. We accessed data sets from the 2015/16 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) and reviewed the records of adults (≥ 18 yr) with a history of cancer who were prescribed medication in the previous 12 months. We collected information about sociodemographic features, health behaviours and CRMU, and conducted a multivariable logistic regression analysis for factors associated with CRMU. RESULTS: A total of 8581 participants were eligible for the current study. In the weighted multivariable logistic regression analysis, the following factors were associated with CRMU: younger age (odds ratio [OR] 2.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.79-3.63), female sex (male sex v. female sex OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.44-0.88), Indigenous racial background (Indigenous v. White OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.49- 3.77), unmarried status (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.09-2.30), poor self-perceived health (excellent v. poor self-perceived health OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.17-0.77), lower annual income (< $20 000 v. income ≥ $80 000 OR 3.08, 95% CI 1.75-5.41) and lack of insurance for prescription medications (OR 2.49, 95% CI 1.77-3.50). INTERPRETATION: The toll of CRMU among adults seems to be unequally carried by women, racial minorities, and younger (< 65 yr) and uninsured patients with cancer. Discussion about a national pharmacare program for people without private insurance is needed.

Impact of socioeconomic status on presentation, treatment and outcomes of patients with pancreatic cancer.

Objective: To assess the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on the patterns of care and outcomes of patients with pancreatic cancer. Materials & methods: Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results specialized SES registry has been accessed and patients with pancreatic cancer diagnosed (2000-2015) were evaluated. The following SES variables were included: employment percentage, percent of people above the poverty line, percent of people identified as working-class, educational level, median rent, median household value and median household income. Within this SES registry, patients were classified according to their census-tract SES into three groups (where group-1 represents the lowest SES category and group-3 represents the highest SES category). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the impact of SES on access to surgical resection and multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to assess the impact of SES on pancreatic cancer-specific survival. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were also used to compare overall survival (OS) outcomes according to SES. Results: A total of 83,902 pancreatic cancer patients were included in the current analysis. Within multivariable logistic regression analysis among patients with a localized/regional disease, patients with lower SES were less likely to undergo surgical resection for pancreatic cancer (odds ratio: 0.719; 95% CI: 0.673-0.767; p < 0.001). Among patients with a localized/regional disease who underwent surgical resection, patients with higher SES have better OS (median OS for group-3: 20.0 vs 17.0 months for group-1; p < 0.001). Moreover, patients with lower SES have worse pancreatic cancer-specific survival compared with patients with higher SES: (hazard ratio for group-1 vs group-3: 1.212; 95% CI: 1.135-1.295; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Poor neighborhood SES is associated with more advanced disease at presentation, less probability of surgical resection and even poorer outcomes after surgical resection.

Availability and affordability of medicines and cardiovascular outcomes in 21 high-income, middle-income and low-income countries.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to examine the relationship between access to medicine for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) among people at high risk of CVD in high-income countries (HICs), upper and lower middle-income countries (UMICs, LMICs) and low-income countries (LICs) participating in the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study. METHODS: We defined high CVD risk as the presence of any of the following: hypertension, coronary artery disease, stroke, smoker, diabetes or age >55 years. Availability and affordability of blood pressure lowering drugs, antiplatelets and statins were obtained from pharmacies. Participants were categorised: group 1-all three drug types were available and affordable, group 2-all three drugs were available but not affordable and group 3-all three drugs were not available. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazard models with nested clustering at country and community levels, adjusting for comorbidities, sociodemographic and economic factors. RESULTS: Of 163 466 participants, there were 93 200 with high CVD risk from 21 countries (mean age 54.7, 49% female). Of these, 44.9% were from group 1, 29.4% from group 2 and 25.7% from group 3. Compared with participants from group 1, the risk of MACEs was higher among participants in group 2 (HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.31), and among participants from group 3 (HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.50). CONCLUSION: Lower availability and affordability of essential CVD medicines were associated with higher risk of MACEs and mortality. Improving access to CVD medicines should be a key part of the strategy to lower CVD globally.

Experiences of cancer patients with outpatient care in the USA: a population-based study.

Aim: To evaluate the patterns of cancer patients-assessed quality of outpatient care in the USA. Materials & methods: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey datasets for the years 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017 were accessed and adult participants with a history of cancer diagnosis were reviewed. Participants' assessments of different quality indicators of healthcare providers were reviewed. Multivariable logistic regression analysis for factors associated with a better overall rating of healthcare was then conducted. Results: A total of 8050 participants with a history of cancer were included. Within multivariable logistic regression analysis, factors associated with the better rating of healthcare included; older age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.017; 95% CI: 1.010-1.025), higher income OR (OR: 2.385; 95% CI: 1.735-3.277) and better self-reported health status (OR: 6.691; 95% CI: 3.928-11.396). Conclusion: Cancer patients with older age, higher income and better health status were more likely to be satisfied with the outpatient care they received. The biggest area for potential improvement of patient satisfaction seems to be related to the time spent with healthcare providers.

Association of Symptoms of Depression With Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality in Low-, Middle-, and High-Income Countries.

Importance: Depression is associated with incidence of and premature death from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer in high-income countries, but it is not known whether this is true in low- and middle-income countries and in urban areas, where most people with depression now live. Objective: To identify any associations between depressive symptoms and incident CVD and all-cause mortality in countries at different levels of economic development and in urban and rural areas. Design, Setting, and Participants: This multicenter, population-based cohort study was conducted between January 2005 and June 2019 (median follow-up, 9.3 years) and included 370 urban and 314 rural communities from 21 economically diverse countries on 5 continents. Eligible participants aged 35 to 70 years were enrolled. Analysis began February 2018 and ended September 2019. Exposures: Four or more self-reported depressive symptoms from the Short-Form Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Main Outcomes and Measures: Incident CVD, all-cause mortality, and a combined measure of either incident CVD or all-cause mortality. Results: Of 145 862 participants, 61 235 (58%) were male and the mean (SD) age was 50.05 (9.7) years. Of those, 15 983 (11%) reported 4 or more depressive symptoms at baseline. Depression was associated with incident CVD (hazard ratio [HR], 1.14; 95% CI, 1.05-1.24), all-cause mortality (HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.11-1.25), the combined CVD/mortality outcome (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.11-1.24), myocardial infarction (HR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.10-1.37), and noncardiovascular death (HR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.13-1.31) in multivariable models. The risk of the combined outcome increased progressively with number of symptoms, being highest in those with 7 symptoms (HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.12-1.37) and lowest with 1 symptom (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.92 -1.19; P for trend < .001). The associations between having 4 or more depressive symptoms and the combined outcome were similar in 7 different geographical regions and in countries at all economic levels but were stronger in urban (HR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.13-1.34) compared with rural (HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.02-1.19) communities (P for interaction = .001) and in men (HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.13-1.38) compared with women (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.06-1.23; P for interaction < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: In this large, population-based cohort study, adults with depressive symptoms were associated with having increased risk of incident CVD and mortality in economically diverse settings, especially in urban areas. Improving understanding and awareness of these physical health risks should be prioritized as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the burden of noncommunicable diseases worldwide.

Treatment choices and outcomes of non-metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma patients in relationship to neighborhood socioeconomic status: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on treatment choices and outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with local therapies (ablation or surgery). METHODS: Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) specialized socioeconomic database was accessed. Cases with non-metastatic HCC treated with ablation or surgery between 2000 and 2015 were included. Socioeconomic index stratified patients into three groups (1-3) where group-1 has the lowest SES and group-3 has the highest SES. Impact of SES on the choice of local treatment was assessed in a multivariate logistic regression model. Likewise, the impact of SES on liver cancer-specific survival was assessed in a multivariate Cox regression model. Competing risk analysis for the impact of SES on liver cancer mortality was additionally conducted. RESULTS: A total of 14,333 non-metastatic HCC patients were included in the final analysis. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, SES did not predict the type of local treatment (ablation versus surgical treatment) (adjusted odds ratio for group 1 versus group 3: 0.931; 95% CI 0.854-1.015; P = 0.10). On the other hand, and in a multivariable Cox regression analysis, lower socioeconomic status was associated with worse liver cancer-specific survival (adjusted hazard ratio for group-1 versus group-3: 6.448; 95% CI 5.696-7.298; P < 0.01). Likewise, and in competing risk analysis, lower socioeconomic group was associated with worse liver cancer-specific survival (adjusted sub-distribution hazard ratio for group-1 versus group-3: 1.102; 95% CI 1.016-1.196; P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Lower SES is associated with worse liver cancer-specific survival among non-metastatic HCC patients treated with ablation or surgery.

Modifiable risk factors, cardiovascular disease, and mortality in 155 722 individuals from 21 high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries (PURE): a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Global estimates of the effect of common modifiable risk factors on cardiovascular disease and mortality are largely based on data from separate studies, using different methodologies. The Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study overcomes these limitations by using similar methods to prospectively measure the effect of modifiable risk factors on cardiovascular disease and mortality across 21 countries (spanning five continents) grouped by different economic levels. METHODS: In this multinational, prospective cohort study, we examined associations for 14 potentially modifiable risk factors with mortality and cardiovascular disease in 155 722 participants without a prior history of cardiovascular disease from 21 high-income, middle-income, or low-income countries (HICs, MICs, or LICs). The primary outcomes for this paper were composites of cardiovascular disease events (defined as cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure) and mortality. We describe the prevalence, hazard ratios (HRs), and population-attributable fractions (PAFs) for cardiovascular disease and mortality associated with a cluster of behavioural factors (ie, tobacco use, alcohol, diet, physical activity, and sodium intake), metabolic factors (ie, lipids, blood pressure, diabetes, obesity), socioeconomic and psychosocial factors (ie, education, symptoms of depression), grip strength, and household and ambient pollution. Associations between risk factors and the outcomes were established using multivariable Cox frailty models and using PAFs for the entire cohort, and also by countries grouped by income level. Associations are presented as HRs and PAFs with 95% CIs. FINDINGS: Between Jan 6, 2005, and Dec 4, 2016, 155 722 participants were enrolled and followed up for measurement of risk factors. 17 249 (11·1%) participants were from HICs, 102 680 (65·9%) were from MICs, and 35 793 (23·0%) from LICs. Approximately 70% of cardiovascular disease cases and deaths in the overall study population were attributed to modifiable risk factors. Metabolic factors were the predominant risk factors for cardiovascular disease (41·2% of the PAF), with hypertension being the largest (22·3% of the PAF). As a cluster, behavioural risk factors contributed most to deaths (26·3% of the PAF), although the single largest risk factor was a low education level (12·5% of the PAF). Ambient air pollution was associated with 13·9% of the PAF for cardiovascular disease, although different statistical methods were used for this analysis. In MICs and LICs, household air pollution, poor diet, low education, and low grip strength had stronger effects on cardiovascular disease or mortality than in HICs. INTERPRETATION: Most cardiovascular disease cases and deaths can be attributed to a small number of common, modifiable risk factors. While some factors have extensive global effects (eg, hypertension and education), others (eg, household air pollution and poor diet) vary by a country's economic level. Health policies should focus on risk factors that have the greatest effects on averting cardiovascular disease and death globally, with additional emphasis on risk factors of greatest importance in specific groups of countries. FUNDING: Full funding sources are listed at the end of the paper (see Acknowledgments).

ECOG performance score 0 versus 1: impact on efficacy and safety of first-line 5-FU-based chemotherapy among patients with metastatic colorectal cancer included in five randomized trials.

BACKGROUND: Within the context of metastatic colorectal cancer, patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score 0-1 are usually pooled together in clinical practice guidelines and clinical trials' reports. The current study aims to delineate potential differences in outcomes between metastatic colorectal cancer patients with ECOG score 0 versus 1 who are treated with currently accepted first-line fluorouracil (5FU)-based chemotherapy. METHODS: The current study is based on a pooled dataset from five clinical trials of 5FU-based treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (NCT00272051; NCT00115765; NCT00305188; NCT00364013; and NCT00384176). Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and ECOG score of 0-1 were eligible for the current study. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between ECOG performance status and the development of different toxicities. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were used to clarify the impact of the ECOG score on overall and progression-free survivals. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was then used to evaluate the impact of ECOG score on overall and progression-free survivals. RESULTS: A total of 3143 patients were included in the current analysis. Within multivariable logistic regression analysis, patients with an ECOG score of 0 have a lower probability of serious adverse events (OR 0.678; 95% CI 0.583-0.788; P < 0.001), fatal adverse events (OR 0.552; 95% CI 0.397-0.766; P < 0.001), high-grade anemia (OR 0.426; 95% CI 0.252-0.721; P = 0.001), and high-grade nausea/vomiting (OR 0.697; 95% CI 0.509-0.955; P = 0.024). Through Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, patients with an ECOG score of 0 have better overall and progression-free survivals (P < 0.001 for both endpoints). Median overall survival was 27.63 months among patients with an ECOG score of 0 versus 20.00 months among patients with an ECOG score of 1. Within multivariable Cox regression analysis, patients with ECOG score of 0 were associated with better overall and progression-free survivals (HR for overall survival 0.613; 95% CI 0.556-0.676; P < 0.001); (HR for progression-free survival 0.765; 95% CI 0.705-0.829; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Compared with patients with ECOG score of 1, patients with ECOG score of 0 have better overall and progression-free survival, and less probability of serious and fatal adverse events. This distinction in outcomes should be noted when choosing appropriate therapeutic strategies and when designing/reporting the results of clinical trials.

Population-based assessment of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommendations for baseline imaging of rectal cancer.

Aim: To examine the performance characteristics of alternative criteria for baseline staging, in a cohort of contemporary rectal cancer patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. Methods: The SEER database (2010-2015) was accessed and patients with rectal cancer plus complete information on clinical T and N stages as well as metastatic sites were evaluated. We examined various performance characteristics of baseline imaging, including specificity, sensitivity, number needed to investigate (NNI), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value and accuracy. Results: A total of 15,836 rectal cancer patients were included. Based on current guidelines that suggest cross-sectional chest and abdominal imaging for all cases of invasive rectal cancer, these recommendations would yield a PPV of 11.9% for the detection of liver metastases and 6.2% for the detection of lung metastases. This would translate to an NNI of 8.4 for liver metastases and an NNI of 16.1 for lung metastases. When patients with T1N0 were excluded from routine imaging, this resulted in a PPV of 6.4% and an NNI of 15.6 to identify one case of lung metastasis. Likewise, this resulted in a PPV of 12.3% and an NNI of 8.0 to detect one case of liver metastasis. Similarly, when patients with either T1N0 or T2N0 were excluded from routine imaging, the PPV and NNI for lung metastases improved to 6.6% and 15.1, respectively, and the PPV and NNI for liver metastases improved to 12.6 and 7.9%, respectively. Conclusion: Our study suggests that the specificity of the current imaging approach for rectal cancer staging is limited and that the omission of chest and abdominal imaging among selected early stage asymptomatic cases may be reasonable to consider.

Socioeconomic predictors of suicide risk among cancer patients in the United States: A population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the socioeconomic predictors of suicide risk among cancer patients in the United States. METHODS: Cancer patients available within Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database who were diagnosed between 2000-2010 have been reviewed. Linkage analysis to Census 2000 SF files was conducted to determine area-based socioeconomic attributes. Observed/ Expected ratios were calculated for the overall cohort as well as for clinically and socioeconomically defined subgroups. "Observed" is the number of observed completed suicide cases in the studied cohort; while "Expected" is the number of completed suicide cases in a demographically similar cohort within the United States and within the same period of time. RESULTS: The current study reviews a total of 3,149,235 cancer patients (diagnosed 2000-2010) within the SEER database. Regarding socioeconomic county attributes, higher risk of suicide seems to be associated with lower educational attainment (O/E for counties with > 20% individuals with less than high school education: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.35-1.47), poverty rates (O/E for counties with > 5% individuals below poverty line: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.34-1.43), unemployment rates (O/E for counties with >5% families below poverty line: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.31-1.41) and less people living in urban areas (O/E for counties with < 50% individuals living in urban areas: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.50-1.77). On the other hand, risk of suicide seems to be inversely related to a higher representation of foreign-born individuals (O/E for counties with < 5% foreign-born individuals: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.47-1.65); and inversely related to a higher representation with recent immigrants to the US (O/E for counties with < 5% recent immigrants: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.29-1.38). CONCLUSIONS: Cancer patients living in a socioeconomically vulnerable environment (lower educational status, poverty, and unemployment) seem to have higher suicide risk compared to other cancer patients.

Global, Regional, and National Cancer Incidence, Mortality, Years of Life Lost, Years Lived With Disability, and Disability-Adjusted Life-Years for 29 Cancer Groups, 1990 to 2017: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study.

Importance: Cancer and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are now widely recognized as a threat to global development. The latest United Nations high-level meeting on NCDs reaffirmed this observation and also highlighted the slow progress in meeting the 2011 Political Declaration on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases and the third Sustainable Development Goal. Lack of situational analyses, priority setting, and budgeting have been identified as major obstacles in achieving these goals. All of these have in common that they require information on the local cancer epidemiology. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study is uniquely poised to provide these crucial data. Objective: To describe cancer burden for 29 cancer groups in 195 countries from 1990 through 2017 to provide data needed for cancer control planning. Evidence Review: We used the GBD study estimation methods to describe cancer incidence, mortality, years lived with disability, years of life lost, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). Results are presented at the national level as well as by Socio-demographic Index (SDI), a composite indicator of income, educational attainment, and total fertility rate. We also analyzed the influence of the epidemiological vs the demographic transition on cancer incidence. Findings: In 2017, there were 24.5 million incident cancer cases worldwide (16.8 million without nonmelanoma skin cancer [NMSC]) and 9.6 million cancer deaths. The majority of cancer DALYs came from years of life lost (97%), and only 3% came from years lived with disability. The odds of developing cancer were the lowest in the low SDI quintile (1 in 7) and the highest in the high SDI quintile (1 in 2) for both sexes. In 2017, the most common incident cancers in men were NMSC (4.3 million incident cases); tracheal, bronchus, and lung (TBL) cancer (1.5 million incident cases); and prostate cancer (1.3 million incident cases). The most common causes of cancer deaths and DALYs for men were TBL cancer (1.3 million deaths and 28.4 million DALYs), liver cancer (572 000 deaths and 15.2 million DALYs), and stomach cancer (542 000 deaths and 12.2 million DALYs). For women in 2017, the most common incident cancers were NMSC (3.3 million incident cases), breast cancer (1.9 million incident cases), and colorectal cancer (819 000 incident cases). The leading causes of cancer deaths and DALYs for women were breast cancer (601 000 deaths and 17.4 million DALYs), TBL cancer (596 000 deaths and 12.6 million DALYs), and colorectal cancer (414 000 deaths and 8.3 million DALYs). Conclusions and Relevance: The national epidemiological profiles of cancer burden in the GBD study show large heterogeneities, which are a reflection of different exposures to risk factors, economic settings, lifestyles, and access to care and screening. The GBD study can be used by policy makers and other stakeholders to develop and improve national and local cancer control in order to achieve the global targets and improve equity in cancer care.

Impact of NCI Socioeconomic Index on the Outcomes of Nonmetastatic Breast Cancer Patients: Analysis of SEER Census Tract-Level Socioeconomic Database.

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of National Cancer Institute socioeconomic status (SES) index on breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) of nonmetastatic breast cancer patients registered within the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) census tract-level SES database. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The census tract-level SES index is a composite score integrating 7 parameters that assess different dimensions of SES. Women with a nonmetastatic breast cancer diagnosis (stage I-III) diagnosed during 2010-2015 and included in the SEER-SES specialized database were included in the current analysis. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to assess the impact of SES index on BCSS. RESULTS: A total of 296,100 women with nonmetastatic breast cancer were included in the current study. The impact of SES index on BCSS was evaluated in the overall cohort of patients through multivariate Cox regression analysis (adjusted for age at diagnosis, race, stage, and breast cancer subtype). Lower SES was associated with worse BCSS (hazard ratio for group 1 [lowest SES group] vs. group 3 [highest SES group]: 1.428; 95% confidence interval, 1.359-1.499; P < .001). Using additional interaction testing within Cox regression models, the impact of SES on BCSS seems to be modified by breast cancer subtype (P for interaction < .001), race (P for interaction = .001), and stage (P for interaction = .015). CONCLUSION: Lower SES index is associated with worse BCSS. Further efforts need to be directed to improving breast cancer outcomes among women with socioeconomically vulnerable attributes (poverty, lower education, and unemployment).

Assessment of the external validity of the AJCC 8th staging system for small intestinal adenocarcinoma: a time to reconsider the role of tumor location?

BACKGROUND: The current study evaluates the validity and performance of the 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system for small intestinal adenocarcinoma patients. METHODS: Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database [2004-2015] was explored and AJCC 6th, 7th, and 8th versions were assigned for each patient. Through Kaplan-Meier estimates, overall survival analyses were conducted. Cox regression analysis (adjusted for age, race, gender, sub-site, grade and surgical treatment) was conducted for cancer-specific survival and additionally, pairwise hazard ratio comparisons were performed. RESULTS: A total of 2,997 small intestinal adenocarcinoma patients were eligible and included in the analysis. Overall survival was compared according to the three AJCC staging systems. For the three versions, the P value for the trend in overall survival was significant (P<0.0001). Cancer-specific Cox regression hazard was calculated for the three staging systems. Pairwise hazard ratio comparisons between different AJCC 6th stages were conducted and all P values for comparisons were significant (P<0.0001). Pairwise hazard ratio comparisons between different AJCC 7th and 8th stages were also performed, and all comparisons were significant (P<0.05) except for stage IIB vs. IIIA. C-statistic (using death from small intestinal adenocarcinoma as the dependent variable) for AJCC 6th staging system was: 0.645 [standard error (SE): 0.011; 95% CI: 0.623-0.668]; for c-statistic for AJCC 7th staging system was 0.658 (SE: 0.011; 95% CI: 0.637-0.680); while c-statistic for AJCC 8th staging system was 0.660 (SE: 0.011; 95% CI: 0.638-0.682). Multivariate analysis of factors affecting cancer-specific survival suggested that older age (P=0.005), higher lymph node ratio (P<0.0001) and duodenal localization of the primary are associated with worse outcomes (P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence that AJCC 8th system provided better prognostic characterization compared to previous AJCC staging systems for small intestinal adenocarcinoma. Subsite-specific staging paradigms should be explored in future editions of the staging system.

Outcomes of non-metastatic colon cancer patients in relationship to socioeconomic status: an analysis of SEER census tract-level socioeconomic database.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcomes of non-metastatic colon cancer patients in relation to the socioeconomic status (SES) at diagnosis based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) census tract level-SES database. METHODS: SEER SES census tract level database represents a specially designed database to integrate different aspects of SES among cancer patients. It reports a composite SES index for each patient. Patients were then stratified into three SES groups. Patients with a non-metastatic colon cancer diagnosis, diagnosed (2004-2015), and who were included in this specialized database were included in the current study. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to assess the impact of SES index on colon cancer-specific survival. RESULTS: A total of 80,121 patients with non-metastatic colon cancer were included in the current study. Comparing patients in the lower SES group with patients in the higher SES group, patients with lower SES were more likely to have a younger age at presentation (P < 0.001), black race (P < 0.001) and more advanced stage at presentation (P < 0.001). The impact of the SES on colon cancer-specific survival was evaluated through multivariate Cox regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, race, stage, and colon cancer side. Lower SES was associated with worse colon cancer-specific survival (hazard ratio for group 1 versus group 3: 1.257; 1.190-1.328; P < 0.001). Interaction testing between race (black race versus white race) and SES was non-significant (P = 0.932). CONCLUSIONS: Lower SES is associated with worse colon cancer-specific survival among non-metastatic colon cancer patients.

Population-based assessment of the performance of sigmoidoscopy in the detection of colorectal cancer: implications for future screening recommendations.

Current North American guidelines endorse the use of flexible sigmoidoscopy every 10 years as an alternative to fecal testing for the screening of colorectal cancer (CRC). The present study aims to evaluate its performance in a hypothetical population-based scenario, using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-18 database. We explored the SEER database with the SEER*stat software. All cases diagnosed as colorectal carcinoma within the age group of 50-74 years during the year 2010 were included. Cases were considered either accessible or non-accessible to detection by screening sigmoidoscopy by virtue of their anatomic location. For example, cases within the rectum, sigmoid or descending colon were considered accessible whereas cases within other colorectal sub-sites were considered non-accessible. Assuming that all eligible United States' citizens underwent screening sigmoidoscopy and assuming that all CRC cases within accessible sites were correctly identified by sigmoidoscopy, true positive, true negative, and false negative cases were calculated. False positive cases, however, were non-calculable. Sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) of screening sigmoidoscopy were derived accordingly. A total of 18,794 patients aged between 50-74 years were diagnosed in 2010. The total United States' population covered by the SEER-18 registry in the same year and within the same age group was 21,613,411 individuals. A total of 10,786 CRC patients (57.4%) were diagnosed in sigmoidoscopy-accessible sites, 7,532 CRC patients (40.1%) were diagnosed in sigmoidoscopy-non-accessible sites, and an additional 476 patients (2.5%) were identified as unknown sub-sites. This translated into 2,853 CRC-related deaths at 5 years for sigmoidoscopy-accessible tumors versus 2,126 CRC-related deaths for sigmoidoscopy-non-accessible tumors. Based on the study's assumptions, sensitivity of screening sigmoidoscopy would be 58.8% and NPV would be 99.9%. Flexible sigmoidoscopy has an unacceptably low sensitivity for the detection of right-sided CRC; therefore, its use as a first-line screening modality should be questioned. Additional studies on alternative screening options for right-sided CRC are warranted.

Population-based assessment of the national comprehensive cancer network recommendations for baseline imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma.

This analysis aims to evaluate the performance characteristics of alternative baseline imaging thresholds in a cohort of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. HCC patients within the SEER database (2010-2015) who had complete information on clinical T and N stages as well as complete information on metastatic sites were eligible for the current study. Various performance characteristics associated with baseline imaging were investigated, including specificity, sensitivity, positive likelihood ratio (LR), negative LR, number needed to investigate (NNI), negative predictive value (NPV), positive predictive value (PPV), and accuracy. A total of 27,201 HCC patients were included. Based on current recommendations that advocate for the use of cross-sectional chest imaging in all newly diagnosed cases of HCC, these recommendations would yield a PPV of 5.0% for the detection of lung metastases. This would translate to an NNI of 20.0. When T1N0 patients were excluded from routine chest or bone imaging, this resulted in a PPV of 6.8% for the identification of lung metastases and an NNI of 14.7. Likewise, this translated to a PPV of 4.6% for the identification of bone metastases and an NNI of 21.7. Similarly, when patients with T1N0 disease and normal alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were excluded from routine imaging, this resulted in a PPV of 5.6% for the identification of lung metastases and an NNI of 17.8. Also, this translated to a PPV of 3.8% for the identification of bone metastases and an NNI of 26.3. The current study suggests that the omission of routine baseline chest imaging may be considered in selected patients with asymptomatic early-stage HCC and normal AFP.

Outcomes of Surgery as Part of the Management of Metastatic Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Database Analysis.

The role of local treatment in patients with oligometastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a subject of ongoing debate. This study assessed the survival impact of combined surgery to the primary tumor and metastatic disease in the management of metastatic NSCLC. Stage IV NSCLC patients at presentation, diagnosed from 2004 to 2013 were identified from the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) database. Propensity-matched analysis was performed considering baseline characteristics (age, gender, race, histology, TN stage, and site of metastases). A total of 144,334 patients were identified. The median age group was 65-70 years, and 1139 patients (0.8% of the patients) have received surgical treatment to both the primary tumor and metastatic disease. Both before and after propensity score matching, cancer-specific and overall survival were better in the surgical therapy group (P < 0.0001 for all). When the analysis was restricted to the subsets of patients with brain only M1 disease or isolated contra lateral nodule, overall survival was improved by combined surgery. However, in multivariate analysis of the overall population (postmatching), combined surgery was not associated with a better overall survival (0.576). Despite the apparently beneficial role of surgery in this study for some patients with metastatic disease, the absence of adequate information about systemic therapy as well as associated comorbidity hinders the generation of definite conclusions. Prospective studies are needed to confirm the role of surgery in the setting of metastatic disease.