The Burden of Cervical Cancer in Korea: A Population-Based Study.

This study used the Korean National Health Insurance (NHI) claims database from 2011 to 2017 to estimate the incidence and the incidence-based cost of cervical cancer and carcinoma in situ of cervix uteri (CIS) in Korea. The primary outcome was the direct medical cost per patient not diagnosed with cervical cancer (C53) or CIS (D06) 2 years prior to the index date in the first year after diagnosis. A regression analysis was conducted to adjust for relevant covariates. The incidence of cervical cancer tended to decrease from 2013 to 2016, while that of CIS increased. In particular, the incidence rate of CIS in women in their 20 s and 30 s increased by 56.8% and 28.4%, respectively, from 2013 to 2016. The incidence-based cost of cervical cancer and CIS was USD 13,058 and USD 2695 in 2016, respectively, which increased from 2013. Multivariate regression analysis suggested that age was the most influential variable of the cost in both patient groups, and the cost was highest in those aged over 60, i.e., the medical cost was significantly lower in younger women than their older counterparts. These findings suggest that targeting younger women in cervical cancer prevention is a reasonable option from both economic and public health perspectives.

Assessment of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (cSCC) In situ Incidence and the Risk of Developing Invasive cSCC in Patients With Prior cSCC In situ vs the General Population in the Netherlands, 1989-2017.

Importance: The incidence rates of keratinocyte cancer are increasing globally; however, the incidence rates of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) in situ and the risk of developing subsequent invasive cSCC remain unknown. Objective: To estimate annual population-based age-standardized incidence rates of histopathologically confirmed cSCC in situ stratified by sex, age, and body site and to assess the risk of developing invasive cSCC among patients with cSCC in situ compared with the general population. Design, Setting, and Participants: This nationwide epidemiological population-based cohort study used cancer registry data to identify all patients with a first incident of histopathologically confirmed cSCC in situ between January 1, 1989, and December 31, 2017. In addition, all patients with cSCC in situ who subsequently had a first incident of invasive cSCC were identified up to June 11, 2019. Data were analyzed between March 18 and November 12, 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures: Age-standardized incidence rates per year for cSCC in situ, standardized to the 2013 edition of the European Standard Population, were calculated by sex, age, and body site. Cumulative risks, standardized incidence ratios, and absolute excess risks were calculated to assess the risk of invasive cSCC in patients with cSCC in situ compared with the general population. Results: In this population-based cohort study of 88 754 patients with a first incident of cSCC in situ between January 1, 1989, and December 31, 2017, 58.8% were women; the median age was 75 years (interquartile range [IQR], 67-82 years) for women and 73 years (IQR, 65-80 years) for men. Increasing incidence rates were observed, with the highest incidence rates in 2017 among women in general (71.7 cases per 100 000 person-years) and among men 80 years and older (540.9 cases per 100 000 person-years). The most common body site among women was the face (15.9 cases per 100 000 person-years) and among men was the scalp and/or neck (12.3 cases per 100 000 person-years). After 5 years of follow-up, among patients with cSCC in situ, the cumulative risk of developing an invasive cSCC at any anatomic location was 11.7% (95% CI, 11.6%-11.9%) in men and 6.9% (95% CI, 6.8%-7.0%) in women (P < .001). The standardized incidence ratio was highest in the first year of follow-up among both men (16.6; 95% CI, 15.7-17.5) and women (15.1; 95% CI, 14.2-16.1). Conclusions and Relevance: This study reports the first nationwide incidence rates of cSCC in situ to date. The increasing incidence rates of cSCC in situ and the high risk of developing invasive cSCC among patients with cSCC in situ may increase the health care burden associated with precursors of keratinocyte cancer and highlight the need to include cutaneous skin cancer precursor lesions when exploring policies to address skin cancer care.

Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia: Classification, epidemiology, diagnosis, and management.

Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) is classified into two entities: differentiated (dVIN) and vulvar high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (vH-SIL). dVIN is a premalignant lesion that develops on an existing vulvar lesion such as lichen sclerosus, while vH-SIL is associated with HPV infection. The two entities differ in terms of pathophysiology, background, prognosis, and management. The incidence of VIN in young women is rising and recurrence is common, even after radical surgery, which can cause significant disfigurement. Alternative strategies include topical treatments, ablation, and a watch-and-wait approach. There is currently no consensus on how these lesions should be managed. We review the literature in this field.

An Update to Changing Patterns of Anal Carcinoma in the United States.

OBJECTIVES: Approximately 8,300 new cases of anal carcinoma will be diagnosed in the United States in 2019. Anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) accounts for about 70% of all anal cancers. As cancer prevention and treatments have evolved over time, medical management of human immunodeficiency virus has improved, and sexual behaviors have changed, anal carcinoma incidence rates (IRs) may have also changed. METHODS: The 9 oldest Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries were used to identify and determine IR of carcinoma in situ (CIS) and invasive SCC for 9757 patients below 65 years diagnosed with anal SCC/CIS from 1973 to 2014. Joinpoint regression models identified time points at which incidence trends changed. RESULTS: The incidence of CIS decreased since 2010 (age-adjusted IR annual percent change [APC]: -5.65, 95% CI: -10.0 to -1.1), especially for men (APC: -8.30, 95% CI: -12.6 to -3.8). In contrast, the incidence of SCC increased since 2007 (APC: 2.59, 95% CI: 0.1-5.2). During 2010-2014, men were more likely to present with CIS (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 3.234, 95% CI: 3.000-3.489) but less likely to present with localized (IRR: 0.827, 95% CI: 0.754-0.906), regional (IRR: 0.603, 95% CI: 0.537-0.676), and distant SCC (IRR: 0.751, 95% CI: 0.615-0.915) compared with women. CONCLUSIONS: The previously observed rise in anal SCC/CIS incidence slowed in 2010, largely due to a decline in CIS rates. Patients were more likely to present with CIS than SCC at any stage. Future studies are necessary to determine if this decline in CIS precedes a decline in invasive SCC.

Hospitalization burden associated with malignant neoplasia and in situ carcinoma in vulva and vagina during a 5-year period (2009-2013) in Spain: An epidemiological study.

BACKGROUND: Vulvar and vaginal cancers are considered rare cancers in women. Human Papillomavirus is responsible for 30-76% of them. The aim of this study was to describe the burden of hospital admissions by malignant neoplasia (MN) and in situ carcinoma (ISC) of vulva and vagina from 2009 to 2013, in Spain METHODS: This observational, descriptive study used discharge information obtained from the national surveillance system for hospital data, Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos, CMBD, provided by the Ministry of Health. RESULTS: From 2009-2013, we found 9,896 hospitalizations coded as MN or ISC of vulva and vagina. Mean age of hospitalization was 69.94 ±â€¯15.16 years; average length of hospital stay (ALOS) was 10.02 ±â€¯12.40 days, and mean hospitalization costs were 5,140.31 ±â€¯3,220.61 euros. Mean hospitalization rate was 9.874 per 100,000 women aged >14 years old (95% CI: 9.689-10.058); mean mortality rate was 0.932 per 100,000 women aged >14 years old (95% CI: 0.872-0.991) and mean case fatality rate was 9.438% (95% CI: 8.862-10.014). CONCLUSION: MN and ISC of vulva and vagina are responsible for a considerable hospitalization burden. Information about these hospitalizations could be useful for cost effectiveness analysis and monitoring of HPV vaccination effectiveness.

The Current Burden of Follow-up of Stage 1A1 Cervical Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the current burden and consistency of stage 1A1 cervical cancer follow-up within Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board. METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken of women diagnosed with and treated of, between 2007 and 2011, stage 1A1 cervical cancer in Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board. Data were collected on referral cytology, definitive method of treatment, posttreatment cytology, and rate of recurrence. Outcomes included rate of recurrence, abnormal cytology, and number of interventions during follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 78 women diagnosed with stage 1A1 cervical cancer, 43 had a LLETZ (large loop excision of the transformation zone) as definitive treatment. Ninety percent of stage 1A1 cervical cancers were diagnosed following abnormal screening cytology. Almost 86% of all cytology post-LLETZ were negative. Only 1 woman had a recurrence. No posthysterectomy vault smears were low-grade dyskaryosis or worse. CONCLUSIONS: There is a very low rate of abnormal cytology after LLETZ. Vault smears are of limited benefit in the management of women posthysterectomy for stage 1A1 cervical cancer.

Hospitalizations associated with malignant neoplasia and in situ carcinoma in the anus and penis in men and women during a 5-year period (2009-2013) in Spain: An epidemiological study.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 40,000 new cases of anal cancer and 26,000 new cases of penile cancer occurred in 2012 worldwide. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is responsible for 88.3% and 33.0% of these cancers, respectively. The aim of this study was to describe the hospital burden associated with malignant neoplasm (MN) and in situ carcinoma (ISC) in the anus and penis in Spain from 2009 to 2013. METHODS: This observational, retrospective study used discharge information obtained from the national surveillance system for hospital data, Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos, provided by the Ministry of Health. RESULTS: We found 3,668 hospitalizations due to MN and ISC in the anus for both genders, and more than 55% of these hospitalizations occurred in men and were associated with a lower median age of hospitalization (p < 0.001), higher average length of hospital stay (ALOS) (p = 0.0032), higher hospitalization costs (p < 0.001) and higher hospitalization rate (2.141 per 100,000 males aged > 14 y old and 1.604 per 100,000 women aged > 14 y old, p < 0.001) than in women. During the same period, 4,156 hospitalizations due to MN and ISC of the penis were registered. The hospitalization rate was 4.320 per 100,000 males aged > 14 y old. The hospitalization rate due to MN and ISC in the anus in males increased significantly during this period (p = 0.048). CONCLUSION: Our study provides relevant information about the hospital burden of anal and penile MN and ISC in Spain. This information could be useful for cost effectiveness analysis of universal HPV vaccination and for future HPV vaccination impact monitoring in Spain, and for other countries of similar socioeconomic status.

Decreased Risk of Colorectal Cancer after Colonoscopy in Patients 76-85 Years Old in the United States.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The benefits of colonoscopy in reducing colorectal cancer (CRC) risk for patients over 75 years are controversial. We aimed to determine whether colonoscopy use is associated with a decreased risk of CRC in patients 76-85 years old in the United States (US). PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients in the Medicare 5% random sample of the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare linked database 76-85 years old at outpatient colonoscopy between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 2002 were identified. Using the Kaplan-Meier method, we estimated the cumulative incidence of CRC in the above-mentioned colonoscopy group and compared with the control group of patients without colonoscopy. All patients were followed until diagnosis of CRC or carcinoma in situ, death or December 31, 2005. The multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was used in statistical analysis. CRC was separated by location into distal vs. proximal CRC in subgroup analysis. RESULTS: Of 5,701 patients in the colonoscopy group, 37 (0.65%) patients were diagnosed with CRC, compared to 379 (1.55%) out of 24,437 patients in the control group (p < 0.001). The cumulative incidences of distal and proximal CRC were lower in the colonoscopy group compared to those in the control group (5-year distal CRC: 0.26 vs. 0.77%; 5-year proximal CRC: 0.43 vs. 0.79%, both p < 0.05). In multivariate Cox regression, colonoscopy was associated with decreased risk of all CRC (hazard ratio ((HR) 0.42, 95% CI 0.28-0.65), distal CRC (HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.18-0.70), and proximal CRC (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.30-0.92)). CONCLUSION: Among patients 76-85 years old in the United States, colonoscopy use was associated with decreased risks of both distal and proximal CRC, with a smaller risk reduction in distal colon. Due to inherent limitations associated with our retrospective design, future prospective studies are needed to validate these findings.

Effects of Referral Bias on Estimates of Anal Intraepithelial Neoplasia Progression and Regression Rates in a 3-State Markov Model.

The study aim is to compare anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) progression and regression rates in a cytology inception cohort to estimates based on the subcohort referred for ≥1 high-resolution anoscopies (HRAs).A cytology-based retrospective cohort was assembled including the anal cytology histories and invasive anal cancer (IAC) outcomes of all HIV-infected adults under care between 2001 and 2012. A 3-state Markov model (400, and to have HSIL at baseline and thereafter. They also had more anal cytology examinations (median 6 vs 3) and longer follow-up (median 5.5 vs 3.6 years). State transition rates were overestimated in the HRA subcohort relative to inception cohort, but the degree of discordance varied by transition: for

Long-Term Outcomes of Adding HPV Vaccine to the Anal Intraepithelial Neoplasia Treatment Regimen in HIV-Positive Men Who Have Sex With Men.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence shows that quadrivalent human papillomavirus (qHPV) vaccination in men who have sex with men (MSM) who have a history of high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia (HGAIN) was associated with a 50% reduction in the risk of recurrent HGAIN. We evaluated the long-term clinical and economic outcomes of adding the qHPV vaccine to the treatment regimen for HGAIN in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive MSM aged ≥27 years. METHODS: We constructed a Markov model based on anal histology in HIV-positive MSM comparing qHPV vaccination with no vaccination after treatment for HGAIN, the current practice. The model parameters, including baseline prevalence, disease transitions, costs, and utilities, were either obtained from the literature or calibrated using a natural history model of anal carcinogenesis. The model outputs included lifetime costs, quality-adjusted life years, and lifetime risk of developing anal cancer. We estimated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of qHPV vaccination compared to no qHPV vaccination and decrease in lifetime risk of anal cancer. We also conducted deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses to evaluate the robustness of the results. RESULTS: Use of qHPV vaccination after treatment for HGAIN decreased the lifetime risk of anal cancer by 63% compared with no vaccination. The qHPV vaccination strategy was cost saving; it decreased lifetime costs by $419 and increased quality-adjusted life years by 0.16. Results were robust to the sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccinating HIV-positive MSM aged ≥27 years with qHPV vaccine after treatment for HGAIN is a cost-saving strategy. Therefore, expansion of current vaccination guidelines to include this population should be a high priority.

Estrogen Receptor Status and the Future Burden of Invasive and In Situ Breast Cancers in the United States.

BACKGROUND: No study has predicted the future incidence rate and annual burden (number) of new cases in the United States of invasive and in situ female breast cancers stratified by the estrogen receptor (ER) status. METHODS: We constructed forecasts for women age 30 to 84 years in 2011 through 2030 using cancer incidence data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, novel age-period-cohort forecasting models, and population projections from the US Census Bureau. RESULTS: The total number of new tumors (invasive plus in situ) is expected to rise from 283 000 in 2011 to 441 000 in 2030 (plausible range 353 500 to 466 700 cases). The proportion of all new case patients age 70 to 84 years is expected to increase from 24.3% to 34.8%, while the proportion ages 50 to 69 years is expected to decrease from 54.7% to 43.6%. The proportion of ER-positive invasive cancers is expected to remain nearly the same at 62.6%, whereas the proportion of ER-positive in situ cancers is expected to increase from 19.1% to 28.9%. The proportion of ER-negative cancers (invasive and in situ) is expected to decrease from 16.8% to 8.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Breast cancer overall will rise in the United States through 2030, especially for ER-positive in situ tumors among women age 70 to 84 years. In contrast, ER-negative invasive and in situ tumors will fall, for reasons that are not fully understood. These results highlight a need to optimize case management among older women, characterize the natural history of in situ cancers, and identify those factors responsible for declining ER-negative incidence.

Diagnosing ocular surface squamous neoplasia in East Africa: case-control study of clinical and in vivo confocal microscopy assessment.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the reliability of clinical examination and in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) in distinguishing ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) from benign conjunctival lesions. DESIGN: Case-control study. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty individuals with conjunctival lesions (OSSN and benign) and 60 age-matched controls with normal conjunctiva presenting to Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania. METHODS: Participants were examined and photographed, and IVCM was performed. Patients with conjunctival lesions were offered excisional biopsy with histopathology and a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test. The IVCM images were read masked to the clinical appearance and pathology results. Images were graded for several specific features and given an overall categorization (normal, benign, or malignant). A group of 8 ophthalmologists were shown photographs of conjunctival lesions and asked to independently classify as OSSN or benign. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison of the histopathology diagnosis with the clinical and IVCM diagnosis. RESULTS: Fifty-two cases underwent excisional biopsy with histopathology; 34 were on the OSSN spectrum, 17 were benign, and 1 was lymphoma. The cases and controls had comparable demographic profiles. Human immunodeficiency syndrome infection was more common in OSSN compared with benign cases (58.8% vs. 5.6%; odds ratio, 24.3, 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.8-204; P = 0.003). Clinically, OSSN lesions more frequently exhibited feeder vessels and tended to have more leukoplakia and a gelatinous appearance. Overall, the ophthalmologists showed moderate agreement with the histology result (average kappa = 0.51; 95% CI, 0.36-0.64). The masked grading of IVCM images reliably distinguished normal conjunctiva. However, IVCM was unable to reliably distinguish between benign lesions and OSSN because of an overlap in their appearance (kappa = 0.44; 95% CI, 0.32-0.57). No single feature was significantly more frequent in OSSN compared with benign lesions. The sensitivity and specificity of IVCM for distinguishing OSSN from benign conjunctival lesions were 38.5% and 66.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In East Africa, conjunctival pathology is relatively common and can present significant diagnostic challenges for the clinician. In this study, neither clinical examination nor IVCM was found to reliably distinguish OSSN from benign conjunctival pathology because of an overlap in the features of these groups. Therefore, IVCM cannot currently replace histopathology, and management decisions should continue to rely on careful clinical assessment supported by histopathology as indicated.

Quantifying the natural history of breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Natural history models of breast cancer progression provide an opportunity to evaluate and identify optimal screening scenarios. This paper describes a detailed Markov model characterising breast cancer tumour progression. METHODS: Breast cancer is modelled by a 13-state continuous-time Markov model. The model differentiates between indolent and aggressive ductal carcinomas in situ tumours, and aggressive tumours of different sizes. We compared such aggressive cancers, that is, which are non-indolent, to those which are non-growing and regressing. Model input parameters and structure were informed by the 1978-1984 Ostergotland county breast screening randomised controlled trial. Overlaid on the natural history model is the effect of screening on diagnosis. Parameters were estimated using Bayesian methods. Markov chain Monte Carlo integration was used to sample the resulting posterior distribution. RESULTS: The breast cancer incidence rate in the Ostergotland population was 21 (95% CI: 17-25) per 10 000 woman-years. Accounting for length-biased sampling, an estimated 91% (95% CI: 85-97%) of breast cancers were aggressive. Larger tumours, 21-50 mm, had an average sojourn of 6 years (95% CI: 3-16 years), whereas aggressive ductal carcinomas in situ took around half a month (95% CI: 0-1 month) to progress to the invasive ≤10 mm state. CONCLUSION: These tumour progression rate estimates may facilitate future work analysing cost-effectiveness and quality-adjusted life years for various screening strategies.

A contemporary analysis of epidemiology and management of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to review a large cohort of patients with vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN) and to analyze the epidemiology and outcomes with various treatment modalities. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart review was performed that encompassed patients who were treated for VAIN at a single center from 1990-2007. Demographics, disease characteristics, referring cytology, and histologic information were recorded. Primary outcome was recurrence or progression to carcinoma. Statistical analyses were performed with statistical software. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-three women were included in the study: median age, 50 years (range, 21-84 years); white, 87%; current or previous smokers, 35%. At the time of diagnosis, 23% of the women had VAIN1; 37% of the women had VAIN2, and 35% of the women had VAIN3. Referral Papanicolaou smear results of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or atypical glandular cells revealed VAIN2 or VAIN3 in 89% of cases (P = .0019) vs 53% of cases with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. The median follow-up period was 18 months (range, 1-194 months). VAIN1 was observed in 70% of cases; 71% of patients who were treated for VAIN1 had recurrence or progression. VAIN2 was treated in 77% of patients; 53% of those who were treated had recurrence or progression. VAIN3 was treated in 94% of cases; 31% of them had recurrence or progression. Risk of recurrence was not correlated to VAIN type (P = .3). Six carcinomas were discovered in patients with VAIN2 and VAIN3. Median time to progression was 17 months for VAIN1, 11 months for VAIN2, and 11 months for VAIN3 (P = .036). CONCLUSION: Despite the subtype, VAIN often recurs but does so more quickly with higher grade dysplasia.

Performance of papanicolaou testing and detection of cervical carcinoma in situ in participants of organized cervical cancer screening in South Korea.

BACKGROUND: The present study measured the performance of the Papanicolaou (Pap) test and detection of cervical carcinoma in situ (CIS) and cancer in participants of organized cervical cancer screening in South Korea, and examined differences in the proportion of CIS according to socio-demographic factors. METHODS: Data were obtained from the National Cancer Screening Program and National Health Insurance Cancer Screening Program databases. We analyzed data from 4,072,997 screenings of women aged 30 years or older who underwent cervical cancer screening by Pap test between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2006. We calculated the performances of the Pap test and compared that according to socio-demographic factors. RESULTS: The positivity rate for all screenings was 6.6%. The cancer detection rate (CDR) and interval cancer rate (ICR) were 0.32 per 1,000 screenings, and 0.13 per 1,000 negative screenings, respectively. About 63.4% of screen-detected CIS+ cases (CIS or invasive cervical cancer) were CIS. The CDR and ICR, and percentage of CIS among all CIS+ were significantly different by age group and health insurance status. The odds ratios of CDR and ICR were higher for Medical Aid Program (MAP) recipients compared with National Health Insurance (NHI) beneficiaries. The likelihood of a detected CIS+ case to be CIS was significantly lower among MAP recipients than among NHI beneficiaries. CONCLUSIONS: The difference in performance of cervical cancer screening among different socio-demographic groups may indicate an important influence of socio-demographic factors on preventive behavior. The findings of the study support the critical need for increasing efforts to raise awareness and provide more screening in at-risk populations, specifically low-income groups.

Incidence, management, and outcome of incidental gallbladder carcinoma: analysis of the database of the Swiss association of laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the long-term survival of patients with incidental gallbladder carcinoma (IGBC). The role of radical resection for this disease is discussed controversially in the literature. We present the long-term survival and the results of re-resection versus simple cholecystectomy of the database of the Swiss Association for Laparoscopic and Thoracoscopic Surgery (SALTS) from 1994 to 2004. METHODS: Eighty-nine patients with histologically confirmed carcinoma of the gallbladder were identified out of 30,960 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Sixty-nine patients were included in our study. Long-term survival by different T-stage and comparison of patients with extended resection versus simple cholecystectomy were calculated using the log-rank test. The time-to-event data are demonstrated by Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: The overall incidence of IGBC in patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy was 0.28% (89 of 30,960). Fifty patients underwent simple cholecystectomy [n = 2: carcinoma in situ (CIS); n = 2: pT1a; n = 10: pT1b; n = 23: pT2; n = 8: pT3; n = 5: pT4], whereas extended resection was performed in 19 cases (n = 2: pT1b; n = 11: pT2; n = 6: pT3). The comparison of simple cholecystectomy versus extended re-resection of the gallbladder bed and regional lymph node resections showed a significant benefit in overall survival for the pT2 and pT3 group (p < 0.05). The pT1b group showed no significant benefit in overall survival (p = 0.34). CONCLUSION: IGBC has a low incidence (0.28%). We present a large study of patients with IGBC, comparing the overall survival by different histological findings. We observed a significant benefit for the group with pT2 and pT3. Therefore we recommend extended resection of the gallbladder bed and the regional lymph nodes for patient with incidental histologically confirmed pT2 and pT3 carcinoma of the gallbladder after performance of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. For patients with pT1b stage no recommendations can be given based on this study.

Emerging targeted therapies for bladder cancer: a disease waiting for a drug.

Urothelial cell carcinoma is the fifth most common cancer and the costliest to treat. This is largely because of all new cases, about 70% present as superficial disease and this while rarely fatal, tends to recur, requiring long-term follow-up and repeat interventions. The standard of care, intravesical chemo- and immunotherapy, while effective, is associated with a considerable side-effect profile and approximately 30% of patients either fail to respond to treatment or suffer recurrent disease within 5 years. Muscle-invasive bladder cancer is life threatening, showing modest chemosensitivity, and usually requires radical cystectomy. Although bladder cancer is fairly well-genetically characterized, clinical trials with molecularly targeted agents have, in comparison to other solid tumors such as lung, breast and prostate, been few in number and largely unsuccessful, with no new agents being registered in the last 20 years. Hence, bladder cancer represents a considerable opportunity and challenge for molecularly targeted therapy.

Assessment of breast cancer opportunistic screening by clinical-pathological indicators: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Although some clinical-pathological features of breast cancers, such as the incidence of ductal cancer in situ (DCIS) and the diameter of invasive tumours, are sensitive indicators of early detection, comprehensive population-based studies of opportunistic screening are needed. METHODS: Cases of DCIS or invasive breast cancer diagnosed in 1996-2007 were identified from the Ticino Cancer Registry (south of Switzerland). Time trends of age-adjusted incidence and mortality, as well as main clinical-pathological features, such as tumour diameter, AJCC stage and histological grade, were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 3047 incident cases of female breast cancer were identified. The proportion of DCIS with respect to invasive cases increased from 5.8% in the period 1996-2001 to 6.4% in the period 2002-2007. The median tumour size of invasive cancers decreased from 20 mm in 1996-2001 to 18 mm in 2002-2007 (P<0.0001). An increase in well/moderately differentiated invasive tumours, from 67% in the period 1996-2001 to 73% in 2002-2007 (P<0.001), was detected and resulted in an Annual Percentage Change of incidence of 2.8 (95% confidence interval: 1.3; 4.3). CONCLUSION: An opportunistic screening strategy can lead to an improvement of prognostic features at diagnosis, but these features are still less favourable than those achieved by organised screening programmes.