Racial and ethnic variation in presentation and outcomes of high-grade soft tissue sarcoma at a Southeastern United States comprehensive cancer center.

BACKGROUND: High-grade soft tissue sarcoma is rare and associated with poor prognosis. This study examines racial and ethnic variation in presentation and outcomes at a Southeastern US cancer center. METHODS: Among an institutional cohort of patients seen between January 2016-December 2021, racial and ethnic differences were evaluated using chi-squared tests, Kaplan Meier curves, and Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: There were 295 patients (71 â€‹% Non-Hispanic White, 24 â€‹% Black, 3 â€‹% Hispanic White, 2 â€‹% Other). Black representation was greater than national cohorts (24 â€‹% vs. 12 â€‹%). Histological subtype varied by race/ethnicity (p â€‹= â€‹0.007). Adjusting for histology and stage, survival was worse for Black vs. White patients (HR 1.71, 95 â€‹% CI 1.07-2.76) and those with metastatic disease (5.47, 3.54-8.44). In non-metastatic patients, survival differences for Black vs. White patients were attenuated by receipt of multi-modal treatment (1.53, 0.82-2.88). CONCLUSION: Observed racial disparities in survival of high-grade sarcoma may be addressed by early, multidisciplinary management.

Racial Differences in Aging-Related Deficits Among Older Adults With Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Despite the known influences of both race- and aging-related factors in colorectal cancer outcomes and mortality, limited literature is available on the intersection between race and aging-related impairments. OBJECTIVE: To explore racial differences in frailty and geriatric deficit subdomains among patients with colorectal cancer. DESIGN: Retrospective study using data from the Cancer and Aging Resilience Evaluation registry. SETTINGS: A comprehensive cancer center in the Deep South. PATIENTS: Older adults (aged ≥60 years) with colorectal cancer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measure of frailty and geriatric assessment subdomains of physical function, functional status, cognitive complaints, psychological function, and health-related quality of life. RESULTS: Black patients lived in areas with a higher social vulnerability index compared to White patients (0.69 vs 0.49; p < 0.01) and had limited social support more often (54.5% vs 34.9%; p = 0.01). After adjustment for age, cancer stage, comorbidities, and social vulnerability index, Black patients were found to have a higher rate of frailty than White patients (adjusted OR 3.77; 95% CI, 1.76-8.18; p = 0.01). In addition, Black patients had more physical limitations (walking 1 block: adjusted OR 1.93; 95% CI, 1.02-3.69; p = 0.04), functional limitations (activities of daily living: adjusted OR 3.21; 95% CI, 1.42-7.24; p = 0.01), and deficits in health-related quality of life (poor global self-reported health: adjusted OR 2.45; 95% CI, 1.23-5.13; p = 0.01). Similar findings were shown after stratification by stage I to III vs IV. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective study at a single institution. CONCLUSIONS: Among older patients with colorectal cancer, Black patients were more likely to be frail than White patients, with deficits observed specifically in physical function, functional status, and health-related quality of life. Geriatric assessment may provide an important tool in addressing racial inequities in colorectal cancer. DIFERENCIAS RACIALES EN LOS DFICITS RELACIONADOS CON EL ENVEJECIMIENTO ENTRE ADULTOS MAYORES CON CNCER COLORRECTAL: ANTECEDENTES: A pesar de las influencias conocidas de los factores relacionados con la raza y el envejecimiento en los resultados y la mortalidad del cáncer colorectal, hay muy poca literatura sobre la intersección entre los impedimentos relacionados con la raza y el envejecimiento.OBJETIVO: El objetivo era explorar las diferencias raciales en los subdominios de fragilidad y déficit geriátrico entre los pacientes con cáncer colorectal.DISEÑO: Estudio retrospectivo utilizando datos del registro Cancer and Aging Resilience Evaluation.AJUSTES: Un centro oncológico integral en el Sur Profundo.PACIENTES: Adultos mayores (≥60 años) con cáncer colorrectal de raza Negra o Blanca.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO: Medida compuesta de fragilidad y subdominios de evaluación geriátrica de función física, estado funcional, quejas cognitivas, función psicológica y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud.RESULTADOS: De los 304 pacientes incluidos, el 21,7% (n = 66) eran negros y la edad media era de 69 años. Los pacientes negros vivían en áreas con un índice de vulnerabilidad social (SVI) más alto en comparación con los pacientes blancos (SVI 0,69 vs 0,49; p < 0,01) y con mayor frecuencia tenían apoyo social limitado (54,5% vs 34,9%; p = 0,01). Después de ajustar por edad, estadio del cáncer, comorbilidades y SVI, los pacientes de raza negra tenían una mayor tasa de fragilidad en comparación con los pacientes de raza blanca (ORa 3,77, IC del 95%: 1,76-8,18; p = 0,01). Además, los pacientes negros tenían más limitaciones físicas (caminar 1 cuadra: ORa 1,93, IC 95% 1,02-3,69; p = 0,04), limitaciones funcionales (actividades de la vida diaria: ORa 3,21, IC 95% 1,42-7,24; p = 0,01 ) y déficits en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (mala salud global autoinformada: ORa 2,45, IC 95% 1,23-5,13; p = 0,01). Las quejas cognitivas y las funciones psicológicas no difirieron según la raza (p > 0,05). Se mostraron hallazgos similares después de la estratificación por estadio I-III frente a IV.LIMITACIONES: Estudio retrospectivo en una sola institución.CONCLUSIONES: Entre los pacientes mayores con cáncer colorrectal, los pacientes negros tenían más probabilidades que los pacientes blancos de ser frágiles, observándose déficits específicamente en la función física, el estado funcional y la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud. La evaluación geriátrica puede proporcionar una herramienta importante para abordar las desigualdades raciales en el cáncer colorrectal.

Making the Cut: Parathyroidectomy Before or After Kidney Transplantation?

BACKGROUND: Hyperparathyroidism is common in patients with end-stage kidney disease and may persist after kidney transplantation (KT). Parathyroidectomy (PTx) is curative, but whether PTx should be performed before or after KT remains controversial. There is concern that PTx can adversely affect renal allograft function if performed post-KT and result in persistent hypocalcemia. This study evaluated outcomes and postoperative complications of PTx before and after KT at our institution. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients at our center (1/2012-2/2019) who had PTx either pre-KT or post-KT. Data on patient demographics, surgical outcomes, and postoperative complications of PTx were collected. RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients were included in this study, with 23 patients undergoing PTx before KT and 75 after KT. The length of follow-up after KT was 67.7 ± 25.5 months. In post-KT PTx patients, 30-day allograft function was unchanged after PTx. Calcium oxalate and phosphate crystals were less common on allograft biopsies in pre-KT PTx patients (10.0% vs. 34.8%, p = 0.038). Patients in the pre-KT group required more calcium supplementation after PTx than the post-KT group (p < 0.001). At one-year post-PTx, 17 (19.1%) patients required > 1000 mg elemental calcium per day and 7 (7.9%) patients required > 2000 mg/day. There was no difference in surgical success or postoperative complications between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Parathyroidectomy before or after kidney transplantation does not adversely affect allograft function. The incidence of persistent hypocalcemia was low. Parathyroidectomy is safe and effective either before or after kidney transplantation.