Utility values and its time to deterioration in breast cancer patients after diagnosis and during treatments.

BACKGROUND: The potential effects of breast cancer (BC) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) should be considered in clinical and policy decision-making, as the economic burden of BC management is currently assessed. In the last decades, time-to-HRQoL score deterioration (TTD) has been proposed as an approach to the analysis of longitudinal HRQoL in oncology. The main objectives of the current study were to investigate the evolution of the utility values in BC patients after diagnosis and during follow-ups and to evaluate the TTD in utility values among women in all stages of BC. METHODS: Health-state utility values (HSUV) were assessed using the EuroQol 5-Dimension 3-Level at diagnosis, at the end of the first hospitalization and 3 and 6 months after the first hospitalization. For a given baseline score, HSUV was considered to have deteriorated if this score decreased by ≥ 0.08 points of the EQ-5D utility index score and ≥ 7 points of the EQ visual analogue scale. TTD curves were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier estimation method. RESULTS: Overall 381 patients were enrolled between February 2006 and February 2008. The highest proportions of respondents at the baseline and all follow-ups reporting some and extreme problems were in pain discomfort and anxiety/depression dimensions; more than 80% of patients experienced a deterioration in EQ-5D utility index score and EQ VAS score with a median TTD of 3.15 months and 6.24 Months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: BC patients undergoing therapy need psychological support to cope with their discomfort, pain, depression, anxiety, and fear during the process of diagnosis and treatment to improve their QoL.

Evaluation of long-term living conditions in patients treated for localised prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the evolution of living conditions (LC) in long-term survivors of localised prostate cancer 10 years after treatment compared with those of a same-age control group from the general population. METHODS: Two hundred and eighty-seven patients diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2001 were selected in 11 French cancer registries. They were matched with controls randomly selected for age and residency. Both patients and controls completed a self-administered LC questionnaire concerning their familial, social and professional life, and general and specific quality of life (QoL) and anxiety and depression questionnaires. RESULTS: Compared with controls, patients reported more sexual modifications (p < .0001), but without any difference in marital status. Patients' circle of friends was more stable than that of the controls (91% vs. 63%; p < .0001) and patients reported fewer friendship modifications than controls (p < .0006). Their professional and physical activities were also preserved. They reported more anxiolytic intake (p = .002) but did not consult their general practitioner more often. Type of specialist consulted differed in the two groups. CONCLUSION: Patients treated for localised prostate cancer had the same living conditions as men of the same age. Their social life was satisfying on the whole, albeit they reported more sexual difficulties than their counterparts.

Factors of the evolution of fatigue dimensions in patients with breast cancer during the 2 years after surgery.

Women with breast cancer are increasingly being cured of the disease but fatigue remains the most frequently reported symptom. The aims of our study were to identify distinct trajectories in four fatigue dimensions during 2 years after breast cancer surgery and to explore the demographic, clinical and personality characteristics associated with these profiles. We included women from the prospective longitudinal multicenter FATSEIN cohort in France. They completed the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory for nine follow-ups over 24 months after surgery. A group-based trajectory model identified distinct trajectories in each fatigue dimension. Multinomial logistic regression determined the factors associated with each profile. From the 459 women followed, 3-5 fatigue trajectories were revealed in each fatigue dimension, from its absence to its severest degree. In our multivariate analysis, the risk of severe fatigue was decreased in all dimensions by a high quality of life before surgery (measured by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer 30-item QoL questionnaire; e.g., for general and physical fatigue: OR = 0.93, 95% CI 0.91, 0.96), especially a high physical and emotional functions for general and physical fatigue, and a high cognitive function for mental fatigue. Both severe mental fatigue and severely reduced motivation worsened with low optimism before surgery (e.g., for mental fatigue: OR = 0.93, 95% CI 0.89, 0.97). Severely reduced activities increased by having chemotherapy (OR = 9.41, 95% CI 2.28, 38.79). Targeting women at risk for severe fatigue can provide early preventive and curative treatment and appropriate psychological support.

Fulvestrant and palbociclib combination in heavily pretreated hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer patients.

PURPOSE: We report the results of a retrospective analysis of the fulvestrant and palbociclib combination within a temporary authorization of use (TAU) program in 77 heavily pretreated patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+), HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. METHODS: All patients who received the fulvestrant and palbociclib combination within this TAU program were included. Toxicities were graded using the CTCAE v5 scale. RESULTS: The majority of patients (62.3%) were previously treated with the mTOR inhibitor everolimus. The median number of previous treatments for their metastatic disease was 4. With a median follow-up of 14 months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 7.6 months. The median PFS significantly (p < 0.0001) decreased with the number of previous treatment lines in the metastatic setting. The median PFS was 5.5 months in patients who had previously progressed on everolimus compared to 9.3 months in the everolimus non-pretreated subgroup. No significant difference in median PFS was detected in patients according to age. The median overall survival rate was not reached. The clinical benefit rate was 64%, including 4% of complete responses, 26% partial responses, and 34% stable diseases for the entire cohort. CONCLUSIONS: The fulvestrant and palbociclib combination exerts an appreciable effect on metastatic heavily pretreated patients with a tolerable toxicity profile.

Cancer-related fatigue among long-term survivors of breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer: a French registry-based controlled study.

BACKGROUND: While several studies have documented fatigue during and after cancer treatment, long-term cancer survivor fatigue is underreported. In this study, we compare fatigue, quality of life (QoL), and anxiety between relapse-free cancer survivors 15 years after diagnosis and healthy controls. METHODS: Cancer survivors (CS) were randomly selected from three large population-based cancer registries (Bas-Rhin, Calvados, and Doubs, France). Cancer-free controls were randomly selected from electoral lists with stratification on age group, residence area, and gender. All participants completed self-reported fatigue (MFI), QoL (EORTC QLQ-C30), and anxiety (STAI) questionnaires. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to study the association between fatigue and cancer status, in three cancer subgroups: breast cancer (BC), cervical cancer (CC), and colorectal cancer (CRC). RESULTS: Two hundred sixty-three CS and 688 controls (125/275, 45/153, 93/260 CS/controls for BC, CC, and CRC respectively) were included. The mean age was 66 years. In multivariable analyses, CS had higher general and mental fatigue than controls p = 0.04 and p = 0.02, respectively. No difference in QoL was observed between CS and controls. CS were more anxious than controls (p < 0.01). Anxiety was associated with general fatigue (p < 0.0001) and mental fatigue (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Fifteen years after diagnosis, cancer survivors reported more general and mental fatigue compared with controls. Our results reinforce guidelines, identifying fatigue as a persistent symptom.

Persistent taxane-induced neuropathy in elderly patients treated for localized breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Localized breast cancer treatments involve taxanes which are often responsible for acute peripheral neuropathy. The persistence of taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy (TIPN) is scarcely described among elderly women. A monocenter historical cohort study including all women over 65 years of age treated between 2001 and 2016 with a taxane-based chemotherapy for localized breast cancer was carried out at the Paul Strauss Regional Comprehensive Cancer Center. All cases included were followed up for at least 2 years, deaths from causes unrelated to TIPN were excluded. We report on the frequency and risk factors and establish a prognostic score of persistent Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) grade 2 and 3 TIPN. Among the 302 included patients, 21% and 9% developed persistent TIPN of grade 2 and 3, respectively. Two patients died from complications of grade 3 TIPN. Risk factors of persistent grade 2 and higher neuropathy included age (P < .0001), body mass index (P < .0001), and diabetes (P = .0093). Persistent TIPN was more frequent with paclitaxel than docetaxel (OR = 5.43; P < .0001). Patients presenting all four major risk factors had a 97.2% probability of developing long-term symptoms against 1.2% for patients showing no risk factor. We therefore identified 3 prognostic groups. TIPN is a frequent and sometimes severe persistent side effect of breast cancer treatment among elderly women with a major impact on health-related quality of life. Chemotherapy regimens without taxane could therefore be a valid option in elderly patients with neurotoxicity risk factors.

Epidemiology of Merkel cell carcinoma. A population-based study from 1985 to 2013, in northeastern of France.

Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive skin cancer with an increasing incidence. Population-based epidemiologic data about MCC in France are rare. Our study aims to describe the epidemiology of MCC in Bas-Rhin, Northeastern of France, between 1985 and 2013. Data were collected from the Bas-Rhin Cancer Registry. We measured age-adjusted incidence rates (per 100,000 person-years) and effect of age, sex and period of diagnosis on survival. The world age-standardized incidence rate was 0.17 and it quadrupled between 1985 and 2013. Cases (n = 111) occurred mostly in women (60%) and in persons ≥70 years of age (74%). Incidence rates was close for men (0.18) and women (0.16) and was 25-time higher in people ≥70 years of age but incidence rate similarly increased between 1985 and 2013 in persons older and younger than 70 years. Net 5-year survival was 48.5%; female sex and younger age were positive predictors of survival. Given the low number of cases, incidence and survival data should be interpreted with caution. Incidence of MCC in Bas-Rhin quadrupled between 1985 and 2013. The highest incidence rate was observed in people ≥70 years. Better survival was associated with female sex and younger age. We hypothesize that MCC will still increase and be diagnosed in increasingly younger patients in next generations.

Adolescent and young adult oncology patients in France: Heterogeneity in pathways of care.

BACKGROUND: In order to evaluate at the population level the impact of the actions developed in France since 2004 to organize the care of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer, we conducted the present study to provide an unbiased view of the pathway of care of these patients. METHODS: Using a population-based registry, we conducted a review of all cases of cancer diagnosed during 2012 and 2013 in 15- to 24-year-old patients living in nineteen French administrative areas. RESULTS: The median times for diagnosis and treatment of the 993 included AYAs were 9 weeks (3-22) and 1 day (0-20), respectively. Delays in diagnosis were significantly longer in young adults than in adolescents, especially for soft-tissue sarcomas (48.7 weeks vs. 15.4 weeks, P = 0.04) and bone tumors (21.4 weeks vs. 10.1 weeks, P = 0.04). The first physicians seen by patients were mostly general practitioners (67.4%). Most patients (77.5%) were treated in adult units. Management decisions were taken within the context of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) in 85.3% of cases. MDT meetings that involved both pediatric and adult oncologists were uncommon (15.7% of patients). Twenty-six percent of patients were included in randomized or nonrandomized clinical studies. The proportion of inclusion was significantly higher in adolescents (39.5%) than in young adults (16.8%). CONCLUSION: In France, pathways of care for AYAs are heterogeneous. It is necessary to organize a national network of expert centers with adequate medical skills and specific psychosocial support and facilities to provide the best possible care for these patients.

Efficacy of anthracycline/taxane-based neo-adjuvant chemotherapy on triple-negative breast cancer in BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation carriers.

This study aims to estimate the pathologic complete response (pCR) rate after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and to compare disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) between pCR and non-pCR groups of patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and deleterious BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. We carried out a retrospective analysis of 53 patients including 46 BRCA1, 6 BRCA2, and 1 combined BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation. All patients had been diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) between 1997 and 2014. Neo-adjuvant therapy consisted of regimens that were based on anthracycline or an anthracycline-taxane doublet. DFS included any relapse or second cancer. The Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test were used to compare pCR and non-pCR groups. A pCR was observed in 23 (42.6% [95% CI, 29.2%-56.8%]) of the TNBC included. The pCR rate was 38.3% [95% CI, 26%-55%] among BRCA1 mutation carriers, and 66% among the 6 BRCA2 mutation carriers. Median follow-up was 4.4 years (range 0.62-16.2 years) and did not differ between the groups (P = .25). Fifteen relapses and six second cancers were recorded during the follow-up period. Eleven deaths occurred, all of which were in the non-pCR group. DFS (P < .01) and OS (P < .01) were significantly better in the pCR group than the non-pCR group. This study shows a high pCR rate after neo-adjuvant therapy in BRCA-mutated triple-negative breast cancer, and the survival results confirm the prognostic value of pCR in this group. These outcomes should be considered as a basis of comparison to be used by future studies about new therapies in this domain.

Exposure to Farm Animals and Risk of Lung Cancer in the AGRICAN Cohort.

Epidemiologic studies have found lower risks of lung cancer in farmers. However, little is known about the types of agricultural activities concerned. In the Agriculture and Cancer cohort, we assessed the relationship between animal farming and lung cancer by investigating the types of animals, tasks, and timing of exposure. Analyses included 170,834 participants from the Agriculture and Cancer (AGRICAN) cohort in France. Incident lung cancers were identified through linkage with cancer registries from enrollment (2005-2007) to 2011. A Cox model, adjusting for pack-years of cigarette smoking, was used to calculate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Lung cancer risk was inversely related to duration of exposure to cattle (≥40 years: hazard ratio = 0.60, 95% confidence interval: 0.41, 0.89; P for trend < 0.01) and to horse farming (≥20 years: hazard ratio = 0.64, 95% confidence interval: 0.35, 1.17; P for trend = 0.09), especially for adenocarcinomas, but not with poultry or pig farming. More pronounced decreased risks were reported among individuals who had cared for animals, undertaken milking, and who had been exposed to cattle in infancy. Our study provides strong evidence of an inverse association between lung cancer and cattle and horse farming. Further research is warranted to identify the etiologic protective agents and biological mechanisms.

Incidence of solitary pulmonary nodules in Northeastern France: a population-based study in five regions.

BACKGROUND: The discovery of a solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) on a chest imaging exam is of major clinical concern. However, the incidence rates of SPNs in a general population have not been estimated. The objective of this study was to provide incidence estimates of SPNs in a general population in 5 northeastern regions of France. METHODS: This population-based study was undertaken in 5 regions of northeastern France in May 2002-March 2003 and May 2004-June 2005. SPNs were identified by chest CT reports collected from all radiology centres in the study area by trained readers using a standardised procedure. All reports for patients at least 18 years old, without a previous history of cancer and showing an SPN between 1 and 3 cm, were included. RESULTS: A total of 11,705 and 20,075 chest CT reports were collected for the 2002-2003 and 2004-2005 periods, respectively. Among them, 154 and 297 reports showing a SPN were included, respectively for each period. The age-standardised incidence rate (IR) was 10.2 per 100,000 person-years (95% confidence interval 8.5-11.9) for 2002-2003 and 12.6 (11.0-14.2) for 2004-2005. From 2002 to 2005, the age-standardised IR evolved for men from 16.4 (13.2-19.6) to 17.7 (15.0-20.4) and for women from 4.9 (3.2-6.6) to 8.2 (6.4-10.0). In multivariate Poisson regression analysis, gender, age, region and period were significantly associated with incidence variation. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides reference incidence rates of SPN in France. Incidence was higher for men than women, increased with age for both gender and with time for women. Trends in smoking prevalence and improvement in radiological equipment may be related to incidence variations.

Agricultural exposure and risk of bladder cancer in the AGRIculture and CANcer cohort.

PURPOSE: Literature on agricultural activities and bladder cancer risk is scarce. However, farmers can be subjected to carcinogenic exposure (e.g. arsenic, previously used as a pesticide in France). This study aimed at assessing the role of a large range of agricultural activities and tasks on bladder cancer risk. METHODS: The study population was the AGRIculture and CANcer cohort, a large prospective cohort of individuals affiliated to the agricultural health insurance scheme (MSA) in France. Incident bladder cancers were identified by cancer registries from enrolment (2005-2007) to 2009. Data on agricultural exposure during professional lifetime (5 animals, 13 crops, specific tasks) were obtained from the enrolment questionnaire. Associations between bladder cancer and agricultural exposure were analysed using a Cox model, adjusted for gender and smoking history. RESULTS: Among the 148,051 farm owners and workers included in this analysis, 179 incident bladder cancers were identified. We observed an elevated risk among field-grown vegetable workers [HR 1.89, 95% CI (1.20-2.99)], with an exposure-response relationship with duration of work [≥30 years: HR 2.54, 95% CI (1.11-5.83), p-trend = 0.02], and higher risk among women [HR 3.82, 95% CI (1.58-9.25), p-interaction = 0.05]. Non-significantly increased risks were also observed in greenhouse farmers (HR = 1.95), pea sowing (HR = 1.84), rape sowing (HR = 1.64); several tasks involving pesticide use, especially seed treatment (HR = 1.24); and in activities and tasks potentially exposing to arsenic compounds via pesticide use (HR = 1.49) or re-entry tasks (HR = 1.63). CONCLUSIONS: Our analyses raise the question of a possible link between agricultural activity, especially field-grown vegetables, and greenhouse cultivation and bladder cancer.

Trends in the risk of second primary cancer among bladder cancer survivors: a population-based cohort of 10 047 patients.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the risk of second primary cancer (SPC) among patients with bladder cancer (BCa) has changed over past years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 10 French population-based cancer registries were used to establish a cohort of 10 047 patients diagnosed with a first invasive (≥T1) BCa between 1989 and 2004 and followed up until 2007. An SPC was defined as the first subsequent primary cancer occurring at least 2 months after a BCa diagnosis. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of metachronous SPC were calculated. Multivariate Poisson regression models were used to assess the direct effect of the year of BCa diagnosis on the risk of SPC. RESULTS: The risk of new malignancy among BCa survivors was 60% higher than in the general population (SIR 1.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.51-1.68). Male patients presented a high risk of SPC of the lung (SIR 3.12), head and neck (SIR 2.19) and prostate (SIR 1.54). In multivariate analyses adjusted for gender, age at diagnosis and follow-up, a significant increase in the risk of SPC of the lung was observed over the calendar year of BCa diagnosis (P for linear trend 0.010), with an SIR increasing by 3.7% for each year (95% CI 0.9-6.6%); however, no particular trend was observed regarding the risk of SPC of the head and neck (P = 0.596) or the prostate (P = 0.518). CONCLUSIONS: As the risk of SPC of the lung increased between 1989 and 2004, this study contributes more evidence to support the promotion of tobacco smoking cessation interventions among patients with BCa.

Risk of second primary cancer after a first potentially-human papillomavirus-related cancer: A population-based study.

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are involved in the development of anogenital and head and neck cancers. The purpose of this study was to assess the risk of developing a second primary cancer (SPC) after a first potentially-HPV-related cancer, and to analyze the sites where SPCs most frequently occurred in these patients. All patients with a first cancer diagnosed between 1989 and 2004, as recorded by 10 French cancer registries, were followed up until December 31, 2007. Only invasive potentially-HPV-related cancers (namely, cervical, vagina, vulva, anal canal, penile, oropharynx, tongue and tonsil) were included. Standardized Incidence Ratios (SIRs) were calculated to assess the risk of SPC. A multivariate Poisson regression model was used to model SIRs separately by gender, adjusted for the characteristics of the first cancer. 10,127 patients presented a first potentially-HPV-related cancer. The overall SIR was 2.48 (95% CI, 2.34-2.63). The SIR was 3.59 (95% CI, 3.33-3.86) and 1.61 (95% CI, 1.46-1.78) in men and women respectively. The relative risk of potentially-HPV-related SPC was high among these patients (SIR=13.74; 95% CI, 8.80-20.45 and 6.78; 95% CI, 4.61-9.63 for men and women, respectively). Women diagnosed in the most recent period (2000-2004) showed a 40% increase of their relative risk of SPC as compared with women diagnosed between 1989 and 1994 (ratio of SIRs=1.40; 95% CI, 1.06-1.85). HPV cancer survivors face an increased risk of SPC, especially second cancer. Clinicians may consider this increased risk of developing HPV-related SPC during follow-up to improve subsequent cancer prevention in these patients.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the French version of the Expanded Prostate cancer Index Composite questionnaire for health-related quality of life in prostate cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has been positioned as one of the major endpoints in oncology. Thus, there is a need to validate cancer-site specific survey instruments. This study aimed to perform a transcultural adaptation of the 50-item Expanded Prostate cancer Index Composite (EPIC) questionnaire for HRQoL in prostate cancer patients and to validate the psychometric properties of the French-language version. METHODS: The EPIC questionnaire measures urinary, bowel, sexual and hormonal domains. The first step, corresponding to transcultural adaptation of the original English version of the EPIC was performed according to the back translation technique. The second step, comprising the validation of the psychometric properties of the EPIC questionnaire, was performed in patients under treatment for localized prostate cancer (treatment group) and in patients cured of prostate cancer (cured group). The EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-PR25 prostate cancer module were also completed by patients to assess criterion validity. Two assessments were performed, i.e., before and at the end of treatment for the Treatment group, to assess sensitivity to change; and at 2 weeks' interval in the Cured group to assess test-retest reliability. Psychometric properties were explored according to classical test theory. RESULTS: The first step showed overall good acceptability and understanding of the questionnaire. In the second step, 215 patients were included from January 2012 to June 2014: 125 in the Treatment group, and 90 in the Cured group. All domains exhibited good internal consistency, except the bowel domain (Cronbach's α = 0.61). No floor effect was observed. Test-retest reliability assessed in the cured group was acceptable, expect for bowel function (intraclass coefficient = 0.68). Criterion validity was good for each domain and subscale. Construct validity was not demonstrated for the hormonal and bowel domains. Sensitivity to change was exhibited for 5/8 subscales and 2/4 summary scores for patients who experienced toxicities during treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The French EPIC questionnaire seems to have adequate psychometric properties, comparable to those exhibited by the original English-language version, except for the construct validity, which was not available in original version.

Impact of the occurrence of a response shift on the determination of the minimal important difference in a health-related quality of life score over time.

BACKGROUND: An important challenge of the longitudinal analysis of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is the potential occurrence of a Response Shift (RS) effect. While the impact of RS effect on the longitudinal analysis of HRQOL has already been studied, few studies have been conducted on its impact on the determination of the Minimal Important Difference (MID). This study aims to investigate the impact of the RS effect on the determination of the MID over time for each scale of both EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 questionnaires in breast cancer patients. METHODS: Patients with breast cancer completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and the EORTC QLQ-BR23 questionnaires at baseline (time of diagnosis; T0), three months (T1) and six months after surgery (T2). Four hospitals and care centers participated in this study: cancer centers of Dijon and Nancy, the university hospitals of Reims and Strasbourg At T1 and T2, patients were asked to evaluate their HRQOL change during the last 3 months using the Jaeschke transition question. They were also asked to assess retrospectively their HRQOL level of three months ago. The occurrence of the RS effect was explored using the then-test method and its impact on the determination of the MID by using the Anchor-based method. RESULTS: Between February 2006 and February 2008, 381 patients were included of mean age 58 years old (SD = 11). For patients who reported a deterioration of their HRQOL level at each follow-up, an increase of RS effect has been detected between T1 and T2 in 13/15 dimensions of QLQ-C30 questionnaire, and 4/7 dimensions of QLQ-BR23 questionnaire. In contrast, a decrease of the RS effect was observed in 8/15 dimensions of QLQ-C30 questionnaire and in 5/7 dimensions of QLQ-BR23 questionnaire in case of improvement. At T2, the MID became ≥ 5 points when taking into account the RS effect in 10/15 dimensions of QLQ-C30 questionnaire and in 5/7 dimensions of QLQ-BR23 questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights that the RS effect increases over time in case of deterioration and decreases in case of improvement. Moreover, taking the RS into account produces a reliable and significant MID.

Anthropometric Risk Factors for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer in Young Men and Women From Eastern France: A Case-Control Study.

The incidence of thyroid cancer has risen over the past decade, along with a rise in obesity. We studied the role of anthropometric risk factors for differentiated thyroid cancer at the time of diagnosis and at age 20 years in a case-control study conducted in eastern France between 2005 and 2010. The study included 761 adults diagnosed with differentiated thyroid cancer before 35 years of age between 2002 and 2006. They were matched with 825 controls from the general population. Odds ratios were calculated using conditional logistic regression models and were reported for all participants, those with papillary cancer only, and women only. The risk of thyroid cancer was higher for participants with a high body surface area (BSA), great height, or excess weight and for women with a high body fat percentage. Conversely, no significant association was found between body mass index and the risk of thyroid cancer. In the present study, we provide further evidence of the role of BSA and excess weight in the risk of thyroid cancer. These epidemiologic observations should be confirmed by further exploration of the biological mechanisms responsible for the associations of obesity and BSA with thyroid cancer.

Ovarian cancer in France: trends in incidence, mortality and survival, 1980-2012.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this epidemiological study was to describe the incidence, mortality and survival of ovarian cancer (OC) in France, according to age, period of diagnosis, and histological type. METHODS: Incidence and mortality were estimated from 1980 to 2012 based on data in French cancer registries and from the Centre for Epidemiology of Causes of Death (CépiDc-Inserm) up to 2009. Net survival was estimated from registry data using the Pohar-Perme method, on cases diagnosed between 1989 and 2010, with date of last follow-up set at 30 June 2013. RESULTS: In 2012, 4615 cases of OC were diagnosed in France, and 3140 women died from OC. World population age-standardized incidence and mortality rates declined by respectively 0.6% and 1.2% per year between 1980 and 2012. Net survival at 5years increased slightly, from 40% for the period 1989-1993 to 45% for the period 2005-2010. Net survival varied considerably according to histological type. Germ cell tumors had better net survival at 10years (81%) compared to epithelial tumors (32%), sex cord-stromal tumors (40%) and tumors without biopsy (8%). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows a decline in incidence and mortality rates from ovarian cancer in France between 1980 and 2012, but net survival remains poor overall, and improved only slightly over the whole study period.

Menstrual and reproductive factors in the risk of differentiated thyroid carcinoma in young women in France: a population-based case-control study.

The incidence of thyroid cancer has increased in eastern Europe since the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident. Although the radioactive fallout was much less severe and the thyroid radiation dose was much lower in France, a case-control study was initiated in eastern France. The present study included 633 young women who were diagnosed with differentiated thyroid cancer before 35 years of age between 2002 and 2006 and matched with 677 controls. Face-to-face interviews were conducted from 2005 to 2010. Odds ratios were calculated using conditional logistic regressions and were reported in the total group and by histopathological type of cancer ("only papillary" and "excluding microcarcinomas"). The risk of thyroid cancer was higher in women who had a higher number of pregnancies, used a lactation suppressant, or had early menarche. Conversely, breastfeeding, oral contraceptive use, and late age at first pregnancy were associated with a lower risk of thyroid cancer. No association was observed between thyroid cancer and having irregular menstrual cycle, undergoing treatment for menstrual cycle regularity shortly after menarche, having a cessation of menstruation, use of another contraceptive, history of miscarriage or abortion for the first pregnancy, or having had gestational diabetes. This study confirms the role of hormonal and reproductive factors in thyroid cancer, and our results support the fact that exposure to estrogens increases thyroid cancer risk.

The effect of patient characteristics on second primary cancer risk in France.

BACKGROUND: Although cancer survivors are known to be at greater risk of developing second primary cancer (SPC), SPC incidence estimates in France are thus far lacking. We used a multivariate approach to compute these estimates and analyzed the effect of patient characteristics (gender, age at diagnosis, first cancer site, year of diagnosis and follow-up) on SPC risk. METHODS: Data from ten French population-based cancer registries were used to establish a cohort of all patients diagnosed with a first cancer between 1989 and 2004 and followed up until December 31, 2007. The person-year approach was used to estimate standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and excess absolute risks (EARs) of metachronous SPC. Multivariate Poisson regression models were then used to model SIRs and EARs separately by gender, adjusting for age, year of diagnosis, follow-up and first cancer site. RESULTS: Among the 289,967 followed-up patients with a first primary cancer, 21,226 developed a SPC. The SIR was of 1.36 (95% CI, 1.35-1.38) and the EAR was of 39.4 excess cancers per 10,000 person-years (95% CI, 37.4-41.3). Among male and female patients, multivariate analyses showed that age, year of diagnosis, follow-up and first cancer site were often independently associated with SIRs and EARs. Moreover, the EAR of SPC remained elevated during patient follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: French cancer survivors face a dramatically increased risk of SPC which is probably related to the high rate of tobacco and alcohol consumption in France. Multivariate modeling of SPC risk will facilitate the construction of a tailored prediction tool to optimize SPC prevention and early detection strategies.