Cost-effectiveness of 12- and 15-year-old girls' human papillomavirus 16/18 population-based vaccination programmes in Lithuania.

BACKGROUND: There is a large difference in the prevalence of cervical cancer between European countries. Between European Union countries, cervical cancer is the most prevalent in Lithuania. Currently we have available vaccines for different types of human papillomavirus virus (HPV), but we lack evidence on how the vaccination would be cost-effective in low-resource Eastern European countries like Lithuania. OBJECTIVES: To create a simulation model for the Lithuanian population; to estimate epidemiological benefits and cost-effectiveness for a HPV16/18 vaccination programme in Lithuania. STUDY DESIGN: For the cost-effectiveness analysis, we used Lithuanian population mathematical simulation and epidemiological data modelling. We performed comparative analysis of annual vaccination programmes of 12-year-old or 15-year-old girls at different vaccine penetration levels. POPULATION: Lithuanian female population at all age groups. RESULTS: A vaccination programme in Lithuania would gain an average of 35.6 life years per death avoided. Vaccinated girls would experience up to 76.9% overall reduction in incidence of cervical cancers, 80.8% reduction in morbidity and 77.9% reduction in mortality over their lifetime. Cost per life year gained with different vaccine penetration levels would range from 2167.41 Euros to 2999.74 Euros. CONCLUSIONS: HPV vaccination in Lithuania would have a very positive impact on the epidemiological situation and it would be cost-effective at all ranges of vaccine penetration. Vaccination in Lithuania in the long term potentially could be more cost-effective due to avoiding early disease onset and lower accumulation of period costs.

A randomized trial comparing hypofractionated and conventionally fractionated three-dimensional external-beam radiotherapy for localized prostate adenocarcinoma : a report on acute toxicity.

PURPOSE: To compare acute gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicity between patient groups with localized prostate adenocarcinoma, treated with conventionally fractionated (CFRT) and hypofractionated (HFRT) three-dimensional conformal external-beam radiotherapy (3D-CRT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 91 patients were enrolled into a randomized study with a minimum follow-up of 3 months. 44 men in the CFRT arm were irradiated with 74 Gy in 37 fractions at 2 Gy per fraction for 7.5 weeks. 47 men in the HFRT arm were treated with 57 Gy in 17 fractions for 3.5 weeks, given as 13 fractions of 3 Gy plus four fractions of 4.5 Gy. The clinical target volume (CTV) included the prostate and the base of seminal vesicles. The CTV-to-PTV (planning target volume) margin was 8-10 mm. Study patients had portal imaging and/or simulation performed on the first fractions and repeated at least weekly. RESULTS: No acute grade 3 or 4 toxicities were observed. The grade 2 GU acute toxicity proportion was significantly lower in the HFRT arm: 19.1% versus 47.7% (chi(2)-test, p = 0.003). The grade 2 GU acute toxicity-free survival was significantly better in the HFRT arm (log-rank test, p = 0.008). The median duration of overall GI acute toxicity was shorter with HFRT: 3 compared to 6 weeks with CFRT (median test, p = 0.017). CONCLUSION: In this first evaluation, the HFRT schedule is feasible and induces acceptable or even lower acute toxicity compared with the toxicities in the CFRT schedule. Extended follow-up is needed to justify this fractionation schedule's safety in the long term.

Risk of hematological malignancies among Chernobyl liquidators.

A case-control study of hematological malignancies was conducted among Chernobyl liquidators (accident recovery workers) from Belarus, Russia and Baltic countries to assess the effect of low- to medium-dose protracted radiation exposures on the relative risk of these diseases. The study was nested within cohorts of liquidators who had worked around the Chernobyl plant in 1986-1987. A total of 117 cases [69 leukemia, 34 non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and 14 other malignancies of lymphoid and hematopoietic tissue] and 481 matched controls were included in the study. Individual dose to the bone marrow and uncertainties were estimated for each subject. The main analyses were restricted to 70 cases (40 leukemia, 20 NHL and 10 other) and their 287 matched controls with reliable information on work in the Chernobyl area. Most subjects received very low doses (median 13 mGy). For all diagnoses combined, a significantly elevated OR was seen at doses of 200 mGy and above. The excess relative risk (ERR) per 100 mGy was 0.60 [90% confidence interval (CI) -0.02, 2.35]. The corresponding estimate for leukemia excluding chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL) was 0.50 (90% CI -0.38, 5.7). It is slightly higher than but statistically compatible with those estimated from A-bomb survivors and recent low-dose-rate studies. Although sensitivity analyses showed generally similar results, we cannot rule out the possibility that biases and uncertainties could have led to over- or underestimation of the risk in this study.

Cancer mortality differences among urban and rural residents in Lithuania.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe and to compare the cancer mortality rates in urban and rural residents in Lithuania. METHODS: Cancer mortality has been studied using the materials of the Lithuanian cancer registry. For the period 1993-2004 age-standardized urban and rural population mortality rates (World standard) were calculated for all malignant neoplasm's and for stomach, colorectal, lung, prostate, breast and cervical cancers. The annual percentage change (APC) was calculated using log-linear regression model, two-sided Mantel-Haenzel test was used to evaluate differences in cancer mortality among rural and urban populations. RESULTS: For males in rural population cancer mortality was higher than in urban (212.2 and 197.0 cases per 100000) and for females cancer mortality was higher in urban population (103.5 and 94.2 cases per 100000, p < 0.05). During the study period the age-standardized mortality rates decreased in both sexes in urban residents. The decreasing mortality trend in urban population was contributed by decline of the rates of lung and stomach cancer in male and breast, stomach and colorectal cancer in female. Mortality rates in both urban and rural population were increasing for prostate and cervical cancers. CONCLUSION: This study shows that large rural and urban inequalities in cancer mortality exist in Lithuania. The contrast between the health of residents in urban and rural areas invites researchers for research projects to develop, implement, and enhance cancer prevention and early detection intervention strategies for rural populations.

Occupational exposure of medical radiation workers in Lithuania, 1950-2003.

This study presents the summary of historical exposures, measurement practice and evolution of the recording of the individual doses of medical radiation workers during 1950-2003 in Lithuania. The aim of this study is to present occupational exposure of medical radiation workers in Lithuania since the earliest appearance period. Data from publications have been used for the earliest two periods prior to 1969; data from the archives of the largest hospitals, for the period 1970-1990 and data from Lithuanian Subdivision of Individual Dosimetry of Radiation Protection Center, for the period 1991-2003. The analysis of the data obtained from personal records allows to conclude that the average annual effective dose of Lithuanian medical radiation workers was greatly reduced in radiology, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine in all occupational categories from 1950 to 2003. During the last period 1991-2003 extremity doses clearly decreased and after 1994 were no longer present in Lithuania.

Prognostic value of BRCA1 mutations in familial breast cancer patients affected by a second primary cancer.

The aim of this prospective study is to assess the prognostic value of BRCA1 mutations in familial breast cancer patients affected by a second primary cancer. The study group comprised 19 women having multiple primary breast cancers (breast-breast, breast-other primary) who were either BRCA1 mutation carriers, or not. Appearance of a second primary cancer was recognised as the event and survival and second primary free cancer survival was calculated from the date of diagnosis to the secondary primary cancer. The results of this study show that the event free survival of women with familial breast cancer affected by a second primary cancer, who are BRCA1 mutation carriers is better, compared with women from the general population with breast cancer selected for second primary cancer sites and all second primary sites -- P = 0.009 and P = 0.0078 respectively. In contrast, the event free survival of women with breast cancer affected by a second primary cancer, without a breast cancer family history, who are not BRCA1 mutation carriers is the same, as for women from the general population with breast cancer selected for second primary cancer sites and all second primary sites -- P = 0.6417 and P = 0.4859 respectively. The median time from diagnosis of the first to second primary cancer in the mutation carrying, and non-carrying, groups was 8,7 and 1,9 years respectively. In the study group, the highest event free survival rates had been observed among those carrying the said mutations -- 66.7% at 5 years, and 33.3% at 10 years -- in contrast with those not carrying the mutations, with rates of 30.8% and 15.4% respectively.

The value of prognostic factors for uterine cervical cancer patients treated with irradiation alone.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to investigate and evaluate the prognostic value of and correlations between preclinical and clinical factors such as the stage of the disease, blood Hb level before treatment, size of cervix and lymph nodes evaluated by CT, age, dose of irradiation and duration of radiotherapy related to overall survival, disease-free survival, local control and metastases-free survival in cervical cancer patients receiving radiotherapy alone. METHODS: 162 patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IIA-IIIB cervical carcinoma treated with irradiation were analysed. Univariate and multivariate analyses using the Cox regression model were performed to determine statistical significance of some tumor-related factors. RESULTS: The Hb level before treatment showed significant influence on overall survival (p = 0.001), desease free survival (p = 0.040) and local control (p = 0.038). The lymph node status (>10 mm) assessed on CT had impact on overall survival (p = 0,030) and local control (p = 0,036). The dose at point A had impact on disease free survival (p = 0,028) and local control (p = 0,021) and the radiotherapy duration had showed significant influence on overall survival (p = 0,045), disease free survival (p = 0,006) and local control (p = 0,033). CONCLUSION: Anemia is a significant and independent prognostic factor of overall survival, disease-free survival and local control in cervical cancer patients treated with irradiation. The size of lymph nodes in CT is an independent prognostic factor for overall survival and local control in cervical cancer patients. The size of cervix uteri evaluated by CT has no prognostic significance in cervical cancer patients treated with radiotherapy. The prognostic value of FIGO stage of cervical cancer is influenced by other factors, analyzed in this study and is not an independent prognostic factor.

Time trends of incidence, mortality, and relative survival of invasive skin melanoma in Lithuania.

The aim of this study was to provide insights into the descriptive epidemiology of invasive skin melanoma in Lithuania by analyzing population-based incidence (1978-2002) and mortality (1990-2002) time trends, and relative survival based on 3485 skin melanoma. We calculated age-standardized incidence and mortality rates (cases per 100,000) using the European Standard Population and calculated period estimates of relative survival. The incidence rates increased from 1978 (men: 1.7, women: 2.3) to 2002 (men: 5.0, women: 7.0). The incidence increase over time is accompanied by cohort effects among both men and women. Mortality rates increased from 1990 (men: 1.2, women: 1.7) to 2002 (men: 2.3, women: 2.2). Relative 5-year survival rates among men were 10% lower than among women. The overall difference in survival was mainly due to a more favourable survival among women aged 60-74 years. Overall prognosis was less favourable among men, most likely due to diagnoses at later stages.

Survival from colorectal carcinoma in HNPCC families as compared to the general population in Lithuania--initial results.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer in HNPCC appears to have a better prognosis than sporadic colorectal cancer. Selection bias, screening, early intervention and treatment hamper efforts to confirm such a hypothesis. AIM: To evaluate survival rates in Lithuanian HNPCC patients with colorectal cancer and compare them with survival rates of sporadic cases arising from the general population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 8 patients from 6 Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal carcinoma (HNPCC) families, 3 patients had HMSH2 and 5 patients had HMLH1 mutations, who were diagnosed between 1995 and 1999. HNPCC patients characteristic (age and stage) were used to trace the records of the Cancer Registry at the same period to identify the cases corresponding the required criteria. Above 263 patients were found--106 at stage II and 157 at stage III. RESULTS: The 10-year survival was 87.5% in the HNPCC study group compared with only 44.8% in the general population group. Patients with the MSH2 gene mutation were at a greater risk of developing a second primary cancer independent from any cancer prevention and screening programs. Survival rates were also prolonged even with a greater numbers of extra-colonic cancers diagnosed at different stages. CONCLUSION: HNPCC patients with confirmed MSH2 or MLH1 mutations diagnosed with stages II and III CRC have a good 10-year survival prognoses compared with those from the general population.

Increasing thyroid cancer incidence in Lithuania in 1978-2003.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper is to analyze changes in thyroid cancer incidence trends in Lithuania during the period 1978-2003 using joinpoint regression models, with special attention to the period 1993-2003. METHODS: The study was based on all cases of thyroid cancer reported to the Lithuanian Cancer Registry between 1978 and 2003. Age group-specific rates and standardized rates were calculated for each gender, using the direct method (world standard population). The joinpoint regression model was used to provide estimated annual percentage change and to detect points in time where significant changes in the trends occur. RESULTS: During the study period the age-standardized incidence rates increased in males from 0.7 to 2.5 cases per 100,000 and in females from 1.5 to 11.4 per 100,000. Annual percentage changes during this period in the age-standardized rates were 4.6% and 7.1% for males and females, respectively. Joinpoint analysis showed two time periods with joinpoint in the year 2000. A change in the trend occurred in which a significant increase changed to a dramatic increase in thyroid cancer incidence rates. Papillary carcinoma and stage I thyroid cancer increases over this period were mainly responsible for the pattern of changes in trend in recent years. CONCLUSION: A moderate increase in thyroid cancer incidence has been observed in Lithuania between the years 1978 and 2000. An accelerated increase in thyroid cancer incidence rates took place in the period 2000-2003. It seems that the increase in thyroid cancer incidence can be attributed mainly to the changes in the management of non palpable thyroid nodules with growing applications of ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy in clinical practice.

Comparison of adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the management of advanced ovarian cancer: a retrospective study of 574 patients.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of clinical data on the validity of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of ovarian cancer. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of the adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens on the clinical outcomes in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 574 patients with advanced ovarian cancer admitted to four Lithuanian oncogynaecology departments during 1993-2000. The conventional combined treatment of cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy was applied to both the group that underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (n = 213) and to the control group (n = 361). The selection criterion for neoadjuvant chemotherapy was large extent of the disease. Overall and progression-free survival rates and survival medians were calculated using life tables and the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: There was no difference in median overall survival between stage III patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (25.9 months vs. 29.3 months, p = 0.2508) and stage IV patients (15.4 months vs. 14.9 months, p = 0.6108). Similarly, there was no difference in median progression-free survival between stage III patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (15.7 months vs. 17.5 months, p = 0.1299) and stage IV patients (8.7 months vs. 8.2 months, p = 0.1817). There was no difference in the rate of the optimal cytoreductive surgery between patients who underwent the neoadjuvant chemotherapy and patients primarily treated with surgery (n = 134, 63% vs. n = 242, 67%, respectively). CONCLUSION: There was no difference in progression-free or overall survival and in the rate of optimal cytoreductive surgery between the neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy groups despite the fact that patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy had a more extensive disease. Multivariate analysis failed to prove that neoadjuvant chemotherapy could be considered as an independent prognostic factor for survival, and the findings need to be investigated in the future prospective randomised studies.

The impact of age on post-operative outcomes of colorectal cancer patients undergoing surgical treatment.

BACKGROUND: the purpose of study was to evaluate the impact of age on outcomes in colorectal cancer surgery. METHODS: patients on hospital database treated for colorectal cancer during the period 1995 - 2002 were divided into two groups: Group 1--patients of 75 years or older (n = 154), and Group 2--those younger than 75 years (n = 532). RESULTS: In Group 1, for colon cancers, proximal tumors were significantly more common (23% vs. 13.5%, p < 0.05), complicated cases were more frequent (46 % vs. 33%, p = 0.002), bowel obstruction more common at presentation (40% vs. 26.5%, p = 0.001), and more frequent emergency surgery required (24% vs. 14%, p = 0.003). Postoperative overall morbidity was higher in the elderly group, but with no differences in surgical complications rate. Overall 5 year survival was 39% vs. 55% (p = 0.0006) and cancer related 5 year survival was 44% vs. 62% (p = 0.0006). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that age was not an independent risk factor for postoperative mortality. CONCLUSION: Preoperative complications and co-morbidities, more advanced disease, and higher postoperative nonsurgical complication rates adversely affect postoperative outcomes after surgery for colorectal cancer in the elderly.

[Prognostic value of anemia for patients with cervical cancer treated with irradiation]. / Prognozine anemijos reiksme pacienciu, serganciu gimdos kaklelio veziu, isgyvenimui taikant suderinta spindulini gydyma

UNLABELLED: The objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of anemia in uterine cervical carcinoma patients treated with irradiation. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 162 patients diagnosed with stage IIA-IIIB cervical carcinoma by the criteria of International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics and treated with irradiation were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses using the Cox regression model were performed to determine statistical significance of some tumor-related factors. Patients were divided into two groups according to the hemoglobin level before treatment: <120 g/l (68 patients) and > or =120 g/l (94 patients). RESULTS: In univariate analysis, the hemoglobin level before treatment showed a significant influence on overall survival (p=0.000), disease-free survival (p=0.003), local relapse-free survival (p=0.002). Lymph node status (>10 mm) assessed by computed tomography had impact on overall survival (p=0.008), disease-free survival (p=0.023) and relapse-free survival (p=0.028). Using multivariate analysis, the hemoglobin level before treatment was found to be an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (p=0.001), disease-free survival (p=0.040) and local relapse-free survival (p=0.013); lymph node status assessed by computed tomography had impact on overall survival (p=0.030) and local relapse-free survival (p=0.038). CONCLUSION: Hemoglobin level before treatment is a significant prognostic factor for patients with uterine cervical carcinoma treated with irradiation.

[A preliminary safety study of hypofractionated radiotherapy for local prostate cancer]. / Neisplitusio priesines liaukos vezio hipofrakcionuoto spindulinio gydymo saugumo tyrimas.

Institute of Oncology of Vilnius University has initiated a randomized clinical trial with the aim to evaluate the effectiveness and toxicity of conventional fractionated (37 fractions, 2.0 Gy per fraction, a total dose of 74 Gy) and hypofractionated (13 fractions, 3.0 Gy per fraction, and 4 fractions at 4.5 Gy per fraction, a total dose of 57 Gy) radiotherapy. The goal of preliminary safety analysis was to compare the acute radiation toxicity in investigated and control groups. A total of 22 patients have been enrolled in this trial; there were 11 patients in each investigated group. Grade IV acute bladder radiation toxicity according to Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) toxicity criteria was observed in one control group patient. No grade III acute radiation toxicity was observed. Grade II acute radiation toxicity was observed in 2 patients from hypofractionated radiotherapy group and in 3 from conventional radiotherapy group. Grade I-II acute radiation toxicity was observed in all patients of investigated and control groups. A statistically significant decrease of grade I bladder and rectal toxicity in the hypofractionated arm and grade I bladder toxicity in the conventional arm was observed. Other differences were not significant. A comparatively small number of acute reactions in the patients' group treated with hypofractionated radiotherapy show the safety of the method applied and enable the continuation of this trial.

Testicular cancer incidence in eight northern European countries: secular and recent trends.

OBJECTIVE: Striking geographic variation and marked increasing secular trends characterize the incidence of testicular cancer. However, it is not known whether these patterns have attenuated in recent years and whether they are similar for seminomas and nonseminomas, the two main histologic groups of testicular cancer. METHOD: Cancer registry data, including 27,030 testicular cancer cases, were obtained from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, and Sweden. Between 57 (Denmark) and 9 (Poland) years of registration were covered. Country-specific temporal trends were estimated, with focus on the last decade and seminomas and nonseminomas. Data from the Nordic countries were further analyzed using an age-period-cohort approach. RESULTS: Age-standardized incidence rates increased annually by 2.6% to 4.9% during the study period, with marginal differences between seminomas and nonseminomas. In the last decade, the increasing trend attenuated only in Denmark (annual change, -0.3%; 95% confidence interval, -1.5 to 0.9). In 1995, the highest and the lowest age-standardized incidence rates (per 10(5)) were 15.2 in Denmark and 2.1 in Lithuania. Incidence rates (i.e., for all cancers and for seminomas and nonseminomas, separately) depended chiefly on birth cohort rather than on calendar period of diagnosis (although both birth cohort and period determined the Danish incidence rates). CONCLUSIONS: Testicular cancer incidence is still increasing, with the exception of Denmark, and a large geographic difference exists. The increasing trend is mainly a birth cohort phenomenon also in recent cohorts. Temporal trends for seminomas and nonseminomas are similar, which suggests that they share important causal factors.

Cancer mortality and morbidity among Lithuanian asbestos-cement producing workers.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the incidence of cancer and cause-specific mortality among workers in the two Lithuanian asbestos-cement factories. METHODS: The study included 1887 asbestos-cement workers, 1285 men and 602 women, and 37000 person-years. The two factories were active from 1956 (A) and 1963 (B), and the workers were observed from 1978 to 2000. The analysis was based on a comparison between the observed and expected numbers of cancer and causes of death. The observed numbers of cancer were obtained through linkage with the national cancer registry. The date and causes of death were obtained from two different sources. The expected numbers were calculated on the basis of gender- and age-specific incidence and mortality rates in 5-year periods from the whole country. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) and standardized mortality ratios (SMR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. Duration of employment and time since first exposure were used as indicators of exposure. RESULTS: During the follow-up, 1978-2000. 473 deaths were observed versus 489 expected. There was no excess risk of deaths from nonmalignant respiratory diseases, except for an elevated risk of mortality in relation to the digestive organs other than cancer, 18 observed versus 12.2 expected (95% CI 0.9-2.3). There was no excess risk for any types of cancer, except for colorectal cancer in men, 17 observed cases (SIR 1.6, 95% CI 1.6-2.6) and one case of mesothelioma in a woman. CONCLUSIONS: This study on asbestos-exposed workers did not show any excess risk of respiratory cancer or deaths of pneumoconiosis.

Process performance of cervical screening programmes in Europe.

Standardised tables of aggregated data were collected from 15 European national or regional cervical screening programmes and key performance indicators computed as reported in European Union (EU) Guidelines, 2nd edition. Cytological results varied widely between countries both for the total proportion of abnormal tests (from 1.2% in Germany (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) to 11.7% in Ireland-Midwest Region) and for their distribution by grade. Referral rates for repeat cytology (ranging from 2.9% of screened women in the Netherlands to 16.6% in Slovenia) or for colposcopy (ranging from 0.8% in Finland to 4.4% in Romania-Cluj) and the Positive Predictive Value (PPV) of colposcopic attendance (ranging from 8% in Romania-Cluj to 52% in Lithuania) were strongly influenced by management protocols, in particular for atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) cytology. However, cytology-specific PPV also showed remarkable variability. The detection rate of CIN2+ histology ranged from <0.1% of screened women in Poland to >1% in England and Denmark. Low attendance for colposcopy after referral was observed in some east-European countries. These comparisons may be useful for improving the performance of cervical screening in general and more so if new screening technologies and vaccination for Human Papillomavirus are introduced. Overall, quality was better in countries that have operated organised programmes for a longer time, plausibly as a result of long-lasting monitoring and quality assurance activities. Therefore, the availability of these data, the first comparing European countries, and the increased number of countries that can provide such data (only five in 2004) represent progress. Nevertheless, there is a clear need to standardise the cytological and histological classifications used in screening, as well as data registration systems across Europe.

Chromosomal aberrations and cancer risk: results of a cohort study from Central Europe.

A high level of chromosomal aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes may be an early marker of cancer risk, but data on risk of specific cancers and types of chromosomal aberrations (chromosome type and chromatid type) are limited. A total of 6,430 healthy individuals from nine laboratories in Croatia, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, and Slovakia, included in chromosomal aberration surveys performed during 1978-2002, were followed up for cancer incidence or mortality for an average of 8.5 years; 200 cancer cases were observed. Compared with that for the low-tertile level of chromosomal aberrations, the relative risks of cancer for the medium and high tertiles were 1.78 (95% confidence interval: 1.19, 2.67) and 1.81 (95% confidence interval: 1.20, 2.73), respectively. The relative risk for chromosome-type aberrations above versus below the median was 1.50 (95% confidence interval: 1.12, 2.01), while that for chromatid-type aberrations was 0.97 (95% confidence interval: 0.72, 1.31). The analyses of risk of specific cancers were limited by small numbers, but the association was stronger for stomach cancer. This study confirms the previously reported association between level of chromosomal aberrations and cancer risk and provides novel information on the type of aberrations more strongly predictive of cancer risk and on the types of cancer more strongly predicted by chromosomal aberrations.

Clinical outcome of hereditary breast cancer in the lithuanian population.

Breast cancer family history has been known to be one of the main cancer risk factors. Members of high-risk families should be given recommendations which may improve prophylaxis, early diagnosis and treatment. Detection of high-risk families is possible by identification of mutations in cancer susceptibility genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2 as well as by family history showing breast and/or ovary cancer aggregation. In a group of 521 breast cancer patients we identified 26 patients with hereditary breast cancer who fulfilled the following criteria: one more relative with breast cancer, vertical transmission, at least one breast cancer patient affected at the age under 50 years. 8 patients of these developed second primary breast cancer. We also compared the frequency of hereditary cancers in stage I-III with the frequency of respective cancers with negative family history. Hereditary breast cancers were diagnosed less frequently in stage I and more frequently in stage II and III (RR = 0.49, RR = 1.39, RR = 1.62, respectively). Because of importance of family history as well as genetic testing for breast cancer susceptibility genes (BRCA1/2), it is necessary to create a nationwide network of hereditary cancer clinics for proper diagnosis, treatment, and prophylaxis of these patients.

[Survival of patients with lung cancer in Lithuania (1995-1997)]. / Serganciuju plauciu veziu isgyvenamumas Lietuvoje (1995-1997).

OBJECTIVE: The study is aimed to evaluate the survival of lung cancer patients diagnosed in Lithuania 1995-1997. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Based on Cancer registry material, 4337 of 4746 new lung cancer cases were included into the study group. Only cases with primary lung cancer were included into the study; cases at autopsy and death certificate only cases were excluded from the study. The closing date of follow-up was June 30, 2002. At that time 3966 (91.4%) patients of the study group died, 339 (7.8%) survived and 32 (0.7%) were lost on follow-up. RESULTS: The relative five-year survival rate was estimated to be 9.0% for male and 18.3% for female. Cox proportional hazard modeling has indicated tha females had better survival than males (RH(female)=0.84, 0.76-0.92). Males living in large cities had better prognosis than other urban or rural patients (RH(towns)=1.18, 1.09-1.27, RH(rural)=1.27, 1.17-1.40). Elder patients (75 and older, both women and men) had worse survival than those at age of 64-74. Annual relative rates were improving on follow-up and exceeded 90% of population level for women at the third year (men at fifth year) and has dropped down at the sixth year of observation. CONCLUSION: Compared to European survival rates, one-year and five-year survival of patients with lung cancer in Lithuania is lower than European average for men, and alike for women. Recent high mortality/incidence ratio does not allow predict an increase of survival rates.