Patterns of completion axillary dissection for patients with cT1-2N0 breast cancer undergoing total mastectomy with positive sentinel lymph nodes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The ACOSOGZ0011 trial found that overall survival (OS) for patients with 1-2 positive nodes undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy-alone (SLNB) was noninferior to completion axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), but excluded patients undergoing mastectomy. Our study examined patterns of ALND and its relationship with OS for SLNB-positive patients undergoing mastectomy. METHODS: The National Cancer Database was queried (2010-2017) for patients with cT1-2N0 breast cancer undergoing mastectomy with positive sentinel lymph nodes. Clinical data were compared. RESULTS: Of 20 001 patients, 11 574 (57.9%) underwent SLNB + ALND, and 8427 (42.1%) had SLNB-alone. The SLNB + ALND group had more positive nodes (mean 2.6 vs. 1.3, p < 0.001) and more frequently received nodal radiation (33.4% vs. 28.9%, p < 0.001). Patients diagnosed in later years were less likely to undergo ALND (2010: reference; 2017: odds ratio: 0.29, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.25-0.33, p < 0.001). ALND (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.89-1.06, p = 0.49) and nodal radiation (HR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.83-1.02, p = 1.06) were not independently associated with OS. Propensity-score matched 5-year OS was similar (SLNB + ALND: 90.9% vs. SLNB-alone: 90.3%, p = 0.65). CONCLUSION: For patients undergoing mastectomy for cT1-2N0 breast cancer with positive SLNB, SLNB-alone was common and increased over time. Axillary radiation was not routinely delivered in the SLNB-alone group. Completion ALND and nodal radiation were not associated with improved survival.

Improved Adherence to ATA Medullary Thyroid Cancer Treatment Guidelines.

BACKGROUND: The 2009 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines for medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) were created to unify national practice patterns. Our aims were to (1) evaluate national adherence to ATA guidelines before and after 2009, (2) identify factors that are associated with concordance with guidelines, and (3) evaluate whether there is an association between survival and concordant treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with MTC were identified from the 2009 to 2015 National Cancer Database. Adherence to ATA recommendations regarding extent of surgery (R61-R66) was analyzed. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors of discordance and propensity score matching was used to compare concordant treatment rates between time periods. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to determine association between survival and concordant treatment. RESULTS: There were 3421 patients with MTC, and of these 3087 had M0 disease and 334 had M1 disease. We found that 72% of M0 cases adhered to R61-66, and 68% of M0 cases without advanced local disease were adherent to R61-63. Following propensity score matching, the adherence rate was 67% before 2009 and 74% after. Patient factors associated with discordant treatment were female gender, older age, treatment at a nonacademic facility, and living within 50 miles of the treatment facility. Adherence to guidelines was associated with improved overall survival (OS) (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of MTC was discordant from guidelines in 26% of cases from 2009 to 2015 compared with 33% prior to 2009 in a propensity matched analysis, and was most often in cases with localized, noninvasive disease. Improved adherence to guidelines may improve overall survival.

Outcomes of the same-day discharge following mastectomy before, during and after COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The majority of patients undergoing mastectomy before the COVID-19 pandemic were admitted for 23-h observation to the hospital. Indications for observation included drain care education, pain control and observation for possible early surgical complications. This study compared the rates of outpatient mastectomy before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic and indirectly evaluated the safety of same-day discharge. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients undergoing mastectomy using Current Procedural Terminology code 19303. RESULTS: A total of 357 patients were included: 113 were treated pre-COVID-19, 82 patients during COVID-19 and 162 post-COVID-19. The rate of outpatient mastectomies tripled during the pandemic from 17% to 51% (p < 0.001); after the pandemic remain high at 48%. The rate of bilateral mastectomies decreased during the pandemic to 30% from 48% prepandemic (p = 0.015). Pectoralis muscle block utilization increased during the COVID-19 period from 36% to 59% (p = 0.002). No difference in complication rates, including surgical site infections, hematomas, and readmissions, pre and during COVID. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of outpatient mastectomy increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this timeframe, perioperative complications did not increase, suggesting the safety of this practice. After the pandemic, the rate of outpatient mastectomy continued to be significantly higher than pre-COVID.

Impact of nodal status in determining multimodal treatment strategies in non-cardia gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Patients with resectable noncardia gastric cancer may be subjected to perioperative chemotherapy (PEC), postoperative chemoradiation (POCR), or postoperative chemotherapy (POC). We analyzed these treatment strategies to determine optimal therapy based on nodal status. METHOD: The National Cancer Database was used to identify patients with resected noncardia gastric cancer (2004-2016). Patients were stratified based on clinical nodal status-negative (cLN-), positive (cLN+) and pathological nodal status (pLN-, pLN+). In cLN- patients who underwent upfront resection and were upstaged to pLN+, POC, and POCR were compared. Overall survival (OS) with PEC, POCR, and POC were compared in cLN- and cLN+. RESULTS: We identified 6142 patients (cLN-: 3831; cLN+: 2311). In cLN- patients who underwent upfront resection (N = 3423), 69% were upstaged to pLN+ disease (N = 2499; POCR = 1796, POC = 703). On MVA, POCR was associated with significantly improved OS when compared to POC (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.75; p < 0.001). In patients with cLN- disease (PEC = 408; POCR = 2439; POC = 984), PEC(HR: 0.77; p = 0.01) and POCR(HR: 0.81; p < 0.001) were associated with improved OS compared with POC. In cLN+ group (PEC = 452; POCR = 1284; POC = 575), POCR was associated with improved OS compared with POC (HR: 0.81; p < 0.01), and trend towards improved OS was noted when PEC(HR: 0.83; p = 0.055) was compared with POC. CONCLUSION: Postoperative chemoradiation may be the preferred treatment strategy over postoperative chemotherapy in non-cardia gastric cancer patients who receive upfront resection and are upstaged from clinically node negative to pathologically node positive disease.

Surgical resection for adrenocortical carcinoma: Current trends affecting survival.

INTRODUCTION: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is associated with a poor prognosis. We reviewed the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to analyze the prognostic factors in surgically resected ACC patients and the association of surgical approaches with overall survival (OS). METHODS: A retrospective NCDB (2004-2014) review of patients undergoing curative-intent surgical resection for ACC was performed. Effects of patient demographics, tumor characteristics, histopathology, and perioperative course on OS were analyzed. Log-rank statistics were used to associate clinical variables with OS. The multivariable Cox proportional hazard model included only statistically significant variables. RESULTS: A total of 1599 patients with ACC were included. A majority of patients were female (60.73%) and presented with a Charlson-Deyo score of zero (75.42%). A majority of the ACC cases were Grade 3 (45.69%), and almost a third (30.64%) underwent margin-positive resections. Univariate analysis demonstrated a decrease in OS associated with increasing age and comorbidities. A negative resection margin and lack of lymphovascular invasion predicted better OS. Multivariable analysis showed that age, grade, surgical resection margins, and hospital length of stay were associated with OS. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced age, grade, presence of lymphovascular invasion, and positive surgical margins predicted a worse overall survival for adrenocortical cancer in our analysis. Resection with negative margins improves outcomes.

Lymph node involvement in gastric adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic management of early gastric cancer is limited by the risk of lymph node metastasis. We aimed to examine the incidence and predictors of nodal metastasis in early gastric adenocarcinoma in a large national US cohort. METHODS: Cases were abstracted from the National Cancer Database from 2004 to 2016. The incidence and predictors of lymph node involvement for patients with Tis, T1a, and T1b tumors were examined. RESULTS: A total of 202,216 cases of gastric adenocarcinoma were identified in the NCDB. Cases with unknown patient or tumor characteristics, presence of other cancers, and prior neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy were excluded. 1839 cases of Tis, T1a, and T1b tumors were identified. Lymph node metastases were present in 18.1% of patients. Lymphovascular invasion (LVI), high-grade histology, stage T1b, and larger size (> 3 cm) were independently associated with an increased risk of nodal metastasis on multivariate analysis (P < 0.05). The presence of LVI was the strongest predictor of nodal metastasis with an OR (95% CI) of 5.7 (4.3-7.6), P < 0.001. No lymph node metastasis was found in any Tis tumors. Small T1a low-grade tumors with no LVI had a low risk of nodal metastasis (0.6% < 2 cm and 0.9% < 3 cm). CONCLUSION: In this large national cohort, size, lymphovascular invasion, higher grade histology, and T stage were independently associated with lymph node metastasis. For patients with low-grade tumors, < 3 cm, without lymphovascular invasion, the risk of nodal involvement was very low, suggesting that this Western cohort could be considered for endoscopic resection.

An overview of implementing an evidence based program to increase HPV vaccination in HIV community clinics.

BACKGROUND: HPV-related anal cancer occurs in excess rates among people living with HIV (PLWH) and has been increasing in incidence. The HPV vaccine is an effective and safe approach to prevent and reduce the risk of HPV-related disease. Yet, HPV vaccine programs tailored and implemented in the HIV population are lagging for this high-risk group. METHODS: A pre-post intervention study design will be used to tailor, refine, and implement the 4 Pillars™ Practice Transformation Program to increase HPV vaccination among PLWH. Guided by the RE-AIM framework, the CHAMPS study will provide training and motivation to HIV providers and clinic staff to recommend and administer the HPV vaccination within three HIV clinics in Georgia. We plan to enroll 365 HIV participants to receive HPV education, resources, and reminders for HPV vaccination. Sociodemographic, HPV knowledge, and vaccine hesitancy will be assessed as mediators and moderators for HPV vaccination. The primary outcome will be measured as an increase in uptake rate in initiation of the HPV vaccine and vaccine completion (secondary outcome) compared to historical baseline vaccination rate (control). DISCUSSION: The proposed study is a novel approach to address a serious and preventable public health problem by using an efficacious, evidence-based intervention on a new target population. The findings are anticipated to have a significant impact in the field of improving cancer outcomes in a high-risk and aging HIV population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05065840; October 4, 2021.

Influencers of Immediate Postmastectomy Reconstruction: A National Cancer Database Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The literature examining decision-making related to treatment and reconstruction for women with breast cancer has established that patient, clinical, and facility factors all play a role. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to use the National Cancer Database to determine how patient, clinical, and facility factors influence: (1) the receipt of immediate breast reconstruction; and (2) the type of immediate breast reconstruction received (implant-based, autologous, or a combination). METHODS: A total of 638,772 female patients with breast cancers (Tis-T3, N0-N1, or M0) who between 2004 and 2017 received immediate reconstruction following mastectomy were identified in the National Cancer Database. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were applied to identify characteristics associated with immediate breast reconstruction and type of reconstruction. RESULTS: Immediate breast reconstruction was more frequently associated with patients of White race, younger age, with private insurance, with lesser comorbidities, who resided in zip codes with higher median incomes or higher rates of high-school graduation, in urban areas, with Tis to T2 disease, or with involvement of <4 lymph nodes (all odds ratios [ORs] > 1.1). Negative predictors of immediate breast reconstruction were insurance status with Medicaid, Medicare, other government insurance, and none or unknown insurance (all ORs < 0.79). Implant-based reconstruction was associated with non-Black race, uninsured status, completion of higher education, undifferentiated disease, and stage T0 disease (all ORs > 1.10). CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm some previous studies on what patient, clinical, and facility factors affect decision-making, but also raise new questions that relate to the impact of third-party payer on receipt and type of reconstruction postmastectomy for breast cancer.

Trimodality Therapy in the Treatment of Stage III N2-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A National Cancer Database Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Significant controversy remains regarding the care of patients with clinical stage III (N2-positive) NSCLC. Although multimodality therapy is effective, the roles of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are not fully defined and the optimal treatment approach is not firmly established. We analyzed outcomes and predictors associated with trimodality therapy (TT) in the National Cancer Database. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The NCDB was queried from 2004 to 2014 for patients with NSCLC diagnosed with stage III (N2) disease and treated with chemotherapy and radiation (CRT). Three cohorts of patients were studied: CRT only/no surgery (NS), CRT plus lobectomy (LT), and CRT plus pneumonectomy (PT). The univariate and multivariable analyses (MVA) were conducted using Cox proportional hazards model and log-rank tests. RESULTS: A total of 29,754 patients were included in this analysis: NS 90.1%, LT 8.4%, and PT 1.5%. Patient characteristics: median age 66 years; male 56% and white 85%. Patients treated at academic centers were more likely to receive TT compared with those treated at community centers (odds ratio: 1.85 [1.53-2.23]; p < .001). On MVA, patients that received TT were associated with better survival than those that received only CRT (hazard ratio: 0.59 [0.55-0.62]; p < .001). The LT group was associated with significantly better survival than the PT and NS groups (median survival: 62.8 months vs. 51.8 months vs. 34.2 months, respectively). In patients with more than two nodes involved, PT was associated with worse survival than LT and NS (median survival: 51.4 months in LT and 39 months in NS vs. 37 months in PT). The 30-day and 90-day mortality rates were found to be significantly higher in PT patients than in LT. CONCLUSION: TT was used in less than 10% of patients with stage III N2 disease, suggesting high degree of patient selection. In this selected group, TT was associated with favorable outcomes relative to CRT alone. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This analysis demonstrates that trimodality therapy could benefit a selected subset of patients with stage III (N2) disease. This plan should be considered as a treatment option following patient evaluation in a multidisciplinary setting in experienced medical centers with the needed expertise.

Receipt of Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Stage II Colon Cancer and Overall Survival: A National Cancer Database Study.

BACKGROUND: There are variations in the use of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) in stage II colon cancer (CRC). We sought to determine which patients received chemotherapy, what factors were associated with receipt of AC, and how this impacted overall survival. METHODS: Using the National Cancer Database, patients with stage II CRC who underwent surgical resection were selected; patients who received radiation or neoadjuvant chemotherapy were excluded. High-risk features (HRFs) were defined as pathological tumor stage IV, positive surgical margins, and perineural or lymphovascular invasion. Multivariable and subgroup analysis with eight subgroups stratified in the presence of HRFs, age, and the Charlson-Deyo score was performed. RESULTS: Of 77,739 patients identified with stage II CRC, 18.3% received AC. Younger, healthier patients with HRFs had the highest chemotherapy receipt rate (46.7%), whereas patients without HRFs, ≥ 75 y, and with the Charlson-Deyo score of 2+ had the lowest rate (2.1%). Community cancer centers were more likely to initiate AC (odds ratio = 1.24 P < 0.01) especially among healthy HRF-negative patients and younger patients. No significant racial differences in AC use were observed. AC was associated with improved overall survival in subgroups with HRFs (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.81 P < 0.001; HR: 0.75 P < 0.001; HR: 0.65 P = 0.03; HR: 0.55, P < 0.001) but not in patients without HRFs. CONCLUSIONS: AC receipt rates differed depending on patient age and type of institution delivering care. AC was associated with survival benefits only in patients with HRFs regardless of age. These findings are clinically relevant to inform appropriate use of AC in stage II CRC.

Triple-negative apocrine carcinoma: A rare pathologic subtype with a better prognosis than other triple-negative breast cancers.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Apocrine adenocarcinoma is a rare subtype of breast cancer. We sought to compare the characteristics and survival of patients diagnosed with triple-negative apocrine adenocarcinoma to those of patients diagnosed with triple-negative invasive ductal carcinoma. Utilizing data from the National Cancer Database between 2004 and 2013, 70 524 eligible female patients with triple-negative breast cancer were identified including 566 patients with apocrine adenocarcinomas and 69 958 patients with invasive ductal carcinoma. Descriptive statistics for each variable were reported. A comparison of each covariate between the study cohorts was assessed in univariate and multivariate analysis. Cox proportional models were used to calculate hazard ratios. Additionally, the propensity score matching method was implemented to reduce treatment selection bias. RESULTS: Patients with triple-negative apocrine tumors were more likely to be older, Caucasian, and have smaller, moderately to well-differentiated tumors. Multivariable analysis noted a significantly improved survival for patients with triple-negative apocrine carcinoma (TNAC) vs triple-negative invasive ductal carcinoma (TNBC) (hazard ratio [HR] 0.65 [95% confidence interval [CI] [0.53-0.81], P = 0 < .001). Propensity score matching analysis confirmed a significant difference in overall survival for patients with TNAC in comparison to TNBC (HR 0.79 [95% CI [0.63-1.00], P = .05). DISCUSSION: Triple-negative apocrine adenocarcinomas have a modestly improved long-term survival when compared with triple-negative invasive ductal cancers.

A research agenda for non-communicable disease prevention and control in India.

BACKGROUND: Non-communicable diseases contribute to 62% of total deaths in India; of concern are the preventable premature deaths, which account for a staggering 48% of mortality. The objective of this study was to establish a consensus research agenda for non-communicable disease prevention and control that has the potential to impact polices, programmes and healthcare delivery in India. METHODS: To develop a non-communicable disease research agenda, we engaged our community collaborative board and scientific advisory group in a three-step process using two web-based surveys and one in-person meeting. First, the Delphi methodology was used to generate topics. Second, these ideas were deliberated upon during the in-person meeting, leading to the prioritisation of 23 research questions, which were subjected to Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threat analysis by the stakeholders using the Snow Card methodology with the scientific advisory group and community collaborative board. This step resulted in the identification of 15 low effort, high impact priority research questions for various health outcomes across research disciplines based on discussion with the larger group to reach consensus. Finally, the second web-based survey resulted in the identification of 15 key priority research questions by all stakeholders as being the most important using a linear mixed effect regression model. RESULTS: The final set of 15 priority research questions focused on interventions at the individual, community, systems and policy levels. Research questions focused on identifying interventions that strengthen healthcare systems and healthcare delivery, including models of care and improved access to non-communicable disease screening, diagnosis and treatment, determining the impact of government policies, assessing the effectiveness of prevention programmes (e.g. tobacco, environmental improvements), and testing research tools and resources to monitor non-communicable diseases at the population level. CONCLUSION: To produce the evidence base for selecting and implementing non-communicable disease programmes and policies in India, investments are needed. These investments should be guided by a national research agenda for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in India. Our findings could form the backbone of a national research agenda for non-communicable diseases in India that could be refined and then adopted by government agencies, the private sector, non-governmental and community-based organisations.

Survival outcomes by high-risk human papillomavirus status in nonoropharyngeal head and neck squamous cell carcinomas: A propensity-scored analysis of the National Cancer Data Base.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic relevance of human papillomavirus (HPV) status in patients with nonoropharyngeal (OPX) squamous cell cancer (SCC) of the head and neck is controversial. In the current study, the authors evaluated the impact of high-risk HPV status on overall survival (OS) in patients with non-OPX SCC using a large database approach. METHODS: The National Cancer Data Base was queried to identify patients diagnosed from 2004 through 2014 with SCC of the OPX, hypopharynx (HPX), larynx, and oral cavity (OC) with known HPV status. Survival was estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods; distributions were compared using log-rank tests. Propensity score-matching and inverse probability of treatment weighing (IPTW) methods were used; cohorts were matched based on age, sex, Charlson-Deyo score, clinical American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) group stage, treatments received, and anatomic subsite. Propensity analyses were stratified by group stage of disease. RESULTS: A total of 24,740 patients diagnosed from 2010 through 2013 were analyzed: 1085 patients with HPX, 4804 with laryngeal, 4,018 with OC, and 14,833 with OPX SCC. The percentages of HPV-positive cases by disease site were 17.7% for HPX, 11% for larynx, 10.6% for OC, and 62.9% for OPX. HPV status was found to be prognostic in multiple unadjusted and propensity-adjusted non-OPX populations. HPV positivity was associated with superior OS in patients with HPX SCC with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.61 (P < .001 by IPTW), in patients with AJCC stage III to IVB laryngeal SCC (HR, 0.79; P = .019 by IPTW), and in patients with AJCC stage III to IVB OC SCC (HR, 0.78; P = .03 by IPTW). CONCLUSIONS: Positive high-risk HPV status appears to be associated with longer OS in multiple populations of patients with non-OPX head and neck disease (HPX, locally advanced larynx, and OC). If prospectively validated, these findings have implications for risk stratification.

The Prognostic Value of Lymphovascular Invasion in Truncal and Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcomas: An Analysis from the National Cancer Database.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the association between lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and overall survival (OS) in truncal/extremity soft tissue sarcomas (STS). METHODS: The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried for all patients, ages 18-85 years, who underwent resection of primary, truncal/extremity STS between 2010 and 2012, and had LVI data. The primary endpoint was OS. RESULTS: Among 6169 patients identified, the most common histology groups were (1) liposarcoma (LPS, 24%), (2) undifferentiated pleiomorphic sarcoma (UPS, 19%), and (3) leiomyosarcoma (LMS, 15%); 449 patients (7%) were LVI-positive. There were no differences in demographics or comorbidities between the LVI groups. Compared with LVI-negative patients, LVI-positive patients were more likely to have larger (> 5 cm: 80% vs. 66%), deep (80% vs. 68%), and high-grade tumors (82% vs. 57%). They were also more likely to have positive margins (27% vs. 17%), nodal (16% vs. 2%) and metastatic disease (21% vs. 4%), and receive chemotherapy (37% vs. 18%; all p < 0.001). LVI was associated with worse median OS (39 months vs. MNR; p < 0.001), which persisted on stratum-specific analyses for all tumor grades, size categories, and stages I-III, but not stage IV. On multivariable Cox regression, LVI was associated with worse OS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.39-2.44), while accounting for other significant prognostic factors. Among non-metastatic, curative-intent resections (n = 5696), LVI was still associated with worse OS (HR 1.79, 95% CI 1.28-2.49). CONCLUSIONS: LVI appears to be an important adverse pathologic factor in truncal and extremity STS. Even when taking into account other established prognostic factors, LVI was predictive of worse OS. Knowledge of LVI status may help to better risk-stratify patients and guide management strategies, and should be considered in future prognostic classification schemes and nomograms.

Identifying the barriers to gastric cancer care at safety-net hospitals: A novel comparison of a safety-net hospital to a neighboring quaternary referral academic center in the same healthcare system.

BACKGROUND: The three-delays model describes delays in seeking, reaching, and receiving care for vulnerable populations needing treatment. The dominant delay for patients with gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) is unknown. We aimed to define patients with GAC who reached and received care at our regional safety-net hospital (Grady Memorial Hospital [GMH]) and our neighboring quaternary referral hospital (Emory University Hospital [EUH]). METHODS: Clinicopathologic data from National Cancer Database (NCDB) participating academic centers were compared with GMH from 2004 to 2014. Outcomes of patients undergoing surgery at GMH were compared to those at EUH. RESULTS: At presentation, compared to NCDB centers (n = 69 662), GMH patients (n = 154) were more often black (85.1 vs 17.2%; P < 0.001), uninsured (30.5 vs 4.7%; P < 0.001), have stage IV disease (43.5 vs 30.1%; P = 0.017), and received no treatment (40.3 vs 18.4%; P < 0.001). When only comparing patients who underwent curative-intent resection at GMH (n = 23) to EUH (n = 137), median overall survival was similar between both groups (GMH: median not reached; EUH: 59.8 mos; P = 0.785). CONCLUSION: Although vulnerable patients with GAC within a safety-net hospital present with later stages of the disease, those who received surgery have acceptable outcomes. Thus, efforts should be made to overcome barriers in seeking care.

Perioperative anxiety and depression in patients undergoing abdominal surgery for benign or malignant disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Etiologies, levels, and associated factors of psychological distress in cancer patients facing surgery are poorly defined. We conducted a prospective comparative study of perioperative anxiety and depression in patients undergoing abdominal surgery for either malignant or benign disease. METHODS: With Institutional Review Board approval, patients consenting for surgery at our institution were enrolled. Surveys were completed at a preoperative visit and within 2 weeks of a postoperative appointment. Participants listed their top three sources of anxiety, and completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the General Anxiety Disorder-7. RESULTS: A total of 79 patients completed the preoperative assessment and 44 (58.7%) finished the postoperative survey. Forty-one were male (51.9%), 12 (15.2%) had a psychiatric comorbidity (PSYHx), and 47 (59.5%) had cancer. Perioperative anxiety and depression did not differ by malignancy status. Patients were most concerned about surgery (22.5%) preoperatively and finances (27.9%) postoperatively. PSYHx, frailty, insurance status, and opioid use were all associated with perioperative psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer patients did not have significantly higher levels of perioperative psychological distress compared with benign controls. Socioeconomic worries are prevalent throughout the perioperative period, and efforts to alleviate distress should focus on providing adequate counseling.

Factors associated with time to surgery in melanoma: An analysis of the National Cancer Database.

BACKGROUND: Timely treatment for melanoma may affect survival, and characterizing the predictors of delay may inform intervention strategies. OBJECTIVE: To determine characteristics associated with the interval between diagnosis and surgery in melanoma. METHODS: The National Cancer Database was used to examine factors associated with the interval between diagnosis and surgery among 213 146 patients with stage I, II, or III cutaneous melanoma. RESULTS: Among privately insured patients, time to surgery was longer for patients aged 50 to 70 years (hazard ratio [HR], 0.96) and older than 70 years (HR, 0.83) compared with those younger than 50 years. In contrast, patients without private insurance experienced a shorter surgical wait time if older (HR for age 50-70 years, 1.07; HR for age >70 years, 1.05). Other factors associated with longer surgical interval included nonwhite race, less education, higher comorbidity burden, advanced stage, and head or neck melanoma location. LIMITATIONS: Use of zip code-level data for income and education level. CONCLUSION: Patients with melanoma experience disparities in timely receipt of surgery.

Surgery and survival in patients with stage IV breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Retrospective studies have shown some improvement in survival for patients receiving surgical management of the intact primary tumor in patients with presenting with Stage IV disease, while prospective studies have revealed mixed results. METHODS: An examination of the NCDB from 2004-2013 was undertaken to examine factors related to the utilization of surgery and overall survival in patients with de novo Stage IV disease. Univariate and multivariable analyses were conducted to determine factors related to survival. Propensity score matching method was implemented to balance patients' baseline characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 11 694 patients with Stage IV breast cancer at diagnosis met inclusion criteria. Surgical intervention occurred in 5202 patients (44.5%), with the use of surgery decreasing throughout the study period (53.6% surgery 2004-2006; 31.8% surgery 2011-2013). Selection for surgical intervention was associated with small tumors (T1) and a higher nodal burden (N2/3). Uninsured patients, those treated at academic centers, those treated in the Northeast, and those with hormone receptor positive tumors were less likely to undergo surgery. Surgery was independently associated with a better overall survival. Propensity score matching revealed a persistent survival advantage for surgical patients receiving surgery, regardless of the receipt of systemic therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery on the intact primary tumor for patients presenting with de novo Stage IV breast cancer is associated with improved overall survival. Surgical resection in patients with Stage IV breast cancer should be considered for well-selected patients as a part of multimodality therapy.

Is less more? Comparing chemotherapy alone with chemotherapy and radiation for high-risk grade 2 glioma: An analysis of the National Cancer Data Base.

BACKGROUND: The addition of chemotherapy to adjuvant radiotherapy (chemotherapy and radiation therapy [CRT]) improves overall survival (OS) for patients with high-risk grade 2 gliomas; however, the impact of chemotherapy alone (CA) is unknown. This study compares the OS of patients with high-risk grade 2 gliomas treated with CA versus CRT. METHODS: Patients with high-risk grade 2 gliomas (subtotal resection or age ≥ 40 years) with oligodendrogliomas, astrocytomas, or mixed tumors were identified with the National Cancer Data Base. Patients were grouped into CA and CRT cohorts. Univariate analyses and multivariate analyses (MVAs) were performed. Propensity score (PS) matching was also implemented. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze OS. RESULTS: A total of 1054 patients with high-risk grade 2 gliomas were identified: 496 (47.1%) received CA, and 558 (52.9%) received CRT. Patients treated with CA were more likely (all P values < .05) to have oligodendroglioma histology (65.5% vs 34.2%), exhibit a 1p/19q codeletion (22.8% vs 7.5%), be younger (median age, 47.0 vs 48.0 years), and receive treatment at an academic facility (65.2% vs 50.3%). The treatment type was not a significant predictor for OS (P = .125) according to the MVA; a tumor size > 6 cm, astrocytoma histology, and older age were predictors for worse OS (all P values < .05). After 1:1 PS matching (n = 331 for each cohort), no OS difference was seen (P = .696) between the CA and CRT cohorts at 5 (69.3% vs 67.4%) and 8 years (52.8% vs 56.7%). CONCLUSIONS: No long-term OS difference was seen in patients with high-risk grade 2 gliomas treated with CA versus CRT. These findings are hypothesis-generating, and prospective clinical trials comparing these treatment paradigms are warranted. Cancer 2018;124:1169-78. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Health care disparities among octogenarians and nonagenarians with stage III lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: To the authors' knowledge, the practice patterns for patients aged more than 80 years with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is not well known. The purpose of the current study was to investigate factors predictive of and the impact on overall survival (OS) after concurrent chemoradiation (CRT) among patients aged ≥80 years with American Joint Committee on Cancer stage III NSCLC in the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB). METHODS: In the NCDB, patients aged ≥80 years who were diagnosed with stage III NSCLC from 2004 to 2013 with complete treatment records were identified. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models were generated and propensity score-matched analysis was used. RESULTS: A total of 12,641 patients met the entry criteria: 6018 (47.6%) had stage IIIA disease and 6623 (52.4%) had stage IIIB disease. The median age at the time of diagnosis was 83.0 years (range, 80-91 years). A total of 7921 patients (62.7%) received no therapy. Black race (odds ratio [OR], 1.23; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.06-1.43) and living in a lower educated census tract of residence (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.03-1.40) were found to be associated with not receiving care, whereas treatment at an academic center (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.70-0.92) was associated with receiving cancer-directed therapy. Receipt of no treatment (hazard ratio [HR], 2.69; 95% CI, 2.57-2.82) or definitive radiation alone (HR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.07-1.24) compared with CRT was associated with worse OS. On propensity score matching, not receiving CRT was found to be associated with worse OS (HR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.44-1.72). CONCLUSIONS: In this NCDB analysis, approximately 62.7% of patients aged ≥80 years with stage III NSCLC received no cancer-directed care. Black race and living in a lower educated census tract were associated with not receiving cancer-directed care. OS was found to be improved in patients receiving CRT. Cancer 2018;124:775-84. © 2018 American Cancer Society.