A population-based analysis of hematological malignancies from a French-West-Indies cancer registry's data (2009-2018).

BACKGROUND: A worldwide increased incidence of HM has been marked in recent decades. Therefore, to update epidemiological characteristics of HM in a French West Indies territory, we have performed analysis through Martinique's population-based cancer registry database. METHODS: We included cancer case data, from 2009-2018, coded in strict compliance with international standards set by International Agency for Research on Cancer. We calculated standardized incidence rates, cumulative rate (ages 0-74), and temporal trends for cases and deaths using the global population standard, by sex and five age group. Mortality rates were obtained from the French Epidemiology Center on Medical Causes of Death (CépiDc). RESULTS: One thousand forty seven new cases and 674 deaths from HM were recorded, of which 501 MM (47.8%), 377 LMNH (36%), 123 LAM (11.8%), and 46 LH (4.4%) were reported in both sexes. MM is one of the hematological malignancies with the highest incidence in Martinique among men. Temporal trends of incidence rates for all HM decreased overall in both sexes, except for MM in men. There is significant variability in mortality rates for both sexes. In addition, over the period, the temporal trends of mortality rates for all HMs has decreased overall. Gender-specific rates, between 2009 and 2018, showed that all lymphoid HM have a multimodal distribution curve that increased with age. CONCLUSIONS: Characteristics of HM in Martinique over the reporting periods differ from mainland France. Higher incidences have been observed, particularly for MM, and non-significant sub-mortality is observed compared to mainland France. Moreover, temporal distribution of mortality and incidence trends had decreased over the reporting periods except for MM. Our results showed similarities with African-Americans groups in United States and in particular an equivalence in the frequency distribution of diagnosed HM. However, SMR remains lower compared to US black ethnic groups. Our results contributed to expanding knowledge on the epidemiology of HM with Caribbean data.

Overall survival of patients with thyroid cancer in Martinique (2008-2018).

BACKGROUND: Thyroid cancer (TC) overall survival at 5 years was estimated at 97% in mainland France over 2010-2015. Its prognosis is known to be affected by patient age, tumor histology, size, and extension. This study aims to describe overall survival of thyroid cancer patients diagnosed between 2008 and 2018 in Martinique. METHODS: We included in this retrospective analytical study all patients who were diagnosed with thyroid cancer. An overall survival analysis at 1, 3 and 5 years of thyroid cancer patients diagnosed in Martinique from 2008 to 2018 was conducted. Prognostic factors associated with survival have been identified. Stage at diagnosis and patterns of care among thyroid cancer patients were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 323 thyroid cancer patients were registered between 2008 and 2018. Papillary carcinomas represented 83% of diagnoses. Local stage or locally advanced invasion was found in 264 (88%) patients. 221 Multidisciplinary Teams reports files were reviewed. The overall survival observed in this population is 97% [93-99] at 1 year, 93% [88-97] at 3 years and 91% [85-95] at 5 years. Anaplastic, poorly differentiated and medullar tumors had lower survival rates at 5 years (39% [13-65]) compared to papillary tumors (93% [89-96]). We found that metastatic stage at diagnosis (HR = 3.1[1.3-7.6]; p = 0.01) and tumor size > 3 cm (HR = 2.7 [1.1-6.3]) were independent prognostic factors for OS in our population. CONCLUSIONS: The survival rates of thyroid cancer in Martinique are comparable to those observed in France.

Endometrial cancer risk and trends among distinct African descent populations.

BACKGROUND: Endometrial cancer (EC) is the fourth most common cancer among Black women in the United States, a population disproportionately affected by aggressive nonendometrioid subtypes (e.g., serous, carcinosarcoma). To examine EC vulnerability among a wider spectrum of African descent populations, a comparison between Black women residing in different countries, rather than in the United States alone, is needed. METHODS: The authors analyzed 34,789 EC cases from Florida (FL) (2005-2018), Martinique (2005-2018), and Guadeloupe (2008-2018) based on cancer registry data. Age-adjusted incidence rates, incidence rate ratios (IRRs), and annual percent changes (APC) in trends were estimated for Black populations residing in the United States (non-Hispanic Blacks [NHB]) and Caribbean. The US non-Hispanic White (NHW) population was used as a reference. RESULTS: Caribbean Black women had the lowest rates for endometrioid and nonendometrioid subtypes. Nonendometrioid types were most common among US (FL) NHBs (9.2 per 100,000), 2.6 times greater than NHWs (IRR, 2.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.44-2.76). For endometrioid EC, rates increased 1.8% (95% CI, 0.1-3.5) yearly from 2005 to 2018 for US (FL) NHBs and 1.2% (95% CI, 0.9-1.6) for US (FL) NHWs whereas no change was observed for Caribbean Blacks. For nonendometroid carcinomas, rates increased 5.6% (95% CI, 4.0-7.2) among US (FL) NHB, 4.4% (95% CI, 0.3-8.6) for Caribbean Black, and 3.9% for US (FL) NHW women (95% CI, 2.4-5.5). CONCLUSIONS: Lower rates of nonendometrioid EC among Caribbean Black women suggest that vulnerability for these aggressive tumor subtypes may not currently be an overarching African ancestry disparity. Most importantly, there is an alarmingly increasing trend in nonendometrioid across all populations studied, which warrants further surveillance and etiological research for this particular subtype. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: We analyze population-based incidence rates and trends of endometrial cancer (EC) for African descent populations residing in different countries (i.e., United States, Martinique, Guadeloupe) to examine whether EC vulnerability among Black women is socio-environmental or more ancestry-specific in nature. The increased EC risk was not uniform across all Black women since the Caribbean had the lowest rates (for endometrioid and nonendometrioid histology subtypes). Regardless, from 2005 to 2018, there was an increasing trajectory of nonendometrioid EC for all groups, regardless of race.

Type II endometrial cancer: Incidence, overall and disease-free survival in Martinique.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: In Martinique, about 33 new cases of endometrial cancer are diagnosed per year with a high mortality rate (world standardised rate of 4.9/100,000 versus 2.3/100,000 in mainland France). The present study aimed to determine the incidence and mortality of type I and type II endometrial cancers (ECs), their overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) between 2012 and 2016. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective observational cohort study used data from the Martinique Cancer Registry (MCR). 191 patients with corpus uterine cancer were extracted between 2012 and 2016. Patients with either endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (EEC), uterine papillary serous carcinomas (UPSC), uterine clear cell carcinomas (UCCC) or uterine carcinosarcomas (UCS) were included. All other uterine cancers were excluded. RESULTS: Among the 163 included patients, 97 (60%) were type I and 66 (40%) were type II. The standardized incidence rate is 4.50/100,000 for type I vs. 2.66/100,000 for type II. Three years DFS for all types, type I and type II was 81.5% [74.2-86.9], 84.9% [75.4-91] and 76.7% [63.8-85.5] respectively. The five-years OS for all types, type I and type II was 47.0% [38.9-54.7] vs. 58.8% [47.3-68.5] vs. 22.8% [15.0-37.7] respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In Martinique, we report a high proportion of type II ECs, which has a poor prognosis with few treatment options.

Overall survival of triple negative breast cancer in French Caribbean women.

To describe survival according to prognostic factors of women with breast cancer in French overseas territory (Martinique) during 2008-2017. We performed a Cox model for prognostic factors for OS in breast cancer patients. The cut-off date for the analysis was 13/10/2018. The main factors were demographic data, stage, hormone receptors (HR) status and HER2 status. Curves were compared with the log rank test to select candidate variables for the multivariate analysis. We included 1,708 patients; median age at diagnosis was 57 years. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounted for 20.9% (n = 332). Among the patients, 72.3% (n = 1015) had localised or local spread cancer. One-year OS was 95.2% and was 80.1% at 5 years. In TNBC, 1-year-survival was 90.4%, which fell to 70.1% at 5 years. Patients with metastatic disease at diagnosis had 1-year-survival of 74.5%, and 20.1% at 5 years. Multivariate analysis by Cox regression identified 4 factors significantly associated with an increased risk of death: metastatic disease at diagnosis (hazard ratio (HR) = 15, p<0.0001), TNBC (HR 2.84, p<0.0001), HR+/HER2- status (HR 2.05, p<0.0084) and age >75 years (HR 3.8, p<0.0001). This is the first study performed on breast cancer survival in Martinique. Our findings show that breast cancer has overall good prognosis in patients and also how prognosis factors are distributed in the population.

Burden of gastric and digestive cancers in the French Caribbean: perspectives from population-based cancer registries of Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana (2007-2014).

OBJECTIVES: Data from population-based cancer registries contribute to improving our knowledge of digestive cancer trends worldwide. In this study, we present cancer incidence and mortality in Guadeloupe, French Guiana and Martinique for the periods 2008-2014, 2010-2014 and 2007-2014, respectively. DESIGN: Data were extracted from population-based cancer registries. World-standardised incidence (WSI) and mortality (WSM) rates were calculated. Main digestive cancers were analysed, including oesophagus, stomach, colorectum, liver and pancreas cancers. SETTING: This study was performed based on data from French Territories in the Caribbean. RESULTS: We observed a lower-incidence compared with mainland France, except for stomach cancer for which the incidence is high, with significant standardised incidence ratios in men and women at 1.90 vs 2.29 for Guadeloupe and French Guiana and 1.58 vs 2.31 for Martinique. We found a lower-mortality, except for stomach cancer for which the mortality remains high, with significant mortality ratios in men and women at 2.10 vs 2.74 for Guadeloupe, 1.64 vs 1.79 for French Guiana and 2.05 vs 2.53 for Martinique. Overall, these three regions have similar WSI and WSM rates which remain lower than those in mainland France. We noticed an overall high incidence and high mortality in men compared with women as in France. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high incidence of stomach cancer in French overseas territories. Publication of these data contributed to expanding knowledge on the epidemiology of world cancers with data from the Caribbean zone.

Urological Cancers in French Overseas Territories: A Population-Based Cancer Registry Pooled Analysis in Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana (2007-2014).

PURPOSE: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in the Caribbean. We present world-standardized incidence (WSI) and mortality (WSM) rates for urological cancers for French overseas territories. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Standardized incidence ratio (SIR) and standardized mortality ratio (SMR) were calculated for 2008-2014, 2007-2014 and 2010-2014 in Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana. RESULTS: For prostate cancer, in Guadeloupe and Martinique, the WSI rates are among the highest in the world (173.0 and 164.5 per 100,000 person-years) and 94.4 in French Guiana. Mortality remains more than twice that observed in mainland France, at 23.0 in Guadeloupe and Martinique, and 16.9 in French Guiana. For bladder cancer, WSI rates were 5.9, 4.9 and 4.1 in men, and 1.9, 1.4 and 1.3 in women, in French Guiana, Guadeloupe and Martinique. WSM rates from bladder varied from 1.5 in French Guiana to 1.8 in Guadeloupe and 2.0 in Martinique in men. In women, it ranges from 0.2 in French Guiana to 0.5 in Guadeloupe and 1.1 in Martinique. Regarding kidney, WSI rates in men are 4.3 in Martinique, 5.2 in Guadeloupe and 6.1 in French Guiana, and 2.3, 2.5 and 3.4, respectively, in women. Mortality rates in men were 1.7 in Guadeloupe, 1.4 in Martinique, and 1.5 in French Guiana, while in women, rates were 0.8 in Guadeloupe and Martinique and 0.6 in French Guiana. All these rates are lower than in mainland France. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying the profile of patients with urological cancers is key to understanding the needs of patients in these regions.

Genotype distribution of cervical HPV among Caribbean women in a population-based study in Martinique: The DEPIPAPUFR study.

The Caribbean ranks seventh among the world regions most affected by cervical cancer. HPV-prevalence and genotype distributions also differ from regions. Knowledge of HPV genotype profiles is important for patients care and HPV vaccination implementation. The objective of this study was to describe HPV genotype distribution and risk factors in a population-based cohort of women in Martinique. In this study, 1312 women were included and underwent cervical cancer screening with successful sample collection between 2009 and 2014. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were recorded. Cytological examination of cervical vaginal smear was performed and classified(Bethesda). Detection of HPV DNA was performed with the PapilloCheck© Kit from Greiner Bio-one. Genotypes were analyzed for18 high-risk HPV (hrHPV) and 6low-risk HPV(lrHPV) types. A total of 1075 women were included with a mean age of 49.1±10.5 years. HPV prevalence was 27.6% (297/1075) with 19.4% (209/1075) women with only hrHPV, 5.3% (57/1075) with only lrHPV. Multiple infections (hrHPV/lrHPV) were detected in 31/240 cases of hrHPV (12.9%). A total of 353 hrHPV genotypes were analyzed; the most common HPV types were HPV51 (11.0%), HPV68 (10.8%), HPV53 (9.1%) and HPV 52 (7.1%). HPV16 and HPV18 represented respectively 4.8% and 4.0% of hrHPV genotypes. Abnormal cytology was observed in 34 cases (3.2%), with 14 ASCUS (1.3%), 10 LSIL (0.9%), 5 HSIL (0.5%), 3 ASC-H (0.3%) and 2 AGC (0.2%). Fifteen (44.1%) were hrHPV and 4 (14.7%) lrHPV; 7 cases of hrPHV were in the age-group 25-34 years. Among 1041cases of normal cytology, 225 had positive hrHPV detection (21.6%). This is the first population-based study of HPV profiles in our country, and we found a high prevalence of hrHPV. The most common genotypes were HPV51, 68, 53. These results could serve for cancer vaccination strategies and HPV surveillance in Martinique.

Gynaecological cancer in Caribbean women: data from the French population-based cancer registries of Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana (2007-2014).

BACKGROUND: For the first time, we present regional-level cancer incidence and world-standardized mortality rates for cancers for Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana. METHODS: For Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana, incidence data come from population-based cancer registries, and cover the periods 2007-2014, 2008-2014 and 2010-2014 respectively. Standardized incidence and mortality rates were calculated using the world population. RESULTS: In the 3 regions, all cancers combined represent 3567 new cases per year, of which 39.8% occur in women, and 1517 deaths per year (43.4% in women). Guadeloupe and Martinique present similar world-standardized incidence rates. Among gynaecological cancers, breast cancer, the second most common cancer type in the 3 regions, has an incidence rate 35 to 46% lower than in mainland France. On the other hand, cervical cancer has a higher incidence rate, particularly in French Guiana. For both endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer, no significant differences in incidence rates are found compared to mainland France. Regarding mortality, world-standardized mortality rates are similar between Guadeloupe and Martinique, and higher than in French Guiana. This situation compares favourably with mainland France (all cancers). Among gynaecological cancers, the mortality rate is lower for breast cancer in all regions compared to mainland France, and also lower for ovarian cancer in Martinique and Guadeloupe, but higher (albeit non-significantly) in French Guiana. CONCLUSION: The ethno-geographic and socio-demographic characteristics in this population of mainly Afro-Caribbean origin could partially explain these disparities. Major disparities exist for certain cancer sites: excess incidence and excess mortality for cervical cancer; lower, but increasing incidence of breast cancer.

Overall survival of colorectal cancer by stage at diagnosis: Data from the Martinique Cancer Registry.

Population-based cancer registries (PBCR) participate in epidemiological surveillance and in the evaluation of cancer types by enabling analysis of incidence and survival data over time. The aim of this study was to examine overall survival (OS) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) by analyzing data from the Martinique population-based cancer registry between 1993 and 2012. All colorectal cancer cases diagnosed in Martinique between 1993 and 2012 were included. Characteristics of CRC patients were analyzed according to age subgroups, namely: <50 years, 50 to 74 years and over 75 years.We recorded the following socio-demographic and clinical variables: year of diagnosis, age at diagnosis, sex, histology, zone of residence, and subsite of the cancer. Incidence of malignant neoplasms of the colon and rectum (ICD-10 C18-21) was extracted from the Martinique Cancer Registry database. Stage at diagnosis (localized: stage I-II, regional: stage III and metastatic stage: stage IV) were also analyzed for the 2008 to 2012 period.A total of 2230 cases of incident invasive CRC were included during the study period (1993-2012): 1171 were women (52.5%); 1588 patients (71.2%) had colon cancer. Stage at diagnosis was evaluated in 779 patients (89.6%): 486/779 (62.4%) had stage III-IV at diagnosis, including 285 (36.6%) patients with metastases at diagnosis (stage IV). One-year, 5-year and 10-year OS for the study period 1993 to 2012 was 74.6%, 43.8% and 33.0% respectively. There was a statistical difference in overall survival according to gender (P = .0153), age at diagnosis (P < .001) and stage (P < .001).Median OS was 2.0 years (95% CI [1.4-2.1]) in the stage III-IV group during the period 2008 to 2012, whereas it was unreached in the stage I-II group. Multivariable analysis confirmed that stage III-IV at diagnosis (hazard ratio (HR) = 3.70 [2.89-4.99]; P < .0001) and colon cancer (HR = 1.30 [1.01-1.69]; P = .04) were main prognostic factors for OS. Women had a HR of 0.78 [0.62-0.96], P = .02. CRC patients in the 50 to 74 years age group had a HR of 0.63 [0.50-0.80], P = .0001.This study underlines the importance of structuring management of CRC cancer patients.

Long-term survival of patients with prostate cancer in Martinique: Results of a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Martinique has one of the highest incidences of prostate cancer (PCa) worldwide. We analysed overall survival (OS) among patients with PCa in Martinique, using data from a population-based cancer registry between 2005 and 2014. METHODS: The log-rank test was used to assess the statistical differences between survival curves according to age at diagnosis, risk of disease progression including Gleason score, stage at diagnosis and Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). A multivariable Cox model was constructed to identify independent prognostic factors for OS. RESULTS: A total of 5045 patients were included with a mean age at diagnosis of 68.1±9.0 years [36.0 - 98.0 years]. Clinical stage was analysed in 4999 (99.1% of overall), 19.5% were at low risk, 34.7% intermediate and 36.9% at high risk. In our study, 8.9% of patients with available stage at diagnosis, were regional/metastatic cancers. Median PSA level at diagnosis was 10.4 ng/mL. High-risk PCa was more frequent in patients aged 65-74 and ≥75 years as compared to those aged <65 years (36.6% and 48.8% versus 28.7% respectively; p<0.0001). One-year OS was 96.3%, 5-year OS was 83.4 and 10-year OS was 65.0%. Median survival was not reached in the whole cohort. High-risk PCa (HR=2.32; p<0.0001), regional/metastatic stage (HR= 9.51; p<0.0001) and older age (65-74 and ≥75 years - respectively HR=1.70; and HR=3.38), were independent prognostic factors for OS (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: This study provides long term data that may be useful in making cancer management decisions for patients with PCa in Martinique.

Cancer burden in the Caribbean: an overview of the Martinique Cancer Registry profile.

BACKGROUND: Cancer indicators are essential information for cancer surveillance and cancer research strategy development. The Martinique Cancer Registry (MCR) is a population-based cancer Registry (PBCR) that has been recording cancer data since its creation in 1981. This article provides cancer incidence and mortality data for all cancers and for major tumor sites. METHODS: The registry collects all new cancer cases, details of the individual affected, tumor site and follow-up. World-standardized incidence and mortality rates were calculated, by tumor site and sex for solid tumors from the MCR database for the study period 2001-2015. RESULTS: Over the period 2001-2015, a total of 22,801 new cases were diagnosed; 13,863 in men (60.8%) and 8938 in women (39.2%). In 2011-2015, 1631 new cases were diagnosed per year. Age-standardized (to the world population) incidence rates for all cancers, were 289.8 per 100,000 men and 171.0 per 100,000 women. Breast, colon-rectum and stomach were the most common cancer sites in women. Prostate, colon-rectum and stomach were the main sites in men. Martinique has higher incidence rates of prostate and stomach cancer than mainland France. CONCLUSIONS: Prostate and stomach cancers have high incidence and rank first among the four major tumor sites. Providing data for the French zone of the Caribbean is essential to contributing to the development of high-priority public health measures for the Caribbean zone.

Pattern of care of prostate cancer patients across the Martinique: results of a population-based study in the Caribbean.

BACKGROUND: The French West-Indies rank first for both prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates. Analyzing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures among patients with prostate cancer, using data from a population-based cancer registry, is essential for cancer surveillance and research strategies. METHODS: This retrospective observational cohort study was based on data from the Martinique Cancer Registry. Records of 452 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2013 were retrieved from the registry. Data extracted were: socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, circumstances of diagnosis, PSA level at diagnosis, Gleason score and risk of disease progression. Stage at diagnosis and patterns of care among prostate cancer patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Mean age at diagnosis was 67 ± 8 years; 103 (28.5%) were symptomatic at diagnosis. Digital rectal exam was performed in 406 (93.8%). Clinical stage was available in 385 (85.2%); tumours were localized in 322/385 (83.6%). Overall, 17.9% were at low risk, 36.4% at intermediate and 31.9% at high risk; 13.8% were regional/metastatic cancers. Median PSA level at diagnosis was 8.16 ng/mL (range 1.4-5000 ng/mL). A total of 373 patients (82.5%) received at least one treatment, while 79 (17.5%) had active surveillance or watchful waiting. Among patients treated with more than one therapeutic strategy, the most frequent combination was external radiotherapy with androgen deprivation (n = 102, 22.6%). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides detailed data regarding the quality of diagnosis and management of patients with prostate cancer in Martinique. Providing data on prostate cancer is essential for the development of high-priority public health measures for the Caribbean.

Cohort profile: the Martinique Cancer Registry and the quality of life prostate cancer cohort (QoL Prostate-MQ): challenges and prospects for reducing disparities in the Caribbean.

PURPOSE: Recording cancer data in cancer registries is essential for producing reliable population-based data for service planning, monitoring and evaluation. Prostate cancer (PCa) remains the most frequent type of cancer in terms of incidence and mortality in men in the Caribbean. The quality of life PCa cohort will assess quality of life and patient outcomes in Martinique using a digital platform for patient-reported outcome measures. PARTICIPANTS: The Martinique Cancer Registry database is the largest clinical database among the French population-based cancer registries in the Caribbean, including more than 38 000 cancer cases, with 1650 new cancer cases per year, including 550 new PCa cases per year (2010-2014 latest period). In 2018, follow-up will include vital status, assessment of quality of life with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ) Core 30 and the Prostate cancer module QLQ-PR25. Urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction recorded prior to treatment will be analysed 1 and 5 years after treatment. FINDINGS TO DATE: The registry includes data on circumstances of diagnosis, clinical stage at diagnosis. For PCa, the registry includes blood prostate-specific antigen level at the time of diagnosis, Gleason score and primary treatment. FUTURE PLANS: Further studies will provide detailed data regarding the quality of diagnosis and management of patients with PCa in Martinique; analysing quality of care will be the next challenge.Quality of life and patient outcomes will be evaluated using a digital platform for patient-reported outcome measurement and electronic records.

Overall survival in elderly patients with colorectal cancer: A population-based study in the Caribbean.

BACKGROUND: Population-based Cancer registries (PBCR) play an important role in cancer surveillance and research. The aim of this study was to examine overall survival in elderly patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) by analysing data from the Martinique PBCR between 1993 and 2012. METHODS: The log-rank test was used to assess the statistical differences of the survival curves by each categorical variable: age at diagnosis, sex, histology, zone of residence, subsite, stage at diagnosis, and chemotherapy. A multivariable Cox model was performed to identify independent prognostic factors for overall survival in elderly patients with colorectal cancer. RESULTS: Among 2230 patients included in the study, 60.8% were aged≥65years; mean age at diagnosis of these patients was 75.7±7.2years. For the period 2008-2012, 532 elderly patients were analysed; mean age of those receiving chemotherapy was 73.0±0.4 versus 77.9±0.4years for those not receiving chemotherapy (p<0.0001). Stage at diagnosis was evaluated in 87.8% (467/532) of patients; 63.0% (294/467) had stage III-IV and 49.3% of these patients (145/294) received chemotherapy. Chemotherapy was less frequently prescribed in patients aged 75-84 and ≥85 years as compared to those aged 65-74 years (41.1% and 15.0% versus 64.6% respectively; p<0.0001). Stage III-IV at diagnosis (HR=5.25; 3.70-7.45; p<0.0001), and not receiving chemotherapy (HR=3.05; 2.23-4.16; p<0.0001), were independent prognostic factors for overall survival. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights the role of PBCR in evaluating cancer survival and patterns of care in elderly people of the French West- Indies. Chemotherapy was less frequently prescribed among the elderly.

Geographic variations and temporal trends in prostate cancer in Martinique over a 25-year period.

BACKGROUND: In Martinique, prostate cancer incidence rates have been increasing since the 1980s and are actually among the highest worldwide. Exposure to lifestyle (changes in dietary habits), environmental factors (exposure to organochlorine pesticides) and modifications in diagnostic and screening procedures, are favored etiological hypotheses. The aim of the present study is to describe and interpret prostate cancer incidence trends over the past 25 years (1981-2005) in Martinique. METHODS: Data on incident prostate cancer cases from 1981 to 2005 were obtained from the population-based Martinique Cancer Registry. World age-standardised incidence rates were calculated and an age-period-cohort model was used to determine average annual variations for prostate cancer during the study period. Age and period effects were assessed, employing the method proposed by Clayton and Schifflers. Relative changes in prostate cancer incidence, at five-year intervals between 1981 and 2005, were also studied with an organochlorine pesticide exposure index, built as a proxy of the relative intensity of chlordecone use on the island between 1973 and 1993. RESULTS: Prostate cancer incidence was found to increase by 5.07% annually between 1981 and 2005. Compared to 1981-1985, prostate cancer relative risk, in men aged 50-74 years and 75 years and above was respectively 5.98% and 3.07% from 2001 to 2005. An inverse association between population pesticide exposure levels and prostate cancer risk was also highlighted, with highest prostate cancer incidences observed in urban zones showing the lowest soil contamination levels by the chlordecone pesticide (zone 1). CONCLUSION: No conclusive association was found between the intensity of pesticide use and the subsequent rise in prostate cancer incidence. However, it remains necessary to develop and reinforce continuous monitoring of prostate cancer incidence and mortality trends on the island. Further studies are also needed in order to consider other risk factors such as modifications in diagnostic and screening procedures over the last 25 years.