Tumour stage distribution and survival of malignant melanoma in Germany 2002-2011.

BACKGROUND: Over the past two decades, there has been a rising trend in malignant melanoma incidence worldwide. In 2008, Germany introduced a nationwide skin cancer screening program starting at age 35. The aims of this study were to analyse the distribution of malignant melanoma tumour stages over time, as well as demographic and regional differences in stage distribution and survival of melanoma patients. METHODS: Pooled data from 61 895 malignant melanoma patients diagnosed between 2002 and 2011 and documented in 28 German population-based and hospital-based clinical cancer registries were analysed using descriptive methods, joinpoint regression, logistic regression and relative survival. RESULTS: The number of annually documented cases increased by 53.2% between 2002 (N = 4 779) and 2011 (N = 7 320). There was a statistically significant continuous positive trend in the proportion of stage UICC I cases diagnosed between 2002 and 2011, compared to a negative trend for stage UICC II. No trends were found for stages UICC III and IV respectively. Age (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.97-0.97), sex (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.11-1.25), date of diagnosis (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.04-1.06), 'diagnosis during screening' (OR 3.24, 95% CI 2.50-4.19) and place of residence (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.16-1.30) had a statistically significant influence on the tumour stage at diagnosis. The overall 5-year relative survival for invasive cases was 83.4% (95% CI 82.8-83.9%). CONCLUSIONS: No distinct changes in the distribution of malignant melanoma tumour stages among those aged 35 and older were seen that could be directly attributed to the introduction of skin cancer screening in 2008.

Predictors of post-treatment smoking and drinking behavior of head and neck cancer survivors: results of a population-based survey.

Predictors for smoking and alcohol drinking behavior were investigated in head and neck cancer survivors (HNCS) with survivorship of ≥6 months. 165 HNCS registered in a regional cancer registry and treated 2005-2014 were included. Patients completed a survey including the Fagerström Test for nicotine dependence and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Smoking and drinking cessation rates were 51 and 13 %, respectively. Multinomial logistic regression analyses showed that male patients [odds ratio (OR) 35.4; confidence interval (CI) 7.5-168.1; p < 0.0001], single persons (OR 9.9; CI 2.5-40.0; p = 0.001), and younger patients (OR 1.1; CI 1.0-1.1; p = 0.002) had significantly higher probability to be current smokers. Male gender (OR 48.7; CI 5.0-470.7; p < 0.0001) and younger age (OR 1.1; CI 1.0-1.3; p = 0.003) were predictors of risky alcohol consumption. Male, young, and single smoking and/or drinking HNCS should be stimulated to take part in smoking and/or alcohol drinking cessation programs.

Delayed diagnosis of a pseudoaneurysm with recurrent hemarthrosis of the knee joint.

This is a case report of recurrent hemarthrosis of the knee joint over 3 months. The patient, a 47-year-old male had three arthroscopic procedures with multiple joint punctures over a 3-month-period prior to our initial consultation. The first procedure (arthroscopic synovectomy) was done for suspected infection following a series of hyaluronic acid injections. Recurrent hemarthrosis developed subsequent to this. Upon further evaluation, a pseudoaneurysm of the superior middle genicular artery was detected and successfully treated with selective angiographic embolization.