The 2022 ENCR Recommendations on recording and reporting of urothelial tumours of the urinary tract.

An updated European Network of Cancer registries (ENCR) Recommendations on Recording and Reporting of Urothelial Tumours of the Urinary Tract had been published in 2022. After the publication by the ENCR of the "Recommendations for coding bladder cancers" in 1995, knowledge about the biology and pathology of urinary tract tumors and their classification has varied and increased substantially. On the other hand, several studies have shown that cancer registries use different definitions, criteria for inclusion and coding of urothelial tumors. This great variability among registries affects not only the criteria for recording (registration, coding and classification) but also the criteria of reporting (counting in the statistics of incidence and survival) urinary tract tumors. This causes difficulties in the data comparability from different registries. Recording and reporting of urothelial tumors requires the application of standard criteria that must take into account the combination of the multiple aspects as the primary topography, the histological type, the grade, the extent of invasion, the multi-centricity, the progressions and the time interval between tumors. This led to the creation of a Working Group of the ENCR that developed these recommendations on the recording and reporting of urothelial tumors of the urinary tract. This article reports these recommendations and the rationale for each.

Treatment time interval in breast cancer: A population-based study on the impact of type and number of cancer centres attended.

OBJECTIVES: We studied both the independent and combined effects of the places of biopsy and treatment on the treatment time interval based on a population-based study. METHODS: We analysed the proportion of patients having a treatment time interval higher than the EUSOMA recommendation of 6 weeks, as a function of the number and the type of care centres the patients attended, from a French population-based regional cohort of women treated in 2015 for an incident invasive non-metastatic cancer (n = 505). RESULTS: About 33% [95% CI: 27; 38] of patients had a treatment time interval higher than 6 weeks. About 48% of the patients underwent their biopsy and their initial treatment in the different centres. Results from multivariable analyses supported the impact of the type and number of centres attended on the proportion of time intervals over 6 weeks. This proportion was higher among patients with biopsy and treatment in different centres and among patients treated in a university hospital. CONCLUSION: We pointed out the independent impact of the type and the number of care centres the patients attended, from biopsy to first treatment, on the treatment time interval, which is a well-known prognosis factor.

Does the morphology of cutaneous melanoma help to explain the international differences in survival? Results from 1 578 482 adults diagnosed during 2000-2014 in 59 countries (CONCORD-3).

BACKGROUND: CONCORD-3 highlighted wide disparities in population-based 5-year net survival for cutaneous melanoma during 2000-2014. Clinical evidence suggests marked international differences in the proportion of lethal acral and nodular subtypes of cutaneous melanoma. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess whether the differences in morphology may explain global variation in survival. METHODS: Patients with melanoma were grouped into the following seven morphological categories: malignant melanoma, not otherwise specified (International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, third revision morphology code 8720), superficial spreading melanoma (8743), lentigo maligna melanoma (8742), nodular melanoma (8721), acral lentiginous melanoma (8744), desmoplastic melanoma (8745) and other morphologies (8722-8723, 8726-8727, 8730, 8740-8741, 8746, 8761, 8770-8774, 8780). We estimated net survival using the nonparametric Pohar Perme estimator, correcting for background mortality by single year of age, sex and calendar year in each country or region. All-ages survival estimates were standardized using the International Cancer Survival Standard weights. We fitted a flexible parametric model to estimate the effect of morphology on the hazard of death. RESULTS: Worldwide, the proportion of nodular melanoma ranged between 7% and 13%. Acral lentiginous melanoma accounted for less than 2% of all registrations but was more common in Asia (6%) and Central and South America (7%). Overall, 36% of tumours were classified as superficial spreading melanoma. During 2010-2014, age-standardized 5-year net survival for superficial spreading melanoma was 95% or higher in Oceania, North America and most European countries, but was only 71% in Taiwan. Survival for acral lentiginous melanoma ranged between 66% and 95%. Nodular melanoma had the poorest prognosis in all countries. The multivariable analysis of data from registries with complete information on stage and morphology found that sex, age and stage at diagnosis only partially explain the higher risk of death for nodular and acral lentiginous subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the broadest picture of distribution and population-based survival trends for the main morphological subtypes of cutaneous melanoma in 59 countries. The poorer prognosis for nodular and acral lentiginous melanomas, more frequent in Asia and Latin America, suggests the need for health policies aimed at specific populations to improve awareness, early diagnosis and access to treatment. What is already known about this topic? The histopathological features of cutaneous melanoma vary markedly worldwide. The proportion of melanomas with the more aggressive acral lentiginous or nodular histological subtypes is higher in populations with predominantly dark skin than in populations with predominantly fair skin. What does this study add? We aimed to assess the extent to which these differences in morphology may explain international variation in survival when all histological subtypes are combined. This study provides, for the first time, international comparisons of population-based survival at 5 years for the main histological subtypes of melanoma for over 1.5 million adults diagnosed during 2000-2014. This study highlights the less favourable distribution of histological subtypes in Asia and Central and South America, and the poorer prognosis for nodular and acral lentiginous melanomas. We found that later stage at diagnosis does not fully explain the higher excess risk of death for nodular and acral lentiginous melanoma compared with superficial spreading melanoma.

Registration of Urothelial Tumours in Cancer Registries: How to Improve and Make It More Useful?

Due to the differences in the definition, criteria of inclusion and coding of urothelial tumours (UTs), data of different cancer registries (CRs) are not comparable. The aim of this work is to study current practices of registration of UT in the European CR of the GRELL countries in order to propose new registration rules to correctly describe incidence and survival of progressive tumours like UT. A questionnaire was sent to 91 CRs to assess whether non-invasive (NI)UT, multiple UTs, UTs occurring outside or before the operating period and time between UTs are currently considered in tumour recording and reporting. All participating CRs (n = 42) record a NI bladder UT in sole occurrence. In case of progressive bladder UT, 98% of the CRs record at least one NIUT but 19% don't record the invasive progression. 17% of the CRs don't record an invasive pelvic tumour that occurs after a NI bladder UT. 19% of the CRs don't record an invasive bladder UT that followed a NI tumour occurring outside the zone or period of time. The recording of two synchronous UTs is carried out with a grouping topography for 36% of the CRs. The same analysis conducted on the reporting of the incidence of UT also shows heterogeneity. We conclude that there is an urgent need to define clear rules for the registration of UT.

To what extent do age, stage and treatment influence survival after invasive cervical cancer: a French population-based study.

PURPOSE: In an attempt to understand why cervical cancer (CC) survival is decreasing with diagnosis period among older women in France, this study aimed to estimate the effects of main prognostic factors on net survival in CC according to age. METHODS: French cancer registries databases were used to retrospectively analyze women diagnosed with CC in 2011-2012. Net survival was estimated with the Pohar-Perme method and prognostic factors (socio-demographic, clinical variables, stage at diagnosis, therapeutic management) were analyzed with Lambert and Royston's flexible parametric model. RESULTS: One thousand one hundred fifty three women with CC were identified. 30.4% were < 45, 41.4% 45-64, and 28.3% ≥ 65 years. Older women were diagnosed at a more advanced stage than younger women: 54.8% regional (FIGO IB2-IVA), 33.0% distant (IVB) in women ≥ 65 years vs 33.7% and 8.0%, respectively in women < 45 years. Half of women with regional stage of CC received recommended treatment; this rate decreased with increasing age (< 45: 66.1%, 45-64: 62.7%, ≥ 65: 29.2%). Older age was significantly associated with increased risk of death: hazard ratio 1.89 for age ≥ 65, as were regional stage (2.81), distant stage (15.99), and not receiving recommended treatment (2.26). CONCLUSION: Older women with CC diagnosed at advanced stage who do not receive standard of care are at markedly increased risk of death. Special attention to the management of older women is warranted in France, not only to diagnose cancer at an earlier stage (via gynecological follow-up in these menopaused women who remain at risk of CC), but also to ensure they receive standard of care, taking into account their overall state of health.

What is the most appropriate period to define synchronous cancers?

BACKGROUND: Studies about second primary cancers (SPC) incidence exclude a period following the first cancer diagnosis given the high probability of diagnosing another primary cancer during this phase (synchronous cancers). However, definition of synchronicity period varies widely, from one to six months, without clear epidemiological justification. The objective of this study was to determine the most appropriate synchronicity period. METHODS: Data from 13 French population-based cancer registries were used to establish a cohort of all patients diagnosed with a first cancer between 1989 and 2010. The incidence rate of subsequent cancer was computed by day within 1 year of follow-up after the first diagnosis. Incidence was modelized by joinpoint regression models with an initial quadratic trend and a second constant part (plateau). The joinpoint was the point from which the plateau began and defining the synchronicity period. RESULTS: Our cohort included 696,775 patients with a first cancer, of which 12,623 presented a SPC. The median joinpoint for all sites combined was estimated at 120.5 days [112.0-129.0]. Analysis by gender reported a higher difference in 32 days for males (127.8 vs 96.1 days). Noteworthy differences were found depending on patient age and the site of first cancer, with joinpoint ranging from 84.7 (oesophagus cancer) to 250.1 days (bladder cancer). CONCLUSION: Although some heterogeneity was observed based on the characteristic of the patients, the appropriate synchronicity period appears to be 4 months after the diagnosis of first cancer.

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

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

Management of colon cancer patients: A comprehensive analysis of the absence of multidisciplinary team meetings in two French departments.

BACKGROUND: The care management of colorectal cancers has evolved, particularly since the implementation of multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTm). The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with the non-presentation of colon cancer patients in MDTm (no-MDTm) and to assess the association between no-MDTm and the diagnostic and therapeutic care management, in two areas in France, in 2010. METHODS: Patients over 18 years diagnosed for invasive colon cancer in Gironde and Tarn during 2010 were included from the cancer registries of these two departments. We used five indicators to evaluate the care management of colon cancer patients (about diagnosis, treatment and selection of patients for chemotherapy). RESULTS: No-MDTm patients were more likely to die early after diagnosis (OR=2.94, 95% CI=[1.52-5.66]). Elderly patients and those living in more disadvantaged areas were less often presented in MDTm (OR≥85years=2.10, 95% CI=[1.06-4.18]; OREDIQ4-Q5=1.96, 95% CI=[1.23-3.14]). After adjusting for patient-related variables (age, comorbidities, deprivation) and tumor (stage at diagnosis), we found that thoracic CT scan was less often performed among no-MDTm patients (OR=0.40, 95% CI=[0.24-0.65]). There was no association between the absence of MDTm and the therapeutic care management indicators. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, therapeutic care management was not associated with the absence of MDTm but with patient and tumor characteristics, including age, comorbidities and level of deprivation, that influence the non-presentation in MDTm.

Cancer Among Adolescents and Young Adults Between 2000 and 2016 in France: Incidence and Improved Survival.

Purpose: This study was undertaken to determine cancer survival and describe the spectrum of cancers diagnosed among French adolescent and young adult (AYA) population. Methods: All cases of cancer diagnosed in 15-24 years, recorded by all French population-based registries (18% of the French population), over the 2000-2016 period, were included. Age-standardized incidence rates, conventional annual percentage change (cAPC) of incidence over time, and 5-year overall survival (5yOS) were calculated. Results: We analyzed 2734 cancer diagnoses in adolescents and 4199 in young adults. Overall incidence rates were 231.9/106 in 15-19 year olds and 354.0/106 in 20-24 year olds. The most frequently diagnosed cancers in male AYA were malignant gonadal germ-cell tumors (GCT), Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), and malignant melanoma and were HL, thyroid carcinoma, and malignant melanoma in females. Cancer incidence was stable over time with a cAPC of 0.8% (p = 0.72). For all cancers combined, 5yOS was 86.6% (95% CI: 85.8-87.4), >85% for HL, non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL), GCT, thyroid carcinomas, and malignant melanomas, and around 60% and lower for osteosarcomas, Ewing tumors, hepatic carcinomas, and rhabdomyosarcomas. The 5yOS has significantly improved from 2000-2007 to 2008-2015 for all cancers pooled, with a substantial gain of 4% for 15-19 year olds and 3% for 20-24 year olds. Conclusion: Notwithstanding the encouraging results for some cancers, and overall, persistent poorer survivals in AYA were shown compared to children for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, osteosarcoma, Ewing tumor, rhabdomyosarcoma, and malignant hepatic tumors. These disparities require further investigation to identify and address the causes of these inferior outcomes.

[COVID-19 impact on the cancer care structuration: Example of the multidisciplinary team meeting dedicated to oncology in Occitanie]. / Impact du SARS-CoV2 sur la structuration de la prise en charge du cancer : exemple de la tenue des RCP de cancérologie en Occitanie.

This work examines the impact of the SARS-CoV2 epidemic and the organizational recommendations that have been issued since March 16 on tumor boards (TB) activity. The tumor board activity was measured from tumor board sheets extracted from the oncologic electronic file between January 7, 2019 and April 24, 2020. The pre-containment activity was compared to the activity of the containment periods but also to the equivalent periods in 2019. The number of meetings held, the average number of files reviewed per meeting including first presentations and the average number of physicians' attendance were the evaluation criteria. The study covered 191 TB that held 3943 multidisciplinary team meetings (MTM) and reviewed 72,070 files (including 30,127 first submissions). There was a moderate decrease of 8 % in the number of meetings after March 16, 2020. The number of files examined decreased by 23 % in the following month and even more by 33 % in the third period. The physicians' number who attended MTM also decreased by 25 %. The negative impact was higher in the Mediterranean part of the region. This first study of tumor board activity, covering a large region but little affected by the pandemic, shows that its impact on the participation to the MTM has been moderate. In addition, tumor boards have followed the recommendations for optimizing quorum. However, the decrease in average MTM activity, particularly for first submissions, suggests a potential delay in patient management. Complementary qualitative and quantitative works are warranted to estimate the real impact on carcinologic outcomes.

Compliance with clinical guidelines for breast cancer management: A population-based study of quality-of-care indicators in France.

BACKGROUND: The European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists (EUSOMA), which aims to standardize the quality of patient care in Europe, has defined quality indicators (QIs) for breast cancer (BC) care to assess compliance to current care standards. These QIs are a useful tool to evaluate care organizations. Only population-based studies are able to assess health system performance in "real-life" situations. This population-based study aimed to describe compliance with several EUSOMA QIs overall and according to patient and organizational factors in France. METHODS: 1 560 adult women with primary invasive non-metastatic BC diagnosed in 2012 were randomly selected among all incident BC from 16 French geographical areas covered by cancer registries. Twelve EUSOMA QIs were selected regarding diagnosis, treatment and staging. RESULTS: The minimum standard as proposed by EUSOMA was met for nine QIs related to pre-operative definitive diagnosis, multidisciplinary discussion and treatment (single surgery, breast conserving surgery (BCS) for small BC (<3cm), radiotherapy after BCS or mastectomy for regional BC (pN≥2a), hormonotherapy, adjuvant chemotherapy and trastuzumab). Low compliance was observed for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and staging imaging. Adherence to guidelines was usually lower in older patients and in patients with comorbidities. Multidisciplinary discussion was positively related to adherence to guidelines for diagnosis, staging practices (SNLB, imaging) and systemic treatments. Compliance also varied by area of residence and by place of first treatment. CONCLUSION: This study provides the first current, comprehensive overview of BC quality care at a population level in France. The guidelines were correctly applied in percentage satisfying the EUSOMA standards for the diagnosis and treatment of BC, although staging practices (SLNB, imaging) can be improved. These results highlight the need for continuous measurement of adherence to guidelines to improve BC care.

Using ecological socioeconomic position (SEP) measures to deal with sample bias introduced by incomplete individual-level measures: inequalities in breast cancer stage at diagnosis as an example.

BACKGROUND: When studying the influence of socioeconomic position (SEP) on health from data where individual-level SEP measures may be missing, ecological measures of SEP may prove helpful. In this paper, we illustrate the best use of ecological-level measures of SEP to deal with incomplete individual level data. To do this we have taken the example of a study examining the relationship between SEP and breast cancer (BC) stage at diagnosis. METHODS: Using population based-registry data, all women over 18 years newly diagnosed with a primary BC in 2007 were included. We compared the association between advanced stage at diagnosis and individual SEP containing missing data with an ecological level SEP measure without missing data. We used three modelling strategies, 1/ based on patients with complete data for individual-SEP (n = 1218), or 2/ on all patients (n = 1644) using an ecological-level SEP as proxy for individual SEP and 3/ individual-SEP after imputation of missing data using an ecological-level SEP. RESULTS: The results obtained from these models demonstrate that selection bias was introduced in the sample where only patients with complete individual SEP were included. This bias is redressed by using ecological-level SEP to impute missing data for individual SEP on all patients. Such a strategy helps to avoid an ecological bias due to the use of aggregated data to infer to individual level. CONCLUSION: When individual data are incomplete, we demonstrate the usefulness of an ecological index to assess and redress potential selection bias by using it to impute missing individual SEP.

[Adapting the care pathway]. / Adapter le parcours de soins.

The implementation of cross-functional measures along the care pathway of cancer patients in France is globally lower in the elderly. However, age is not a criterion for excluding curative treatment, and the evaluation of physical, psychological and social resources and comorbidities is particularly significant in this population. Identifying needs in terms of support care which influences the patient's quality of life as well as the efficacy of treatments is also essential. The objective of geriatric oncology coordination is to offer elderly cancer patients global treatment, curative or otherwise, through the putting in place of a personalised care programme.

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

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

Use of a case-mix approach to study the trends in the incidence of second primary cancers.

PURPOSE: To analyze trends in second primary cancer (SPC) incidence by using a case-mix approach to standardize on first cancer site distribution. METHODS: Cases registered by 13 French cancer registries between 1989 and 2010 and followed-up until June 2013 were included. The person-year approach was used to compute standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of metachronous SPC. Usual SIRs and cancer site-specific weighted SIRs called "case-mix SIRs" (cmSIRs) were estimated by sex and calendar period of first cancer diagnosis. Calendar trends in SIRs and cmSIRs were compared. RESULTS: More than 2.9 million person-years at risk were included. Among males, SIRs dropped from 1.49 to 1.23 between 1989-1994 and 2005-2010, while cmSIRs decreased from 1.40 to 1.27. This difference seems mainly related to a stronger representation of prostate cancers (at lower risk of SPC) and a weaker contribution of bladder and head and neck cancers (at higher risk of SPC) in recent periods of diagnosis. Among females, both SIRs and cmSIRs have remained stable at around 1.22 and 1.21, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The cmSIR is an indicator that is not influenced by changes in first cancer site distribution. Its use should be encouraged to assess second cancer incidence control.

A novel approach for medical research on lymphomas: A study validation of claims-based algorithms to identify incident cases.

The use of claims database to study lymphomas in real-life conditions is a crucial issue in the future. In this way, it is essential to develop validated algorithms for the identification of lymphomas in these databases. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of diagnosis codes in the French health insurance database to identify incident cases of lymphomas according to results of a regional cancer registry, as the gold standard.Between 2010 and 2013, incident lymphomas were identified in hospital data through 2 algorithms of selection. The results of the identification process and characteristics of incident lymphomas cases were compared with data from the Tarn Cancer Registry. Each algorithm's performance was assessed by estimating sensitivity, predictive positive value, specificity (SPE), and negative predictive value.During the period, the registry recorded 476 incident cases of lymphomas, of which 52 were Hodgkin lymphomas and 424 non-Hodgkin lymphomas. For corresponding area and period, algorithm 1 provides a number of incident cases close to the Registry, whereas algorithm 2 overestimated the number of incident cases by approximately 30%. Both algorithms were highly specific (SPE = 99.9%) but moderately sensitive. The comparative analysis illustrates that similar distribution and characteristics are observed in both sources.Given these findings, the use of claims database can be consider as a pertinent and powerful tool to conduct medico-economic or pharmacoepidemiological studies in lymphomas.

Methodological issues of assessing the risk of a second cancer occurring in the same site as a first cancer using registry data.

OBJECTIVE: To present methodological issues that can arise with the assessment of the risk of a second primary cancer (SPC) occurring in the same site as a first cancer using registry data. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from ten French cancer registries were used, including data for patients with a first prostate cancer (in males), breast cancer (in females), and colon, lung and kidney cancer (in both sexes) diagnosed between 1989 and 2004. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of SPC were computed by excluding, or not, the risk of an SPC at the same site. RESULTS: For prostate cancer, the SIR dropped from 1.11 to 0.72 when the risk of SPC of the prostate was included. SIRs increased from 1.36 to 1.45, from 1.14 to 1.21, from 1.57 to 2.01, and from 1.37 to 1.51 for breast, colon, lung, and kidney respectively. CONCLUSION: The inclusion, or not, of an SPC at the same site can impact on SPC risk estimates.

Long-term trends in incidence and survival of penile cancer in France.

BACKGROUND: Penile cancer is rare, and few population-based studies have described changes in time trend. This study aims to determine whether there has been an evolution in incidence and survival of penile cancer over time in France. METHODS: Rates of age world-standardized incidence (ASRW) and net survival (NS) between 1989 and 2011 were calculated using data from 16 French cancer registries. Time trend incidence and survival analysis were confined to the eight registries operating throughout the full period. Log-linear Poisson regression analysis was used to estimate the average annual percentage change (AAPC) in incidence rates. The incidence rate for the most recent period was also calculated from all 16 cancer registries operating during 2009-2011. Human papillomavirus (HPV) exposure was deduced from the morphological code. NS was estimated using the Pohar-Perme estimator of the net cumulative rate. RESULTS: No significant change in incidence was observed between 1989 and 2011 (AAPC: 0.08%; 95%CI: -1.01%; +1.17%). The incidence increased with age. The ASRW in 16 registries operating in 2009-2011 was 0.59 per 100,000 (95%CI: 0.50-0.68). The proportion of cases potentially linked to HPV was nearly 11% and did not change significantly over time. NS decreased with age but did not change over time (around 65% at 5 years). CONCLUSION: Penile cancer remains rare in France, but survival is still low - probably because of delays in diagnosis and limited improvements in care. International clinical trials are needed to develop care recommendations based on an adequate level of evidence.

Development of a model to predict the 10-year cumulative risk of second primary cancer among cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: To develop a prediction model to quantify the cumulative risk of Second Primary Cancer (SPC) among cancer patients given that they survive their disease. METHODS: A cohort of 293,435 patients based on data from twelve French cancer registries was analyzed. For five first cancer sites, SPC incidence rates were estimated using Poisson regression models. The cumulative risks of SPC were computed for different follow-up times. For comparison purpose, the same method was used to estimate the probability of cancer in the general population. RESULTS: In this population-based cohort, 27,320 patients presented with a SPC. The cumulative risk of SPC varied depending on first cancer site, with a 10-year cumulative probability of SPC ranging from 6.2% for women with breast cancer to 44.0% for men with head and neck cancer. Compared with the general population, the 10-year cumulative risk of SPC was dramatically elevated for tobacco-related first cancers, with an increase of +7.3% for men aged 55 to 64 with a first lung cancer and +35.6% for men aged 45 to 54 with a first head and neck cancer. Lower differences were observed among patients diagnosed with a first prostate cancer (+5.5% among men aged 55 to 64), colorectal (+4.1% for women aged 55 to 64 and +6.3% for men aged 55 to 64), and breast (+2.0% among females aged 75 and older) cancers. CONCLUSION: This study provides physicians with a practical estimate to assess the risk of SPC of their patients more accurately.

Are disparities of waiting times for breast cancer care related to socio-economic factors? A regional population-based study (France).

The increasing number of breast cancer cases may induce longer waiting times (WT), which can be a source of anxiety for patients and may play a role in survival. The aim of this study was to examine the factors, in particular socio-economic factors, related to treatment delays. Using French Cancer Registry databases and self-administered questionnaires, we included 1,152 women with invasive non-metastatic breast cancer diagnosed in 2007. Poisson regression analysis was used to identify WTs' influencing factors. For 973 women who had a malignant tissue sampling, the median of overall WT between the first imaging procedure and the first treatment was 44 days (9 days for pathological diagnostic WT and 31 days for treatment WT). The medical factors mostly explained inequalities in WTs. Socio-economic and behavioral factors had a limited impact on WTs except for social support which appeared to be a key point. Better identifying the factors associated with increase in WTs will make it possible to develop further interventional or prospective studies to confirm their causal role in delay and at last reduce disparities in breast cancer management.