An evaluation of clinical follow-up in women with early stage breast cancer among physician members of the American Society of Clinical Oncology

Summary Routine clinical follow-up for distant metastatic disease among women with early stage breast cancer is of uncertain clinical benefit. In order to evaluate current practice patterns, we administered a mailed survey to a stratified random sample of physician members of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (N = 435). The survey assessed the frequency and motivation for ordering follow-up medical tests in asymptomatic postmenopausal women with stage I or II breast cancer. The response rate was 55%, distributed as 39% radiation oncologists, 32% medical oncologists, and 29% surgeons. In the first year after treatment, physicians performed, on average, one physical examination every 3 months, one blood panel (CBC, alkaline phosphatase and liver function tests) every 4 months, and one chest radiograph every 9 months. In addition, 38% of the respondents ordered CEA and 21% ordered CA 15-3 levels, 28% ordered bone scans, and less than 4% ordered CT scans, bone surveys, or bone marrow biopsies in the first year after treatment. A logistic regression analysis controlling for physician age, gender, sub-specialty, practice type, years of experience, number of breast cancer patients treated annually, geographic region, and community size, showed that surgeons were less likely to order blood tests (p < 0.001) and tumor markers (p < 0.0029) than medical oncologists in years 3 and 5 of follow-up. Compared to physicians practicing in the northeast, those from the midwest were less likely to order chest radiographs in year 3 of follow-up (p = 0.0028). Other provider characteristics had no significant effect on test ordering behavior. The results of this survey suggest that relatively uniform practice patterns in regard to the follow-up of postmenopausal women with early stage breast cancer exist among ASCO physicians.     

Small but significant socioeconomic inequalities in axillary staging and treatment of breast cancer in the Netherlands

Background:

The use of sentinel node biopsy (SNB), lymph node dissection, breast-conserving surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormonal treatment for breast cancer was evaluated in relation to socioeconomic status (SES) in the Netherlands, where access to care was assumed to be equal.

Methods:

Female breast cancer patients diagnosed between 1994 and 2008 were selected from the nationwide population-based Netherlands Cancer Registry (N=176 505). Socioeconomic status was assessed based on income, employment and education at postal code level. Multivariable models included age, year of diagnosis and stage.

Results:

Sentinal node biopsy was less often applied in high-SES patients (multivariable analyses, ⩽49 years: odds ratio (OR) 0.70 (95% CI: 0.56–0.89); 50–75 years: 0.85 (0.73–0.99)). Additionally, lymph node dissection was less common in low-SES patients aged ⩾76 years (OR 1.34 (0.95–1.89)). Socioeconomic status-related differences in treatment were only significant in the age group 50–75 years. High-SES women with stage T1–2 were more likely to undergo breast-conserving surgery (+radiotherapy) (OR 1.15 (1.09–1.22) and OR 1.16 (1.09–1.22), respectively). Chemotherapy use among node-positive patients was higher in the high-SES group, but was not significant in multivariable analysis. Hormonal therapy was not related to SES.

Conclusion:

Small but significant differences were observed in the use of SNB, lymph node dissection and breast-conserving surgery according to SES in Dutch breast cancer patients despite assumed equal access to health care.     

An analysis of the cost of clinical surveillance after primary therapy for women with early stage invasive breast cancer

Summary Routine surveillance for distant metastases in women with early stage breast cancer has limited clinical utility and can result in large medical care costs. In order to estimate breast cancer surveillance costs, we used the results of a survey administered to a random sample of physician members of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. The survey measured the frequency in which radiographic and laboratory tests are ordered for postmenopausal women with stage I or II breast cancer after the completion of surgery and radiation or adjuvant chemotherapy if indicated. There were 209 completed surveys representing a response rate of 48%. The volume of tests ordered was expressed in terms of Medicare's relative value units (RVUs) and 1993 cost equivalents. The mean total RVUs over 5 years post-diagnosis was 43.8 (interquartile range 30.1–54.2) which represents a cost of $1369 using the 1993 Medicare conversion factor of $31.249. A cumulative logistic regression model categorized RVUs according to intensity of care (minimal, average, and intensive). While medical oncologists compared to surgeons and radiation oncologists, and physicians practicing in the Northeast and Midwest, compared to those practicing in the South and West, were more likely to adopt an intensive practice style, these differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.1). None of the other provider characteristics evaluated, including gender, prior experience, and practice type, had a significant effect on physician practice in a multivariate model. The data showed a wide variation among providers in surveillance practice patterns that was largely unexplained by physician demographics. These results are consistent with the physician practice style hypothesis which suggests that wide variations in treatment patterns result from uncertainty regarding effectiveness of care.     

可手术乳腺癌治疗新进展

近年来,可手术乳腺癌的治疗取得了明显进展.在乳腺癌外科治疗方面,保乳手术正逐渐代替全乳切除术,腋窝淋巴结清扫仅限于淋巴结阳性病人;在放疗方面,放射野越来越小,部分乳房照射有可能代替全乳照射;在内科治疗方面,将根据化疗和内分泌药物敏感性检测结果确立全身治疗方案,靶向治疗有可能成为未来治疗的方向.这些进展在2003年第26届圣安东尼奥乳腺癌会议上进行了报告,本文对此予以回顾和总结.     

某三甲医院老年乳腺癌住院患者临床病理特点及治疗现状

目的 本研究旨在分析老年乳腺癌患者的临床病理特点和治疗现状,为进一步开展相关临床研究与治理提供依据。方法 收集某三甲医院2005年1月至2010年3月所有≥ 65岁的经病理确诊的老年乳腺癌患者,将其分为＜70岁组和≥ 70岁组两组,分析两组老年乳腺癌患者在基本临床情况、生殖风险、病理情况和治疗情况的特点。结果 老年乳腺癌患者高发年龄为70岁,体质指数为24.3,教育程度以高中以下为主。≥70岁组老年患者较＜70岁组老年患者活产次数高（P＜0.05）,但淋巴结转移较低（P＜0.05）。乳腺癌的病理类型在两组老年患者中差别没有统计学意义（P＞0.05）。两组老年患者目前化学治疗、放射治疗、内分泌治疗和手术治疗仍存在不规范,内分泌治疗、靶向治疗和保乳手术治疗开展的仍然不足。结论 目前我国老年乳腺癌仍存在不规范治疗,化疗、内分泌治疗、靶向治疗和手术治疗仍需进一步规范化。应积极开展老年乳腺癌患者临床规范化治疗、推进保乳手术、内分泌治疗和靶向治疗在老年乳腺癌患者中的应用。进一步加强医师培训,促进规范化治疗,并扩展保乳手术、内分泌治疗和靶向治疗的应用。     

The association of race/ethnicity, insurance status, and socioeconomic factors with breast cancer care

BACKGROUND:

Few data are available on how race/ethnicity, insurance, and socioeconomic status (SES) interrelate to influence breast cancer treatment. The authors examined care for a national cohort of breast cancer patients to assess whether insurance and SES were associated with racial/ethnic differences in care.

METHODS:

The authors used multivariate logistic regression to assess the probability of definitive locoregional therapy, hormone receptor testing, and adjuvant systemic therapy among 662,117 white, black, and Hispanic women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during 1998‐2005 at National Cancer Data Base hospitals. In additional models, the authors included insurance and area‐level SES to determine whether these variables were associated with observed racial/ethnic disparities.

RESULTS:

Most women were white (86%), 10% were black, and 4% were Hispanic. Most had private insurance (51%) or Medicare (41%). Among eligible patients, 80.0% (stage I/II) had definitive locoregional therapy, 98.5% (stage I‐IV) had hormone receptor testing, and 53.1% and 50.2% (stage I‐III) received adjuvant hormonal therapy and chemotherapy, respectively. After adjustment, black (vs white) women had less definitive locoregional therapy (odds ratio [OR], 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.88‐0.94), hormonal therapy (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.87‐0.93), and chemotherapy (OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.84‐0.91). Hispanic (vs white) women were also less likely to receive hormonal therapy. Hormone receptor testing did not differ by race/ethnicity. Racial disparities persisted despite adjusting for insurance and SES.

CONCLUSIONS:

The modest association between black (vs white) race and guideline‐recommended breast cancer care was insensitive to adjustment for insurance and area‐level SES. Further study is required to better understand disparities and to ensure receipt of care. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.     

Variations in survival from breast cancer in Europe by age and country, 1978–1989

The objective of this study, part of the wider EUROCARE II collaborative project, was to examine variations by age and country in the relative survival of women from breast cancer in Europe, based on data for 145 000 cases in 1985–1989 and trends based on (245 000) cases for 1978–1989. Data were supplied by 42 cancer registries in 17 countries to a common protocol. Results for some countries where the participating registries covered only small proportions of the total population may not be representative of the whole country. In 1985–1989 there were wide differences among the 17 countries: survival was above the European average in Iceland, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, France and Italy; around average in Denmark, The Netherlands, Germany and Spain; below average in Scotland, England and Slovenia; and well below average in Slovakia, Poland and Estonia. In France, Spain and Italy, but not in the U.K., there were wide differences in survival among the participating registries. Survival generally declined with age, particularly in the elderly (75 years and over)—this was most marked in Denmark, Scotland and England. Over the period 1978–1989, 1-year survival improved by 2% overall and 5-year survival by 6%. There were improvements in 5-year survival in all countries except Iceland, Germany, Switzerland and Estonia, and in all age groups except the youngest (15–44 years). It is likely that differences in the access to and quality of care in the various countries played a large part in explaining the differences in survival.     

Racial and age differences in multiple primary cancers after breast cancer: A population-based analysis

Summary The occurrence of multiple primary cancers was evaluated among 17,944 white and black female residents of Metropolitan Detroit diagnosed with breast cancer between 1973 and 1983. Invasive second primary cancers were diagnosed among 1106 of these women, almost twice the expected number. Subsequentin situ cancers were detected four times more often than expected. Fifty-six percent of the subsequent invasive cancers were of the breast (Standardized Incidence Ratio, SIR = 3.80). Black women experienced higher risk of subsequent breast cancers (SIR = 5.30) than white women (SIR = 3.62). Highest risk was seen among women first diagnosed before age 40 (SIR for black women = 26.15, SIR for white women = 10.87) and within five years of initial diagnosis. These findings suggest that young breast cancer patients, especially black women, are at high risk of developing a second primary breast cancer soon after their initial diagnosis and should be under continued medical surveillance. The occurrence of multiple primary breast cancers among young women suggests a genetic component to risk. Identification of this subpopulation would be useful in the study of molecular and genetic markers for cancer. Subsequent colon (SIR = 1.24) and cervical (SIR = 1.54) cancers also were diagnosed significantly more often than expected, as were ovarian cancers among white women (SIR = 1.45). These findings are consistent with common etiologic factors associated with these cancers.     

Socioeconomic background in relation to stage at diagnosis, treatment and survival in women with breast cancer

In a large population-based series of invasive breast cancer patients, we investigated socioeconomic background (SEB) in relation to (a) stage at diagnosis; (b) treatment pattern; and (c) 5-year survival. Women diagnosed during 1998-2000 and resident in the Northern and Yorkshire regions of England were identified from the cancer registry database (N=12,768). Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards analyses were used to estimate associations between SEB (defined using the Townsend Index for area of residence) and tumour stage, treatment pattern, and survival. Living in a more deprived area was associated with increased likelihood of being diagnosed with stage III or IV disease (age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.13; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-1.18 per quartile increase in Townsend score), and, after adjustment for age and stage, reduced odds of having surgery (OR 0.85; 95% CI 0.80-0.91), and receiving radiotherapy (OR 0.91; 95% CI 0.88-0.94). Amongst patients receiving surgery, those living in more deprived areas had decreased odds of having breast conserving surgery (age plus stage-adjusted OR 0.92; 95% CI 0.89-0.95). Living in a more deprived area was also associated with increased mortality (age- plus stage-adjusted hazard ratio 1.08; 95% CI 1.05-1.11). These effects may operate through several pathways, such as later presentation leading to advanced disease.     

三阳型乳腺癌的临床病理学特点及辅助治疗

三阳型乳腺癌是一种较为特殊的乳腺癌类型。虽然发病率低,但是此类型乳腺癌容易发生腋窝淋巴结转移和远处转移。这些临床病理学特点引起人们的高度重视。因此,辅助治疗方案的选择成为影响三阳型乳腺癌患者预后的重要因素。本综述意在整合国内外研究结果以为三阳型乳腺癌患者提供较为合理的个体化治疗方案。     

Use of adjuvant trastuzumab in women with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)‐positive breast cancer by race/ethnicity and education within the National Comprehensive Cancer Network

BACKGROUND.

Trastuzumab for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)‐positive breast cancer is highly efficacious yet costly and time‐intensive, and few data are available about its use. The authors of this report examined receipt and completion of adjuvant trastuzumab by race/ethnicity and education for women with HER2‐positive disease.

METHODS.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network Breast Cancer Outcomes Database was used to identify 1109 women who were diagnosed with stage I through III, HER2‐positive breast cancer during September 2005 through December 2008 and were followed for ≥1 year. The authors used multivariable logistic regression to assess the association of race/ethnicity and education with the receipt of trastuzumab and, among those women who initiated trastuzumab, with the completion of > 270 days of therapy.

RESULTS.

The cohort was 75% white, 8% black, and 9% Hispanic; and 20% of women had attained a high school degree or less. Most women (83%) received trastuzumab, and no significant differences were observed according to race/ethnicity or socioeconomic status. Among the women who initiated trastuzumab, 73% of black women versus 87% of white women (P = .007) and 70% of women with less than a high school education versus 90% of women with a college degree completed > 270 days of therapy (P = .006). In adjusted analyses, black women (vs white women) and women without a high school degree (vs those with a college degree) had lower odds of completing therapy (black women: odds ratio, 0.45; 95% confidence interval, 0.27‐074; white women: odds ratio, 0.27, 95% confidence interval, 0.14‐0.51).

CONCLUSIONS.

Differences in completing trastuzumab therapy were observed according to race and educational attainment among women who received treatment at National Comprehensive Cancer Network centers. Efforts to assure the appropriate use of trastuzumab and to understand treatment barriers are needed and may lead to improved outcomes. The authors report differences in the rate at which patients complete treatment with trastuzumab according to race and education among women who receive treatment at National Comprehensive Cancer Network centers. Efforts to assure the appropriate use of trastuzumab and to understand treatment barriers are needed and may lead to improved outcomes. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.     

Correlations between family history and cancer characteristics in 2256 breast cancer patients

A comparison of 692 early invasive breast cancer with, and 1564 without, a family history of breast cancer showed that the former were younger at diagnosis (P=0.002), had smaller tumours (P=0.012), were more frequently oestrogen receptor positive (P=0.006) and diagnosed preclinically (P<0.001).     

Comparison of anal cancer outcomes in public and private hospital patients treated at a single radiation oncology center

Objective

To compare clinical and treatment characteristics and outcomes in locally advanced anal cancer, a potentially curable disease, in patients referred from a public or private hospital.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 112 anal cancer patients from a public and a private hospital who received definitive chemoradiotherapy at the same cancer center between 2004 and 2013. Tumor stage, radiotherapy delay, radiotherapy duration, and unplanned treatment breaks ≥10 days were compared using t-test and χ² test. Overall survival (OS), disease free survival (DFS), and colostomy free survival (CFS) were examined using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazard models for OS and DFS were developed.

Results

The follow-up was 14.9 months (range, 0.7-94.8 months). Public hospital patients presented with significantly higher clinical T stage (P<0.05) and clinical stage group (P<0.05), had significantly longer radiotherapy delays (P<0.05) and radiotherapy duration (P<0.05), and had more frequent radiation therapy (RT) breaks ≥10 days (P<0.05). Three-year OS showed a marked trend in favor of private hospital patients for 3-year OS (72.8% vs. 48.9%; P=0.171), 3-year DFS (66.3% vs. 42.7%, P=0.352), and 3-year CFS (86.4% vs. 68.9%, P=0.299). Referral hospital was not predictive of OS or DFS on multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Public hospital patients presented at later stage and experienced more delays in initiating and completing radiotherapy, which may contribute to the trend in poorer DFS and OS. These findings emphasize the need for identifying clinical and treatment factors that contribute to decreased survival in low socioeconomic status (SES) populations.     

Gynecological characteristics related to breast cancer in pre and postmenopausal women

Background The objective of this study was two fold: to identify gynecological characteristics that distinguish women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer from those at more advanced stages; to identify distinguishing characteristics between premenopasual and postmenopausal women diagnosed with the same stage. Population and method 186 incident cases diagnosed with breast cancer were identified out of the 685 patients who were seen to in 2000–2001. The variables to be studied were obtained by means of a specific questionnaire which collected data concerning reproductive characteristics and contraceptive types. Results Significant differences in the mean age were found, since the early-stage group was younger (57.01±12.82 vs. 65.06±15.11). Characteristical factors found in pre-menopausal women were: early menopause, they either had no children or a single child, no breastfeeding practice and a more extensive use of contraceptives. Postmenopausal women presented more advanced stages, more pregnancies and less abortions. Conclusions By taking the obtained results into consideration, it would be recommendable to bring forward the age at which women are to be included in early detection programmes, and to conduct a follow-up of those women who present such factors to favour an earlier diagnosis of the disease.     

Understanding and effectively addressing breast cancer in African American women: Unpacking the social context

Black women have a higher incidence of breast cancer before the age of 40 years, more severe disease at all ages, and an elevated mortality risk in comparison with white women. There is limited understanding of the contribution of social factors to these patterns. Elucidating the role of the social determinants of health in breast cancer disparities requires greater attention to how risk factors for breast cancer unfold over the lifecourse and to the complex ways in which socioeconomic status and racism shape exposure to psychosocial, physical, chemical, and other individual and community‐level assaults that increase the risk of breast cancer. Research that takes seriously the social context in which black women live is also needed to maximize the opportunities to prevent breast cancer in this underserved group. Cancer 2016;122:2138–49 . © 2016 American Cancer Society.     

老年乳腺癌的诊疗新进展

由于缺乏足够的科学证据,在诊断治疗方面,现行的乳腺癌诊疗指南并不完全适用于老年患者。如何进一步规范老年乳腺癌的诊治策略成为亟待解决的重要问题。本文就老年乳腺癌的诊断及治疗模式如手术、放化疗、内分泌、靶向治疗等结合近年的一些新进展做一述评,为临床工作提供参考。