ASO Author Reflections: Minority-Serving Hospitals are Associated with Lower Likelihood of Providing NCCN Guideline Compliant Care to Patients with Resectable Cholangiocarcinoma

Annals of Surgical Oncology -     

Results of Postoperative Radiotherapy for Resectable Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the value of radiotherapy, and especially intraluminal brachytherapy, after resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma by analyzing long-term complications and survival. Between 1983 and 1998, 112 patients underwent resection of a hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Of the 91 patients who survived the postoperative period, 20 patients had no additional radiotherapy, 30 patients had only external radiotherapy (46 ± 11 Gy), and 41 patients had a combination of external (42 ± 5 Gy) and intraluminal brachytherapy (10 ± 2 Gy). Overall, 88% of the patients had late complications, with a significantly higher rate of complications occurring among patients receiving external beam irradiation and brachytherapy. Second to abdominal pain (56%), cholangitis (49%) was the most frequent complication and occurred significantly more often in patients who had received brachytherapy. Retrograde bile leakage after closure of the temporary jejunostomy was a troublesome complication in 24% of patients treated with brachytherapy. Overall median survival after treatment with adjuvant radiotherapy was longer than after resection without additional radiation (24 months versus 8 months, respectively). There was, however, no significant benefit from the use of intraluminal brachytherapy. In conclusion, additional radiotherapy after resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma significantly improved survival and is recommended by giving external beam irradiation but not intraluminal brachytherapy.     

FOLFIRINOX Versus Gemcitabine/Nab-Paclitaxel for Neoadjuvant Treatment of Resectable and Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Head Adenocarcinoma

Background

Both FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel (G-nP) are used increasingly in the neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA). This study aimed to compare neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX and G-nP in the treatment of resectable (R) and borderline resectable (BR) head PDA.

Methods

A single-institution retrospective review of R and BR patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy after NAT with FOLFIRINOX or G-nP was performed. Comparative analysis was performed using inverse-probability-weighted (IPW) estimators. The end points of the study were overall survival (OS) and an 80% reduction in CA19-9 with NAT.

Results

In this study, 193 patients were analyzed, with 73 patients receiving FOLFIRINOX and 120 patients receiving G-nP. The median OS was 38.7 months for FOLFIRINOX versus 28.6 months for G-nP (p?=?0.214). The patients who received FOLFIRINOX were younger and had fewer comorbidities, more BR disease, and larger tumors than those treated with G-nP (all p?<?0.05). The two regimens were equally effective in achieving an 80% decline in CA19-9 (p?=?0.8). The R0 resection rates were similar (80%), but FOLFIRINOX was associated with a reduction in pN1 disease (56% vs. 72%; p?=?0.028). The receipt of adjuvant therapy was similar (74 vs. 75%; p?=?0.79). In the Cox regression analysis with adjustment for baseline and treatment-related variables (FOLFIRINOX vs. G-nP, age, gender, computed tomography (CT) tumor size, BR vs. R, pre-NAT CA19-9), regimen type was not associated with a survival benefit. In the IPW analysis of 166 patients, however, the average treatment effect of FOLFIRINOX was to increase OS by 4.9 months compared with G-nP (p?=?0.012).

Conclusions

Both FOLFIRINOX and G-nP are viable options for neoadjuvant treatment of PDA. In this study, neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX was associated with a 4.9-month improvement in survival compared with G-nP after adjustment for covariates.

     

Disparities in Pancreas Cancer Care

Background

Prior literature shows demographic differences in patients surgically treated for pancreatic cancer (PC). We hypothesized that socioeconomic disparities also exist across all aspects of PC care, in both surgically and non-surgically treated patients.

Methods

We identified a cohort of patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage I–IV PC in the 1994–2008 California Cancer Registry. We used multivariate logistic regression to examine the impact of race, sex, and insurance status on (1) resectability (absence of advanced disease), (2) receipt of surgery, and (3) receipt of adjuvant/primary chemotherapy (+/– radiotherapy).

Results

Among 20,312 patients, 7,585 (37 %) had resectable disease; 40 % who met this definition received surgery (N = 3,153). On multivariate analysis, males were less likely to present with resectable tumors [odds ratio (OR) 0.91, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.85–0.96], but sex did not otherwise predict treatment. Black patients were as likely as White patients to show resectable disease, yet were less likely to receive surgery (OR 0.66, 95 % CI 0.54–0.80), and adjuvant (OR 0.75, 95 % CI 0.58–0.98) or primary chemotherapy +/– radiation. Compared with Medicaid recipients, non-Medicare/Medicaid enrollees were more likely to receive surgery (OR 1.7, 95 % CI 1.4–2.2), and the uninsured were less likely to receive adjuvant therapy (OR 0.54, 95 % CI 0.30–0.98).

Conclusions

Though Black patients appear to present with comparable rates of resectability, they receive care that deviates from current guidelines. Insurance status is associated with inferior profiles of resectability and treatments. Future policies and research should identify effective strategies to ensure receipt of standard care.     

Thermal Ablation Versus Repeated Hepatic Resection for Recurrent Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Background

Repeated hepatic resection (HR) and thermal ablation therapy (TAT) are increasingly being used to treat recurrent intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (RICC). This study compared the efficacy and safety of these procedures for RICC treatment.

Methods

Patients were studied retrospectively after curative resection of RICCs by repeated HR (n = 32) or TAT (n = 77). Treatment effectiveness and prognosis were compared between the two treatment groups.

Results

The repeated HR and TAT groups did not differ in their overall survival (OS; p = 0.996) or disease-free survival (DFS; p = 0.692) rates. However, among patients with recurrent tumors >3 cm in diameter, patients in the repeated HR group had a higher OS rate than patients in the TAT group (p = 0.037). The number of recurrent tumors and the recurrence interval were significant prognostic factors for OS. The major complications incidence rate was greater in the repeated HR group than in the TAT group (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Repeated HR and TAT are both effective treatments for RICC with similar overall efficacies. TAT should be preferred in any cases when the RICC is ≤3 cm in diameter and technically feasible. However, for large tumors (>3 cm), repeated HR may be a better choice.     

County Versus Private Hospitals: Access of Care, Management and Outcomes for Patients with Appendicitis

Background and Objectives:

Race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status may affect healthcare access (higher appendiceal perforation [AP] rates), management (lower laparoscopic appendectomy [LA] rates), and outcomes in patients with appendicitis. This study determines if disparities exist between county and private hospitals.

Methods:

A review of patients ≥18 years treated for appendicitis from 1998 through 2007 was performed. Data from a county hospital were compared to data from 12 private hospitals. Study outcomes included length of hospitalization (LOH), and rates of AP, LA, and abscess drainage. Predictor variables collected included age, sex, race/ethnicity, per-capita income, and hospital type.

Results:

For this study, 16,512 patients were identified (county=1,293, private=15,219). On univariate analysis, patients at the county hospital had lower mean per-capita incomes ($13,412 vs. $17,584, P<.0001), similar AP rates at presentation (26% vs. 24%, P=.10), and lower abscess drainage (0.2% vs. 2.1%, P<.0001). However, multivariate analysis demonstrated a higher AP (OR 1.4, CI 1.2–1.6) and LA rate (OR 1.9, CI 1.7–2.2), a lower abscess drainage rate (0.07, 95%CI 0.02–0.27), and longer LOH (parameter estimate = 0.4, P<.0001) at the county hospital. Within the county hospital cohort, LOH and rates of AP, LA, and abscess drainage were similar across all races/ethnicities and income levels.

Conclusions:

When compared to private hospital patients, adults with appendicitis treated at a county hospital were of lower socioeconomic background, had higher AP rates and longer LOH, but were more likely to undergo LA and less likely to require abscess drainage. Since racial and socioeconomic disparities were no longer apparent once within the county hospital cohort, these differences may be due to differences in access to healthcare.     

Differences in Perioperative Care at Low- and High-Mortality Hospitals with Cancer Surgery

Objective

To evaluate adherence to perioperative processes of care associated with major cancer resections.

Background

Mortality rates associated with major cancer resections vary across hospitals. Because mechanisms underlying such variations are not well-established, we studied adherence to perioperative care processes.

Methods

There were 1,279 hospitals participating in the National Cancer DataBase (2005–2006) ranked on a composite measure of mortality for bladder, colon, esophagus, stomach, lung, and pancreas cancer operations. We sampled hospitals from among those with the lowest and highest mortality rates, with 19 low-mortality hospitals [(LMHs), risk-adjusted mortality rate of 2.84 %] and 30 high-mortality hospitals [(HMHs), risk-adjusted mortality rate of 7.37 %]. We then conducted onsite chart reviews. Using logistic regression, we examined differences in perioperative care, adjusting for patient and tumor characteristics.

Results

Compared to LMHs, HMHs were less likely to use prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism, either preoperative or postoperatively [adjusted relative risk (aRR) 0.74, 95 % CI 0.50–0.92 and aRR 0.80, 95 % CI 0.56–0.93, respectively]. The two hospital groups were indistinguishable with respect to processes aimed at preventing surgical site infections, such as the use of antibiotics prior to incision (aRR, 0.99, 95 % CI 0.90–1.04), and processes intended to prevent cardiac events, including the use of β-blockers (1.00, 95 % CI 0.81–1.14). HMHs were significantly less likely to use epidurals (aRR, 0.57, 95 % CI 0.32–0.93).

Conclusions

HMHs and LMHs differ in several aspects of perioperative care. These areas may represent opportunities for improving cancer surgery quality at hospitals with high mortality.     

Are There Racial Disparities in Trauma Care?

Background  A number of recent studies have demonstrated disparity between racial groups in both outcome and processes of trauma care. These were not controlled for the presence of shock. Methods  We used data from the National Trauma Databank (NTDB) (version 6.0) to evaluate mortality, length of hospital stay, and discharge disposition for patients who suffered gunshot wounds (GSW) or who were drivers in motor vehicle crashes (MVC). Using regression analysis to control for age, gender, first measured systolic blood pressure, geographic region, trauma center verification status, and hospital teaching status, we looked for differences in trauma care outcomes by race as represented in the NTDB. Results  We included 235,557 MVC victims and 13,378 GSW victims in our analysis. When potential confounding variables were accounted for, there were no differences in mortality based on race in either group, with the exception that Hispanic motor vehicle drivers suffered higher mortality, OR: 1.72 (95% CI: 1.36, 2.19; p < .001). Both Blacks and Hispanics had shorter lengths of stay in linear regression models (p < .001 in both cases) than whites. Blacks and Hispanics were less likely to be discharged home when compared to white patients (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.80–0.86 for Blacks, and OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.50–0.56 for Hispanics). Shock, as reflected by first systolic blood pressure reported, and to a lesser degree, anatomic injury, as measured by Injury Severity Score (ICISS), were much more powerful predictors of outcome than race in all analyses. Conclusions  We found no mortality differences based on race for GSW. Hispanics have a higher mortality rate for MVC. For both injury types, Blacks and Hispanics had shorter hospital stays and a greater likelihood of transfer to post-acute care when compared to white patients. Hypotension on admission has a much more significant impact on outcome than race and ethnicity.     

Definitive Chemoradiotherapy Versus Trimodality Therapy for Resectable Oesophageal Carcinoma: Meta-analyses and Systematic Review of Literature

Background

Standard therapy for loco-regionally advanced, resectable oesophageal carcinoma is trimodality therapy (TMT) consisting of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and oesophagectomy. Evidence of survival advantage of TMT over organ-preserving definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) is inconclusive. The aim of this study is to compare survival between TMT and dCRT.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analyses were conducted. Randomised controlled trials and observational studies on resectable, curatively treated, oesophageal carcinoma patients above 18 years were included. Three online databases were searched for studies comparing TMT with dCRT. Primary outcomes were 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tools for RCTs and cohort studies. Quality of evidence was evaluated according to Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation.

Results

Thirty-two studies described in 35 articles were included in this systematic review, and 33 were included in the meta-analyses. Two-, three- and five-year overall survival was significantly lower in dCRT compared to TMT, with relative risks (RRs) of 0.69 (95% CI 0.57–0.83), 0.76 (95% CI 0.63–0.92) and 0.57 (95% CI 0.47–0.71), respectively. When only analysing studies with equal patient groups at baseline, no significant differences for 2-, 3- and 5-year overall survival were found with RRs of 0.83 (95% CI 0.62–1.10), 0.81 (95% CI 0.57–1.14) and 0.63 (95% CI 0.36–1.12).

Conclusion

These meta-analyses do not show clear survival advantage for TMT over dCRT. Only a non-significant trend towards better survival was seen, assuming comparable patient groups at baseline. Non-operative management of oesophageal carcinoma patients might be part of a personalised and tailored treatment approach in future. However, to date hard evidence proving its non-inferiority compared to operative management is lacking.

     

Minimizing Disparities in Surgical Care: A Research Focus for the Future

The wide array of questions and opportunities for surgical health services research offers important prospects for inquiry into surgical disparities. In this essay we discuss research that directly or indirectly addresses disparities in surgery, highlighting the strengths and the future directions such research efforts intimate as potential foci of collective attention. We then consider possible research approaches—including community-based participatory models—for confronting disparity and the potential role of research in quality improvement to help achieve the ultimate aim, an optimal level of health care for all.     

Survival Outcomes and Prognostic Factors of Surgical Therapy for All Potentially Resectable Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: a Large Single-Center Cohort Study

Background

Surgical resection is currently indicated for all potentially resectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), but the survival outcomes and the prognostic factors have not been well-documented due to its rarity. This study aims to assess these in a large, consecutive series of patients with ICC treated surgically.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on 1,333 ICC patients undergoing surgery between January 2007 and December 2011. Surgical results and survival were evaluated and compared among different subgroups of patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors.

Results

R0, R1, R2 resection and exploratory laparotomy were obtained in 34.8, 44.9, 16.4, and 3.9 % of the patients, respectively. The overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates for the entire cohort were 58.2, 25.2, and 17.0 %, respectively, with corresponding rates of 79.1, 42.6, and 28.7 % for patients with R0 resection; 60.5, 20.1, and 13.9 % for patients with R1 resection; 20.5, 7.4, and 0 % for patients with R2 resection; and 3.8, 0, and 0 % for patients with an exploratory laparotomy. Independent factors for poor survival included positive resection margin, lymph node metastasis, multiple tumors, vascular invasion, and elevated CA19-9 and/or CEA, whereas hepatitis B virus infection and cirrhosis were independently favorable prognosis indicators.

Conclusions

R0 resection offers the best possibility of long-term survival, but the chance of a R0 resection is low when surgery is performed for potential resectable ICC. Further randomized trials are warranted to refine indications for surgery in the management of ICC.     

Determinants of Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Surgical Care

Racial and ethnic disparities are a pervasive and persistent problem in health care. This article has three main objectives: 1) To highlight key studies related to racial disparities in cardiovascular care and outcomes; 2) To explore determinants of disparities specifically related to access to renal transplantation as a model for understanding racial disparities in greater depth; and 3) To present promising approaches to eliminate racial disparities in care. Performance reports of the quality of medical and surgical care by race and ethnicity will be a crucial and expanding tool as more organizations ascertain complete data on their patients’ race, ethnicity, language, and socioeconomic characteristics. Efforts to improve the quality of care and health outcomes of underserved racial and ethnic groups will also require effective coordination of care, patient-centered communication, and constructive engagement with communities to eliminate disparities in health care and health.     

Geographic Disparities in Referral Rates and Oncologic Outcomes of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: A Population-Based Study

Annals of Surgical Oncology - Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a rare cancer. Patients in rural areas may face reduced access to advanced treatments often only available at referral...     

Minimizing Disparities in Osteoporosis Care of Minorities With an Electronic Medical Record Care Plan

Background  

Ethnic disparities in care have been documented with a number of musculoskeletal disorders including osteoporosis. We suggest a systems approach for ensuring osteoporosis care can minimize potential ethnic disparities in care.