L.V. van de Poll-Franse

Predictions of skin cancer incidence in the Netherlands up to 2015

Summary  Background  Skin cancer is an important, growing public health problem among white caucasians, causing a heavy burden on dermatologists and general practitioners.

The relation between information provision and health-related quality of life, anxiety and depression among cancer survivors: a systematic review.

Background: Providing information that is congruent with patients’ needs is an important determinant for patient satisfaction and might also affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and anxiety and depression levels of cancer survivors. Design: The authors systematically reviewed the available literature on the relationship between information provision and HRQoL, anxiety and depression. A PubMed literature search for original articles published until February 2010 was carried out. Twenty-five articles, all conducted between 1996 and 2009, which met the predefined inclusion criteria, were subjected to a quality checklist. Results: Satisfied patients, patients with fulfilled information needs, and patients who experience less information barriers, in general have a better HRQoL and less anxiety and depression. Out of eight intervention studies that aimed to improve information provision, only one showed a positive association with better HRQoL. Conclusion: Health care providers must pay more attention to patient-centred information provision. Additional research is needed to make definitive conclusions about information interventions as most results did not reach statistical significance due to methodological constraints. The quick development of the relatively young research field of patient-reported outcomes in cancer survivorship will make it possible to conduct better quality studies in the future.

Surgical resection of the primary tumour is associated with improved survival in patients with distant metastatic breast cancer at diagnosis

OBJECTIVE Recent studies indicate that removal of the primary tumour may have a beneficial effect on mortality risk of patients with primary distant metastatic breast cancer (stage IV), although most of them did not rule out confounding by the presence of co-morbidity. In this retrospective study the impact of surgical resection of the primary tumour on the survival of patients with primary distant metastatic disease is investigated, taking into account the presence of co-morbidity and other potential confounders. METHODS Between 1993 and 2004, 15 769 patients with breast cancer were diagnosed in the south of the Netherlands. This study included the 728 patients with distant metastatic disease at initial presentation, which was 5% of all patients. Of them, 40% had surgery of the primary tumour. Follow-up was carried out until 1 July 2006. RESULTS Median survival of the patients who had surgery of their primary tumour was significantly longer than for the patients who did not have surgery (31 vs. 14 months). The 5-year survival rates were 24.5% and 13.1%, respectively (p < 0.0001). In a multivariable Cox regression analysis, adjusting for age, period of diagnosis, T-classification, number of metastatic sites, co-morbidity, use of loco-regional radiotherapy and use of systemic therapy, surgery appeared to be an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (HR = 0.62; 95% CI 0.51-0.76). CONCLUSION Removal of the primary tumour in patients with primary distant metastatic disease was associated with a reduction of the mortality risk of around 40%. The association was independent of age, presence of co-morbidity and other potential confounders, but a randomized controlled trial will be needed to rule out residual confounding.

A systematic review of health-related quality of life in cutaneous melanoma.

Melanoma can be considered an emerging chronic disease that may considerably affect patients’ lives. The authors systematically reviewed the available literature on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and melanoma. Of reviews and the selected studies, reference lists were hand-searched. The quality of the eligible studies was appraised based on 14 previously published criteria. Of the 158 abstracts, 44 articles were appraised, resulting in 13 selected studies written in English (published between 2001 and 2008). Most studies assessed patients from specialised centres with varying, but relatively advanced, disease stages. The most commonly used instruments were the SF-36 and EORTC QLQ-C30. Recently, a melanoma-specific HRQOL questionnaire [FACT-Melanoma (FACT-M)] was introduced for clinical trial purposes. It showed that approximately one-third of melanoma patients experienced considerable levels of distress, mostly at the time of diagnosis and following treatment. Systemic therapies affected HRQOL negatively in the short term, but to a lesser extent in the long term. Health status and patients’ psychological characteristics are associated with higher levels of HRQOL impairment. The authors found that the impact of melanoma on patients’ HRQOL is comparable to that of other cancers. Accurately assessing HRQOL impairment in melanoma patients is pivotal, as it may affect disease management, including therapy and additional counselling, future preventive behaviour and perhaps even prognosis.

Trends in incidence, treatment and survival of gastric adenocarcinoma between 1990 and 2007: A population-based study in the Netherlands

BACKGROUND Survival of gastric cancer in the Western world remains poor. We conducted a retrospective population-based study to evaluate trends in incidence, treatment and outcome of gastric adenocarcinoma. METHODS All patients diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma during 1990-2007 in the Dutch Eindhoven Cancer Registry area were included (n=4,797). Trend analyses were conducted for incidence, mortality, tumour and patient characteristics, treatment and crude overall survival, according to tumour location (cardia versus non-cardia). Temporal changes in the odds of undergoing surgery and the risk of death were analysed by means of multivariable regression methods. RESULTS Age-standardised incidence decreased among males (24-12 per 100,000 inhabitants) and females (10-6); mortality rates decreased at a similar pace. The proportion of cardia tumours remained stable. Stage distribution worsened over time among patients with cardia (stages I and II: 32% in 1990-1993 and 22% in 2006-2007, p=0.005) and non-cardia (stage IV: 33% in 1990-1993 and 40% in 2006-2007, p=0.0003) cancer. Chemotherapy rates increased in all settings. Five-year survival worsened over time for patients with non-cardia tumours. Age and stage had significant influence on survival after stratification for tumour localisation. After adjustments for relevant factors (i.e. stage), the risk of death decreased since the late 90s for patients with a cardia tumour (hazard ratio 0.8, p=0.01). CONCLUSION The absence of improvement in survival rates indicates the need for earlier detection and prospective studies to evaluate new therapy regimens with standardised surgery and pathology.

Improved survival of patients with rectal cancer since 1980: a population-based study

The treatment of rectal cancer has changed over the last two decades as far as surgical techniques and radiotherapy are concerned. We studied the changes in patterns of care for patients with rectal cancer and the effect on prognosis. All patients with cancer of the rectum or rectosigmoid in South-east Netherlands, diagnosed in the period of 1980-2000, were included in our analyses (n=3635). The use of surgery as the only treatment decreased from 62% in the period of 1980-1989 to 42% in the period of 1995-2000, whereas the combination of surgery and radiotherapy increased from 26 to 40%. The use of postoperative radiotherapy decreased from 25 to 4%, while preoperative radiotherapy increased from 1 to 35%. Patients aged 75 years or older were less likely to receive radiotherapy. After adjustment for age, gender, tumour stage and tumour site, significant improvements in the relative risk of death were observed between the periods of 1995-2000 and 1980-1989 for patients under 60 years of age (Relative Risk (RR)=0.45; 95% Confidence Interval (CI)=0.35-0.58) and those 60-74 years old (RR=0.62; 95% CI 0.53-0.72). No improvement in the risk of death was found for patients aged 75 years and over. No improvements in the distribution of tumour stage were observed, making it very likely that the continuing increase in population-based survival among patients aged <75 years results from the shift from postoperative to preoperative radiotherapy, the development of the total mesorectal excision technique and the related tendency to subspecialisation of surgeons in colorectal cancer surgery.

Higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction in colon and rectal cancer survivors compared with the normative population: A population-based study

BACKGROUND To compare colorectal cancer survivors with a normative population regarding erectile dysfunction, ejaculation problems, dyspareunia, dry vagina, sexual functioning (SF) and enjoyment (SE). In addition, the sociodemographic, clinical and psychological correlates of (dys)function in survivors are examined. PATIENTS AND METHODS The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-CR38 sexuality subscales were completed by survivors (n=1371; response rate 82%), of which 1359 received surgical treatment and were included in the analysis. The normative population consisted of 400 participants (response rate 78%). RESULTS Erectile problems were more often present in rectal cancer (54%) than colon cancer survivors (25%) and the normative population (27%; p<.0001). They also had more ejaculation problems (68%) than colon cancer survivors (47%; p<.001). Dry vagina was common in colon (28%) and rectal cancer survivors (35%), while the normative population scored lower (5%; p=.003). In addition, colon (9%) and rectal cancer survivors (30%) experienced more pain during intercourse than the normative population (0%; p=.001). SE for men was similar across groups, while women with colorectal cancer reported lower scores than the normative population. Higher age, being a woman, not having a partner, a low educational level, rectal cancer, depressive symptoms and fatigue were associated with lower SF. Lower SE was associated with higher age and being a woman, depressive symptoms and cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSION SF was deteriorated in both sexes after cancer, which affected womens SE negatively. Attention towards sexual (dys)function in colorectal cancer survivors is needed.

Quality of life of older rectal cancer patients is not impaired by a permanent stoma

BACKGROUND The current study was undertaken to investigate the impact of a stoma on the HRQL with a special focus on age. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using the Eindhoven Cancer Registry, rectal cancer patients diagnosed between 1998 and 2007 in 4 hospitals were identified. All patients underwent TME surgery. Survivors were approached to complete the SF-36 and EORTC QLQ-C38 questionnaires. HRQL scores of the four groups, stratified by stoma status (stoma/no stoma) and age at operation (<70 and ≥ 70), were compared. The SF-36 and the QLQ-CR38 sexuality subscale scores of the survivors were compared with an age- and sex-matched Dutch norm population. RESULTS Median follow-up of 143 patients was 3.4 years. Elderly had significantly worse physical function (p = 0.0003) compared to younger patients. Elderly (p = 0.005) and patients without a stoma (p = 0.009) had worse sexual functioning compared to younger patients and patients with a stoma. Older males showed more sexual dysfunction (p = 0.01) when compared to younger males. In comparison with the normative population, elderly with a stoma had worse physical function (p < 0.01), but slightly better mental health (p < 0.05). Elderly without a stoma had better emotional role function (p < 0.01), and younger patients had worse sexual functioning and enjoyment (both p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Older patients with a stoma have comparable HRQL to older patients without a stoma or the normative population, indicating the feasibility of a permanent stoma for elderly patients with a low situated rectal carcinoma. The negative impact of treatment on sexual functioning as found in the current study calls for further attention to alleviate this problem in sexually active patients.

Health-related quality of life and disease specific symptoms in long-term thyroid cancer survivors: A study from the population-based PROFILES registry

Abstract Background. Given the longevity of thyroid cancer patients, any impairment in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during the follow-up period is of considerable concern. Therefore, the first aim of this study was to assess (thyroid cancer specific) HRQoL among long-term thyroid cancer survivors and to compare this with the HRQoL of an age- and sex-matched normative population. Secondly, our aim was to investigate which clinical and socio-demographic characteristics and thyroid cancer specific problems were associated with HRQoL. Material and methods. All patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer between 1990 and 2008, as registered in the Eindhoven Cancer Registry, received a survey on HRQoL (EORTC QLQ-C30) and disease-specific symptoms (THYCA-QoL). The scores were compared with age- and sex-matched cancer free controls (n = 800). A series of multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to investigate the independent associations between clinical, socio-demographic and thyroid cancer specific factors with HRQoL. Results. A total of 306 patients (86%) responded to the invitation. Thyroid cancer survivors had significantly lower scores on physical, role, emotional, cognitive and social functioning (p < 0.001) compared to the normative population after adjusting for comorbidities. Sympathetic problems [feeling chilly (52%), hot flushes (40%)], neuromuscular problems [cramp legs (43%) and pain joints/muscles (64%)] and abrupt attacks of fatigue (50%) were the most often reported thyroid cancer specific complaints. Thyroid cancer specific neuromuscular, concentration, sympathetic and psychological problems explained 41–58% of the variance in HRQoL. Clinical and socio-demographic factors explained a small part of the variance in (thyroid cancer specific) HRQoL (1–27%). Conclusion. Long-term thyroid cancer survivors experience more symptoms and deteriorated HRQoL compared to the normative population. Thyroid cancer specific neuromuscular, sympathetic, concentration and psychological symptoms are stronger associated with HRQoL than clinical and socio-demographic factors alone. Awareness of these specific determinants of HRQoL could help health care practitioners to provide better supportive care.

Impact of concentration of oesophageal and gastric cardia cancer surgery on long-term population-based survival

The objective was to evaluate the impact of concentration of surgery for oesophageal and gastric cardia cancer on long‐term survival in the population‐based Eindhoven Cancer Registry area. In contrast to most previous studies, this study aimed to evaluate both surgically and non‐surgically treated patients, to avoid the confounding effect of selective referral.