Edition Of American Joint Committee On Cancer Staging System Research Articles

Validation and modification of AJCC 8th edition staging system for hepatocellular carcinoma--analysis based on SEER database

Objective: To assess the accuracy of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8th edition staging system for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to make an appropriate modification. Methods: Data of patients diagnosed with HCC who underwent surgery were extracted from 2004 to 2015 within the SEER database. Overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) of patients were analyzed. Results: A total of 7 911 patients were included and there were 2 117 females and 5 794 males. The male-to-female ratio was 1.00: 0.36. There were 4 050 patients older than 60 years old. Tumor size ranged from 24 to 65 mm. Tumors with single lobes (80.8%) or single lesions (62.8%) were more common. There were 230 cases and 2 052 cases received radiotherapy and chemotherapy, accounting for 2.9% and 25.9%, respectively. The median follow-up was 42 months. Analysis of the 8th edition of AJCC staging system showed that the survival curves of ⅣA stage and ⅢA stage intersected in both OS and DSS, and the differences were not statistically significant between them (both P>0.05). Analysis of patients in subgroup of ⅣA stage showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the four groups of T1N1M0/T2N0M0, T2N1M0/T3N0M0, T3N1M0/T4N0-1M0 and T3N1M0/T1-4N0-1M1 (all P>0.05). Therefore, the modified 8th edition of the AJCC staging system was proposed after retaining the definition of T/N/M in the old edition: ⅠA and ⅠB stages were retained; ⅣA stage was split: T1N1M0 was included in Ⅱ stage, T2N1M0 in Ⅲ stage, and Ⅳ stage included T3N1M0, T4N0-1M0 and T1-4N0-1M1. Cox proportional risk regression analysis of the modified 8th edition of the AJCC staging showed that significant differences were observed among the four groups, with ⅠB/ⅠA (HR=1.462, 95%CI:1.294-1.651), Ⅱ/ⅠB (HR=1.091, 95%CI:1.003-1.186), Ⅲ/Ⅱ (HR=2.034, 95%CI: 1.793-2.307) and Ⅲ/Ⅳ (HR=1.374, 95%CI: 1.192-1.583) for OS, respectively. The similar findings were seen in DSS, with ⅠB/ⅠA (HR=2.007, 95%CI:1.671-2.411), Ⅱ/ⅠB (HR=1.140, 95%CI:1.023-1.271), Ⅲ/Ⅱ (HR=2.344, 95%CI: 2.018-2.724) and Ⅲ/Ⅳ (HR=1.391, 95%CI:1.180-1.639), respectively. Conclusion: The modified AJCC 8th edition staging system could predict the survival outcome of HCC more accurately.

Prognostic Relevance of the Eighth Edition of TNM Classification for Resected Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma.

Objectives: In our study, we evaluated and compared the prognostic value and performance of the 6th, 7th, and 8th editions of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system in patients undergoing surgery for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC). Methods: Patients undergoing liver surgery with curative intention for PHC between 2002 and 2019 were identified from a prospective database. Histopathological parameters and stage of the PHC were assessed according to the 6th, 7th, and 8th editions of the tumor node metastasis (TNM) classification. The prognostic accuracy between staging systems was compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) model. Results: Data for a total of 95 patients undergoing liver resection for PHC were analyzed. The median overall survival time was 21 months (95% CI 8.1–33.9), and the three- and five-year survival rates were 46.1% and 36.2%, respectively. Staging according to the 8th edition vs. the 7th edition resulted in the reclassification of 25 patients (26.3%). The log-rank p-values for the 7th and 8th editions were highly statistically significant (p ≤ 0.01) compared to the 6th edition (p = 0.035). The AJCC 8th edition staging system showed a trend to better discrimination, with an AUC of 0.69 (95% CI: 0.52–0.84) compared to 0.61 (95% CI: 0.51–0.73) for the 7th edition. Multivariate survival analysis revealed male gender, age >65 years, positive resection margins, presence of distant metastases, poorly tumor differentiation, and lymph node involvement, such as no caudate lobe resection, as independent predictors of poor survival (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In the current study, the newly released 8th edition of AJCC staging system showed no significant benefit compared to the previous 7th edition in predicting the prognosis of patients undergoing liver resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. Further research may help to improve the prognostic value of the AJCC staging system for PHC—for instance, by identifying new prognostic markers or staging criteria, which may improve that individual patient’s outcome.

Survival analysis of patients with stage T2a and T2b perihilar cholangiocarcinoma treated with radical resection

BackgroundBoth the 7th and 8th editions of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) had the same definition for T2a and T2b. But the value of this classification as prognostic factor remains unclear.Methods178 patients with stage T2a or T2b who underwent curative intent resection for pCCA between Jan 2010 and Dec 2018 were enrolled. Relationships between survival and clinicopathological factors including patient demographics and tumor characteristics were evaluated using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. The overall survival (OS) were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method.ResultsThere was no significant difference in OS between T2a and T2b groups, and the median OS duration were 37 and 31 months (P = 0.354). Both the 7th and 8th edition of the AJCC TNM staging demonstrated a poor prognostic predictive performance. High level of preoperative AST (≥85.0 IU/L) and CA19–9 (≥1000 U/mL), vascular resection and lower pathological differentiation of the tumor were the independent predictors for poor survival after resection.ConclusionThe newly released 8th edition of AJCC staging system demonstrated a poor ability to discriminate the prognosis of patients with stage T2a and T2b pCCA after resection.

Prognostic impact of the 8th edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) cancer staging system on clinically negative lymph nodes (cN0) breast cancer patients

In 2017, the 8th edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Staging Manual released the updating of TNM. The new edition introduces changes concerning tumor classification that could have a real innovative and useful clinical impact. The purpose of the study is to compare anatomic vs. prognostic stage group introduced in the new edition of AJCC staging system and its importance in clinical practice. We retrospectively analyzed the prognostic stage group introduced by the 8th edition of the AJCC staging system for breast cancer. We restaged a large series of patients with infiltrative breast cancer from 2004 to 2017 applying the AJCC 8th Edition prognostic stage group criteria. This study included 1575 patients with all molecular subtypes of breast cancer. Our follow-up included disease-free survival (DFS), disease-related survival (DRS), and overall survival (OS) data. Kaplan-Meier test was used for statistical analysis. The median follow-up was 7years. The 5-year and 10-year OS were 96% and 90%, respectively. From our analysis, according to the 8th edition, the majority of patients included in the cohort had a down-staging to a better prognostic group except the triple-negative tumors. Most of the anatomic stage IIA turned into IA and IB. This new staging system seems to better relate to prognosis. Therefore, the prognostic stage represents an important support in breast cancer management since it could avoid unnecessary and ineffective therapies; in contrast, it could help realize the global evaluation of the risk of relapse/response to specific treatments, leading to a significant reduction in the national health cost.

The impact of liver resection on survival for locally advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma tumors: A propensity score analysis

BackgroundAim of work was to investigate the prognostic impact of liver resection (LR) on locally advanced Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma (IC) in comparison to alternative palliative chemotherapy (CTx). MethodA retrospective cohort study performed utilizing Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to identify Locally advanced IC patients. Based on the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Staging System, locally advanced IC was defined as: Stage III and IVa - 7th edition (7th-ed) or stage III - 8th edition (8th-ed). Study population were sub-classified into: LR group and a propensity score (PS) matched CTx group. ResultsIn 7th-ed module, the median survival for LR group (n = 154) was 35 months, and the 3-year survival rate was 40.8%. In PS matched CTx group (n = 154); the median survival was 14 months and the 3-year survival rate was 5.5% (P = 0.007). Survival rates were superior for LR group over PS matched CTx group in 8th-ed module as well. Worse prognosis has been reported in LR patients above 65 years old (HR 2.618, P = 001) and in multifocal lesions (HR 1.890, P = 0.025). ConclusionHepatic resection was associated with a favorable impact on prognosis over chemotherapy for IC stage III and IVa of the 7th edition and for stage IIIb of 8th edition of AJCC staging system. Worse outcome has been observed in LR patients >65 years and with multifocal lesions. Randomized control studies are recommended to confirm the role of surgical resection in the management for advanced cases of IC, and to clarify the related prognostic factors.

Comparison of seventh and eighth edition of AJCC staging system in melanomas at locoregional stage

BackgroundThe eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system has been effective since January 2018. It has introduced some major changes in the localized/locoregional melanoma classification. However, it has not been demonstrated how this classification was validated on external, clinical data.Patients and methodsIn this retrospective study, we have included 2474 patients diagnosed with cutaneous melanoma in localized or locoregional stage. They were treated surgically in our Center between years 1998 and 2014. Melanoma-specific and overall survival were calculated for each stage according to TNM7 and TNM8 using Kaplan-Meier estimator.ResultsThe melanoma-specific survival rates in our patients were similar to those reported from original cohort used to build TNM8 classification except for stage IIIC (5-year melanoma-specific survival 44.6% vs 51.8%, respectively for TNM7 vs TNM8).ConclusionOur study validated the eighth edition of TNM melanoma staging system as a viable tool in prognosis of the long-term survival of patients with localized or locoregionally advanced melanoma on an independent cohort. The new TNM 8 system has brought important improvements in prognostic assessment for melanoma patients. Deeper understanding of the significance of satellite/in-transit lesions may be required.

Prognostic factors for disease-free survival in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma after surgery: a single center experience

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the risk factors for the disease-free survival (DFS) of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients after surgery, and to validate the clinical applicability and prognostic stratification of the 8th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system. Methods: A cohort of 185 patients with PDAC who underwent surgical resection in the General Surgery Department of Peking University First Hospital from January 2010 to December 2017 was enrolled retrospectively. The clinicopathological characteristics and survival data were analyzed to find out risk factors correlated to DFS. The survival curves were calculated according to the 8th edition of AJCC staging system. Results: Among the 185 PDAC patients, 125 (67.6%) with pancreatic head carcinoma underwent pancreatoduodenectomy or total pancreatectomy, and 60 (32.4%) with tumors located in the pancreatic body and tail underwent distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. R0 resection was achieved in 97 patients (52.4%), and the R1 and R2 resections rate was 44.9% and 2.7%, respectively. One hundred five patients (56.8%) received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. The median overall survival (OS) was 21 (95% confidence interval [CI] 17.7–24.3) months, and median DFS was 15 (95% CI 13.6–16.5) months. Univariate analysis showed that AJCC T and N staging, status of resection margin, grade of tumor differentiation, perineural invasion, intravascular cancer embolus, combined vascular resection, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) ≥ 2, carcinoembryonic antigen ≥5 ng/mL, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) ≥ 400 U/mL, and without postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy were correlated with shorter DFS. Furthermore, AJCC T3, N1 and N2 staging, R2 resection, low-grade or undifferentiated tumors, combined vascular resection, NLR ≥ 2, CA 19-9 ≥ 400 U/mL, and without postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy were independent risk factors for DFS. Both the DFS and OS curves were well separated by stage using the 8th staging classification. Conclusions: The 8th edition of AJCC T, primary tumor; N, regional lymph nodes; M, distant metastasis staging system could predict the prognosis of PDAC accurately. Patients with AJCC T3, N1 and N2 staging, R2 resection, low-grade or undifferentiated tumors, combined vascular resection, NLR ≥ 2, CA 19-9 ≥ 400 U/mL, and without postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, have a significantly higher risk of tumor recurrence and shorter DFS after surgery. R0 resection and adjuvant chemotherapy could significantly prolong the DFS of PDAC patients.

Comparison of the 7th and 8th edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging systems for breast cancer patients: a Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Analysis.

BackgroundThe 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system for breast cancer has incorporated tumor grade, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status as staging biologic factors reflecting prognosis. The purpose of this study was to compare the 7th and 8th edition of AJCC staging system for prognostic impact.Materials and methodsPrimary breast cancer patients diagnosed from 2010 to 2014 were identified using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results 18 registries research database. Breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) and overall survival (OS) between stages were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Multivariable analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to identify factors independently associated with outcome. Akaike’s information criterion (AIC) was calculated to estimate how well the staging system fitted the data and the complexity of the model.ResultsA total of 184,221 primary breast cancer patients were identified in the 7th AJCC staging system; 16,145 (8.8%) patients could not be categorized according to 8th AJCC prognostic staging system leaving 168,076 patients included for final analyses. The 8th AJCC performed well with the BCSS and OS concordant with stage. A total of 89,494 (53.2%) of patients were restaged to a different stage group in the 8th AJCC; stage IIIA in the 7th AJCC migrated to stage IB with a worse prognosis than IIA and IIB in the 8th AJCC. Nevertheless, the 8th AJCC had a better AIC than the 7th staging system.ConclusionThe prognostic accuracy of the 8th AJCC staging system was generally superior to the 7th AJCC, although subtle differences between the two systems should be noted in comparative studies.

O2-11-3 - Implications for the Ajcc Staging Systems on Esophageal Squamous Cell Cancer Patients Receiving Multimodality Therapy

Background: The 7th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system is based on pathologic data from esophageal cancers treated by surgery alone. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of the pre-treatment clinical stage (cTNM) and post-treatment pathologic stage (ypTNM) on esophageal cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery (NAC-S).Methods: Information on 235 consecutive esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients undergoing NAC-S was reviewed. Data collected included demographics, cTNM, ypTNM, and survival. Statistical methods included the Cox regression model, Akaike information criterion (AIC) within the Cox proportional hazard regression model, and Kaplan-Meier analyses.Results: The overall three-year survival rate was 67.6%. There were significant differences between stages II and III in cTNM and ypTNM stage, respectively (P < 0.01, respectively). There were no significant survival differences between stages I and II, between stages III and IV in each TNM stage. For all patients, cN stage (cN0 vs. cN1-3), ypT stage (ypT0-2 vs. ypT3-4), and ypM stage were the better predictor of outcome for patients who underwent Neo-S than downstage or treatment effect by multivariate analysis (P < 0.05). Compared with cTNM stage, ypTNM stage has a smaller AIC value, which described the optimum prognostic stratification.Conclusions: Our study indicates that the cTNM stage of 7th edition of AJCC staging system also does not accurately predict survival in esophageal squamous cell cancer patients receiving multimodality therapy.

Implications for the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging systems on esophageal squamous cell cancer patients receiving multimodality therapy.

123 Background: The 7th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system is based on pathologic data from esophageal cancers treated by surgery alone. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of the pretreatment clinical stage (cTNM) and posttreatment pathologic stage (ypTNM) on esophageal cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery (NAC-S). Methods: Information on 245 consecutive esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients undergoing NAC-S was reviewed. Data collected included demographics, cTNM, ypTNM, and survival. Statistical methods included the Cox regression model, Akaike information criterion (AIC) within the Cox proportional hazard regression model, and Kaplan-Meier analyses. Results: The overall three-year survival rate was 67.6%. There were significant differences between stages II and III in cTNM and ypTNM stage, respectively (P &lt; 0.01, respectively). There were no significant survival differences between stages I and II, between stages III and IV in each TNM stage. For all patients, cN stage (cN0 vs. cN1-3), ypT stage (ypT0-2 vs. ypT3-4), ypN stage (N0 vs. N1-3), and ypM stage were independent prognostic factors by multivariate analysis (P&lt; 0.05). Compared with cTNM stage, ypTNM stage has a smaller AIC value, which described the optimum prognostic stratification. Conclusions: Our study indicates that the ypTNM stage of the 7th edition of AJCC staging system has better performance than the cTNM stage in patients undergoing NAC-S.

Validation of new AJCC staging system for breast cancer

Purpose: The aim of this study is to verify the feasibility of the 5th, 6th, and 7th editions of AJCC staging system by analyzing the 10-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of breast cancer patients according to the each editions of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system that staged by 5th and 6th editions of AJCC staging system. Methods: A total of 419 breast cancer patients were analyzed who had received initial treatment between 1998 and 2003 at Pusan National University Hospital. Patients were restaged using 5th, 6th, and 7th editions of AJCC staging system with retrospective data and 10-year OS and DFS analysis were performed. Results: The mean age of patients was 51 years old and the mean follow-up period was 138 months. Ten-year OS was 89.9% and DFS was 88.3%. Ten-year DFS was affected significantly by the tumor size, lymph node metastasis, differentiation of tumor, lymphovascular invasion, HER2 gene and triple negative breast cancer. The stage of breast cancer according to the 5th, 6th, and 7th edition of AJCC staging system and the each T and N stage of breast cancer was statistically significant in 10-year OS and DFS. Although the significance was confirmed between 10-year DFS in each edition, higher significance were found in more recent edition. Conclusion: Restaging and predict prognosis based on 7th edition of AJCC staging system would be helpful to patients who had been previously staged based on 5th or 6th system. Keywords: Breast neoplasm, Stage, Survival rate