Long-term Cancer Survivors Research Articles

Immunological and molecular features of the tumor microenvironment of long-term survivors of ovarian cancer.

Despite an overall poor prognosis, about 15% of patients with advanced-stage tubo-ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) survive ten or more years after standard treatment. We evaluated the tumor microenvironment of this exceptional, understudied group using a large international cohort enriched for long-term survivors (LTS; 10+ years; n = 374) compared to medium-term (MTS; 5-7.99 years; n = 433) and short-term survivors (STS; 2-4.99 years; n = 416). Primary tumor samples were immunostained and scored for intra-epithelial and intra-stromal densities of 10 immune-cell subsets (including T cells, B cells, plasma cells, myeloid cells, PD-1+ cells, and PD-L1+ cells) and epithelial content. Positive associations with LTS compared to STS were seen for 9/10 immune-cell subsets. In particular, the combination of intra-epithelial CD8+ T cells and intra-stromal B cells showed near five-fold increased odds of LTS compared to STS. All of these associations were stronger in tumors with high epithelial content and/or the C4/Differentiated molecular subtype, despite immune-cell densities generally being higher in tumors with low epithelial content and/or the C2/Immunoreactive molecular subtype. The tumor microenvironment of HGSC long-term survivors is distinguished by the intersection of T and B cell co-infiltration, high epithelial content and C4/Differentiated molecular subtype, features which may inspire new approaches to immunotherapy. Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP) of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP), U.S. Department of Defense (DOD); American Cancer Society; BC Cancer Foundation; Canada's Networks of Centres of Excellence; Canadian Cancer Society; Canadian Institutes of Health Research; Cancer Councils of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania, Cancer Foundation of Western Australia; Cancer Institute NSW; Cancer Research UK; Deutsche Forschungsgesellschaft; ELAN Funds of the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg; Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation; Genome BC; German Cancer Research Center; German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Programme of Clinical Biomedical Research; Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Mayo Foundation; Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance; Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad; MRC; National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences; National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC); Ovarian Cancer Australia; Peter MacCallum Foundation; Sydney West Translational Cancer Research Centre; Terry Fox Research Institute; The Eve Appeal (The Oak Foundation); UK National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centres at the University of Cambridge; University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; U.S. National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health; VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation; Victorian Cancer Agency.

Early rhythm control of atrial fibrillation in cancer survivors: a nationwide population-based cohort study

Abstract Background Though early rhythm control (ERC) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is effective in reducing stroke, the benefit of ERC has not been well-elucidated in cancer survivors. This study aimed to compare the risk of ischemic stroke between ERC and usual care in cancer survivors with AF and cancer. Methods This nationwide observational study was conducted using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. Patients aged 20 years or older with newly diagnosed AF between 2009 and 2018 were included. Patients who received rhythm control therapy within 1-year of AF diagnosis were defined as the ERC group, while the remaining patients were defined as the usual care group. The risk of ischemic stroke in the ERC group compared to the usual care group was evaluated in long-term cancer survivors (cancer diagnosis ≥5 years) and the non-cancer group. Results A total of 591,692 patients were included in the study (18,747 patients [3.2 %] with cancer, mean age 65.7±14.6 years, 53.7% men, mean CHA2DS2-VASc score 3.3±2.0). The proportion of patients receiving ERC was slightly higher in cancer survivors compared to the non-cancer group (28.0% vs 25.3%, p<0.001). During a mean 4-year follow-up, incident stroke occurred in 52,500 patients (1,338 in cancer survivors, 51,182 in non-cancer). The ERC group showed a lower risk of stroke than the usual care group, regardless of the presence of cancer history(Figure); adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] 0.67 [0.58-0.76] in cancer survivors, 0.76 [0.74-0.78] in the non-cancer group (p-for-interaction=0.125). The effect of ERC on the risk of ischemic stroke in cancer group was consistent across all subgroups, including different cancer types or use of chemotherapy. Conclusion ERC was associated with a lower risk of ischemic stroke among long-term cancer survivors. An integrated approach incorporating appropriate rhythm control strategies should be considered for cancer survivors with newly diagnosed AF.

Case report: Long-term progression-free survival in advanced ovarian cancer treated with apatinib in first-line maintenance treatment

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common gynecological malignancies. The current first-line treatment strategies for advanced ovarian cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, and maintenance therapy. Bevacizumab and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) are primary maintenance treatments for advanced ovarian cancer. Previously, many patients declined these therapies before medicare coverage because of high costs. Bevacizumab and apatinib are anti-tumor angiogenic agents. In this case study, we describe a patient with advanced ovarian cancer who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, interval debulking surgery, and adjuvant chemotherapy. She declined bevacizumab and PARPi maintenance therapy owing to the prohibitive expenses. The patient was administered off-label apatinib and achieved a progression-free survival of 54 months. Thus, apatinib may offer substantial therapeutic value as a first-line maintenance therapy in advanced ovarian cancer.

Long-term Survival After Cancer: A Scoping Review of the Health Care Landscape in Germany

Abstract Background Cancer remains a global health concern, with a significant increase in new cases projected in the coming years. Although cancer treatment and diagnosis have advanced, leading to improved survival, survivors often face complex physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges. The objective of this scoping review is to provide an overview of the current landscape of specialized long-term survivorship care services in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) with a focus on vulnerable groups. Methods The scoping review involves two search approaches: a manual search performed by two review authors and a systematic search performed by an information specialist following Scoping Review guidance. The protocol was published on the OSF platform. The systematic search was conducted in databases such as LIVIVIO, MEDLINE and Scopus. The manual search involves identifying key categories of survivorship services and conducting online searches based on these categories in duplicate. Data extraction and synthesis is conducted using EPPI-Reviewer software, and focuses on services characteristics, patient demographics, program format, and accessibility. Results The study has identified more than 300 survivorship care services across North Rhine-Westphalia. According to preliminary results some services offer comprehensive care, while others have significant gaps, particularly in addressing the needs of vulnerable groups. One example of these gaps is the lack of tailored services specifically designed for people with a migration background. Most of the services are not available in multiple languages or gender-specific oriented. The results will be presented on the congress in detail. Conclusions This scoping review underscores the importance of tailored survivorship care, especially for vulnerable groups. Public health actions should focus on addressing disparities in access to survivorship services, enhancing existing programs, and developing new policies to support cancer survivors. Key messages • Effective survivorship care requires attention to vulnerable groups. • The care of long-term cancer survivors should receive more attention in research.

Recent radiotherapy could reduce heart-related death in patients with esophageal cancer: SEER database analysis

BackgroundThere have been several reports showing that heart-related deaths are common in long-term survivors of esophageal cancer after radiation therapy; however, radiotherapy technology is evolving year by year. This study was carried out using the SEER database to determine whether the frequency of mortality from heart disease after radiotherapy has improved over time in patients with esophageal cancer.MethodsSEER*Stat statistical software version 8.3.9.2 (National Cancer Institute) was used to perform case listing and data extraction. We reviewed causes of death in 8,297 patients who were treated by radiotherapy without surgery between 2004 and 2015 (radiotherapy group). For comparison with this group, we also reviewed causes of death in 5,149 patients who were treated by surgery without radiotherapy (surgery group).ResultsIn the radiotherapy group, the cumulative heart-related death rate in patients with carcinoma in the middle to abdominal esophagus, for which it was considered that the heart was irradiated with a higher dose, was significantly higher than that in patients with carcinoma in the cervical to upper thoracic esophagus (p = 0.017). However, in the surgery group, the cumulative heart-related death rate in patients with carcinoma in the middle to abdominal esophagus tended to be lower than that in patients with carcinoma in the cervical to upper thoracic esophagus (p = 0.063). The cumulative heart-related death rate in patients treated in 2010–2015 was significantly lower than that in patients treated in 2004–2009 in the radiotherapy group (p = 0.011), although the cumulative heart-related death rate was not significantly different between patients treated in 2010–2015 and patients treated in 2004–2009 in the surgery group (p = 0.90).ConclusionsThe results suggest that recent advances in radiotherapy have enabled a reduction in radiation-induced heart disease in patients with esophageal cancer.

Survival Outcomes of Neoadjuvant Therapy Followed by Sleeve Lobectomy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

This study was carried out to evaluate the impact of neoadjuvant therapy on long-term survival in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients undergoing sleeve lobectomy. A total of 613 patients were retrospectively analyzed, including 124 who received neoadjuvant therapy. A 1:2 Propensity score matching (PSM) method was adopted to create a balanced cohort including 110 with neoadjuvant therapy and 169 without neoadjuvant therapy. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the Log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards models. Neoadjuvant therapy was associated with improved 3-year DFS (73.6% vs. 54.4%, P<0.001) and OS (80.9% vs. 63.9%, P=0.002) compared to patients without neoadjuvant therapy. Moreover, neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy significantly improved 3-year DFS (85.3% vs. 54.4%, P=0.001) and OS (88.2% vs. 63.9%, P=0.006), whereas chemotherapy alone did not show a significant effect. Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that neoadjuvant therapy was an independent predictor of improved DFS and OS while pathological N2 stage was independently associated with poorer DFS and OS. Furthermore, subgroup analysis in the neoadjuvant arm revealed that pathological N2 stage was an independent risk factor for DFS (HR, 3.830; 95% CI, 1.687-8.694; P=0.001), and achieving major pathologic response (MPR) was an independent predictor for better OS (HR, 0.120; 95% CI, 0.015-0.933; P=0.043). Neoadjuvant therapy prior to sleeve lobectomy significantly increased DFS and OS in locally advanced NSCLC. Sleeve lobectomy is advisable followed by neoadjuvant therapy, especially with chemoimmunotherapy.

Factors behind favorable long-term lung cancer survival in Norway compared to Denmark: a retrospective cohort study

ABSTRACT Background Long-term survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is considerably higher in Norway compared to Denmark, even though diagnostic work-up, treatment, and follow-up are comparable. We aim to explore factors behind favorable long-term survival for lung cancer patients in Norway compared to Denmark. Method A retrospective cohort study of patients with NSCLC diagnosed between 2014 and 2016. From the Danish Lung Cancer Registry, 1000 patients were randomly selected, and 974 patients were included. From the Norwegian Vestfold Hospital Trust, 220 patients were randomly selected, and 218 were included. Data from medical records were obtained for all patients. The Danish and Norwegian cohorts were compared using the Pearson chi squared test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results The two cohorts were comparable in terms of age, sex, and smoking history. However, the Danish patients had a higher number of pack-years (43.5 vs 34.5 p < 0.001) and more comorbidities. The Norwegian patients had less advanced disease stage (p < 0.001), and a larger proportion was treated with curative intent (90 (41.3%) vs 343 (35.2%), p = 0.063). One-year survival was similar, but the 5-year survival was superior in the Norwegian cohort (58 (26.6%) vs 177 (18.2%), p = 0.005). In a multivariate logistic regression model, adjusted for sex, smoking history, performance status, TNM stage and comorbidity, the odds ratio of being a five-year survivor in Norway was 1.81 (95% CI: 1.11–2.94) compared to Denmark. Conclusions We found a higher proportion of Norwegian patients diagnosed at potential curable stage and fewer heavy smokers compared to Danish patients. This could contribute to the superior long-term survival found in Norwegian NSCLC patients.

Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer

Fear of cancer recurrence is common among survivors of adult-onset cancer and associated with increased distress, functional impairment, and health care utilization. However, little is known about the prevalence and risk factors of fear of cancer recurrence among adult survivors of childhood cancer who are also at high risk for subsequent malignant neoplasms. To characterize the prevalence of and risk factors for clinically significant fear of cancer recurrence in adult survivors of childhood cancer. This cross-sectional investigation included participants recruited from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, a retrospective cohort study of long-term childhood cancer survivors treated at 31 institutions between 1970 and 1999 across North America. Participants were recruited and completed psychosocial measures via online survey between October 2018 and April 2019. Cancer and treatment-related variables were abstracted from medical records. Data were analyzed from May 2023 to July 2024. Clinically significant fear of cancer recurrence was assessed via the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory-Short Form. Poisson regression models estimated prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95% CIs adjusted for age and sex to examine the associations of demographic, disease, treatment, and psychosocial variables with fear of cancer recurrence. The final sample included 229 adult survivors of childhood cancer (115 female [50.2%]; mean [SD] age, 39.6 [9.9] years; mean [SD] time since diagnosis, 31.7 [8.4] years). Among survivors, 38 (16.6%; 95% CI, 11.6%-21.6%) reported clinically significant fear of cancer recurrence, and an additional 36 (15.7%) reported high fear of cancer recurrence. Clinically significant fear of cancer recurrence was associated with unemployment (PR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.3-4.8), presence of neurologic chronic health conditions (PR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.8-6.1), treatment with pelvic radiation (PR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.5-5.6), and amputation or limb sparing surgery (PR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.2-4.9). Higher risk of clinically significant fear of cancer recurrence was also associated with having either elevated anxiety or depression (PR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.2-5.9), having both elevated (PR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.2-8.4), and perceived poor health status (PR, 3.0; 95% CI, 3.1-9.7). Decades following treatment, one-third of childhood cancer survivors in this study reported elevated fear their cancer will recur or a subsequent malignant neoplasm will develop. Findings suggest that fear of cancer recurrence should be routinely screened, and clinically significant symptoms intervened upon as a part of survivorship care.

SY12-2 Challenges for long-term survival in extended-stage small cell lung cancer

SY12-2 Challenges for long-term survival in extended-stage small cell lung cancer

Predictors and Interdependence of Quality of Life in a Random Sample of Long-Term Young Breast Cancer Survivors and Their Biological Relatives.

Quality of life (QOL) among young breast cancer survivors (YBCS) is often worse than QOL of older breast cancer survivors or age-matched peers without a history of cancer. Families commonly support YBCS, particularly during treatment, but little is known about long-term YBCS and family member QOL. The purpose of this study was to identify demographic, clinical, and psychosocial predictors of physical and mental QOL in YBCS and biological relatives and investigate associations between their QOL (i.e., QOL interdependence). This secondary data analysis includes a random sample of long-term YBCS (≤ 45 years old at diagnosis) and up to two female relatives at baseline (post-treatment) and 18-month follow-up. The sample consists of 189 dyads (YBCS and one relative) and 121 triads (YBCS and two relatives). Actor-partner interdependence models (APIMs) were used to estimate the influence of YBCS's and relatives' demographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors on their own QOL (actor effects) and the other persons' QOL (partner effects). For YBCS and relatives, QOL at the baseline was associated with their QOL at 18-months. YBCS's perceived cancer risk was associated with their own and relatives' QOL. Older relatives' physical QOL at baseline was associated with younger relatives' physical QOL at follow-up. Age, race, marital status, years since diagnosis, education, out-of-pocket costs of care, routine sources of care, income, family support, fear of recurrence, anxiety, and depression were also significant predictors of QOL. Findings revealed independent and interdependent effects on QOL. These predictors point to potential targets of support for families. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01612338.

EP.04A.11 Patients Reported Outcomes in Short- And Long-Term Lung Cancer Survivors Who Were Diagnosed via Chest Low-Dose CT Screening

EP.04A.11 Patients Reported Outcomes in Short- And Long-Term Lung Cancer Survivors Who Were Diagnosed via Chest Low-Dose CT Screening

Health-Related Quality of Life in Long-Term Colorectal Cancer Survivors

The aim of our study is to evaluate the relationship between sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of individuals with Colorectal Cancer (CRC), tumour-intrinsic characteristics and treatment received with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of data from 805 survivors from the MCC study was conducted. HRQoL was assessed through a general and specific questionnaire, SF-12 and FCSI (Colorectal Symptom Index). Statistical analyses were performed with linear regression with adjustment for sociodemographic variables, stage at diagnosis and histological grade. Results: Participants had survived a median of 7.9 years from diagnosis (IQR 7.1–8.5 years). Age at diagnosis, sex and area showed a clear association with HRQoL in both physical and mental dimensions of the SF-12 questionnaire. A direct association between CRC recurrence was also found in the PCS-12 and MCS-12 dimensions and radical surgery in the PCS-12. Regarding the scores in FCSI questionnaire, statistically significant differences were observed by sex, age and area, with older women being the most impaired (p &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: Age, sex and area was associated with lower scores of HRQoL among CRC survivors. Knowing the determinants related to HRQoL would allow us to lay the groundwork to develop strategies that help reduce morbidity and mortality, relapses and increase HRQoL.

Therapy-related myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia

Progress always comes at a price: the field of oncology has seen unprecedented progress in treatment options recently for many solid and hematologic cancers. Unfortunately, these long-term survivors of prior cancer and cytotoxic therapy exposure are at higher risk of therapy-related myelodysplastic syndromes/acute myeloid leukemia (t-MDS/AML.) T-MDS/AML is a myeloid malignancy which occur after exposure to chemotherapy or radiation therapy for unrelated malignancy. T-MDS/AML is associated with adverse cytogenomic features and poor prognosis. While advances in the field of clonal hematopoiesis and germline variants has unraveled the molecular underpinnings of t-MDS/AML, we have miles to go in terms of t-MDS/AML directed therapy and improvement in outcomes. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology of t-MDS/AML, clinical and biological insights, evolution of t-MDS/AML and available treatment options.

Development of a Health Insurance Navigation Program for Long-Term Childhood Cancer Survivors.

Adapting interventions to new contexts requires consideration of the needs, norms, and delivery structures of the new setting. We describe how we followed the ORBIT model of intervention development to create Health Insurance Navigation Tools (HINT), a health insurance patient navigation intervention for childhood cancer survivors. By engaging stakeholders and leveraging institutional resources, we identified and preemptively addressed real-world barriers, which may improve the feasibility and efficacy of the intervention. Using evidence-based implementation science models to adapt and refine interventions enhances rigor and reproducibility, implements checks and balances, and surmounts challenges of intervention rollout to accelerate the delivery of health insurance education to childhood cancer survivors.

Sex disparity, prediagnosis lifestyle factors, and long-term survival of gastric cancer: a multi-center cohort study from China

BackgroundThis multi-center cohort study aimed to investigate whether sex and prediagnosis lifestyle affect the prognosis of gastric cancer.MethodsPatients with gastric cancer were from four gastric cancer cohorts of the National Cancer Center of China, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, and Gansu Provincial Cancer Hospital. Prediagnosis lifestyle factors in our study included body mass index (BMI) at diagnosis, usual BMI, weight loss, the history of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection, and the status of smoking and drinking.ResultsFour gastric cancer cohorts with 29,779 gastric cancer patients were included. In total patients, female patients had a better prognosis than male patients (HR = 0.938, 95%CI: 0.881–0.999, P = 0.046). For prediagnosis lifestyle factors, BMI at diagnosis, usual BMI and the amount of smoking were statistically associated with the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. Female patients with smoking history had a poorer survival than non-smoking females (HR = 0.782, 95%CI: 0.616–0.993, P = 0.044). Tobacco consumption > 40 cigarettes per day (HR = 1.182, 95%CI: 1.035–1.350, P = 0.013) was independent adverse prognostic factors in male patients. Obesity paradox was observed only in male patients (BMI < 18.5, HR = 1.145, 95%CI: 1.019–1.286, P = 0.023; BMI: 23–27.4, HR = 0.875, 95%CI: 0.824–0.930, P < 0.001; BMI ≥ 27.5, HR = 0.807, 95%CI: 0.735–0.886, P < 0.001).ConclusionsSex and some prediagnosis lifestyle factors, including BMI at diagnosis, usual BMI and the amount of smoking, were associated with the prognosis of gastric cancer.

Social relationships and their impact on health-related quality of life in a long-term breast cancer survivor cohort.

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has become increasingly important for breast cancer survivors, but clinically relevant declines often persist for many years after treatment. This study aimed to investigate whether social relationships can mitigate or prevent this decline in HRQOL. Data were used from the German population-based Mamma Carcinoma Risk Factor Investigation (MARIE) cohort of 2022 breast cancer cases with follow-up information for more than 15 years after diagnosis. Correlations between social integration, social support, and global health status (GHS) as an overall measure of HRQOL were analyzed, and linear regression analysis was performed with structural equation modeling. The majority of participants reported high levels of social integration and social support and moderate levels of GHS. Social integration 5 years after diagnosis was associated with GHS 5 years after diagnosis (β=1.12; 95% CI,0.25-1.99), but no longitudinal effects were found. Social support 5 years after diagnosis was associated with better GHS 5 years (β=0.42; 95% CI,0.36-0.48) and 10 years after diagnosis (β=0.12; 95% CI,0.02-0.22), whereas social support 10 years after diagnosis was associated with GHS 10 years (β=0.29; 95% CI,0.20-0.39) and 15 years after diagnosis (β=0.10; 95% CI,0.01-0.21). These results confirm that social relationships positively influence HRQOL in long-term breast cancer survivors and that their association should receive more attention clinically and beyond routine care.

Experienced financial toxicity among long-term cancer survivors: results from a national cross-sectional survey.

Financial toxicity, the subjective distress caused by objective financial burden, significantly impacts cancer survivors. Yet, enduring effects on survivors remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated the experienced objective financial burden and subjective financial distress in long-term cancer survivors. A cross-sectional nationwide online survey of adult cancer survivors ≥ 5y after diagnosis were analyzed. Objective financial burden was measured via extra expenses and income loss, while subjective financial distress covered psychological well-being, coping and support-seeking behavior, and financial concerns. Groups were compared (i.e., having cancer vs. former patients) by t-tests and chi-squared tests. Financial toxicity was visualized with Sankey plots and sunburst diagrams. 4,675 respondents completed the survey, of whom 2,391 (51%) were ≥ 5y after their cancer diagnosis. Among them, 75% experienced income loss and/or extra expenses after diagnosis. One-third of the previously employed respondents relied on work disability benefits. Further, 'being unable to make ends meet' increased from 2% before diagnosis to 13% ≥ 5y after diagnosis (p < .001). Additionally, 58% reported negative psychological impacts of financial toxicity, and 47% worried about their financial future. Cancer survivors often face income loss and additional expenses, leading to ongoing financial difficulties that affect their psychological well-being. Despite this significant impact, there is a lack of guidance and support to help them manage these financial challenges. These findings highlight the need for healthcare professionals to recognize and address the financial challenges. This study underscores the widespread financial challenges cancer survivors encounter, emphasizing the need for ongoing financial support and comprehensive assessments of their physical and psychological well-being.

Long-term Survival in Esophageal Cancer: Comparison of Minimally Invasive and Open Esophagectomy

BackgroundThoracoscopic esophagectomy is a less invasive surgical procedure; however, evidence of its effect on long-term survival is limited. We evaluated long-term survival after the procedure in patients with esophageal carcinoma. MethodsThis retrospective multicenter study involved 1559 consecutive patients with esophageal carcinoma who underwent thoracoscopic esophagectomy or open esophagectomy between 2012 and 2019 at 2 Japanese high-volume cancer centers. Propensity score matching analysis was performed to compare short- and long-term outcomes. In addition, stage-specific survival rates were compared between the groups. ResultsThere were 313 patients who were matched and analyzed. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 84.5%, 60.5%, and 52.1%, respectively, in the matched open esophagectomy group; and 87.2%, 68.6%, and 61.8%, respectively, in the matched thoracoscopic esophagectomy group. The weighted Cox regression model showed significantly better survival in the thoracoscopic esophagectomy group than in the open esophagectomy group (hazard ratio, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.582-0.941). Deaths from other causes occurred more frequently in the open esophagectomy group than in the thoracoscopic esophagectomy group. Stratified analysis showed no significant survival differences between clinical stage I or II and pathologic stage 0 or I subgroups. However, the thoracoscopic esophagectomy groups with clinical stage III or IV and pathologic stage II, III, or IV had significantly better overall survival. ConclusionsThis study demonstrated the survival benefits of thoracoscopic esophagectomy, particularly for highly advanced esophageal carcinoma.

Characteristics and patient-reported outcomes of long-term cancer survivors after apatinib-based therapy: an online survey

BackgroundData on long-term cancer survivors treated with apatinib are lacking. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of long-term cancer survivors after apatinib-based therapy, and to know about their satisfaction degree with apatinib and severity of depression and insomnia.MethodsPatients with solid tumors who had received apatinib-based therapy for at least 5 years were invited to complete an online questionnaire. Characteristics of patients and treatment, knowledge of apatinib, satisfaction degree, and severity of depression and insomnia assessed by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Insomnia Severity Index were collected.ResultsBetween December 8, 2023 and March 1, 2024, a total of 436 patients completed the online questionnaire. Most patients were satisfied with the efficacy (96.6%) and safety (93.1%) of apatinib, were willing to continue apatinib treatment (99.5%), and would recommend apatinib to other patients (93.3%). Continuous apatinib treatment resulted in significant negative impact on daily life, work, or study in only two (0.5%) patients. Almost all patients currently had no or mild depression (97.0%) and insomnia (97.9%) problems. The most common patient-reported adverse events were hand-foot syndrome (21.3%) and hypertension (18.3%).ConclusionsOur survey showed a high satisfaction degree with apatinib in long-term cancer survivors. Long-term apatinib treatment resulted in almost no negative impact on patient’s quality of life.

Recommendations on the surveillance and supplementation of vitamins and minerals for upper gastrointestinal cancer survivors: a scoping review.

Early-stage upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer patients, after surgery, have altered gastrointestinal functions, compromising their nutritional status and health outcomes. Nutritional care provision to UGI survivors rarely focuses on long-term survivorship. Here, we explore recommendations for surveillance of micronutrient deficiency and supplementation for UGI cancer survivors after surgery. A scoping review, based on the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. Six databases (Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane, Scopus, and PsycINFO) and 21 cancer-related organisation websites were searched. Publications between 2010 and March 2024 with recommendations aimed at adult UGI cancer (oesophageal, gastric, pancreatic, small bowel, and biliary tract) survivors were included. Twenty-six publications met the selection criteria: 11 reviews (8 narrative reviews, 2 systematic, 1 meta-analysis), 7 expert opinions, 6 guidelines, and 2 consensus papers. Twenty-two publications recommended monitoring of micronutrient deficiencies, and 23 suggested supplementation, with 8 lacking details. Most were targeted at patients with gastric cancer (n = 19), followed by pancreatic cancer (n = 7) and oesophageal cancer (n = 3) with none for biliary tract and small bowel cancers. Vitamin B12 and iron were the most consistently recommended micronutrients across the three tumour groups. Limited publications recommend surveillance of micronutrient status in UGI cancer survivors during the survivorship phase, especially for oesophageal and pancreatic cancer survivors; most were narrative reviews. These recommendations lacked details, and information was inconsistent. Long-term UGI cancer survivors are at risk of micronutrient deficiency after surgery. A standardised approach to prevent, monitor, and treat micronutrient deficiencies is needed.