Mexico Tumor Registry Research Articles

Determinants of cancer therapy in elderly patients.

Older patients with cancer are less likely to receive definitive therapy, but the reasons for this are unclear. All people aged 65 years or older living in six counties in New Mexico and diagnosed with breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer between May 15, 1984 and May 15, 1986 (N = 669) were interviewed to obtain information on demographics, socioeconomic status, functional status, social support, other medical conditions, and cognitive status. Cancer treatment information was obtained from the New Mexico Tumor Registry. In univariate analyses, the following variables were associated significantly with nonreceipt of definitive therapy for cancer: advanced age, impairment in activities of daily living, low physical activity, decreased mental status, impaired access to transportation, and poor social support. In a multivariate analysis with the above variables along with measures of comorbidity, only advanced age and decreased mental status remained significant predictors of nonreceipt of definitive surgery, whereas the effects of impaired access to transportation and low physical activity remained relatively large but no longer were statistically significant. When receipt of surgery and receipt of radiation therapy were considered separately, older age, limited access to transportation, impaired functional status, and impaired mental status all significantly predicted nonreceipt of radiation therapy, but not surgery. There is a decline with age in the percentage of adults with cancer who received definitive therapy independent of other potentially explanatory factors such as comorbidity. In addition, decisions about radiation may be influenced by nonmedical, potentially correctable factors such as impaired access to transportation.

HLA DR-DQ disease associations in hispanic cervical carcinoma: [formula omitted]1, C Wheeler 2, T Becker 2, W Klitz 3, H Erlich 1, 1Department of Human Genetics, Roche Molecular Systems, Alameda, CA; 2UNM Cancer Center, New Mexico Tumor Registry, Albuquerque, NM; 3Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA

HLA DR-DQ disease associations in hispanic cervical carcinoma: [formula omitted]1, C Wheeler 2, T Becker 2, W Klitz 3, H Erlich 1, 1Department of Human Genetics, Roche Molecular Systems, Alameda, CA; 2UNM Cancer Center, New Mexico Tumor Registry, Albuquerque, NM; 3Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA

Lung cancer mortality and exposure to radon progeny in a cohort of New Mexico underground uranium miners : Samet JM, Pathak DR, Morgan MV, Key CR, Valdivia AA, Lubin JH. Department of Medicine and New Mexico Tumor Registry, Cancer Center, University of New Mexico Medical Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131. Health Phys. 1991;61:745–52

Lung cancer mortality and exposure to radon progeny in a cohort of New Mexico underground uranium miners : Samet JM, Pathak DR, Morgan MV, Key CR, Valdivia AA, Lubin JH. Department of Medicine and New Mexico Tumor Registry, Cancer Center, University of New Mexico Medical Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131. Health Phys. 1991;61:745–52

Low incidence of familial breast cancer among Hispanic women

There is a paucity of data on familial patterns of breast cancer among minority populations. This study compared the frequency of cancer in 1,095 first-degree relatives of 50 White, 46 Black, and 49 Hispanic breast-cancer patients referred to The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (United States). Family histories of cancer were derived from a self-administered questionnaire on risk factors. Expected numbers of cancers were calculated from the Connecticut Tumor Registry for White and Black relatives and from the New Mexico Tumor Registry for Hispanic relatives. Family history of a first-degree relative with breast cancer was the most important risk factor for both Black and White patients. Significantly elevated standardized incidence ratios (SIR) for breast cancer were noted among White (SIR = 4.5, 95 percent confidence interval [CI] = 1.2-11.4) and Black (SIR = 4.1, CI = 1.1-10.4) relatives younger than age 45. Despite the small number of Black patients, the combined effect of family history of breast cancer and the relative's age at diagnosis (under 45 years) was associated with an SIR of 7.1 (CI = 1.9-18.1). A deficit of cancer was noted in Hispanic women; only one patient reported having a first-degree relative with breast cancer. These findings, although based on small numbers, suggest that Hispanics have a lower rate of familial breast cancer than Whites and Blacks, and that they may possess protective factors that reduce their risk for breast cancer.

Aggressive angiomyxoma of the female pelvis and perineum: Review of the literature

Aggressive angiomyxoma is an uncommon neoplasm which predominantly involves the pelvis and perineum of young White females. Misdiagnosis is common. Treatment typically involves surgery, and in spite of apparently complete resection, recurrences are common. Local spread into the adjacent fascia and musculature is frequently reported, and rarely, extension into intestine and bladder. The first reported case of pubic bone involvement, including its histology, radiologic features, and operative management, is discussed. Including this patient, 26 women with this tumor have been reported in the literature and are reviewed, along with 2 previously reported cases from the University of New Mexico Tumor Registry.

Incidence of Hairy Cell Leukemia, Mycosis Fungoides, and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia in First Known HTLV-II-Endemic Population

Unlike human T cell leukemia-lymphoma virus type I (HTLV-I), HTLV-II has not been convincingly linked to a malignancy. In the first 10 months of serologic screening for HTLV-I/II among blood donors in New Mexico in 1988-1989, HTLV-I/II infection was found in 27 donors. HTLV-I/II infection was present in 1.0%-1.6% of American Indian and 0.16%-0.27% of Hispanic donors compared with 0.009%-0.06% of non-Hispanic white donors. HTLV-II was identified by DNA amplification in 12 of 13 samples from Indian and Hispanic seropositive donors. Despite apparent endemic HTLV-II infection in these populations, New Mexico Tumor Registry data showed that the incidences of hairy cell leukemia, mycosis fungoides, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia were comparable among the three ethnic groups. A population with endemic HTLV-II infection has been identified, and there is no evidence of increased risk for these three malignancies in the endemic groups.

Radon and lung cancer : Samet JM. University of New Mexico, New Mexico Tumor Registry, Albuquerque, NM 87131 J Natl Cancer Inst 1989;81:745-57

Radon and lung cancer : Samet JM. University of New Mexico, New Mexico Tumor Registry, Albuquerque, NM 87131 J Natl Cancer Inst 1989;81:745-57

Survival after cancer surgery of elderly patients in New Mexico, 1969-1982.

To examine the effects of advancing age, sex, and ethnicity on estimated 30-day survival after surgery for cancer, we reviewed population-based data on 16,130 cancer cases collected by the New Mexico Tumor Registry from 1969-1982. For surgery at most sites, mortality increased with increasing age. The highest mortality was observed for sites requiring laparotomy or thoracotomy. Sex and ethnicity (Hispanic versus non-Hispanic white) had little effect on short-term survival. Comparison of short-term survival for two time periods, 1969-1975 and 1976-1982, showed a strong trend of improving survival for many sites.

Mortality from lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in New Mexico, 1958-82 : Samet JM, Wiggins CL, Key CR, Becker TM. New Mexico Tumor Registry, Cancer Center, University of New Mexico, School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131. Am J Public Health 1988;78: 1182-6

Mortality from lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in New Mexico, 1958-82 : Samet JM, Wiggins CL, Key CR, Becker TM. New Mexico Tumor Registry, Cancer Center, University of New Mexico, School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131. Am J Public Health 1988;78: 1182-6

Changing Treatment of Breast Cancer in New Mexico From 1969 Through 1985

A review of information from the New Mexico Tumor Registry on women diagnosed as having primary breast cancer from 1969 through 1985 revealed temporal changes in the surgical treatment of this disease. After 1980 the percentage of women receiving breast-conserving surgery for local-stage disease increased from 6% to 25%. Most surgeons performing operations for breast cancer had not performed a breast-conserving operation before 1981 but had used this procedure at least once in the period from 1981 through 1985. Women younger than 50 years or older than 80 years were most likely to undergo this procedure. In that period, radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery could not be documented for 26% of the women 65 years old or younger or for 56% of the women aged 65 years or older. Thus, there has been a marked shift in New Mexico in the surgical approach to local-stage breast cancer in the 1980s. This shift involved most surgeons treating the disease and included women of all age groups. The apparent lack of adjuvant radiotherapy in some women receiving conservative surgeries may prove to be a deleterious consequence of this change in surgical management.

Changing treatment of breast cancer in New Mexico from 1969 through 1985

A review of information from the New Mexico Tumor Registry on women diagnosed as having primary breast cancer from 1969 through 1985 revealed temporal changes in the surgical treatment of this disease. After 1980 the percentage of women receiving breast-conserving surgery for local-stage disease increased from 6% to 25%. Most surgeons performing operations for breast cancer had not performed a breast-conserving operation before 1981 but had used this procedure at least once in the period from 1981 through 1985. Women younger than 50 years or older than 80 years were most likely to undergo this procedure. In that period, radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery could not be documented for 26% of the women 65 years old or younger or for 56% of the women aged 65 years or older. Thus, there has been a marked shift in New Mexico in the surgical approach to local-stage breast cancer in the 1980s. This shift involved most surgeons treating the disease and included women of all age groups. The apparent lack of adjuvant radiotherapy in some women receiving conservative surgeries may prove to be a deleterious consequence of this change in surgical management. (<i>JAMA</i>1988;259:3413-3417)

Melanoma Within a Southwestern Hispanic Population

The New Mexico Melanoma Registry and New Mexico Tumor Registry identified 81 cases of melanoma involving the skin and mucous membranes of Hispanics. The clinical and pathologic characteristics of these tumors were compared with those observed in whites. The frequency of melanoma in Hispanics appears to be no more than a sixth of that observed in whites. Female patients were more prevalent within the Hispanic population. The median patient age at diagnosis was similar in Hispanics and whites. A much larger proportion of melanomas in Hispanics occurred on the palms, soles, and in subungual regions. Acral lentiginous melanomas were correspondingly more frequent among Hispanics, as was mucous membrane melanoma. Melanomas arising from the palms, soles, subungual regions, and mucous membranes tended to be advanced in stage, to occur in older individuals, and to metastasize. These cases explain the generally poorer prognosis for Hispanic patients compared with whites. The epidemiology of melanoma relevant to these findings is discussed.

The New Mexico Melanoma Registry. A model of a statewide cooperative program.

The prevalence of cutaneous melanoma is high among Anglo residents of New Mexico. In order to achieve consistency in diagnosis and pathologic staging, a melanoma registry was established in 1980 in conjunction with the University of New Mexico Cancer Center. The registry functions through pathology panel review of newly diagnosed melanomas combined with collection of clinical data. Reports are submitted gratis to contributing pathologists and dermatologists. The melanoma registry works closely with the population-based New Mexico Tumor Registry. Acceptance of the melanoma registry has been excellent. We believe that in excess of 90% of new melanoma cases in the state are sent spontaneously to the registry. During 1986 approximately 150 melanomas were reviewed together with 450 atypical, benign pigmented lesions such as dysplastic nevi. In addition to pathology consultations, the registry serves an educational function and has potential for a variety of epidemiologic studies.

Choice of Cancer Therapy Varies With Age of Patient

We used data on 22,899 cancer cases collected by the New Mexico Tumor Registry to examine the relationship between patient age and the use of potentially curative therapy for cancers of selected sites and acute leukemias. For cancers of most sites, either local or regional stage, the proportion of cases receiving potentially curative therapy declined with age. For local-stage cancers, the proportion not given any treatment increased with age. Overall mortality rates during the first year after diagnosis were much higher for local-stage cases without treatment than for those who received treatment. These data show that cancer therapy varies with age and suggest that decision making regarding therapy is influenced by the presence of other diseases.

Childhood Cancer Epidemiology in New Mexico's American Indians, Hispanic Whites, and Non-Hispanic Whites, 1970–82&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;

The statewide population-based New Mexico Tumor Registry identified 473 malignant tumors among children of ages 0-14 years, during the period 1970-82. There were 235 non-Hispanic whites (50%), 189 Hispanic whites (40%), 38 American Indians (8%), and 11 other nonwhites (2%). The average annual age-adjusted incidence rates per million for non-Hispanic whites were 138.6 for males and 108.3 for females; for Hispanic whites, the rates were 108.5 for males and 80.9 for females; for American Indians, the rates were 75.5 for males and 78.0 for females. The incidence rates for all sites of cancer combined were lower for Hispanics and American Indians than for New Mexico's non-Hispanic whites and U.S. whites. Leukemia was the most common cancer in all racial-ethnic groups. In comparison with U.S. whites, American Indians were at low risk for leukemias, lymphomas, central nervous system (CNS), sympathetic nervous system (SNS), and kidney tumors and were at high risk for retinoblastoma, bone, and sex organ tumors. Hispanics were at low risk for CNS, SNS, kidney, sex organ, and liver tumors. Hispanic and non-Hispanic white males both were at increased risk for melanoma.

Uranium mining and lung cancer in Navajo men.

We performed a population-based case-control study to examine the association between uranium mining and lung cancer in Navajo men, a predominantly nonsmoking population. The 32 cases included all those occurring among Navajo men between 1969 and 1982, as ascertained by the New Mexico Tumor Registry. For each case in a Navajo man, two controls with nonrespiratory cancer were selected. Of the 32 Navajo patients, 72 per cent had been employed as uranium miners, whereas no controls had documented experience in this industry. The lower 95 per cent confidence limit for the relative risk of lung cancer associated with uranium mining was 14.4. Information on cigarette smoking was available for 21 of the 23 affected uranium miners; eight were nonsmokers and median consumption by the remainder was one to three cigarettes daily. These results demonstrate that in a rural nonsmoking population most of the lung cancer may be attributable to one hazardous occupation.

Malignant melanoma of the skin in New Mexico 1969-1977.

We assessed the occurrence of malignant melanoma of the skin in New Mexico from 1969-1977. Incidence data, collected by the New Mexico Tumor Registry, were supplemented with mortality data supplied by the State Bureau of Vital Statistics. These data were analyzed for variation by site, sex, and ethnic group. Malignant melanoma occurrence varied with ethnicity. Incidence rates for non-Hispanic whites (Anglos) exceeded comparison US rates, and were approximately six times higher than for other ethnic groups. Annual incidence rates for Hispanics, American Indians, and blacks of both sexes ranged from 0.0-1.8 cases per 100,000. As anticipated from other studies, the lower extremities were the most common site in Anglo women, and the trunk was the most common site in Anglo men. In contrast, the trunk was the most common site for both Hispanic men and women. A statistically significant trend of increasing incidence was demonstrated only for the Anglo women. Mortality rates varied widely during the study period and did not correlate with incidence rates.

Histologic Comparison of Mammary Carcinomas among a Population of Southwestern American Indian, Spanish American, and Anglo Women

Primary carcinomas of the breast were studied in age-matched populations of Southwestern American Indian, Spanish American, and Anglo women from an area served by the New Mexico Tumor Registry. Histologic tumor type, nuclear grade, and stromal inflammatory response were compared among these three groups. Indian women presented with less favorable tumor stage at diagnosis. Histologic tumor types were similar with the the exception that lobular carcinoma was less frequent among Indian and Spanish American than among Anglo women. Carcinomas from Indian patients showed less differentiated nuclei than those from the other groups.

Multiple primary cancers: relative risk in New Mexico's triethnic population.

A review of the population-based New Mexico Tumor Registry data identified 446 patients with nonsimultaneous multiple primary cancers, excluding non-melanoma skin cancers and carcinomas in situ of the uterine cervix. Expected numbers of cases were established by observing the person-years of exposure to the risk of developing a second or subsequent primary cancer and then applying the appropriate locally determined age-, sex-, ethnic-, and site-specific cancer incidence rates. The relative risk (observed/expected) of developing a second primary cancer was elevated for "Anglo" and Spanish American cancer patients in comparison with the risk of developing a first primary cancer in persons who have never had one. Only six cases of nonsimultaneous multiple primary cancer were observed (6.39 expected) in the region's American Indian population. There were differences in site-site associations among the three ethnic groups, but in many categories there were too few cases for analysis.

Carcinoma of the gallbladder in a population of Southwestern American Indians.

The clinical and pathological characteristics of gallbladder carcinoma were studied in a group of 56 Southwestern American Indian patients. This is the third most common malignant tumor among American Indian females in a population served by the New Mexico Tumor Registry accounting for 8.5% of specific cancer diagnoses by site. Carcinoma of the gallbladder is relatively more common within the Indian population than among Spanish Americans or Anglos living in this area. This is true for both sexes. No significant differences in average age at diagnosis, ratio of female to male patients, signs and symptoms, stage at diagnosis or survival were detected in comparison with studies pertaining to gallbladder carcinoma in non-Indian populations. A squamous cell carcinoma component was unusually common however, and carcinoma in situ or atypical adenomatous hyperplasia of the mucosa was frequently documented adjacent to invasive carcinoma. Although gall stones were present in tumor containing gallbladders in 93% of cases, elective cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis is probably not a practical means of prevention of this tumor in view of the unusual frequency of cholelithiasis in Indian women. Pharmacological conversion of bile to a non-lithogenic form may deserve consideration as prophylaxis against both cholelithiasis and carcinoma of the gallbladder in this population.