Regional Population-based Cancer Registries Research Articles

Abstract PS04-01: Clinical impact of timing of systemic therapy in patients with early triple negative breast cancer

Abstract Introduction TNBC is known for its aggressive nature, with early recurrence and limited treatment options beyond chemotherapy and recently immunotherapy. We aim to clarify, whether timing of systemic therapy has an impact on survival in patients with early TNBC. Methods Data from a large population-based regional cancer registry covering over 2.2 million people was used for evaluation, including women with diagnoses of TNBC between 2010 and 2018. Patients were categorized into subgroups according to the interval from TNBC pathologic diagnosis to the date of first administration of NACT (TTNC) or according to the interval from primary surgery to the date of first administration of adjuvant chemotherapy (TTAC). Univariable analyses of survival rates were conducted using the Kaplan-Meier method, the log-rank test was used for group comparisons. IBM SPSS Statistic 25 was used to perform statistical analysis, with hazard ratios, p-values, and 95% confidence intervals calculated for each model. All tests were two-sided, and significance was set at p < .05. Results We identified 37 382 patients with malignant neoplasms of the mammary gland. The final study cohort included 732 patients with early TNBC, of whom 43.6% were treated with NACT and 40.3% with adjuvant chemotherapy. Timing of NACT 270 patients with TNBC treated with NACT had a valid TTNC. Median follow up was 3.5 years. Patients with TTNC ≤14, ≤42, >42, and >56 days had estimated mean OS of 8.4, 6.9, 4.6, and 3.3 years, respectively. Patients with a TTNC ≤14 days were more likely to survive than patients with a TTNC ≥ 56 days (p= 0.054). Significance was barely not reached in the group of NACT. Timing of adjuvant chemotherapy 245 patients with TNBC treated with adjuvant chemotherapy had a valid TTAC. Treatment given within 22-28 days led to the best outcome with a mean OS of 10.2 years, while later treatment (29-35, 36-42 days, or >6 weeks) had significant reduced mean OS of 8.3, 7.8, and 6.9 years. Patients who received therapy within 22-28 days had significantly better survival than those who received therapy between 29-35 days (p=0.043) or after more than 43 days (p=0.033). Conclusion Although significance was barely not reached in the subgroup of patients treated with NACT, the results in this large population-based study indicate that there are critical time intervals for initiation of systemic therapy in patients with early TNBC, with reduced OS if NACT is applied later than 42 days after diagnosis or if adjuvant chemotherapy is applied later than 42 days after surgery. We recommend not to exceed the 6-week interval until the initiation of systemic therapy in patients with early TNBC. Citation Format: Maria Eleni Hatzipanagiotou, Miriam Pigerl, Michael Gerken, Sophie Räpple, Verena Zeltner, Madeleine Hetterich, Elisabeth C. Inwald, Monika Klinkhammer-Schalke, Olaf Ortmann, Stephan Seitz. Clinical impact of timing of systemic therapy in patients with early triple negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PS04-01.

Time trend analysis of rare cancer incidence 2011-2018: Nationwide population-based cancer registries in Japan.

Rare cancers collectively account for a significant proportion of the overall cancer burden in Japan. We aimed to describe and examine the incidence of each rare cancer and the temporal changes using the internationally agreed rare cancer classification. Cancer cases registered in regional population-based cancer registries from 2011 to 2015 and the National Cancer Registry (NCR) from 2016 to 2018 were classified into 18 families, 68 Tier-1 cancer groupings, and 216 single cancer entities based on the RARECAREnet list. Crude incidence rates and age-standardized incidence rates (ASR) were calculated for Tier-1 and Tier-2 cancers. The annual percent change and the 95% and 99% confidence limits for annual ASR for each of the 68 Tier-1 cancers were estimated using the log-linear regression of the weighted least squares method. The differences in ASRs between 2011 and 2018 were evaluated as an absolute change. A total of 5,640,879 cases were classified into Tier-1 and Tier-2 cancers. The ASRs of 18 out of 52 Tier-1 cancers in the rare cancer families increased, whereas the ASR for epithelial tumors of gallbladder decreased. The ASRs of 6 out of the 16 Tier-1 cancers in the common cancer families increased, whereas those of epithelial tumors of stomach and liver decreased. There was no significant change in the incidence of the other 40 Tier-1 cancers. The incidence of several cancers increased due to the dissemination of diagnostic concepts, improved diagnostic techniques, changes in coding practice, and the initiation of the NCR.

Dietary melatonin and liver cancer incidence in Japan: From the Takayama study.

There is some biological plausibility that exogenous melatonin plays a role in preventing liver carcinogenesis. There has been little research on the association between melatonin intake in a normal diet and health outcomes. We evaluated the association between dietary melatonin intake and the incidence of liver cancer in a population-based prospective study in Japan. This study included 30,824 residents of Takayama city who were 35 years of age or older in 1992 and had participated in the Takayama study, Japan. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire at the baseline. Melatonin content in foods was measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Cancer incidence was confirmed through regional population-based cancer registries in Gifu. Liver cancer was defined as code C22 according to the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision. Hazard ratios for liver cancer were estimated for the tertile groups of melatonin intake using a Cox proportional hazards model. During the mean follow-up period of 13.6 years, 189 individuals developed liver cancer. Compared with subjects in the lowest tertile of melatonin intake, those in the middle and highest tertiles had decreased risks of liver cancer, with a significant linear trend after multivariate adjustments (hazard ratios: 0.64 and 0.65, respectively, trend p = 0.023). There was no significant interaction by sex (interaction p = 0.54). This initial finding, which needs to be confirmed by further studies, suggests that consuming melatonin-containing foods might play a role in the prevention of liver cancer.

Predicting cancer incidence in regions without population-based cancer registries using mortality

Abstract Cancer incidence numbers are routinely recorded by national or regional population-based cancer registries (PBCRs). However, in most southern European countries, the local PBCRs cover only a fraction of the country. Therefore, national cancer incidence can be only obtained through estimation methods. In this paper, we predict incidence rates in areas without cancer registry using multivariate spatial models modelling jointly cancer incidence and mortality. To evaluate the proposal, we use cancer incidence and mortality data from all the German states. We also conduct a simulation study by mimicking the real case of Spain considering different scenarios depending on the similarity of spatial patterns between incidence and mortality, the levels of lethality, and varying the amount of incidence data available. The new proposal provides good interval estimates in regions without PBCRs and reduces the relative error in estimating national incidence compared to one of the most widely used methodologies.

Post-diagnostic statin use and breast cancer-specific mortality: a population-based cohort study

PurposeStatins are the most widely prescribed cholesterol lowering medications and have been associated with both improved and unchanged breast cancer outcomes in previous studies. This study examines the association between the post-diagnostic use of statins and breast cancer outcomes (death and recurrence) in a large, representative sample of New Zealand (NZ) women with breast cancer.MethodsWomen diagnosed with a first primary breast cancer between 2007 and 2016 were identified from four population-based regional NZ breast cancer registries and linked to national pharmaceutical data, hospital discharges, and death records. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard of breast cancer-specific death (BCD) associated with any post-diagnostic statin use.ResultsOf the 14,976 women included in analyses, 27% used a statin after diagnosis and the median follow up time was 4.51 years. Statin use (vs non-use) was associated with a statistically significant decreased risk of BCD (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.74; 0.63–0.86). The association was attenuated when considering a subgroup of ‘new’ statin users (HR: 0.91; 0.69–1.19), however other analyses revealed that the protective effect of statins was more pronounced in estrogen receptor positive patients (HR: 0.77; 0.63–0.94), postmenopausal women (HR: 0.74; 0.63–0.88), and in women with advanced stage disease (HR: 0.65; 0.49–0.84).ConclusionIn this study, statin use was associated with a statistically significant decreased risk of breast cancer death, with subgroup analyses revealing a more protective effect in ER+ patients, postmenopausal women, and in women with advanced stage disease. Further research is warranted to determine if these associations are replicated in other clinical settings.

Volume–Outcome Relationship in Cancer Survival Rates: Analysis of a Regional Population-Based Cancer Registry in Japan

There is limited data on the relationship between hospital volumes and outcomes with respect to cancer survival in Japan. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of hospital volume on cancer survival rate using a population-based cohort database. Using the Kanagawa cancer registry, propensity score matching was employed to create a dataset for each cancer type by selecting 1:1 matches for cases from high- and other-volume hospitals. The 5-year survival rate was estimated and the hazard ratio (HR) for hospital volume was calculated using a Cox proportional hazard model. Additional analyses were performed limited to cancer patients who underwent surgical operation, chemotherapy, and other treatments in each tumor stage and at the time of diagnosis. The number of cases with complete data, defined as common cancers (prostate, kidney, bladder, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, colon, breast, and lung), was 181,039. Adjusted HR differed significantly among hospital volume categories for the most common cancers except bladder, and the trends varied according to cancer type. The HR ranged from 0.76 (95%CI, 0.74-0.79) for stomach cancer to 0.85 (0.81-0.90) for colon cancer. This study revealed that a relationship may exist between hospital volume and cancer survival in Japan.

Impact of tumour characteristics and cancer treatment on cerebrovascular mortality after glioma diagnosis: Evidence from a population-based cancer registry.

We aimed to examine brain tumour grade, a marker of biological aggressiveness, tumour size and cancer treatment are associated with cerebrovascular mortality among patients with malignant glioma, the most common and aggressive type of brain tumour. We conducted a retrospective, observational cohort study using the US National Cancer Institute's state and regional population-based cancer registries. We identified adult patients with glioma in 2000 to 2018 (N=72,916). The primary outcome was death from cerebrovascular disease. Cox regression modelling was used to estimate the associations with cerebrovascular mortality of tumour grade, tumour size and treatment (surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy), calculating hazard ratios (HR) adjusted for these factors as well as for age, sex, race, marital status and calendar year. Higher grade (Grade IV vs Grade II: HR=2.47, 95% CI=1.69-3.61, p<0.001) and larger brain tumours (size 3 to <6 cm: HR=1.40, 95% CI=1.03 -1.89, p<0.05; size ≥ 6 cm: HR=1.47, 95% CI=1.02-2.13, p<0.05 compared to size < 3cm) were associated with increased cerebrovascular mortality. Cancer treatment was associated with decreased risk (surgery: HR= 0.60, p<0.001; chemotherapy: HR=0.42, p<0.001; radiation: HR= 0.69, p<0.05). However, among patents surviving five years or more from cancer diagnosis radiotherapy was associated with higher risk of cerebrovascular mortality (HR 2.73, 95% CI 1.49-4.99, p<0.01). More aggressive tumour characteristics are associated with increased cerebrovascular mortality. Radiotherapy increased risk of cerebrovascular mortality five-year after cancer diagnosis. Further research is needed to better understand the long-term cardiovascular consequences of radiation therapy, and whether the consequent risk can be mitigated.

NCMP-09. IMPACT OF TUMOUR CHARACTERISTICS AND CANCER TREATMENT ON CEREBROVASCULAR MORTALITY AFTER GLIOMA DIAGNOSIS: EVIDENCE FROM A POPULATION-BASED CANCER REGISTRY

Abstract BACKGROUND Brain tumour patients have the highest stroke mortality rates among cancer types, but the factors associated with fatal stroke remain unknown. We aimed to examine to what extent brain tumour grade, a marker of biological aggressiveness, tumour size and cancer treatment are associated with cerebrovascular mortality among patients with malignant glioma, the most common and aggressive brain tumour. METHODS We conducted a retrospective, observational cohort study using the US National Cancer Institute’s state and regional population-based cancer registries (NCI SEER). We identified adult patients with a diagnosis of malignant glioma (2000 to 2018, Nf72,916). The primary outcome of interest was death from cerebrovascular disease. Cox regression modelling estimated the associations with cerebrovascular mortality of tumour grade, tumour size and treatment (surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy), calculating hazard ratios (HR) adjusted for these factors as well as for age, sex, race, marital status and calendar year. RESULTS Higher grade (Grade IV vs Grade II: HR=2.47, 95% CI=1.69-3.61, p&amp;lt; 0.001) and larger brain tumours (size 3 to &amp;lt; 6 cm: HR=1.40, 95% CI=1.03 -1.89, p&amp;lt; 0.05; size ≥ 6 cm: HR=1.47, 95% CI=1.02-2.13, p&amp;lt; 0.05 compared to size &amp;lt; 3cm) were associated with increased cerebrovascular mortality. Having cancer treatment was associated with decreased risk (surgery: HR= 0.60, p&amp;lt; 0.001; chemotherapy: HR=0.42, p&amp;lt; 0.001; radiation: HR= 0.69, p&amp;lt; 0.05). However, among patents surviving five years or more from their cancer diagnosis radiotherapy was associated with higher risk of cerebrovascular mortality (HR 2.73, 95% CI 1.49-4.99, p&amp;lt; 0.01). CONCLUSIONS More aggressive tumour characteristics are associated with increased cerebrovascular mortality, and treatment was associated with lower risk within 5 years of diagnosis. Radiotherapy increased risk of fatal cerebrovascular outcome five-years after cancer diagnosis. Further research is needed to better understand the long-term cardiovascular consequences of radiation therapy, and whether the consequent risk can be mitigated.

Dietary advanced glycation end products and cancer risk in Japan: From the Takayama study.

Few large epidemiological studies have evaluated the association between dietary advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and cancer risk. We evaluated the relationship between dietary AGE intake and the incidence of total cancer and site‐specific cancers in a population‐based prospective study in Japan. Participants were 14,173 men and 16,549 women who were 35 years of age or older in 1992. Dietary intake was assessed via a validated food frequency questionnaire. Intake of the AGE N ε‐carboxymethyl‐lysine (CML) was estimated using databases of CML content in foods determined using ultraperformance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Cancer incidence was confirmed through regional population‐based cancer registries. During a mean follow‐up period of 13.3 years, 1954 men and 1477 women developed cancer. We did not observe a significant association between CML intake and the risk of total cancer in men or women. In men, compared with the lowest quartile of CML intake, the hazard ratios of liver cancer for the second, third, and highest quartiles were 1.69 (95% CI: 0.92–3.10), 1.48 (95% CI: 0.77–2.84), and 2.10 (95% CI: 1.10–3.98; trend p = 0.04). Conversely, a decreased relative risk of male stomach cancer was observed for the second and highest quartiles of CML intake versus the lowest quartile, with hazard ratios of 0.73 and 0.67, respectively (trend p = 0.08). Our finding on the potential harmfulness of consuming AGEs on liver cancer risk is intriguing and warrants further study.

Post-diagnostic beta blocker use and breast cancer-specific mortality: a population-based cohort study

PurposeBeta blockers (BB) have been associated with improved, worsened, or unchanged breast cancer outcomes in previous studies. This study examines the association between the post-diagnostic use of BBs and death from breast cancer in a large, representative sample of New Zealand (NZ) women with breast cancer.MethodsWomen diagnosed with a first primary breast cancer between 2007 and 2016 were identified from four population-based regional NZ breast cancer registries and linked to national pharmaceutical data, hospital discharges, and death records. The median follow-up time was 4.51 years. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard of breast cancer-specific death (BCD) associated with any post-diagnostic BB use.ResultsOf the 14,976 women included in analyses, 21% used a BB after diagnosis. BB use (vs non-use) was associated with a small and nonstatistically significant increased risk of BCD (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.11; 95% CI 0.95–1.29). A statistically significant increased risk confined to short-term use (0–3 months) was seen (HR = 1.40; 1.14–1.73), and this risk steadily decreased with increasing duration of use and became a statistically significant protective effect at 3 + years of use (HR = 0.55; 0.34–0.88).ConclusionOur findings suggest that any increased risk associated with BB use may be driven by risk in the initial few months of use. Long-term BB use may be associated with a reduction in BCD.

Outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in cancer versus non-cancer-patients: a population-based study in northeastern Italy.

This study assesses the risk of infection and clinical outcomes in a large consecutive population of cancer and non-cancer patients tested for SARS-CoV-2 status. Study patients underwent SARS-CoV-2 molecular-testing between 22 February 2020 and 31 July 2020, and were found infected (CoV2+ve) or uninfected. History of malignancy was obtained from regional population-based cancer registries. Cancer-patients were distinguished by time between cancer diagnosis and SARS-CoV-2 testing (<12/⩾12 months). Comorbidities, hospitalization, and death at 15 September 2020 were retrieved from regional population-based databases. The impact of cancer history on SARS-CoV-2 infection and clinical outcomes was calculated by fitting a multivariable logistic regression model, adjusting for sex, age, and comorbidities. Among 552,362 individuals tested for SARS-CoV-2, 55,206 (10.0%) were cancer-patients and 22,564 (4.1%) tested CoV2+ve. Irrespective of time since cancer diagnosis, SARS-CoV-2 infection was significantly lower among cancer patients (1,787; 3.2%) than non-cancer individuals (20,777; 4.2% - Odds Ratio (OR)=0.60; 0.57-0.63). CoV2+ve cancer-patients were older than non-cancer individuals (median age: 77 versus 57 years; p<0.0001), were more frequently men and with comorbidities. Hospitalizations (39.9% versus 22.5%; OR=1.61; 1.44-1.80) and deaths (24.3% versus 9.7%; OR=1.51; 1.32-1.72) were more frequent in cancer-patients. CoV2+ve cancer-patients were at higher risk of death (lung OR=2.90; 1.58-5.24, blood OR=2.73; 1.88-3.93, breast OR=1.77; 1.32-2.35). The risks of hospitalization and death are significantly higher in CoV2+ve individuals with past or present cancer (particularly malignancies of the lung, hematologic or breast) than in those with no history of cancer.

523Use of beta blockers and death from breast cancer in New Zealand breast cancer patients

Abstract Background Beta blockers (BB), used for a range of cardiovascular indications, have been associated with improved, worsened, and unchanged breast cancer outcomes in previous studies. This study examines the association between the use of BBs and death from breast cancer in a large, representative sample of New Zealand women. Methods Women diagnosed with a first primary breast cancer between 2007 and 2016 were identified from four population-based regional NZ breast cancer registries and linked to pharmaceutical data, hospital discharges, and death records. The median follow up time was 4.51 years. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the hazard of breast cancer specific death (BCD) associated with post-diagnostic BB use. Results Of the 14,976 women included in analysis, 21% used a BB after diagnosis. Although not significant, beta blocker use increased the risk of BCD (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.08; 95% CI: 0.93-1.26). The increased risk was seen only in those with at least one cardiac condition, and was also reduced by lagging the exposure, suggesting effects of BB use close to the end of life. The increased risk was also confined to short term use (0-3 months). BB use for more than 1 year was associated with a decreased risk of BCD, and the risk steadily decreased to HR 0.53 (95% CI: 0.33-0.85) for use for 3+ years. Conclusions Any increased risk associated with BB use is likely to be due to a combination of confounding by indication and short-term use. Long-term BB use may confer some protection for BCD. Key messages The effect of beta blockers is difficult to separate from the indications for the drug. While there was no significant overall effect, there was a suggestion that beta blockers may be protective for breast cancer death with long-term exposure.

Comparability and validity of cancer registry data in the northwest of Russia

Background Despite the elaborate history of statistical reporting in the USSR, Russia established modern population-based cancer registries (PBCR) only in the 1990s. The quality of PBCRs data has not been thoroughly analyzed. This study aims at assessing the comparability and validity of cancer statistics in regions of the Northwestern Federal District (NWFD) of Russia. Material and methods Data from ten Russian regional PBCRs covering ∼13 million (∼5 million in St. Petersburg) were processed in line with IARC/IACR and ENCR recommendations. We extracted and analyzed all registered cases but focused on cases diagnosed between 2008 and 2017. For comparability and validity assessment, we applied established qualitative and quantitative methods. Results Data collection in NWFD is in line with international standards. Distributions of diagnosis dates revealed higher variation in several regions, but overall, distributions are relatively uniform. The proportion of multiple primaries between 2008 and 2017 ranged from 6.7% in Vologda Oblast to 12.4% in Saint-Petersburg. We observed substantial regional heterogeneity for most indicators of validity. In 2013–2017, proportions of morphologically verified cases ranged between 61.7 and 89%. Death certificates only (DCO) cases proportion was in the range of 1–14% for all regions, except for Saint-Petersburg (up to 23%). The proportion of cases with a primary site unknown was between 1 and 3%. Certain cancer types (e.g., pancreas, liver, hematological malignancies, and CNS tumors) and cancers in older age groups showed lower validity. Conclusion While the overall level of comparability and validity of PBCRs data of four out of ten regions of NWFD of Russia meets the international standards, differences between the regions are substantial. The local instructions for cancer registration need to be updated and implemented. The data validity assessment also reflects pitfalls in the quality of diagnosis of certain cancer types and patient groups.

Abstract 877: Use of beta blockers and death from breast cancer in New Zealand breast cancer patients

Abstract Background Beta blockers (BB), used for a range of cardiovascular indications, have been associated with improved cancer outcomes in international studies. This study examines the association between the use of BBs and death from breast cancer in New Zealand women. Methods Women who were diagnosed with breast cancer between 2007 and 2016 were identified from four population-based regional NZ breast cancer registries and linked to pharmaceutical data, hospital discharges, and death records. Median follow up time was 3.96 years. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the hazard of breast cancer specific death (BCD) associated with BB use. Results Of the 14,971 women included in analysis, 21% used a BB after diagnosis. Although not significant, BB use increased the risk of BCD (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.15; 95% CI: 0.99-1.33). When considering subgroups however, the increased risk only remained in those with at least one cardiac condition, in patients under 80 years of age, and in those who were dispensed a BB in the last periods of life. When excluding dispensings in the six months prior to death/last follow up, the adjusted hazard ratio between BB use and BCD decreased to 0.95 (95% CI: 0.81-1.11). Risk was highest with short term use and decreased consistently with ever increasing doses. Conclusions The initial increased risk is likely to be due to confounding by indication, and there was a suggestion of a protective effect of long-term BB use on BCD. Citation Format: Oliver William Scott, Sandar TinTin, Alana Cavadino, Mark Elwood. Use of beta blockers and death from breast cancer in New Zealand breast cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 877.

Intensity of End of Life Care for Hematologic Malignancy Patients in Western Washington, United States and Alberta, Canada

Background: Aggressive care at the end of life (EOL) leads to unnecessary suffering and healthcare costs for patients with cancer. We have previously shown that among patients with solid tumor malignancies, EOL utilization of chemotherapy, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and &amp;gt;1 emergency department (ED) visits are higher in Washington State vs Alberta (AB). In this study, we use cancer registry and claims data to compare EOL care among patients with hematological malignancies between western Washington (WW) and AB. Methods: Adult patients with hematological malignancies diagnosed between 2007 and 2017 who died before December 31, 2018 were identified from regional population-based cancer registries in WW and AB. Data sources were 1) WW Cancer Surveillance System (a regional SEER registry) with data from 13 counties linked to enrollment files and claims from four regional insurers and 2) Canada National Ambulatory Care Reporting System, Discharge Abstracts Database, and chemotherapy records from AB Health Services. Proportions of patients receiving chemotherapy, ICU admission, or &amp;gt;1 ED visit in the last 30 days of life (DOL) in WW and AB were determined among all patients and those ≥65 years and compared using two sample z-test with two-tailed hypothesis (α=0.006 after Bonferroni correction). Results: 7859 AB and 3767 WW patients met study inclusion criteria. Median age was 76 (IQR 66-83) and 79 (IQR 71-86) for AB and WW, respectively; 78% and 85% were over age 65, 33% and 59% with ≥2 Charlson Comorbidity Score. Cancer distribution was 33% (AB) and 54% (WW) non-Hodgkin lymphoma, 14% (AB) and 20% (WW) myeloma and 27% (AB) and 19% (AB) leukemia. Table 1 shows utilization of chemotherapy, &amp;gt;1 ED visits and ICU admissions in AB and WW for all patients and Table 2 in those ≥65 years. More patients in WW vs AB were treated with chemotherapy (21% WW vs 7% AB) and admitted to ICU (34% WW vs 9% AB) in the last 30 DOL, whereas multiple ED visits were more similar between WW and AB (17% vs 19%, respectively). Similarly, among patients ≥65 years, chemotherapy use and ICU admissions were higher in WW. The same was true for patients in the last 60 and 90 DOL. Conclusions: Similar to what was noted in solid tumor patients, intensity of healthcare use at EOL is greater in WW vs AB for patients with hematological malignancies. However, ≥1 ED visits were similar between populations. Further work is needed to understand drivers of high intensity healthcare use and identify interventions to minimize low value care at EOL. Disclosures Khaki: Merck: Other: share/stockholder; Pfizer: Other: share/stockholder. Ramsey:AstraZeneca: Other: Personal Fees. Cowan:Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Cellectar: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb: Research Funding.

Contribution of chemotherapy to improved prognosis in stage 4 gastric cancer: trend analysis of a regional population-based cancer registry in Japan.

Little is known about time trends in the prognosis of gastric cancer (GC), since the introduction of new chemotherapeutic agents. This study aimed to analyze how the increased number of available chemotherapeutic options affected the prognosis of GC and which patient types benefited within in a large population. From a population-based cancer registry in Japan, 35,751 cases of GC were identified. Of these, 8214 cases were stage 4. The time trend for 3-year survival in stage 4 GC according to patient characteristics (age and tumor location) was estimated in relation to the introduction of new anticancer drugs. Multiple imputation was performed for sensitivity analysis to strengthen the missing data. In addition, we estimated the 5-year survival rate for distal-GC (DGC) and proximal-GC (PGC), and the hazard ratio (HR) was estimated by Cox proportional hazard model. Improvement of overall survival was accelerated in stage 4 cases over time. The prognosis was improved from 11.4% to 13.2%, subsequent to the approval of several oncologic drugs since 2009. Younger patients were more likely to have improved survival rates in response to the increase in chemotherapy options (< 60-year-old, 5.4%: 60-70, 2.2%; 70-80, 0.3%) from 2007 to 2015. The HR for DGC vs. PGC was 1.11 (95% CI 1.08-1.15), and PGC showed a higher rate of improved outcomes (2.4% vs. 0.6%). This analysis showed that improvement in the GC survival rate was accelerated by the introduction of new chemotherapeutic strategies and it was most evident among younger patients and in patients with PGC.

Cancer frequency among the patients with myotonic dystrophy in the South Korean population using the national health insurance database

Cancer frequency among the patients with myotonic dystrophy in the South Korean population using the national health insurance database

Examining Liver Cancer Patients and a High-Risk Group in a Vulnerable Area: An Experience from the Ulleung Liver Cancer Prevention and Management Project.

Ulleung county is a small island on the eastern side of the Korean peninsula. The Ulleung Liver Cancer Prevention and Management Project was launched in order to minimize newly developing liver cancer within this region. Population-based regional cancer registry data were analyzed to investigate the status and characteristics of registered liver cancer patients. The Interagency Workgroup of the project provided a special screening program from 1 November to 3 November 2018, and from 23 April to 25 April 2019, undertaking liver cancer screening and health behavior surveys. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with recent liver cancer screening. In Ulleung county, hepatocellular carcinoma was identified as the main type of liver cancer, accompanied by a high incidence of hepatitis B. Approximately 25.0% of the participants were not aware of their liver condition. People who were aware of their liver condition and those who reported a general understanding of hepatitis B were more likely to have undergone recent liver cancer screening. To prevent the development and spread of the disease in the community, adequate infrastructure for cancer screening and an enhanced monitoring system are required, along with measures to create awareness to periodically determine liver condition in high-risk groups.

Comparison of Health Care Utilization at the End of Life Among Patients With Cancer in Alberta, Canada, Versus Washington State.

Aggressive care at the end of life (EOL) can lead to unnecessary suffering and health care costs for patients with cancer. Despite geographic proximity and cultural similarities, we hypothesize that EOL care is more intense in the United States multipayer system versus the Canadian single-payer system. We compared health care utilization at EOL among patients with cancer in Alberta, Canada, with those in Washington state in the United States. Adult patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer stage II to IV solid tumors who died between 2014 and 2016 in Alberta and between 2015 and 2017 in Washington were identified from regional population-based cancer registries linked to treatment and hospitalization records (Alberta) and health claims from major regional insurance plans (Washington). The proportion of patients receiving chemotherapy and having multiple emergency department (ED) visits, or intensive care unit (ICU) admissions in the last 30, 60, and 90 days of life (DOL) in Alberta and Washington were determined and compared using two-sample z-test and multivariable logistic regression (α = .006 after Bonferroni correction). Of patients, 11,177 in Alberta and 12,807 in Washington were included. Patients were similar in age (median, 71 v 72 year), with more patients in Washington with no comorbidities. More patients in Washington were treated with chemotherapy (12.6% v 6.6%; adjusted OR [aOR], 2.74), had multiple ED visits (16.2% v 12.1%; aOR, 1.40), and ICU admissions (23.7% v 3.9%; aOR, 14.27) in the last 30 DOL. Utilization was also higher in Washington in the last 60 and 90 DOL and among those with stage IV disease and those age 65 years and older. Utilization of chemotherapy, ED visits, and ICU admissions near EOL was higher in Washington versus Alberta. Future studies to characterize drivers of aggressive EOL care may help improve cancer care for patients in the United States and Canada.

Intensity of end-of-life (EOL) cancer care in Western Washington (WA) versus Alberta (AB), Canada (CA).

89 Background: Aggressive care at the EOL may lead to unnecessary suffering and healthcare costs for patients (pts) with cancer. Despite similar populations and state-of-the-art cancer delivery systems, we hypothesize that EOL care may be more intense in the United States (US) multi-payer system vs the CA single-payer system. Using cancer registry and claims data, we compared EOL cancer care between WA and AB. Methods: Adult pts with AJCC stage II-IV solid tumors who died between 2014 and 2016 were identified from regional population-based cancer registries in WA and AB. Data sources were 1) WA State Cancer Registry (WSCR) and Western WA Cancer Surveillance System (CSS) linked to enrollment files and claims from four regional insurers and 2) CA National Ambulatory Care Reporting System (NACRS), Discharge Abstracts Database (DAD), and CT records from AB Health Services. Proportions of pts receiving chemotherapy (CT), ICU admission, or &gt; 1 ED visit in the last 30 days of life (DOL) in WA and AB were determined and compared using two sample z-test with two-tailed hypothesis (α = 0.05). Results: 11,177 AB and 7,906 WA pts met study inclusion criteria. Median age was 71 (IQR 61-79) and 75 (IQR 68-82) for AB and WA, respectively. The most common cancer types represented include lung (31% AB; 35% WA), colorectal (17% AB; 9% WA), breast (10% AB; 6% WA) and prostate (11% AB; 4% WA). A similar proportion of pts in WA and AB experienced multiple ED visits in the last 30 DOL (12.4% WA vs 12.1% AB). CT use in the last 14 and 30 DOL was greater in WA vs AB (6.3% and 13.4% vs 2.7% and 6.6%, respectively) and ICU admissions in the last 30 DOL were substantially greater in WA vs AB (19.9% vs 3.9%). Conclusions: CT use and ICU admissions in the last 30 DOL were more common in WA than AB. The lower rate of ICU admissions in AB may be due to a provincial effort to prioritize goals of care discussions . Future studies to characterize and compare drivers of inappropriately aggressive EOL care may help improve cancer care for patients (pts) in the US and AB. [Table: see text]