Oncological care was largely derailed due to the reprioritisation of health care services to handle the initial surge of COVID-19 patients adequately. Cancer screening programmes were no exception in ...this reprioritisation. They were temporarily halted in the Netherlands (1) to alleviate the pressure on health care services overwhelmed by the upsurge of COVID-19 patients, (2) to reallocate staff and personal protective equipment to support critical COVID-19 care, and (3) to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Utilising data from the Netherlands Cancer Registry on provisional cancer diagnoses between 6 January 2020 and 4 October 2020, we assessed the impact of the temporary halt of national population screening programmes on the diagnosis of breast and colorectal cancer in the Netherlands. A dynamic harmonic regression model with ARIMA error components was applied to assess the observed versus expected number of cancer diagnoses per calendar week. Fewer diagnoses of breast and colorectal cancer were objectified amid the early stages of the initial COVID-19 outbreak in the Netherlands. This effect was most pronounced among the age groups eligible for cancer screening programmes, especially in breast cancer (age group 50-74 years). Encouragingly enough, the observed number of diagnoses ultimately reached and virtually remained at the level of the expected values. This finding, which emerged earlier in age groups not invited for cancer screening programmes, comes on account of the decreased demand for critical COVID-19 care since early April 2020, which, in turn, paved the way forward to resume screening programmes and a broad range of non-critical health care services, albeit with limited operating and workforce capacity. Collectively, transient changes in health-seeking behaviour, referral practices, and cancer screening programmes amid the early stages of the initial COVID-19 epidemic in the Netherlands conjointly acted as an accelerant for fewer breast and colorectal cancer diagnoses in age groups eligible for cancer screening programmes. Forthcoming research is warranted to assess whether the decreased diagnostic scrutiny of cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in stage migration and altered clinical management, as well as poorer outcomes.
The aim of this study was to determine trends in incidence, treatment and survival of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with synchronous metastases (Stage IV) in the Netherlands. This nationwide ...population-based study included 160,278 patients diagnosed with CRC between 1996 and 2011. We evaluated changes in stage distribution, location of synchronous metastases and treatment in four consecutive periods, using Chi square tests for trend. Median survival in months was determined, using Kaplan–Meier analysis. The proportion of Stage IV CRC patients (n = 33,421) increased from 19 % (1996–1999) to 23 % (2008–2011, p < 0.001). This was predominantly due to a major increase in the incidence of lung metastases (1.7–5.0 % of all CRC patients). During the study period, the primary tumor was resected less often in Stage IV patients (65–46 %) and the use of systemic treatment has increased (29–60 %). Also an increase in metastasectomy was found in patients with one metastatic site, especially in patients with liver-only disease (5–18 %, p < 0.001). Median survival of all Stage IV CRC patients increased from 7 to 12 months. Especially in patients with metastases confined to the liver or lungs this improvement in survival was apparent (9–16 and 12–24 months respectively, both p < 0.001). In the last two decades, more lung metastases were detected and an increasing proportion of Stage IV CRC patients was treated with systemic therapy and/or metastasectomy. Survival of patients has significantly improved. However, the prognosis of Stage IV patients becomes increasingly diverse.
Purpose
The main cause of death of colorectal cancer patients is metastatic disease. Approximately 20–25 % of the patients present with metastases at time of diagnosis. The clinical course of ...patients who develop metachronous metastases, however, is less clear. The aims of this study were to describe the incidence, treatment and survival of patients with metachronous metastases from colorectal cancer and to determine risk factors for developing metachronous metastases.
Methods
From the Netherlands Cancer Registry, patients diagnosed with colorectal carcinoma in the period 2002–2003 in North-East Netherlands were selected. Patients were followed for 5 years after diagnosis of the primary tumour. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analyses were used to determine predictors for developing metastases and to analyse overall survival.
Results
In total, 333 of 1743 (19 %) patients developed metachronous metastases. The majority (83 %) of these metastases were diagnosed within 3 years, and the most frequent site was the liver. Patients with advanced stage and patients with tumours in the descending colon or in the rectum were more likely to develop metastases. Approximately 10 % of all patients underwent intentionally curative treatment for their metastases, with a 5-year survival rate of 60 %. Treatment of metastases and pathologic N (pN) status were independent prognostic factors for overall survival.
Conclusions
Site and stage of the primary tumour were predictors for developing metachronous metastases. A limited number of patients with metastatic disease were treated with a curative intent. These patients had a good prognosis. Therefore, focus should be on identifying more patients who could benefit from curative treatment.
Many countries had to suspend their colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programme as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This eventually may lead to postponed diagnoses of premalignant lesions and CRC, ...resulting in increased incidence or more advanced CRCs rates. This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on incidence and stage distribution of CRCs in the Netherlands, by monitoring CRC diagnoses and stage distribution in the months before, during and after the first COVID-19 wave. Data on incidence and stage distribution of CRCs of individuals aged 55–75 years in 25 hospitals in the Netherlands were extracted from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. The observed incidence after the suspension (March 2020–December 2020) was compared to the expected incidence in the same period. In the period April to June 2020, we observed the largest decrease in the total incidence of CRC. We found that 48% of the decrease was due to stage I, 23% due to stage II, 23% due to stage III and 5% due to stage IV. After gradually resuming screening mid May 2020, we observed an increase in CRC diagnoses from July 2020 onwards. As of October 2020, the observed number of diagnoses was higher than the expected number. As the decrease was mainly limited to stage I CRCs, it seems that the temporary suspension of the CRC screening programme due to the COVID-19 pandemic will have a minimal long-term impact on stage distribution and CRC mortality.
•A decrease in CRC diagnoses was observed during the first COVID-19 wave.•This seems to be related to the suspension of the Dutch CRC screening programme.•The reduction was mainly limited to stage I CRCs.•A catch-up can be achieved by temporarily expanding colonoscopy capacity.•The impact of the temporary suspension of CRC screening seems to be limited.
Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the most frequently diagnosed cancers. Approximately 20-30% of stage I-III CRC patients develop a recurrent tumour or metastases after curative surgical ...resection. Post-operative follow-up is indicated for the first five years after curative surgical resection. As intensified follow-up after curative surgical resection has shown no effect on survival, patient organisations and policy makers have advocated for a more patient-centred approach to follow-up. The objective of this study is to successfully implement patient-led, home-based follow-up (PHFU) in six hospitals in The Netherlands, with as ultimate aim to come to a recommendation for a patient-centred follow-up schedule for stage I-III CRC patients treated with surgical resection with curative intent. Methods This study is designed as a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial (SW-CRT) in six participating centres. During the trial, three centres will implement PHFU after six months; the other three centres will implement PHFU after 12 months of inclusion in the control group. Eligible patients are those with pT2-4N0M0 or pT1-4N1-2M0 CRC, who are 18 years or older and have been free of disease for 12 months after curative surgical resection. The studied intervention is PHFU, starting 12 months after curative resection. The in-hospital, standard-of-care follow-up currently implemented in the participating centres functions as the comparator. The proportion of patients who had contact with the hospital regarding CRC follow-up between 12-24 months after curative surgical resection is the primary endpoint of this study. Quality of life, fear of cancer recurrence, patient satisfaction, cost-effectiveness and survival are the secondary endpoints. Discussion The results of this study will provide evidence on whether nationwide implementation of PHFU for CRC in The Netherlands will be successful in reducing contact between patient and health care provider. Comparison of PROMs between in-hospital follow-up and PHFU will be provided. Moreover, the cost-effectiveness of PHFU will be assessed. Trial registration Dutch Trail Register (NTR): NL9266 (Registered on January 1st, 2021). Keywords: Follow-up studies, Colorectal neoplasms, Surveillance, Telemedicine, Aftercare
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Purpose
The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on the health services worldwide. We aimed to investigate the impact of the pandemic on colorectal cancer (CRC) care in the Netherlands in 2020.
...Methods
CRC patients, diagnosed in 2018–2020 in the Netherlands, were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR). The year 2020 was divided in four periods reflecting COVID-19 developments in the Netherlands (pre-COVID, 1st peak, recovery period, 2nd peak) and compared with the same periods in 2018/2019. Patient characteristics and treatment were compared using the Chi-squared test. Median time between diagnosis and treatment, and between (neo)adjuvant therapy and surgery were analyzed by the Mann–Whitney
U
test.
Results
In total, 38,021 CRC patients were diagnosed in 2018/2019 (
n
= 26,816) and 2020 (
n
= 11,205). Median time between diagnosis and initial treatment decreased on average 4 days and median time between neoadjuvant radiotherapy and surgery in clinical stage II or III rectal cancer patients increased on average 34 days during the three COVID-19 periods compared to the same periods of 2018/2019. The proportion of colon cancer patients that underwent elective surgery significantly decreased with 3.0% during the 1st peak. No differences were found in the proportion of patients who received (neo)adjuvant therapy, systemic therapy, or no anti-cancer treatment.
Conclusion
Only minor changes in the care for CRC patients occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, mostly during the 1
st
peak. In conclusion, the impact on CRC care in the Netherlands was found to be limited. However, long-term effects cannot be precluded.
The aim of this study was to analyse the association between pelvic radiation therapy (RT) and the development of rectal cancer as a second primary cancer.
Data on patients treated for a primary ...pelvic cancer between 1989 and 2007 were retrieved from the population-based Netherlands Cancer Registry. Patients treated for more than one pelvic cancer were excluded. To estimate the cumulative incidence of rectal cancer, Fine and Gray's competing risk model was used with death as a competing event. Survival was calculated using multivariable Cox regression.
A total of 192,658 patients were included, of which 62,630 patients were treated with RT for their pelvic cancer. Primary tumours were located in the prostate (50.1%), bladder (19.2%), endometrium (13.9%), ovaries (10.0%), cervix (6.4%) and vagina (0.4%). At a median interval of 6 years (range 0–24), 1369 patients developed a rectal cancer. Overall, the risk for rectal cancer was increased in patients who underwent RT for the previous pelvic cancer (subhazard ratio SHR: 1.72, 95% confidence interval CI: 1.55–1.91). Analysis for each tumour location specifically showed an increased risk in patients who received RT for prostate (SHR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.66–2.16) or endometrial cancer (SHR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.13–2.00). A protective effect of RT was observed for patients with bladder cancer (SHR 0.67, 95% CI: 0.47–0.94). There was no survival difference between patients with rectal cancer with or without previous RT (hazard ratio: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.79–1.11).
Patients who received RT for a previous pelvic cancer were at increased risk for rectal cancer. The risk was modest and pronounced in patients receiving RT for prostate and endometrial cancer.
•Overall, patients receiving pelvic radiation were at increased risk for rectal cancer.•Rectal cancer risk was increased after RT for prostate and endometrial cancer.•No increased risk after RT for bladder, ovarian, cervical and vaginal cancer.•Survival did not differ between patients with rectal cancer with or without previous RT.
Improvement in survival of patients with colon cancer is reduced in elderly patients compared to younger patients. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the removal of ≥ 12 lymph nodes can ...explain differences in survival rates between elderly and younger patients diagnosed with colon cancer.
In a population-based cohort study, all patients (N = 41,074) diagnosed with colon cancer stage I to III from 2003 through 2010 from the Netherlands Cancer Registry were included. Age groups were defined as < 66, 66-75 and > 75 years of age. Main outcome measures were overall and relative survival, the latter as a proxy for disease specific survival.
Over an eight years time period there was a 41.2% increase in patients with ≥ 12 lymph nodes removed, whereas the percentage of patients with the presence of lymph node metastases remained stable (35.7% to 37.5%). After adjustment for patient and tumour characteristics and adjuvant chemotherapy, it was found that for patients in which ≥ 12 lymph nodes were removed compared to patients with < 12 lymph nodes removed, there was a statistically significant higher overall survival (< 66: HR: 0.858 (95% CI, 0.789-0.933); 66-75: HR: 0.763 (95% CI, 0.714-0.814); > 75: HR: 0.734 (95% CI, 0.700-0.771)) and relative survival (< 66: RER: 0.783 (95% CI, 0.708-0.865); 66-75: RER: 0.672 (95% CI, 0.611-0.739); > 75: RER: 0.621 (95% CI, 0.567-0.681)) in all three age groups.
The removal of ≥ 12 lymph nodes is associated with an improvement in both overall and relative survival in all patients. This association was stronger in the elderly patient. The biology of this association needs further clarification.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Throughout Europe, many countries offer population-based cancer screening programmes (CSPs). In the Netherlands, two implemented CSPs are targeting people of 50 years and older, aiming at breast ...cancer (BC) and colorectal cancer (CRC). In order for a CSP to be (cost-)effective, high participation rates and outreach to the populations at risk are essential. People living in highly urbanised areas and big cities are known to participate less in CSPs. The aim of this study was to gain further insight into the participation patterns of a screening-eligible population of 50 years and over, living in a highly urbanised region, over a longer time period.
A retrospective observational study.
Participation data of the regional screening organisation, linked to the cancer incidence data derived from the Netherlands Cancer Registry, concerning the city of The Hague, between 2005 and 2019. Attendance groups were defined as attenders (attending >50% of the invitations) and non-attenders (attending ≤50% of the invitations), and were mutually compared.
The databases contained 106 377 unique individuals on the BC screening programme (SP) and 73 669 on the CRC-SP. Non-attendance at both CSPs was associated with living in a lower socioeconomic status (SES) neighbourhood and as a counter effect, also associated with a more unfavourable, relatively late-stage, tumour diagnosis. When combining the results of the two CSPs, our results imply high screening adherence over time. Women who did not participate in both CSPs were older, and more often lived in neighbourhoods with a lower SES score.
Since low screening uptake is one of the factors that contribute to increasing inequalities in cancer survival, future outreach strategies should be focused on engaging specific non-attending subgroups.
Reported median overall survival (mOS) in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients participating in systemic therapy trials has increased to over 30 months. It is uncertain whether trial results ...translate to real‐life populations. Moreover, patients prefer presentation of multiple survival scenarios. Population‐based data of all stage IV CRC patients diagnosed between 2008 and 2016 were obtained from the Netherlands Cancer Registry, which has a case ascertainment completeness surpassing 95%. We calculated the following percentiles (scenarios) of OS per year of diagnosis for the total population, and for treatment subgroups: 10th (best‐case), 25th (upper‐typical), 50th (median), 75th (lower‐typical) and 90th (worst‐case). Twenty‐five percent of patients did not receive any antitumor treatment. From 2008 to 2016, mOS of the total population (n = 27275) remained unchanged at approximately 12 months. OS improved only for the upper‐typical and best‐case patients; by 4.2 to 29.1 months (P < .001), and by 6 to 62 months (P < .001), respectively. No clinically relevant change was observed among patients who received systemic therapy, with mOS close to 15 months and best‐case scenario approximately 40 months. A clinically relevant improvement in survival over time was observed in patients who initially received metastasectomy and/or HIPEC only. In contrast to the wide belief based on trial data that mOS of mCRC patients receiving systemic therapy has improved substantially, improvement could not be demonstrated in our real‐life population. Clinicians should consider quoting multiple survival scenarios based on real‐life data instead of point estimates from clinical trials, when informing patients about their life expectancy.
What's new?
Clinical trials on first‐line systemic therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients suggest a marked improvement in median overall survival (mOS). However, uncertainty exists in how the survival reported in trials relates to the real‐life mCRC population. This is the first population‐based study providing multiple scenarios for patient survival. The results show that real‐life mCRC patients receiving systemic therapy have a shorter mOS compared to trial patients, likely reflecting patient selection in clinical trials. Clinicians should consider presenting multiple scenarios for survival based on real‐life data instead of point estimates from clinical trials when informing patients about their life expectancy.
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