Association of Marital Status With T Stage at Presentation and Management of Early-Stage Melanoma

Development and validation of a nomogram for elderly patients with ulcerative melanoma

The current state of survival prediction models for elderly patients with ulcerative melanoma (uCM) is limited. We sought to develop a nomogram model that can predict overall survival of geriatric patients with uCM. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database served as a source for patients diagnosed with uCM between 2004 and 2015. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine the significant prognostic elements affecting overall survival using multivariate and univariate Cox proportional risk regression models. Subsequently, an independent forecasting nomogram was developed on the basis of these identified predictors. The predictive model was then assessed and validated through the utilization of receiver operating characteristic curves, calibration curves as well as decision curves. The study included a total of 5019 participants. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed age, sex, marital status, primary site, tumor size, N stage, M stage, histological type, and surgery were independent prognostic factors. A nomogram was developed using the findings from both univariate and multivariate Cox analyses ( P  < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curves, which vary over time, and the area under the curve (AUC) for the training and validation cohorts, demonstrated the nomogram's strong discriminatory ability. Additionally, the calibration curves indicated satisfactory agreement between the predicted values from the nomogram and the practical outcomes observed in both cohorts. Furthermore, the decision curve analysis curves displayed favorable positive net gains at all times, when the critical value is most likely to occur. In this study, age, sex, marital status, primary site, tumor size, N stage, M stage, histologic type and surgery were determined as independent predictors for elderly patients with uCM. Then, a predictive model with good discriminatory ability was constructed to predict 12-, 24-, and 36-month overall survival in geriatric patients with uCM, which facilitates patients' counseling and individualized medical decision.

Influence of marital status on the treatment and survival of middle-aged and elderly patients with primary bone cancer

Objective

The role of spousal support has been recognized to benefit patients with many chronic diseases and cancers. However, the impact of marital status on the survival of middle-aged and elderly patients with primary bone tumors remains elusive.

Materials and methods

The data of patients aged ≥ 45 years with primary bone tumors diagnosed between 2000 and 2018 were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to assess the overall survival and tumor-specific survival of patients. The Cox proportional hazards and Fine-and-Gray models were used to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) and sub-distribution HRs (sHR) and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) of all-cause mortality and tumor-specific mortality, respectively.

Results

A total of 5,640 primary bone tumors were included in the study. In 45–59 years cohort, married, unmarried, divorced and widowed accounted for 66.0, 21.0, 11.2, and 1.8%, respectively; while 64.3, 10.1, 8.8, and 16.8% in 60+ years cohort, respectively. The widowed patients had a lower proportion of early-stage tumors at diagnosis than that married, unmarried, and divorced patients (31.0% vs. 36% vs. 37.1% vs. 39.4%; P = 0.008), and had a higher proportion of patients who did not undergo surgery than that of married, unmarried, and divorced patients (38.6% vs. 21.3% vs. 24.6% vs. 24.4%; P &lt; 0.001). The widowed population had an increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.50–1.88; P &lt; 0.001) and disease-related mortality (HR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.09–1.61; P = 0.005) compared with the married population.

Conclusion

The marital status of middle-aged and elderly people can affect the tumor stage at diagnosis, treatment, and survival prognosis of patients with primary bone cancer. Widowed patients are more inclined to choose non-surgical treatment and have the worst prognosis.

Effects of marital status on survival of retroperitoneal liposarcomas stratified by age and sex: A population-based study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that marital status is associated with survival in patients with a variety of cancer types, including lung cancer, prostate cancer, and bladder cancer. However, to date, the impact of marital status on the survival of patients with retroperitoneal liposarcomas (RPLs) has not been established.

METHODS

A total of 1211 eligible patients diagnosed with RPLs were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The relationships between marital status and survival in patients with RPLs were assessed. Patients were stratified by age to determine whether an association exists between marital status and age. We also probed the association between marital status and survival in males and females.

RESULTS

Our findings suggest that divorced, separated, or widowed patients have more advanced cancer stages, and more of these patients do not undergo surgery. Meanwhile, divorced, separated, or widowed patients have worse survival outcomes than married patients (overall survival (OS): HR = 1.66 (95% CI, 1.12, 2.46)); cancer-specific survival (CSS): HR = 1.90 (95% CI, 1.13, 3.19)). OS does not differ between single patients and married patients (HR = 1.21 [95% CI, 0.81, 1.81]) or CSS (HR = 1.36 [95% CI, 0.80, 2.29]). In addition, these results demonstrate that being divorced, separated, or widowed can play a significant detrimental role in mortality in older and female patients.

CONCLUSION

Married patients have earlier disease stages at diagnosis and better survival outcomes than divorced, separated, or widowed patients with RPLs. In addition, this effect is especially pronounced in older people and females.

Effect of Marital Status on Depression and Mortality among Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2014

BACKGROUND

The relationship between marital status and CKD is rarely studied. We aimed to explore the effect of marital status on the depression and mortality of patients with CKD.

METHODS

The data sources came from the NHANES database during 2005-2014 and 3,865 participants were included in this study. We used logistic regression models to examine the relationship between marital status and depression of CKD patients. The Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the association between marital status and mortality of CKD patients.

RESULTS

In terms of depression in CKD patients, unmarried patients had a worse situation than married patients. Meanwhile, after adjusting the covariables, unmarried patients had increased risk of depression (OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.01-1.57) compared with married CKD patients, especially in males (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.02-2.06) and patients with more than college education level (OR = 12.4, 95% CI: 3.75-41.02). There was a significant relationship between marital status and mortality of general CKD patients (HR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.17-1.58). Moreover, marriage showed a protective effect against death among male patients, patients with school graduate or less and more than college educational level, patients with high income, and patients in different estimated glomerular filtration rate groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of large numbers of participants has revealed the effect of marital status on CKD patients. Unmarried ones had a higher risk of depression than married ones among CKD patients. Meanwhile, the risk of death was higher in unmarried ones than married ones among CKD patients in this study.

Association of marital status with stage and survival in patients with mycosis fungoides: A population-based study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that marital status was associated with stages and survival in patients with melanoma or Merkel cell carcinoma. To date, the impacts of marital status on stage and survival in patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) have not been determined yet.

METHODS

A total of 3375 eligible cases diagnosed from 2004 to 2015 were included from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Association of marital status with stage and survival in patients with MF was analyzed.

RESULTS

Married patients were more likely to be diagnosed at T1 stage (p = 0.041). And married patients were less likely to present with lymph node involvement (p = 0.007). More favorable overall survival (p < 0.001) and cancer-specific survival (p < 0.001) were demonstrated in married patients as compared with divorced patients or widowed patients. A clinically feasible prognostic model including marital status, age, sex, race, and stage at presentation was constructed.

CONCLUSION

Married marital status was associated with earlier stage at diagnosis and longer survival compared with divorced or widowed marital status in patients with MF.

The association between partner bereavement and melanoma: cohort studies in the U.K. and Denmark

BACKGROUND

Psychological stress is commonly cited as a risk factor for melanoma, but clinical evidence is limited.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the association between partner bereavement and (i) first-time melanoma diagnosis and (ii) mortality in patients with melanoma.

METHODS

We conducted two cohort studies using data from the U.K. Clinical Practice Research Datalink (1997-2017) and Danish nationwide registries (1997-2016). In study 1, we compared the risk of first melanoma diagnosis in bereaved vs. matched nonbereaved people using stratified Cox regression. In study 2 we estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for death from melanoma in bereaved compared with nonbereaved individuals with melanoma using Cox regression. We estimated HRs separately for the U.K. and for Denmark, and then pooled the data to perform a random-effects meta-analysis.

RESULTS

In study 1, the pooled adjusted HR for the association between partner bereavement and melanoma diagnosis was 0·88 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0·84-0·92] across the entire follow-up period. In study 2, we observed increased melanoma-specific mortality in people experiencing partner bereavement across the entire follow-up period (HR 1·17, 95% CI 1·06-1·30), with the peak occurring during the first year of follow-up (HR 1·31, 95% CI 1·07-1·60).

CONCLUSIONS

We found decreased risk of melanoma diagnosis, but increased mortality associated with partner bereavement. These findings may be partly explained by delayed detection resulting from the loss of a partner who could notice skin changes. Stress may play a role in melanoma progression. Our findings indicate the need for a low threshold for skin examination in individuals whose partners have died. What is already known about this topic? Psychological stress has been proposed as a risk factor for the development and progression of cancer, including melanoma, but evidence is conflicting. Clinical evidence is limited by small sample sizes, potential recall bias associated with self-report, and heterogeneous stress definitions. What does this study add? We found a decreased risk of melanoma diagnosis, but increased mortality associated with partner bereavement. While stress might play a role in the progression of melanoma, an alternative explanation is that bereaved people no longer have a close person to help notice skin changes, leading to delayed melanoma detection. Linked Comment: Talaganis et al. Br J Dermatol 2020; 183:607-608.

Comparable prevalence of distant metastasis and survival of different primary site for LN + pancreatic tumor

Background

Few studies have delved into the prevalence of distant metastasis (DM +) and survival for patients with lymph node metastases (LN +) by primary site. We aimed to detect differences in distant metastasis and prognosis between pancreatic head and bodytail tumors for LN + patients.

Methods

Patients with chemotherapy, histologically diagnosed, primary site between 2004 and 2016 were included from the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) database. Pancreatic head tumors were compared with pancreatic bodytail tumors using the odds ratio (OR) for rates of distant metastasis, hazard ratios (HR) for overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). The competing risk model and propensity score matching (PSM) were performed to further explore.

Results

Of 5726 LN + patients identified from the SEER database, pancreatic head tumors account for 85.2% (4877 of 5726) and 14.8% (849 of 5726) were pancreatic bodytail tumors. The incidence of DM was lower in pancreatic head than in pancreatic bodytail tumors (OR, 0.29; 95% CI 0.23–0.37; P < 0.001). The multivariate Cox regression show pancreatic head tumors have a significantly shorter survival rate relative to pancreatic bodytail (HR, 1.12; 95% CI 1.03–1.22; P = 0.008), but the primary site was not a significant independent risk factor for prognosis by log-rank test (P = 0.39) and multivariate competing risk model [subdistribution HR (SHR), 1.08; 95% CI 0.98–1.19; P = 0.087].We then examined our conclusion by 1:1 propensity score matching, and the result reflected pancreatic head tumors have a lower risk of DM compared with pancreatic bodytail tumors (OR, 0.22; 95% CI 0.15–0.34; P < 0.001), but the primary site of pancreatic tumors was not associated with LN + patient survival based on univariate Cox regression (HR, 1.04; 95% CI 0.93–1.17; P = 0.435) and competing risk analysis (SHR, 1.01; 95% CI 0.89–1.12; P = 0.947).

Conclusions

LN + pancreatic head tumors were significantly lower risk of DM relative to pancreatic bodytail tumors. Survival outcome in LN + pancreatic tumors didn’t exist significant differences split by primary site, which indicates that the prognosis of LN + patients with chemotherapy isn’t associated with the primary site of metastasis, but with the occurrence of metastasis.

Effects of Marital Status on Prognosis in Women with Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma of the Breast: A Real-World 1: 1 Propensity-Matched Study

Background

The effects of marital status on infiltrating ductal carcinoma of breast cancer (IDC) have not been studied in detail. This study investigated the impact of marital status on IDC patients.

Material/Methods

SEER databases were searched from 2010 to 2015 for subjects who were married, divorced, single, and widowed. The influence of marital status on breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) and overall survival (OS) of IDC patients was investigated through multivariate Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier analysis. To prevent bias, propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed.

Results

The 5-year OS was 89.6%in married patients, 84.9% in divorced patients, 83.5% in single patients, and 71.3% in widowed patients (p<0.001). The 5-year BCSS were 92.9%, 90.2%, 87.6%, and 86.4%, respectively (p<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that marriage was a protective factor for patients with IDC in terms of OS (divorced: HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.21–1.32; p<0.001; single: HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.31–1.42; p<0.001; widowed: HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.36–1.48; p<0.001) and BCSS (divorced: HR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.09–1.21; p<0.001; single: HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.21–1.33; p<0.001; widowed: HR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.25–1.40; p<0.001). Following subgroup and PSM analysis, married patients were shown to have better OS and BCSS as opposed to divorced, single, or widowed patients.

Conclusions

We identify marital status as a predictor of survival in those with IDC. Widowed patients showed the highest mortality risk.

Shorter survival and later stage at diagnosis among unmarried patients with cutaneous melanoma: A US national and tertiary care center study

BACKGROUND

Addressing risk factors of delayed melanoma detection minimizes disparities in outcome.

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the significance of marital status in melanoma outcomes across anatomic sites.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of 73,558 patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program and 2992 patients at Johns Hopkins University. Patients were stratified by marital status, anatomic site, age, and sex. Endpoints were prevalence of advanced melanoma (stages III or IV) and survival.

RESULTS

In the SEER cohort, single patients were more likely than married patients to present in stages III or IV among both men (prevalence ratio [PR], 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37-1.53) and women (PR, 1.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.18-1.39). This trend was consistent across all anatomic sites and in all age groups, particularly in those 18 to 68 years old. Overall and cancer-specific survival times were shorter in unmarried patients. Similarly, at Johns Hopkins, single patients had increased prevalence of advanced melanoma (PR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.21-1.94) and experienced shorter overall survival (hazard ratio, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.15-1.99).

LIMITATIONS

The anatomic sites were not very specific, and this was a retrospective study.

CONCLUSIONS

Unmarried patients, especially men and those younger than 68 years, are diagnosed at more advanced stages, even in readily visible sites such as the face. They also experience worse survival independent of stage.

Outcomes of Immunosuppressed Patients Who Develop Melanoma: A Population-Based Propensity-Matched Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

Few studies have examined outcomes in immunosuppressed patients who develop melanoma. The purpose of this study is to compare survival in immunosuppressed patients who developed melanoma with that in patients with melanoma who are not immunosuppressed.

METHODS

Immunosuppressed patients were defined as having solid organ transplant, lymphoma, leukemia, or human immunodeficiency virus prior to diagnosis of melanoma. Patients with cutaneous melanoma with and without immunosuppression were identified retrospectively from the Ontario Cancer Registry (2007-2015) and linked with administrative databases to identify demographics, treatment, and outcomes. Immunosuppressed patients were matched with non-immunosuppressed patients based on age at diagnosis, sex, birth year, stage at diagnosis, and propensity score. The primary outcome was overall survival. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression was used to identify factors associated with survival.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics were well balanced in 218 immunosuppressed patients matched to 436 controls. Of the patients, 186 (28.4%) were female, and median age at melanoma diagnosis was 69 (interquartile range, IQR 59-78) years. Three-year overall survival (OS) was 65% for immunosuppressed patients and 79% for non-immunosuppressed patients. Melanoma was the leading cause of death for both groups. On multivariable analysis, immunosuppression was associated with increased mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 1.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30-2.23]. Adequate treatment (HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.22-0.58) and dermatologist visits either before (HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.36-0.73) or after (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.41-0.90) melanoma diagnosis were associated with improved OS.

CONCLUSIONS

Immunosuppressed patients who develop melanoma have worse outcomes when matched to non-immunosuppressed patients. This decrease in survival appears related to the underlying condition rather than diagnosis of melanoma.

Impact of partnership status on clinical outcomes of patients with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma and performance of sentinel lymph node biopsy

OBJECTIVES

Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma is a rare malignancy and lymph node involvement is the most significant prognostic factor. We aimed to evaluate the association between partnership status and mortality from vulvar squamous cell carcinoma, cancer stage at the time of presentation, and the decision for sentinel lymph node biopsy.

METHODS

The US National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was queried and different parameters were evaluated relative to partnership status. A total of 4851 patients with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma, >18 years of age, who presented between January 2010 to December 2015, were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to assess survival and hazard ratio. Multinomial regression analysis and χ² were utilized to evaluate odd ratios and significance of variables.

RESULTS

Most patients were unpartnered (58.5%), including never married (17.7%), divorced (13.8%), or widowed (27%). Partnered patients were mostly Caucasian (88.4%), insured (74%), and presented with stage I disease (57.2%), compared with unpartnered patients (79.1%), (61.7%), and (51.7%), respectively (p<0.01). The mean survival time (months) in partnered patients was longer, compared with unpartnered (p<0.001), and the difference between both groups increased from 9 months at stage I to 24 months at stage IV, which remained independently significant after adjusting the different variables. Cox regression showed that partnered patients had a lower hazard ratio than unpartnered patients (p<0.01). Mortality from vulvar squamous cell carcinoma increased with age at diagnosis, no surgery, and unemployment (p<0.01). Unpartnered patients were the least likely to undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy in early stages, compared with partnered (p<0.01). Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that not performing sentinel lymph node biopsy almost doubled the hazard ratio of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Partnership status should be considered when counseling patients for vulvar squamous cell carcinoma therapy and when recommending screening and follow-up to optimize patient care.

The effect of marital status on endometrial cancer-related diagnosis and prognosis: a Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database analysis

Aim: Marital status has been proved a significant prognostic factor for diagnosis and prognosis in various cancers, but the effect in endometrial cancer (EMC) is controversial. The research was designed to clarify the relationship between marital status and EMC. Methods: We identified 39,387 patients with EMC between 2004 and 2010 from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database. Patients were categorized into four groups according to marital status. We used the logistic regression, the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis to analyze the effect of marital status on EMC-related diagnosis and prognosis. Results: The study suggests that marriage benefits the diagnosis and prognosis of EMC. Widowed and unmarried patients had higher risk of mortality than other marital status.

Cutaneous Melanoma in the Elderly: Review of a Growing Problem

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) causes more deaths than any other skin tumor, and incidence and mortality rates have risen in recent years, especially in patients of advanced age. There are differences in the biological behavior of CM tumors in the elderly as well as differential management of the disease, evidently influenced by such factors as limited life expectancy, the high incidence of concomitant conditions in older patients, and issues of quality of life unrelated to CM itself. We review relevant current literature on the epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, and immunology of CM as well as research on the clinical features, prevention, and management of these tumors in the elderly.