The incidence and patterns of gastric cancers in Sri Lanka from 2001 to 2012: Analysis of National Cancer Registry Data

Clinicopathological characteristics of gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms: A comprehensive analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic implications of gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms (g-NENs).

METHODS

A retrospective enrollment of 142 patients diagnosed with g-NENs was conducted at Zhejiang Cancer Hospital between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2021. The study compared essential clinicopathological features and survival rates. Additionally, the prognosis of gastric neuroendocrine carcinomas/mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasms (g-NEC/MiNEN) were contrasted with those of gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) and signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC).

RESULTS

The study comprised a total of 142 g-NENs cases, with a male-to-female ratio of approximately 2:1. The 5-year survival rates for g-NEC and g-MiNEN were 26.7% and 35.2%, respectively. Corresponding 5-year survival rates for G1 and G2 were observed at 100% and 80.0%, respectively. g-NEC/MiNEN showed a significantly worse prognosis compared to g-NET (p < 0.001). g-NEC/MiNEN exhibited a poor prognosis compared to GAC (p < 0.001), and within poorly differentiated GAC, g-NEC/MiNEN demonstrated a worse prognosis (p = 0.007). Additionally, patients receiving postoperative adjuvant therapy exhibited notably prolonged overall survival (OS) in the case of g-NEC/MiNEN (p = 0.010).

CONCLUSION

In short, the prognosis of g-NEC/MiNEN was worse than that of g-NET, GAC and poorly differentiated GAC, but this group benefit from postoperative adjuvant therapy.

Better Prognosis of Gastric Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Than Gastric Adenocarcinoma among Whites in the United States: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis Based on SEER

It was generally believed that the prognosis of gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma (GNEC) was worse than gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC). However, almost all previous studies compared the prognosis of GNEC and GAC based on East Asians. In this study, we evaluated the clinicopathological features and prognosis of GNEC and GAC in Whites. Patients with GNEC and GAC were identified from 2000 to 2018 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. We used propensity score matching (PSM) analysis to match the age, sex, TNM stage, and treatments received between GNEC and GAC, then compared the overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in the two types. A total of 392 cases of GNEC and 12,835 cases of GAC in Whites were recognized. After PSM, the 5-year OS rates of GNEC and GAC were 50.3% and 43.0%, respectively (p = 0.010). The 5-year CSS rates of GNEC and GAC were 57.4% and 50.1%, respectively (p = 0.012). Besides, multivariable cox regression analyses showed that GNEC was an independent predictor of improved OS (HR 0.719; 95% CI 0.607–0.853) and CSS (HR 0.691; 95% CI 0.571–0.835) in the matched data. The prognosis of GNEC was better than GAC in Whites, showing significant ethnic differences. Appropriate treatments and follow-up strategies for GNEC in Whites are probably different from East Asians. The potential genetic and molecular mechanisms need to be further explored.

Incidence and Patterns of Liver Cancers in Sri Lanka from 2001 to 2010: Analysis of National Cancer Registry Data

Sanjeewa SeneviratneObjectives  Varying trends in the incidence of liver cancer have been observed in many Asian countries. We conducted this study to examine trends in liver cancer incidence and histological patterns in Sri Lanka. Materials and Methods  All newly diagnosed patients with liver cancer included in Sri Lanka National Cancer Registry during 2001 to 2010 were analyzed. Statistical Analysis  Joinpoint regression analysis was performed. A p -value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results  Overall, 1,482 (male:female = 2.7:1; mean age = 57.5 years) liver cancers were analyzed. Majority were hepatocellular carcinomas ( n = 1,169; 78.9%), followed by intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas ( n = 100; 6.75%). Highest incidence of liver cancer was observed in 70-74-year age group (5.1/100,000). Overall, the World Health Organization age-standardized rate (ASR) has increased during 2001 to 2004, from 0.6/100,000 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.48-0.72) to 1.0/100,000 (95% CI = 0.85-1.15), with an estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) of 17.8 (95% CI = 5.0-46.2); p > 0.05. From 2004 to 2010, a gradual decline in the incidence was observed. ASR in 2010 was 0.96 (95% CI = 0.81-1.1), with an EAPC of -0.9 (95% CI = -6.7 to 5.4); p > 0.05. Similar patterns of incidence change were observed in both genders. Conclusions  Overall, the incidence of liver cancer appears to be steadily declining in Sri Lanka. Similar patterns of incidence change were observed in both genders. The actual decline is likely to be greater as it is likely that diagnostic scrutiny and reporting would have improved during the study period.

Cancer services in Sri Lanka: current status and future directions

BACKGROUND

The burden of cancer in Sri Lanka is on the rise. The overall incidence of cancer in Sri Lanka has doubled over the past 25 years with a parallel rise in cancer-related mortality. Cancer has become the second commonest cause of hospital mortality in Sri Lanka. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the current status and future direction of cancer care in Sri Lanka.

MAIN BODY

In Sri Lanka, cancer services are predominantly provided by the state sector free of charge to the general public. With the establishment of national cancer policy on cancer prevention and control, there has been a commendable improvement in the cancer services provided island-wide. An increasing number of breast, oropharyngeal, thyroid, oesophageal, colorectal, lung, and gastric cancers are being diagnosed and treated annually. Primary prevention measures include restrictions in tobacco and HPV vaccination. Screening programs for selected cancers such as breast, oral and cervical cancers are delivered. Medical oncology units with facilities for systemic therapy and adequately supported by surgical, pathology, and radiology departments have been established in each district general hospital island-wide. Although the current progress is commendable, future changes are necessary to overcome the current limitations and to cater the ever increasing burden of cancer. Measures are necessary to enhance the coverage of Sri Lanka Cancer Registry. Timely high-quality research and audits are essential. Community participation in planning strategies for cancer prevention and treatment is minimal. Community-based palliative care facilities and radiation and other systemic therapy should be made available in all provinces. A culture of multi-disciplinary care with proper referral pathways would help to improve the current setting.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, Sri Lanka has a reasonably balanced and continuously expanding program for prevention, screening, and treatment of cancers. Emphasis on preventive strategies related to reducing tobacco smoking, chewing betel, and obesity, making cancers a notifiable disease, involving the community in planning cancer care and prevention strategies, conducting research to evaluate cost-effectiveness of existing treatment and increasing radiotherapy facilities would further improve the cancer services in Sri Lanka.