Subsequent thoracic cancers among patients diagnosed with lung cancer: a SEER database analysis

Reduced risk of secondary primary extra pulmonary cancer in advanced/metastatic lung cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer survivors are at high risk of developing a second primary cancer (SPC). We explored the Unicancer Epidemiology Strategy Medical-Economics for advanced or metastatic lung cancer (AMLC) database to assess the impact of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) on the risk of SPC in patients with advanced/metastatic lung cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective study used data from patients with AMLC, with treatment initiated between January 1st 2015 and December 31st 2018. Patients with lung cancer as the second primary cancer were excluded and a 6-months landmark threshold was applied to exclude patients with synchronous SPC, patients dead without SPC or with a follow-up inferior to 6 months. A propensity score (PS) was calculated on the following baseline covariates: Age at locally advanced or metastatic diagnosis, sex, smoking status, metastatic status, performance status and histological type. The inverse probability of treatment weighting approach was used on the analyses aiming to assess the impact of ICI administered for AMLC, on the risk of occurrence of SPC.

RESULTS

Among the 10 796 patients, 148 (1.4%) patients had a diagnosis of SPC in a median interval of 22 (min-max: 7-173) months. All the patients (100%) with locally advanced or metastatic LC received at least one systemic treatment including (chemotherapy regimen (n = 9 851, 91.2%); ICI (n = 4 648, 43.0%); targeted treatment (n = 3 500; 32.4%). 40 (0.9%) SPC were reported in the 4 648 patients with metastatic LC treated with ICI vs 108 (1.7%) out of the 6 148 who did not receive immunotherapy (p < 0.0001). The multivariate analysis identified that treatment with ICI in patients with AMLC is associated with a reduced risk of SPC (HR = 0.40, 95% CI 0.27-0.58).

CONCLUSION

Treatment with ICI in AMLC patients was associated with a significantly reduced risk of SPC. Prospective studies are required to confirm these results.

Prevalence of lung tumors in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and vice versa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Recent reports suggest an increased prevalence of lung second primary tumors (LSPTs) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients and vice versa. However, the exact prevalence of SPTs remains unclear and screening for these SPTs is currently not routinely performed in western countries. We aimed to report on the prevalence of LSPTs in patients with ESCC and esophageal second primary tumors (ESPTs) in patients with lung cancer (LC).

METHODS

Databases were searched until 25 March 2021 for studies reporting the prevalence of LSPTs in ESCC or vice versa. Pooled prevalences with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of SPTs were calculated with inverse variance, random-effects models and Clopper-Pearson.

RESULTS

Nineteen studies in ESCC patients and 20 studies in LC patients were included. The pooled prevalence of LSPTs in patients with ESCC was 1.8% (95% CI 1.4-2.3%). For ESPTs in LC patients, the pooled prevalence was 0.2% (95% CI 0.1-0.4%). The prevalence of LSPTs in ESCC patients was significantly higher in patients treated curatively compared to studies also including palliative patients (median 2.5% versus 1.3%). This difference was consistent for the ESPT prevalence in LC patients (treated curatively median 1.3% versus 0.1% for all treatments). Over 50% of the detected SPTs were squamous cell carcinomas and were diagnosed metachronously.

CONCLUSION

Patients with ESCC and LC have an increased risk of developing SPTs in the lungs and esophagus. However, the relatively low SPT prevalence rates do not justify screening in these patients. Further research should focus on risk stratification to identify subgroups of patients at highest risk of SPT development.

Incidence of smoking-related second primary cancers after lung cancer in Germany: an analysis of nationwide cancer registry data

INTRODUCTION

About 80% of lung cancer cases in Germany are attributable to smoking. Patients with a lung cancer diagnosis may remain at increased risk of developing smoking-related second primary cancers (SPC).

METHODS

Anonymous data from 11 population-based cancer registries covering about 50% of the German population were pooled for the analysis. Included patients were diagnosed with an index lung cancer between 2002 and 2013, 30 to 99 years old at diagnosis and survived for at least 6 months. We calculated standardized incidence ratios (SIR) - stratified by age, sex, region and period - comparing the incidence of smoking-related and other SPC to the general population.

RESULTS

Of the 135,589 lung cancer survivors (68.2% male; mean follow-up 30.8 months) analyzed, 5,298 developed an SPC. In males the risk was particularly high for SPCs of the larynx (SIR = 3.70; 95% CI: 3.14-4.34), pharynx (3.17; 2.61-3.81) and oral cavity (2.86; 2.38-3.41). For females SIRs were notably elevated for esophagus (4.66; 3.15-6.66), oral cavity (3.14; 2.03-4.63) and urinary tract (2.68; 2.04-3.45). When combining all smoking-related cancer sites, SIR was 1.41 in males (95% CI: 1.36-1.47) and 1.81 in females (95% CI: 1.68-1.94). We observed that males had a 1.46-fold (95% CI: 1.37-1.56) and females a 1.33-fold (95% CI: 1.20-1.47) increased risk for smoking-related compared to other cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with primary lung cancer were at increased risk for developing a smoking-related SPC. Therefore, the advantages of increased patient surveillance and the benefits of smoking cessation strategies should be considered.

Long-term radiation therapy-related risk of second primary malignancies in patients with lung cancer

Background

With the improvement of cancer therapy, a second primary malignancy (SPM) occurs more commonly among cancer survivors. At present, it remains unclear whether the radiation therapy for the initial lung cancer will increase the risk of developing a SPM. This study aims to investigate the long-term risk of a SPM attributable to the radiation therapy in patients with the initial lung cancer.

Methods

Patients initially diagnosed with lung cancer between January 1975 and November 2011 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. SPM was defined as the occurrence of a second cancer at least five years after the diagnosis of the initial lung cancer. Age- and propensity score matching (PSM)-adjusted competing risk analyses were performed to compare the risk of SPM.

Results

Of 47,911 patients, 9,162 (19.1%) underwent radiotherapy for the initial lung cancer. The PSM-adjusted competing risk analyses showed that radiation therapy was associated with a lower overall risk of SPM (HR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.84-0.94, P<0.001). Specifically, the risk of second primary melanoma (HR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.29-0.81, P=0.006), second primary female breast cancer (HR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.50-0.85, P=0.001), second primary prostate cancer (HR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.58-0.84, P<0.001) and second primary thyroid cancer (HR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.07-0.77, P=0.017) was found to decrease, while the risk for second primary esophageal cancer dramatically increased (HR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.26-2.45, P<0.001).

Conclusions

In patients who received radiotherapy for the initial lung cancer, the risk decreased for second primary melanoma as well as for second primary cancers of female breast, prostate and thyroid gland but increased for second primary cancer of esophagus. On the whole, radiation therapy for initial lung cancer may not increase the overall risk of SPM.

Does irradiation for initial primary lung cancer affect the risk of metachronous second primary lung cancer?

Several studies have reported inconsistent results about second primary lung cancer (SPLC) after irradiation for initial primary lung cancer (IPLC). The present study aims to assess the effect of ionising radiation on the risk of SPLC. The study population came from SEER database, and included a population-based cohort of 21,397 individuals diagnosed with IPLC between 2004 and 2009 who survived more than 7 years after the initial diagnosis. The first aim was to estimate the risk of SPLC in different periods and the cumulative risk of SPLC. Subsequently, a generalized additive model with Poisson regression analysis and a proportional sub-distribution hazard model was used to determine whether radiation affected the risk of SPLC. Until Dec 2016, there were 488 individuals who developed SPLC, 5368 individuals who died, and there were 15,541 alive individuals, respectively. The risk of SPLC was found to gradually decline with the extent of follow-up time. Age and histology were the two main risk factors of developing SPLC in Poisson regression and competing risk analyses. In Poisson regression analysis, radiation had no significant effect on the risk of developing SPLC (adjusted OR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.54, 1.19, P = 0.28). When considered competing risk of all-cause death, the risk of SPLC in the radiation group was similar to that in the non-radiation group (adjusted sHR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.56, 1.13, P = 0.21). The risk of SPLC was different during different follow-up time. Irradiation for IPLC seemingly did not affect the risk of developing SPLC.

Risk of second primary malignancy in adults with pulmonary high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma (HGNEC)

Background

Pulmonary high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma (HGNEC) has a rising incidence of developing second primary malignancies (SPMs). This study is the first population-based analysis to quantify the SPM risks among survivors of lung HGNEC.

Methods

We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to calculate standardized incidence ratio (SIR) and absolute excess risk (AER) between 2000 and 2016 for patients with pulmonary HGNEC.

Results

The data of 1161 patients with SPMs were retrieved from the SEER database. The ratio of observed/expected number of SPMs in pulmonary HGNEC was 1.53. Solid tumours comprised 91% of all second malignancies in lung HGNEC patients, with the most common cancers reported in the oral cavity and pharynx, the urinary and respiratory systems

Conclusions

Our study observed an increased risk of SPMs among patients with pulmongnancies.

Life-long follow-up of second primary lung and extra-pulmonary cancer in lung cancer patients is needed

Background: Lung cancer (LC) patients are at high risk of developing second primary cancer (SPC). This study aimed to explore the risk factors associated with SPC and provide an individualized risk prediction model for LC patients. Methods: Initial primary lung cancer (IPLC) patients diagnosed between 1998 and 2011 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. A Fine-Gray multivariate competing-risk model was used to estimate the risk of SPC, and the model was assessed regarding discrimination and calibration. A nomogram was designed for clinical convenience to predict the 3-, 5-, and 10- year probabilities of developing SPCs. Results: A total of 142,491 IPLC patients were considered in this study and 14,374(10.01%) developed SPC within a maximum study period of approximately 19 years. Seven independent prognostic factors were identified according to the competing-risk model, and the SEER summary stage and surgery were the strongest predictors. The model was well calibrated and had good discrimination ability(C-index = 0.746). Conclusions: LC survivors had an increased risk of SPC and factors associated with good prognosis often predicted SPC. Consideration should be given to increasing the duration of routine follow-up even after 10 years of initial diagnosis for those at the highest risk and site-specific follow-up strategy is also required.

Radiotherapy was associated with the lower incidence of metachronous second primary lung cancer

Our study aims to estimate the incidence of metachronous second primary lung cancer(SPLC) in initial primary lung cancer(IPLC) survivors and to determine whether radiotherapy affects the risk of metachronous SPLC in the first five years after the diagnosis of lung cancer. Incidence data of IPLC individuals who survived ≥2 years were obtained from SEER-18 database in 2004–2007. Joinpoint regression analysis and competing risk analysis were used to calculate the incidence of metachronous SPLC. Propensity score matching and decision analysis were available to estimate the effect of radiotherapy on metachronous SPLC. 264 of 11657 IPLC survivors with radiotherapy and 1090 of 24499 IPLC survivors without radiotherapy developed metachronous SPLC during 5-year follow-up, respectively. In joinpoint regression analysis, the 5-year incidence of metachronous SPLC in the radiotherapy group was lower than that in the nonradiotherapy group(2385 per 100,000 vs 4748 per 100,000, HR = 0.43,95% CI:0.39–0.47). Competing risk analysis showed that the survivors with radiotherapy were associated with the lower 5 year incidence of metachronous SPLC compared with those without radiotherapy(2.28% vs 4.47%, HR = 0.49,95% CI:0.43–0.57). Through propensity score matching, 4077 pairs of survivors were available to further study that radiotherapy potentially decreased the risk of developing metachronous SPLC with the adjustment of various factors(2.5% vs 3.3%, HR = 0.72, 95% CI:0.55–0.96). Decision analysis suggested that radiotherapy was a negative independent risk factor of metachronous SPLC with clinical net benefit in a range of risk thresholds (2% to 5%). Survivors of IPLC with radiotherapy likely had a low risk of metachronous SPLC during the first five years follow-up, especially non-small cell lung cancer.

A Randomized Phase II Trial of Pioglitazone for Lung Cancer Chemoprevention in High-Risk Current and Former Smokers

Lung cancer chemoprevention, especially in high-risk former smokers, has great potential to reduce lung cancer incidence and mortality. Thiazolidinediones prevent lung cancer in preclinical studies, and diabetics receiving thiazolidinediones have lower lung cancer rates which led to our double-blind, randomized, phase II placebo-controlled trial of oral pioglitazone in high-risk current or former smokers with sputum cytologic atypia or known endobronchial dysplasia. Bronchoscopy was performed at study entry and after completing 6 months of treatment. Biopsies were histologically scored, and primary endpoint analysis tested worst biopsy scores (Max) between groups; Dysplasia index (DI) and average score (Avg) changes were secondary endpoints. Biopsies also received an inflammation score. The trial accrued 92 subjects (47 pioglitazone, 45 placebo), and 76 completed both bronchoscopies (39 pioglitazone, 37 placebo). Baseline dysplasia was significantly worse for current smokers, and 64% of subjects had mild or greater dysplasia at study entry. Subjects receiving pioglitazone did not exhibit improvement in bronchial dysplasia. Former smokers treated with pioglitazone exhibited a slight improvement in Max, while current smokers exhibited slight worsening. While statistically significant changes in Avg and DI were not observed in the treatment group, former smokers exhibited a slight decrease in both Avg and DI. Negligible Avg and DI changes occurred in current smokers. A trend toward decreased Ki-67 labeling index occurred in former smokers with baseline dysplasia receiving pioglitazone. While pioglitazone did not improve endobronchial histology in this high-risk cohort, specific lesions showed histologic improvement, and further study is needed to better characterize responsive dysplasia.

Incidence of second and higher order smoking-related primary cancers following lung cancer: a population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer 5-year survival has doubled over 15 years. Although the risk of second primary cancer is recognised, quantification over time is lacking. We describe the incidence of second and higher order smoking-related primary cancers in lung cancer survivors, identifying high-incidence groups and how incidence changes over time from first diagnosis.

METHODS

Data on smoking-related primary cancers (lung, laryngeal, head and neck, oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma and bladder) diagnosed in England between 2000 and 2014 were obtained from Public Health England National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service. We calculated absolute incidence rates and standardised incidence rate ratios, both overall and for various subgroups of second primary cancer for up to 10 years from the initial diagnosis of lung cancer, using Poisson regression.

RESULTS

Elevated incidence of smoking-related second primary cancer persists for at least 10 years from first lung cancer diagnosis with those aged 50 and 79 at first diagnosis at particularly high risk. The most frequent type of second malignancy was lung cancer although the highest standardised incidence rate ratios were for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (2.4) and laryngeal cancers (2.8) and consistently higher in women than in men. Over the last decade, the incidence of second primary lung cancer has doubled.

CONCLUSION

Lung cancer survivors have increased the incidence of subsequent lung, laryngeal, head and neck and oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma for at least a decade from the first diagnosis. Consideration should be given to increasing routine follow-up from 5 years to 10 years for those at highest risk, alongside surveillance for other smoking-related cancers.

Effect of second primary cancer on the prognosis of patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Background

Second primary cancer (SPC) is not a rare event for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), especially for those who survive for a longer period of time. This study was aimed to explore the effects of SPC on the survival of NSLCL patients.

Methods

A total of 241,805 patients with primary NSCLC were identified between 2004 and 2014 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The incidence of SPC and its effect on the overall survival (OS) and lung cancer-specific survival (LCSS) was explored and analyzed using Cox regression model with SPC being treated as a time-dependent covariate.

Results

The incidence of SPCs after the diagnosis of NSCLC was 6.4%, with the second primary lung cancer being the most common one (45.1%). About half of the SPCs (50.7%) occurred during the first year after the diagnosis of NSCLC. It seemed that patients who developed SPC late in the follow-up period tended to have poor prognosis. Multivariable analysis with Cox regression showed that the occurrence of SPC was a poor prognostic factor for patients with NSCLC [hazard ratio (HR), 1.298; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.270-1.326; P=0.000], and it increased the risk of LCSS (versus no SPC, HR, 1.094; 95% CI, 1.066-1.123; P=0.000).

Conclusions

The occurrence of SPC after the diagnosis of NSCLC was not a rare event, and it indicated a poorer prognosis compared with patients without it. During the follow-up, attention should be paid to the screening of SPC especially the second primary lung cancer, and a rational surveillance policy should be formed and implemented.

Subsequent thoracic cancers among patients diagnosed with lung cancer: a SEER database analysis

BACKGROUND

Population-based data on the development of subsequent thoracic cancers following the initial diagnosis of lung cancer are scarce. We evaluated this clinical scenario in lung cancer patients registered within the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database.

METHODS

The SEER database (1988-2013) was queried using the SEER*Stat program to determine the clinico-pathological features of lung cancer patients who develop subsequent thoracic cancers as well as the characteristics of these subsequent cancers. Associations were ascertained with chi-squared tests and survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier methods. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated to determine the risk of each type of subsequent cancer.

RESULTS

A total of 223,274 lung cancer patients were identified and included in the current study. In this cohort, 6387 patients developed subsequent thoracic cancers. The following were associated with a higher likelihood of second cancers: female gender, younger age, white race, adenocarcinoma histology, married, lower AJCC stage, earlier year of diagnosis and local treatment with surgery rather than radiotherapy (p < .0001 for all parameters). In the subset of patients with subsequent thoracic cancers, survival was best for patients with second primary breast cancer followed by patients with lung or esophageal cancer (p < .0001). SIR analyses showed an excess risk for the development of esophageal cancer and second primary lung cancer following an initial diagnosis of lung cancer. This risk persists regardless of gender or receipt of radiotherapy (p < .05 for all scenarios).

CONCLUSION

There is an excess risk for the development of esophageal cancer and second primary lung cancer following an initial lung cancer diagnosis. This risk is present irrespective of gender or receipt of radiotherapy.