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Background: Opioid misuse is a public health crisis, and unused postoperative opioids are an important source. Although 70% of pills prescribed go unused, only 9% are discarded. This study evaluated whether an inexpensive pill-dispensing device with mail return capacity could enhance disposal of unused opioids after cancer surgery.Methods: A prospective pilot study was conducted among adult patients who underwent major cancer-related surgery. Patients received opioid prescriptions in a mechanical device (Addinex) linked to a smartphone application (app). The app provided passwords on a prescriber-defined schedule. Patients could enter a password into the device and receive a pill if the prescribed time had elapsed. Patients were instructed to return the device and any unused pills in a disposal mailer. The primary end point was feasibility of device return, defined as ≥50% of patients returning the device within 6 weeks of surgery. Also explored was total pill use and return as well as patient satisfaction.Results: Among 30 patients enrolled, the majority (n = 24, 80%) returned the device, and 17 (57%) returned it within 6 weeks of surgery. In total, 567 opioid pills were prescribed and 170 (30%) were used. Of 397 excess pills, 332 (84% of unused pills, 59% of all pills prescribed) were disposed of by mail. Among 19 patients who obtained opioids from the device, most (n = 14, 74%) felt the benefits of the device justified the added steps involved.Conclusions: Use of an inexpensive pill-dispensing device with mail return capacity is a feasible strategy to enhance disposal of unused postoperative opioids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Despite advantages in terms of cancer control and organ preservation, the benefits of chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CTRT) may be offset by potentially severe treatment-related toxicities, particularly in older patients. The objectives of this study were to assess the types and frequencies of toxicities in older adults with locally or regionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) who were receiving either primary CTRT or radiation therapy (RT) alone. METHODS With Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registry data linked with Medicare claims, patients who were 66 years old or older with locally advanced HNSCC, were diagnosed from 2001 to 2009, and received CTRT or RT alone were identified. Differences in the frequency of toxicity-related hospital admissions and emergency room visits as well as feeding tube use were examined, and controlling for demographic and disease characteristics, this study estimated the impact of chemotherapy on the likelihood of toxicity. RESULTS Among patients who received CTRT (n = 1502), 62% had a treatment-related toxicity, whereas 46% of patients who received RT alone (n = 775) did. When the study controlled for demographic and disease characteristics, CTRT patients were twice as likely to experience an acute toxicity in comparison with their RT-only peers. Fifty-five percent of CTRT patients had a feeding tube placed during or after treatment, whereas 28% of the RT-only group did. CONCLUSIONS In this population-based cohort of older adults with HNSCC, the rates of acute toxicities and feeding tube use in patients receiving CTRT were considerable. It is possible that for certain older patients, the potential benefit of adding chemotherapy to RT does not outweigh the harms of this combined-modality therapy. Cancer 2015. © 2015 American Cancer Society. Cancer 2015;121:2083-2089. © 2015 American Cancer Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Survivors of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) face excess mortality from multiple causes. METHODS We used the population-based Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registry data to evaluate the causes of death in patients with nonmetastatic HNSCC diagnosed between 1992 and 2005 who survived at least 3 years from diagnosis (long-term survivors). We used competing-risks proportional hazards regression to estimate probabilities of death from causes: HNSCC, second primary malignancy (SPM) excluding HNSCC, cardiovascular disease, and other causes. RESULTS We identified 35,958 three-year survivors of HNSCC with a median age at diagnosis of 60 years (range = 18-100 years) and a median follow-up of 7.7 years (range = 3-18 years). There were 13,120 deaths during the study period. Death from any cause at 5 and 10 years was 15.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 15.0%-15.8%) and 41.0% (95% CI = 40.4%-41.6%), respectively. There were 3852 HNSCC deaths including both primary and subsequent head and neck tumors. The risk of death from HNSCC was greater in patients with nasopharynx or hypopharynx cancer and in patients with locally advanced disease. SPM was the leading cause of non-HNSCC death, and the most common sites of SPM death were lung (53%), esophagus (10%), and colorectal (5%) cancer. CONCLUSIONS Many long-term HNSCC survivors die from cancers other than HNSCC and from noncancer causes. Routine follow-up care for HNSCC survivors should expand beyond surveillance for recurrent and new head and neck cancers. Cancer 2014;120:1507-1513. © 2014 American Cancer Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Rates of screening mammography have plateaued, and the number of mammography facilities has declined in the past decade. The objective of this study was to assess changes over time and geographic disparities in the availability of mammography services. METHODS Using information from the US Food and Drug Administration and the US Census, county-level mammography capacity was defined as the number of mammography machines per 10,000 women aged ≥ 40 years. Cross-sectional variation and longitudinal changes in capacity were examined in relation to county characteristics. RESULTS Between 2000 and 2010, the number of mammography facilities declined 10% from 9434 to 8469, the number of mammography machines declined 10% from 13,100 to 11,762, and the median county mammography capacity decreased nearly 20% from 1.77 to 1.42 machines per 10,000 women aged ≥ 40 years. In cross-sectional analysis, counties with greater percentages of uninsured residents, less educated residents, greater population density, and higher managed care penetration had lower mammography capacity. Conversely, counties with more hospital beds per 100,000 population had higher capacity. High initial mammography capacity, growth in both the percentage of the population aged ≥ 65 years and the percentage living in poverty, and increased managed care penetration were all associated with a decrease in mammography capacity between 2000 and 2010. Only the percentage of rural residents was associated with an increase in capacity. CONCLUSIONS Geographic variation in mammography capacity and declines in capacity over time are associated with demographic, socioeconomic, and health care market characteristics. Maldistribution of mammography resources may explain geographic disparities in breast cancer screening rates. Cancer 2013;119:3847-3853. © 2013 American Cancer Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Patient navigation can increase colorectal cancer screening rates. The net economic impact of a colonoscopy patient navigator program was evaluated in an urban public hospital setting. METHODS: Cost, cost-effectiveness, and cost-benefit analyses were performed of a colonoscopy patient navigation program at 3 urban public hospitals in the period from 2003 to 2007. Program effectiveness was assessed in a 2-group, pre- and post-program, nonrandomized evaluation, comparing program hospitals with comparison hospitals that served similar populations. Costs were assessed from the provider's perspective. Outcomes included colonoscopy volume, colonoscopy completion rate, program cost, incremental cost-effectiveness, and net monetary benefit. RESULTS: Patient navigation was associated with a 61% increase in average monthly colonoscopy volume at program hospitals, from 114 procedures to 184 procedures, compared with a 12% increase at comparison hospitals. Adjusted for other factors, the navigator program increased colonoscopy volume by 44 to 67 additional procedures per month. Average program cost varied from $50 to $300 per patient referred to a navigator. Incremental cost-effectiveness varied from $200 to $700 per additional colonoscopy. At 2 hospitals, net revenue associated with increased colonoscopy volume exceeded the program cost per additional colonoscopy, yielding a net financial benefit; at the third hospital, the program yielded a net cost. Variation between hospitals in the program's economic impact was primarily attributable to differences in personnel costs. CONCLUSIONS: Economic evaluation of this colonoscopy patient navigator program in an urban public hospital setting suggests that such programs can be a cost-effective use of limited resources and yield a net financial benefit for providers. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer poses a substantial morbidity and mortality burden in the United States, and predominantly affects older adults. The objective of this study was to estimate the direct medical costs of pancreatic cancer treatment in a population-based cohort of Medicare beneficiaries, and the contribution of different treatment modalities and health care services to the total cost of care and trends in costs over time. METHODS: In the linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database, pancreatic cancer patients were identified who were aged 66 years or older and who were diagnosed from 2000 to 2007. Total direct medical costs were estimated from Medicare payments overall and within categories of care. Costs attributable to pancreatic cancer were estimated by subtracting the costs of medical care in a matched cohort of cancer-free beneficiaries. RESULTS: A total of 15,037 patients were identified, of whom 97% were observed from diagnosis until death. Mean total direct medical costs were $65,500. Mean total costs were greater for patients with resectable locoregional disease ($134,700) than for those with unresectable locoregional or distant disease ($65,300 and $49,000, respectively). Hospitalizations and cancer-directed procedures collectively accounted for the largest fraction of health care costs. The total cost of care appeared to increase slightly over the study period ( P = .05). The mean costs attributable to pancreatic cancer were $61,700. CONCLUSIONS: Despite poor prognosis and short survival, the economic burden of pancreatic cancer in the elderly is substantial. Demographic trends, greater use of targeted therapies, and possible implementation of screening strategies are likely to impact treatment patterns and costs in the future. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) improves prostate cancer outcomes in specific clinical settings, but is associated with adverse effects, including cardiac complications and possibly thromboembolic complications. The objective of this study was to estimate the impact of ADT on thromboembolic events (TEs) in a population-based cohort. METHODS: In the linked Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare database, we identified men older than 65 who were diagnosed with nonmetastatic prostate cancer between 1999 and 2005. Medical or surgical ADT was identified by Medicare claims for gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists or bilateral orchiectomy at any time following diagnosis. TEs included deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and arterial embolism. The impact of ADT on the risk of any TE and on total number of events was estimated, controlling for patient and tumor characteristics. RESULTS: Of 154,611 patients with prostate cancer, 58,466 (38%) received ADT. During a median follow-up of 52 months, 15,950 men had at least 1 TE, including 8829 (55%) who had ADT and 7121 (45%) with no ADT. ADT was associated with increased risk of a TE (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.50-1.61; P < .0001), and duration of ADT was associated with the total number of events ( P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: In this population-based cohort, ADT was associated with increased risk of a TE, and longer durations of ADT were associated with more TEs. Men with intermediate- and low-risk prostate cancer should be assessed for TE risk factors before starting ADT and counseled regarding the risks and benefits of this therapy. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence suggests that minimally invasive radical prostatectomy (MRP) and open radical prostatectomy (ORP) have similar short-term clinical and functional outcomes. MRP with robotic assistance is generally more expensive than ORP, but it is not clear whether subsequent costs of care vary by approach.Methods: In the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registry linked with Medicare claims, men aged 66 years or older who received MRP or ORP in 2003 through 2006 for prostate cancer were identified. Total cost of care was estimated as the sum of Medicare payments from all claims for hospital care, outpatient care, physician services, home health and hospice care, and durable medical equipment in the first year from the date of surgical admission. The impact of surgical approach on costs was estimated, controlling for patient and disease characteristics.Results: Of 5445 surgically treated prostate cancer patients, 4454 (82%) had ORP and 991 (18%) had MRP. Mean total first-year costs were more than $1200 greater for MRP compared with ORP ($16,919 vs $15,692; P = .08). Controlling for patient and disease characteristics, MRP was associated with 2% greater mean total payments, but this difference was not statistically significant. First-year costs were greater for men who were older, black, lived in the Northeast, had lymph node involvement, more advanced tumor stage, or greater comorbidity.Conclusions: In this population-based cohort of older men, MRP and ORP had similar economic outcomes. From a payer's perspective, any benefits associated with MRP may not translate to net savings compared with ORP in the first year after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) is an important component of prostate cancer staging and treatment, especially for surgical patients who have high-risk tumor features. It is not clear how the shift from open radical prostatectomy (ORP) to minimally invasive radical prostatectomy (MIRP) has affected the use of PLND. The objectives of this study were to identify predictors of PLND and to assess the impact of surgical technique in a contemporary, population-based cohort. METHODS: In Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registry data linked with Medicare claims, the authors identified men who underwent ORP or MIRP for prostate cancer during 2003 to 2007. The impact of surgical approach on PLND was evaluated, and interactions were examined between surgical procedure, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and Gleason score with the analysis controlled for patient and tumor characteristics. RESULTS: Of 6608 men who underwent ORP or MIRP, 70% (n = 4600) underwent PLND. The use of PLND declined over time both overall and within subgroups defined by procedure type. PLND was 5 times more likely in men who underwent ORP than in men who underwent MIRP when the analysis was controlled for patient and tumor characteristics. Elevated PSA and biopsy Gleason score, but not clinical stage, were associated with a greater odds of PLND in both the ORP group and the MIRP group. However, the magnitude of the association between these factors and PLND was significantly greater for patients in the ORP group. CONCLUSIONS: PLND was less common among men who underwent MIRP, independent of tumor risk factors. A decline in PLND rates was not fully explained by an increase in MIRP. The authors concluded that these trends may signal a surgical approach-dependent disparity in prostate cancer staging and therapy. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study that aimed to evaluate the prognosis and patterns of care in elderly patients with oligodendroglioma (OLI) and astrocytoma (AST). The subjects of the study were OLI and AST patients aged 65 years and above and diagnosis were assessed using multivariate logistic regression. The results showed that age and tumor grade were the most significant predictors and influence the probability of surgical resection, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

The article presents a study which examines the utilization and cost effectiveness of human epidermal growth receptor 2 (HER2) testing strategies in clinical practice in the U.S. It notes that HER2 testing aims to determine which breast cancer patients overexpress HER2 gene and to prove whether trastuzumab treatment to 20-30% patients is highly effective. It emphasizes on the importance of understanding the use of HER2 testing in cancer care because of its critical role in targeting therapy.

This article discusses findings of a study, which identified factors associated with the receipt and type of treatment in a population-based cohort of older patients diagnosed with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). A rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, PCNSL is restricted to the brain, cerebrospinal fluid or eyes and its incidence has increased since the 1970s. Predictors of treatment were identified using multivariate logistic regression.

A reply by Kathryn A. Phillips, Elena B. Elkin and Jennifer S. Hass to a comment by Fitzgibbons et al. about their article on the clinical practice patterns and cost-effectiveness of human epidermal growth receptor-2 (HER-2) testing strategies in patients with breast cancer, is presented.