BACKGROUND:Guidelines for follow-up after locoregional breast cancer treatment recommend imaging for distant metastases only in the presence of patient signs and/or symptoms. However, guidelines have not been updated to reflect advances in imaging, systemic therapy, or the understanding of biological subtype. We assessed the association between mode of distant recurrence detection and survival. METHODS:In this observational study, a stage-stratified random sample of women with stage II-III breast cancer in 2006-2007 and followed through 2016 was selected, including up to 10 women from each of 1217 Commission on Cancer facilities (n = 10 076). The explanatory variable was mode of recurrence detection (asymptomatic imaging vs signs and/or symptoms). The outcome was time from initial cancer diagnosis to death. Registrars abstracted scan type, intent (cancer-related vs not, asymptomatic surveillance vs not), and recurrence. Data were merged with each patient's National Cancer Database record. RESULTS:Surveillance imaging detected 23.3% (284 of 1220) of distant recurrences (76.7%, 936 of 1220 by signs and/or symptoms). Based on propensity-weighted multivariable Cox proportional hazards models, patients with asymptomatic imaging compared with sign and/or symptom detected recurrences had a lower risk of death if estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) negative, HER2 negative (triple negative; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.54 to 0.99), or HER2 positive (HR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.33 to 0.80). No association was observed for ER- or PR-positive, HER2-negative (HR = 1.14, 95% CI = 0.91 to 1.44) cancers. CONCLUSIONS:Recurrence detection by asymptomatic imaging compared with signs and/or symptoms was associated with lower risk of death for triple-negative and HER2-positive, but not ER- or PR-positive, HER2-negative cancers. A randomized trial is warranted to evaluate imaging surveillance for metastases results in these subgroups.
BackgroundMany quality measures in cancer care are process measures. The rates of compliance for these measures over time have not been well described, and the relationships between measure compliance and survival are not well understood.MethodsThe National Cancer Database, representing cancer registry data from approximately 1500 Commission on Cancer (CoC) cancer programs, was queried to determine the rates of compliance, with the CoC's colon cancer quality measure requiring 12 regional lymph nodes be removed at resection. Data were assessed in 2003, before the measure was reported to programs, through 2015. Measure compliance and risk-adjusted survival were examined by hospital type.ResultsFrom 2003 to 2015, 544,018 cases of colon cancer were analyzed for number of nodes removed. In 2003, compliance was 52.8% and National Cancer Institute (NCI) centers had the highest compliance rate (69.0%), followed by academic cancer centers (61.9%), comprehensive community hospitals (50.9%), and community hospitals (44.0%). Between 2003 and 2015, compliance improved for all hospital types, although differences remained. Risk-adjusted survival in 2009 was better at NCI centers [hazard ratio (HR) 0.76] than at academic cancer centers (HR 0.90), which had better survivals than comprehensive community programs (HR 0.93) when compared with patients treated at community hospitals.ConclusionAfter introduction of this quality measure, performance at CoC-accredited hospitals improved over the subsequent 13years, and survival by hospital type paralleled measure compliance by hospital type. This demonstrated measurement may be associated with improvements in performance, and that there are differences in performance and outcome by hospital type.
Purpose Survival is considered an important indicator of the quality of cancer care, but the validity of different methodologies to measure comparative survival rates is less well understood. We explored whether the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) could serve as a source of unadjusted and risk-adjusted cancer survival data and whether these data could be used as quality indicators for individual hospitals or in the aggregate by hospital type. Methods The NCDB, an aggregate of > 1,500 hospital cancer registries, was queried to analyze unadjusted and risk-adjusted hazards of death for patients with stage III breast cancer (n = 116,787) and stage IIIB or IV non-small-cell lung cancer (n = 252,392). Data were analyzed at the individual hospital level and by hospital type. Results At the hospital level, after risk adjustment, few hospitals had comparative risk-adjusted survival rates that were statistically better or worse. By hospital type, National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers had risk-adjusted survival ratios that were statistically significantly better than those of academic cancer centers and community hospitals. Conclusion Using the NCDB as the data source, survival rates for patients with stage III breast cancer and stage IIIB or IV non-small-cell lung cancer were statistically better at National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers when compared with other hospital types. Compared with academic hospitals, risk-adjusted survival was lower in community hospitals. At the individual hospital level, after risk adjustment, few hospitals were shown to have statistically better or worse survival, suggesting that, using NCDB data, survival may not be a good metric to determine relative quality of cancer care at this level.
Although not guideline recommended, studies suggest 50% of locoregional breast cancer patients undergo systemic imaging during follow-up, prompting its inclusion as a Choosing Wisely measure of potential overuse. Most studies rely on administrative data that cannot delineate scan intent (prompted by signs/symptoms vs. asymptomatic surveillance). This is a critical gap as intent is the only way to distinguish overuse from appropriate care.
Purpose National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines recommend systemic staging imaging at the time of locoregional breast cancer recurrence. Limited data support this recommendation. We determined the rate of synchronous distant recurrence at the time of locoregional recurrence in high-risk patients and identified clinical factors associated with an increased risk of synchronous metastases. Methods A stage-stratified random sample of 11,046 patients with stage II to III breast cancer in 2006 to 2007 was selected from the National Cancer Database for participation in a Commission on Cancer special study. From medical record abstraction of imaging and recurrence data, we identified patients who experienced locoregional recurrence within 5 years of diagnosis. Synchronous distant metastases (within 30 days of locoregional recurrence) were determined. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with synchronous metastases. Results Four percent experienced locoregional recurrence (n = 445). Synchronous distant metastases were identified in 27% (n = 120). Initial presenting stage ( P = .03), locoregional recurrence type ( P = .01), and insurance status ( P = .03) were associated with synchronous distant metastases. The proportion of synchronous metastases was highest for women with lymph node (35%), postmastectomy chest wall (30%), and in-breast (15%) recurrence; 54% received systemic staging imaging within 30 days of a locoregional recurrence. Conclusion These findings support current recommendations for systemic imaging in the setting of locoregional recurrence, particularly for patients with lymph node or chest wall recurrences. Because most patients with isolated locoregional recurrence will be recommended locoregional treatment, early identification of distant metastases through routine systemic imaging may spare them treatments unlikely to extend their survival.
Purpose Accurate comorbidity measurement is critical for cancer research. We evaluated comorbidity assessment in the National Cancer Database (NCDB), which uses a code-based Charlson-Deyo Comorbidity Index (CCI), and compared its prognostic performance with a chart-based CCI and individual comorbidities in a national sample of patients with breast, colorectal, or lung cancer. Patients and Methods Through an NCDB Special Study, cancer registrars re-abstracted perioperative comorbidities for 11,243 patients with stage II to III breast cancer, 10,880 with stage I to III colorectal cancer, and 9,640 with stage I to III lung cancer treated with definitive surgical resection in 2006-2007. For each cancer type, we compared the prognostic performance of the NCDB code-based CCI (categorical: 0 or missing data, 1, 2+), Special Study chart-based CCI (continuous), and 18 individual comorbidities in three separate Cox proportional hazards models for postoperative 5-year overall survival. Results Comorbidity was highest among patients with lung cancer (13.2% NCDB CCI 2+) and lowest among patients with breast cancer (2.8% NCDB CCI 2+). Agreement between the NCDB and Special Study CCI was highest for breast cancer (rank correlation, 0.50) and lowest for lung cancer (rank correlation, 0.40). The NCDB CCI underestimated comorbidity for 19.1%, 29.3%, and 36.2% of patients with breast, colorectal, and lung cancer, respectively. Within each cancer type, the prognostic performance of the NCDB CCI, Special Study CCI, and individual comorbidities to predict postoperative 5-year overall survival was similar. Conclusion The NCDB underestimated comorbidity in patients with surgically resected breast, colorectal, or lung cancer, partly because the NCDB codes missing data as CCI0. However, despite underestimation of comorbidity, the NCDB CCI was similar to the more complete measures of comorbidity in the Special Study in predicting overall survival.
Objective: To evaluate whether an association exists between the intensity of surveillance following surgical resection for non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and survival. Background: Surveillance guidelines following surgical resection of NSCLC vary widely and are based on expert opinion and limited evidence. Methods: A Special Study of the National Cancer Database randomly selected stage I to III NSCLC patients for data reabstraction. For patients diagnosed between 2006 and 2007 and followed for 5 years through 2012, registrars documented all postsurgical imaging with indication (routine surveillance, new symptoms), recurrence, new primary cancers, and survival, with 5-year follow-up. Patients were placed into surveillance groups according to existing guidelines (3-month, 6-month, annual). Overall survival and survival after recurrence were analyzed using Cox Proportional Hazards Models. Results: A total of 4463 patients were surveilled with computed tomography scans; these patients were grouped based on time from surgery to first surveillance. Groups were similar with respect to age, sex, comorbidities, surgical procedure, and histology. Higher-stage patients received more surveillance. More frequent surveillance was not associated with longer risk-adjusted overall survival [hazard ratio for 6-month: 1.16 (0.99, 1.36) and annual: 1.06 (0.86–1.31) vs 3-month; P value 0.14]. More frequent imaging was also not associated with postrecurrence survival [hazard ratio: 1.02/month since imaging (0.99–1.04); P value 0.43]. Conclusions: These nationally representative data provide evidence that more frequent postsurgical surveillance is not associated with improved survival. As the number of lung cancer survivors increases over the next decade, surveillance is an increasingly important major health care concern and expenditure.
IMPORTANCE Surveillance testing is performed after primary treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC), but it is unclear if the intensity of testing decreases time to detection of recurrence or affects patient survival. OBJECTIVE To determine if intensity of posttreatment surveillance is associated with time to detection of CRC recurrence, rate of recurrence, resection for recurrence, or overall survival. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A retrospective cohort study of patient data abstracted from the medical record as part of a Commission on Cancer Special Study merged with records from the National Cancer Database. A random sample of patients (n= 8529) diagnosed with stage I, II, or III CRC treated at a Commission on Cancer-accredited facilities (2006-2007) with follow-up through December 31, 2014. EXPOSURES Intensity of imaging and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) surveillance testing derived empirically at the facility level using the observed to expected ratio for surveillance testing during a 3-year observation period. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was time to detection of CRC recurrence; secondary outcomes included rates of resection for recurrent disease and overall survival. RESULTS A total of 8529 patients (49% men; median age, 67 years) at 1175 facilities underwent surveillance imaging and CEA testing within 3 years after their initial CRC treatment. The cohort was distributed by stage as follows: stage I, 25.0%; stage II, 35.2%; and stage III, 39.8%. Patients treated at high-intensity facilities-4188 patients (49.1%) for imaging and 4136 (48.5%) for CEA testing underwent a mean of 2.9 (95% CI, 2.8-2.9) imaging scans and a mean of 4.3 (95% CI, 4.2-4.4) CEA tests. Patients treated at low-intensity facilities-4341 patients (50.8%) for imaging and 4393 (51.5%) for CEA testing-underwent a mean of 1.6 (95% CI, 1.6-1.7) imaging scans and a mean of 1.6 (95% CI, 1.6-1.7) CEA tests. Imaging and CEA surveillance intensity were not associated with a significant difference in time to detection of cancer recurrence. The median time to detection of recurrence was 15.1 months (IQR, 8.2-26.3) for patients treated at facilities with high-intensity imaging surveillance and 16.0 months (IQR, 7.9-27.2) with low-intensity imaging surveillance (difference,-0.95 months; 95% CI,-2.59 to0.68; HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.90-1.09) and was 15.9 months (IQR, 8.5-27.5) for patients treated at facilities with high-intensity CEA testing and 15.3 months (IQR, 7.9-25.7) with low-intensity CEA testing (difference, 0.59 months; 95% CI, -1.33 to 2.51; HR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.90-1.11). No significant difference existed in rates of resection for cancer recurrence (HR for imaging, 1.22; 95% CI, 0.99-1.51 and HR for CEA testing, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.91-1.39) or overall survival (HR for imaging, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.94-1.08 and HR for CEA testing, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.89-1.03) among patients treated at facilities with high-vs low-intensity imaging or CEA testing surveillance. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Among patients treated for stage I, II, or III CRC, there was no significant association between surveillance intensity and detection of recurrence.
Annual mammography is recommended after breast cancer treatment. However, studies suggest its under-utilization for Medicare patients. Utilization in the broader population is unknown, as is the role of breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Understanding factors associated with imaging use is critical to improvement of adherence to recommendations.
6519 Background: Comprehensive assessment of comorbidity in cancer registries is critical for comparative effectiveness research. The National Cancer Database (NCDB) measures comorbidity with a diagnosis code-based Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) abstracted from discharge abstracts or billing face sheets. However, the prognostic performance of this code-based CCI has not been compared with a medical chart-based CCI or individual comorbid conditions in a nationally representative sample of patients with lung cancer. Methods: Through a special study of the NCDB, cancer registrars performed chart abstraction for 18 perioperative comorbid conditions for 9,640 randomly selected patients with stage I-III non-small cell lung cancer resected in 2006-07 at 1,150 Commission on Cancer-accredited facilities. We compared the prognostic performance of the NCDB code-based categorical CCI (0, 1, 2+), special study chart-based continuous CCI, and individual comorbid conditions in 3 separate Cox proportional hazards models for 5-year postoperative overall survival. All models adjusted for demographic and clinical characteristics. Results: Median age was 67 (IQR 60-74). The most common comorbidities were COPD (40%) and CAD (21%). Five-year postoperative overall survival was 55.5%. Agreement between the code- and chart-based CCIs was 51.9% with the code-based CCI underestimating comorbidity for 36.2% patients. The model including individual comorbid conditions had the best prognostic performance (R2 0.196, C index 0.654). COPD, CAD, CHF, dementia, diabetes, moderate/severe renal and liver disease, peripheral vascular disease, psychiatric disorder, and substance abuse were independently associated with decreased survival. The chart-based CCI model (R2 0.189, C index 0.650) predicted postoperative survival better than the code-based CCI model (R2 0.181, C index 0.645). Conclusions: The NCDB code-based CCI underestimates comorbidity in patients with surgically resected lung cancer. The chart-based CCI and data on individual comorbid conditions improved prognostic performance and would be valuable additions to the NCDB to strengthen comparative effectiveness research.
533 Background: Although clinical guidelines recommend consideration of adjuvant chemotherapy in high-risk stage II colon cancer, the impact on recurrence risk and cancer related survival is unclear. Furthermore, among Medicare patients, adjuvant chemotherapy was not associated with improved survival. We examine the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy on recurrence risk and overall survival in a diverse cohort. Methods: 6,095 patients who underwent surgery for stage II-III colon cancer (2006-2007) were randomly selected from facilities reporting to the National Cancer Data Base for additional abstraction of tumor information, 5 year recurrence and survival. Death or second cancer within 6 months were excluded. Patients were classified as high or low risk using standard pathologic factors. Multivariate Cox regression with propensity score weighting was performed to compare recurrence risk and overall survival. Results: Of 3,423 patients with stage II colon cancer, 26.9% (n = 883) received chemotherapy compared to 76.2% (n = 1,839) of stage III patients. Among stage II patients, 47.8% (n = 1,636) had at least one high risk feature and 30.8% (n = 481) of these received chemotherapy. Five year recurrence rate in stage II patients was 13% (n = 392), greater in high risk compared to non-high risk patients (13.3% vs 9.3% p < 0.0001) and 24.4% (n = 874) in stage III patients. Chemotherapy did not improve recurrence risk in stage II patients regardless of risk status (High risk: hazard ratio [HR] 1.37; 95% CI 0.96 - 1.97; Non-high risk: HR 1.39; 95% CI 0.91 - 2.11). Chemotherapy was associated with a significant improvement in recurrence risk in stage III patients (HR 0.79; 95% CI 0.63 - 0.96). However, chemotherapy was associated with improved overall survival in both high (HR 0.69; 95% CI 0.51 - 0.92) and non-high risk stage II patients (HR 0.76; 95% CI 0.55 - 1.04), and also in stage III patients (HR 0.47; 95% CI 0.41 - 0.54). Conclusions: Adjuvant chemotherapy was not associated with a lower recurrence rate among stage II colon cancer patients. The observed survival benefit associated with chemotherapy is likely attributable to non-oncologic factors such as patient selection. Decision-making regarding chemotherapy use in this cohort should be carefully approached.
10016 Background: The optimal strategy for CRC post-treatment surveillance is unknown. The frequency and type of testing remains controversial, and it is unclear whether surveillance impacts rates of detection or survival. The purpose of this study was to determine if the intensity of post-treatment surveillance is associated with time to recurrence detection, treatment, or overall survival (OS). Methods: Primary records of a random sample of 10,636 Stage I-III CRC patients from Commission on Cancer accredited hospitals (2006-2007) were abstracted, and detailed results of surveillance testing were reviewed. Data was merged with records in the National Cancer Database (NCDB). A predicted and observed number of imaging and CEA tests per patient were determined and clustered by hospital to categorize patients into high (HI, O/E ≥ 1) or low intensity (LI, O/E < 1) categories. Results: 6,279 patients underwent imaging or CEA surveillance in the 3 years after CRC treatment. Patients with HI imaging (50.6%) or CEA (51.2%) had a mean of 2.9 imaging studies and 4.7 CEA tests. Patients with LI imaging underwent a mean of 1.4 imaging studies and 1.6 CEA tests. 5-year recurrence rates did not differ based on intensity of surveillance. Stage II and III patients who underwent HI imaging and CEA testing had a slightly higher resection rate, but this did not translate into an improvement in 5-year OS. Conclusions: High vs. low intensity surveillance was not associated with earlier detection of recurrent disease or improved OS. HI surveillance was associated with a slightly higher resection rate, but this did not result in a survival benefit. Our findings within a national hospital registry cohort failed to demonstrate a survival benefit of HI surveillance and suggest that an effective surveillance strategy may involve less frequent testing. [Table: see text]
IMPORTANCE The National Cancer Database (NCDB), a joint quality improvement initiative of the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer and the American Cancer Society, has created a shared research file that has changed the study of cancer care in the United States. A thorough understanding of the nuances, strengths, and limitations of the database by both readers and investigators is of critical importance. This review describes the use of the NCDB to study cancer care, with a focus on the advantages of using the database and important considerations that affect the interpretation of NCDB studies. OBSERVATIONS The NCDB is one of the largest cancer registries in the world and has rapidly become one of the most commonly used data resources to study the care of cancer in the United States. The NCDB paints a comprehensive picture of cancer care, including a number of less commonly available details that enable subtle nuances of treatment to be studied. On the other hand, several potentially important patient and treatment attributes are not collected in the NCDB, which may affect the extent to which comparisons can be adjusted. Finally, the NCDB has undergone several significant changes during the past decade that may affect its completeness and the types of available data. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The NCDB offers a critically important perspective on cancer care in the United States. To capitalize on its strengths and adjust for its limitations, investigators and their audiences should familiarize themselves with the advantages and shortcomings of the NCDB, as well as its evolution over time.
6520 Background: Breast cancer follow-up guidelines recommend imaging for distant metastases only in the presence of signs/symptoms. However, data supporting this recommendation predates the current era of improved imaging and targeted therapies based on molecular subtype. The objective was to assess the relationship between mode of distant recurrence detection and survival. Methods: A stage-stratified random sample of Stage II-III breast cancer patients diagnosed in 2006-7 was selected from NCDB records from 1,217 CoC-accredited facilities (10/hospital n = 10,853). Women were categorized by subtype: 1) ER or PR+/HER2-; 2) ER and PR-/Her2- (triple negative); 3) HER2+. Medical records abstracted for 5-years post-surgery supplemented NCDB data and assessed distant recurrence and mode of detection (prompted by signs/symptoms or surveillance imaging), imaging (chest CT, abdomen/pelvis CT/MRI, head CT/MRI, bone scan, PET/CT), death date. The relationship between mode of recurrence detection and days from initial cancer diagnosis to death was assessed using propensity-weighted multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression stratified by subtype. Propensity weights, based on receipt of surveillance systemic imaging, accounted for sociodemographic and tumor/treatment factors. Results: 5-year distant recurrence was 22.3% for triple negative, 14.8% HER2+, and 11.2% for ER or PR+/ HER2- patients. Asymptomatic imaging detected recurrence in 22.9% and signs/symptoms in 77.1%. Patients with asymptomatic as compared to sign/symptom detected recurrences had reduced risk of death in 5 years if triple negative (HR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.50-0.93) or HER2+ (HR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.24-0.65) with no significant association for ER or PR+/HER2- (HR = 1.2, 95% CI = 0.88-1.51). This translated to a between-group difference in weighted median survival of 5 months for triple negative and 13 months for HER2+ patients. Conclusions: This is the first nationally representative study to show a survival advantage with asymptomatic detection of distant metastases for patients, with the benefit limited to triple negative and HER2+ disease. Further research to confirm observational findings is warranted.
Objective Older patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are less likely to receive guideline-recommended treatment at diagnosis, independent of comorbidity. However, national data on treatment of postoperative recurrence are limited. We evaluated the associations between age, comorbidity, and other patient factors and treatment of postoperative NSCLC recurrence in a national cohort. Materials and methods We randomly selected 9001 patients with surgically resected stage I–III NSCLC in 2006–2007 from the National Cancer Data Base. Patients were followed for 5 years or until first NSCLC recurrence, new primary cancer, or death, whichever came first. Perioperative comorbidities, first recurrence, treatment of recurrence, and survival were abstracted from medical records and merged with existing registry data. Factors associated with active treatment (chemotherapy, radiation, and/or surgery) versus supportive care only were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. Results Median age at initial diagnosis was 67; 69.7% had >1 comorbidity. At 5-year follow-up, 12.3% developed locoregional and 21.5% developed distant recurrence. Among patients with locoregional recurrence, 79.5% received active treatment. Older patients (OR 0.49 for age >75 compared with <55; 95% CI 0.27–0.88) and those with substance abuse (OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.23–0.81) were less likely to receive active treatment. Women (OR 0.62; 95% CI 0.43–0.89) and patients with symptomatic recurrence (OR 0.69; 95% CI 0.47–0.99) were also less likely to receive active treatment. Among those with distant recurrence, 77.3% received active treatment. Older patients (OR 0.42 for age >75 compared with <55; 95% CI 0.26–0.68) and those with any documented comorbidities (OR 0.59; 95% CI 0.38–0.89) were less likely to receive active treatment. Conclusion Older patients independent of comorbidity, patients with substance abuse, and women were less likely to receive active treatment for postoperative NSCLC recurrence. Studies to further characterize these disparities in treatment of NSCLC recurrence are needed to identify barriers to treatment.
6576 Background: National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend systemic imaging for local-regional recurrence after breast cancer treatment. Limited data exists to support this recommendation. Our objective was to determine the rate of synchronous distant recurrence at the time of local-regional recurrence in high-risk patients and identify clinical factors associated with increased risk of synchronous metastases. Methods: A stage-stratified random sample of 10,333 patients diagnosed with Stage II-III breast cancer in 2006-2007 was selected from the National Cancer Database for additional medical record abstraction of imaging and recurrence. Patients who experienced local-regional recurrence within five years of diagnosis were identified. Synchronous presentation of distant metastases (within 30 days) was determined. Patient factors associated with synchronous presentation were assessed with logistic regression. Results: Of 10,333 patients, 442 (4.3%) developed a local-regional recurrence. Synchronous distant metastases were identified in 27.1% (n = 120). These metastases were most commonly detected on cross-sectional imaging (55.8%) or patient-reported symptoms (31.7%). The proportion of synchronous metastases varied by local-regional recurrence type (p = 0.008) and was highest for women with lymph node (35.6%), followed by chest wall (31.0%), and in-breast (15.9%) recurrence, and for patients with stage III (37.4%) versus stage II (20.1%) disease (p = 0.009). Age, molecular tumor subtype, and race were not associated with the likelihood of synchronous metastases. Conclusions: Approximately 27% of high-risk patients with local-regional recurrence have synchronous distant metastases. This data provides support for the current NCCN recommendation for systemic imaging in this setting, particularly for patients with lymph node or chest wall recurrences.
e18137 Background: A primary goal of surveillance after treatment of CRC is identification of recurrent disease for curative treatment, but there is limited data regarding rates of treatable recurrence to inform optimal surveillance in everyday practice. The purpose of this study was to evaluate rates of CRC recurrence and its management in routine practice. Methods: Primary medical records of a random sample of 10,885 patients with Stage I-III CRC treated at Commission on Cancer accredited hospitals (2006-2007) were individually abstracted; detailed results of surveillance testing were reviewed, and detection and treatment of recurrence was assessed. Data was merged with corresponding records in the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Results: CRC recurrence at 3-years was strongly associated with Stage; among stage I, II and III: locoregional recurrence (LR) 0.8%, 3.8%, and 7.3% (colon) and 3.8%, 5.4%, and 7.3% (rectum); and distant recurrence (DR) 2.6%, 8.5%, and 20.6% (colon) and 4.4%, 12.4%, and 21.3% (rectum). The majority (82%) of recurrent disease was detected within 3 years of initial resection. 18.2% of patients with DR underwent surgical resection, and 8.8% received both surgery and chemotherapy (Table). Notably, 30.8% and 32.1% of patients with LR or DR, respectively, received no additional treatment. Conclusions: This is the first study to date to describe the effectiveness of CRC post-treatment surveillance for detection of recurrence and its treatment within a US nationwide cohort. Notably, fewer than 1 in 11 patients were treated with both surgery and chemotherapy for distant metastasis, and one-third received no additional treatment. Further study to identify optimal surveillance strategies and factors associated with treatment of disease recurrence is ongoing. Local (%) Distant (%) Surgery ± XRT 18.6 9.4 Surgery + Chemo ± XRT 13.3 8.8 Chemo ± XRT 33.7 45.5 XRT Only 3.6 4.3 No Treatment 30.8 32.1
Berger, Elizabeth R. MD; Schumacher, Jessica R. PhD; Francescatti, Amanda B.; Chang, George J. MD, FACS; Kozower, Benjamin D. MD, MPH, FACS; Edge, Stephen B. MD, FACS; McKellar, Daniel P. MD, FACS; Winchester, David P. MD, FACS; Greenberg, Caprice C. MD, MPH, FACS Author Information