This study aimed to identify the trends in the incidence of thymic cancer, i.e., thymoma, thymic carcinoma, and thymic neuroendocrine tumor, in the United States. Data from the United States Cancer Statistics (USCS) database (2001–2015) and those from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (SEER 9 [1973–2015], SEER 13 [1992–2015], and SEER 18 [2000–2015]) were used in this study. All incidences were per 100,000 population at risk. The trends in incidence were described as annual percent change (APC) using the Joinpoint regression program. Data from the USCS (2001–2015) database showed an increase in thymic cancer diagnosis with an APC of 4.89% from 2001 to 2006, which is mainly attributed to the significant increase in the incidence of thymoma and thymic carcinoma particularly in women. The incidence of thymic cancer did not increase from 2006 to 2015, which may be attributed to the increase in the diagnosis of thymic carcinoma from 2004 to 2015, with a concomitant decrease in thymoma from 2008 to 2015. Before declining, the age-specific incidence of thymic cancer peaked at ages 70–74 years, with a peak incidence at 1.06 per 100,000 population, and decreased in older age groups. The incidence of thymic cancer was higher in men than in women. Asian/Pacific Islanders had the highest incidence of thymoma, followed by black and then white people. The incidence of thymic carcinoma increased from 2004 to 2015, with a concomitant decrease in thymoma from 2008 to 2015. Asian/Pacific Islanders had the highest incidence of thymoma than other races.

Objective This study aimed to determine the impact or survival of low skeletal muscle mass (SMM) among patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) undergoing primary surgery. Design This study was a retrospective cohort study. Setting Oral squamous cell carcinoma patients treated at our referral centre from April 2005 to March 2014 were examined. Participants The cohort comprised 276 patients with OSCC undergoing primary surgery. Main outcome measures Estimated SMM was measured by calculating the cervical skeletal muscle mass from a CT scan of the head and neck. The 5‐year overall survival (OS) and disease‐specific survival (DSS) were analysed using a multivariable Cox regression model. Results There were 276 patients with a male‐to‐female ratio of 12:1. A low SMM (<47.5 cm2/m2) was associated with worse survival. After adjustment for other factors, the result remained robust for OS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14‐2.67) and disease‐specific survival (HR 1.67, 95% CI 1.04‐2.67). In the subgroup analysis, worse OS and DSS were particularly noted in male patients (HR = 1.90, 95% CI 1.22‐2.97; HR = 1.91, 95% CI 1.27‐3.19) and in those younger than 60 years of age (HR = 1.91, 95% CI 1.14‐3.22; HR = 2.12, 95% CI 1.23‐3.64) with low SMM. Conclusions Low SMM was a significant independent factor that was associated with lower survival in patients who have oral cavity cancers and are undergoing primary surgery. Preoperative CT scans of the head and neck could be utilised to evaluate SMM, predict treatment outcomes and facilitate nutrition management.

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Background: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) place a considerable burden on medical costs and add to an increased number of inpatient days in Taiwan. Continuity of care (COC) has not been investigated in this population thus far. Materials and Methods: We designed a retrospective population-based cohort study using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. Patients aged 0 to 18 years with CP catastrophic illness certificates were enrolled. We investigated the association of COC index (COCI) with medical costs and inpatient days. We also investigated the possible clinical characteristics affecting the outcome. Results: Over five years, children with CP with low COCI levels had higher medical costs and more inpatient days than did those with high COCI levels. Younger age at CP diagnosis, more inpatient visits one year before obtaining a catastrophic illness certificate, pneumonia, and nasogastric tube use increased medical expenses and length of hospital stay. Conclusions: Improving COC reduces medical costs and the number of inpatient days in children with CP. Certain characteristics also influence these outcomes.