Recent increase in cancer survival according to age: higher survival in all age groups, but widening age gradient

Abstract

A major increase in long-term survival of cancer patients in the 1990s has recently been demonstrated. It is unclear, however, to what extent this increase has been shared by cancer patients at various ages. Using the 1973-2000 data base of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results programme, recent increase in 10-year relative survival of cancer patients in the US was assessed for 4 major age groups and 15 major cancer sites by comparing results of a period analysis for the 1996-2000 period with results of a cohort analysis for patients diagnosed in 1986-1990. Period estimates of 10-year relative survival for all forms of cancer combined in 1996-2000 were 66.1%, 58.8%, 56.3% and 47.1% for age groups 15-54, 55-64, 65-74 and > or = 75 years, respectively. They were 7.4%, 10.4%, 7.8% and 3.0% units higher than the respective 1986-1990 cohort estimates for these age groups. The increase in 10-year relative survival strongly varied by cancer site, but it was generally less pronounced in older than in younger patients. We conclude that long-term survival expectations of cancer patients have increased in all age groups in the 1990s. However, for most common forms of cancer, the age gradient in survival has either persisted or widened.

Chronic pharmacologic inhibition of EGFR leads to cardiac dysfunction in C57BL/6J mice

“…Recent analysis documents a major increase in the 10 year survivorship for many common cancers in the US compared to the late 1980's, thus more individuals may be exposed to TKIs and other molecule-targeted therapeutics for longer durations (Brenner and Arndt, 2004). Although overall, the side-effects of targeted therapies such as the TKIs are well-tolerated compared to older chemotherapeutic drugs, our results indicate that, as with Herceptin therapy, cardiovascular function should be closely monitored with chronic exposure to EGFR TKIs.…”

The older cancer survivor

“…Indeed, among cancer survivors, the most common primary carcinoma is female breast cancer (22%), followed by prostate cancer (17%), colorectal cancer (11%), and gynecologic cancers (10%). Ten-year relative survival rates lag among those who are older, with SEER estimates for 1996-2000 indicating overall survival rates of 66.1%, 58.8%, 56.3% and 47.1% for age groups of 15-54, 55-64, 65-74 and 75+ years, respectively [7]. In addition, while increases in 10-year survival have ranged from 7.4 to 10.4% among those aged 15-74 years, increases of only 3.0% were noted among cancer patients who were older, thus indicating that the age gradient in survival has either persisted or widened.…”

Trends in relative survival in patients with a diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in Ontario: a population-based retrospective cohort study

“…Because they are advanced in age, older patients may also receive less aggressive treatment, independent of comorbidity. 41,42 We compared our estimates for 5-year relative survival with those reported for primary liver cancer in Canada by the Canadian Cancer Society for 2006-2008. 5 We found that our estimates for 5-year relative survival in both sexes aged 80 years or older in Ontario were slightly higher: Canadian Cancer Society estimates for 5-year relative survival in female patients given a diagnosis at ages 60-69, 70-79 and 80-99 years were 21.0% (95% CI 15.0%-28.0%), 12.0% (95% CI 7.0%-18.0%) and 7.0% (95% CI 3.0%-13.0%), respectively; estimates for 5-year relative survival in male patients given a diagnosis at ages 60-69, 70-79 and 80-99 years were 22.0% (95% CI 18.0%-26.0%), 16.0% (95% CI 12%-19.0%) and 6.0% (95% CI 3.0%-11.0%), respectively.…”