Trends in population-based cancer survival in Slovenia

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of our study was to describe the survival of Slovenian cancer patients diagnosed in the last twenty years. An insight is given into the improvement made in different cancer types, population groups and prognostic factors.Materials and methodsThe principal data source was the population-based Slovenian Cancer Registry. The survival analysis included patients diagnosed with cancer in twenty years period from 1997 to 2016, which has been divided into four consecutive five-year periods. In addition, the analysis was stratified by cancer type, gender, age and stage. The survival was estimated using net survival calculated by the Pohar-Perme method and the complete approach has been applied.ResultsThe survival of Slovenian cancer patients has been increasing over time. During the 20 years observed, five-year net survival increased by 11 percentage points. Significantly higher growth was observed in men. Age and stage at diagnosis are still crucial for the survival of cancer patients. Five-year net survival is lowest in those over 75 years of age at diagnosis but has also improved by seven percentage points over the past 20 years. The five-year net survival of patients in the localized stage increased by ten percentage points over the 20 years under observation. Survival of patients in the distant stage has not been improving. In both sexes, survival for melanoma, colorectal and lung cancers have increased significantly over the last 20 years. Progress has also been made in the two most common gender specific cancers: breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. Still, the significant progress in prostate cancer is probably mostly due to lead-time bias as during the study period, Slovenia used indiscriminate PSA testing, which probably artificially prolonged survival.ConclusionsThe survival of Slovenian cancer patients has been increasing over time, which gives us a basis and an incentive for future improvements. To monitor the effectiveness of managing the cancer epidemic, the cancer burden needs to be monitored also in the future, using quality data and scientifically justified methodological approaches. In this process a well organised population-based cancer registries should play a key role.

Cancer Patients’ Survival According to Socioeconomic Environment in a High-Income Country with Universal Health Coverage

“…The odds for dying from cancer in the socioeconomically most deprived group of patients were 1.23 (1.21−1.26) compared to the most affluent group ( Table 2 ). As expected based on previous analyses [ 8 ], the absolute survival was higher in recent years for each of the SI-EDI categories.…”

“…Men, in particular, have seen some of the largest improvements in survival lately. The two most important determinants of cancer survival are age and stage at diagnosis; survival of patients with disseminated disease has not been improving in Slovenia [ 8 ]. Despite having an established systematic analytical approach to population survival estimation, in Slovenia the influence of SES on cancer survival rates is understudied.…”

Cancer gene therapy goes viral: viral vector platforms come of age

“…2 As a result of positive lifestyle changes and advances in tumour detection and treatment, we can observe a continuous drop in mortality rates in the last 20 years. 3 Despite, current treatments like chemotherapy, surgery and radiation commonly have debilitating side effects. Consequently, new therapeutic options are becoming available to curb the tremendous death toll and increase the quality of life for cancer survivors.…”

Pre-treatment risk assessment of women with endometrial cancer: differences in outcomes of molecular and clinical classifications in the Slovenian patient cohort

“…With current therapeutic approaches, patients achieve an overall survival (OS) from 74% to 91%. 1 Recently published data 3 on 5-year OS of women with endometrial cancer in Slovenia shows a modest increase in survival between the years 2012–2016 (80.6%) as compared to between the years 1997–2001 (79.8%). 3 Endometrial carcinoma are divided, based on their histopathological characteristics, into Type I and Type II carcinoma.…”

“… 1 Recently published data 3 on 5-year OS of women with endometrial cancer in Slovenia shows a modest increase in survival between the years 2012–2016 (80.6%) as compared to between the years 1997–2001 (79.8%). 3 Endometrial carcinoma are divided, based on their histopathological characteristics, into Type I and Type II carcinoma. Type I carcinomas represent the majority of EC and are of endometrioid subtype.…”