Beyond biology: the impact of marital status on survival of patients with adrenocortical carcinoma

Purpose: To analyze the association of marital status and survival of patients with ACC using a population-based database. Material and Methods: Patients with ACC were abstracted from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database from 1988-2010 (n=1271). Variables included marital status (married vs single/divorced/widowed (SDW)), gender, age, race, tumor (T) and node (N) classification, receipt of surgery, and SEER stage. Statistical analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazard models to generate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: There were 728 (57.3%) females and median age was 56 years (IQR 44-66). Patients who were alive were more frequently married (65.6% vs 61.6%, p=0.008), female (61.1% vs 58.0%, p=0.001), younger (median 51 vs 57 years, p=0.0001), submitted to adrenalectomy (88.6% vs 63.8%, p<0.0001), and more favorable SEER stage (localized-64.9% vs 29.9%; regional–25.1% vs 30.1%; distant 4.8% vs 31.5%, p<0.0001) compared to patients dead of disease (DOD). On multivariable analysis, factors significantly associated with all-cause mortality were SDW status (HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.091.51), age, non-operative management, and N+ disease. Risk factors for disease-specific mortality included SDW status (HR 1.30, 95% CI 1.07-1.56), age, non-operative management, T-classification, and N+ disease. Conclusions: Marital status is significantly associated with survival in patients with ACC. Our results suggest that the decreased survival seen among SDW individuals highlights an area for further research and needed intervention to reduce disparity.

Body mass index and comorbidity are associated with postoperative renal function after nephrectomy

ABSTRACTPurpose:To explore the association of body mass index (BMI) and comorbidity with renal function after nephrectomy.Materials and Methods:We retrospectively analyzed 263 patients submitted to partial or radical nephrectomy from 2000-2013. Variables assessed included BMI, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), race, tobacco use, tumor histology, surgical approach, Fuhrman nuclear grade, and tumor (T) classification. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated using the Cockroft-Gault equation, adjusted for gender. Logistic regression was performed and included all interaction terms.Results:Median follow-up was 19.6 months (IQR 5.2, 53.7). Median preoperative GFR was 86.2mL/min/1.73m2 and median postoperative GFR was 68.4mL/min/1.73m2. BMI (OR 1.07, 95%CI 1.02-1.11), CCI (OR 1.19, 95%CI 1.04-1.37), and radical nephrectomy (OR 3.09, 95%CI 1.51-6.33) were significantly associated with a decline in renal function of ≥25%.Conclusion:BMI and CCI are associated with postoperative decline in renal function after nephrectomy. Additionally, radical nephrectomy is significantly associated with decreasing renal function compared to partial nephrectomy. These findings highlight the importance of assessing patient comorbidity in the decision making process for patients presenting with a renal mass.

High serum folate is associated with reduced biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy: Results from the SEARCH Database

Introduction To analyze the association between serum levels of folate and risk of biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy among men from the Shared Equal Access Regional Cancer Hospital (SEARCH) database. Materials and Methods Retrospective analysis of 135 subjects from the SEARCH database treated between 1991-2009 with available preoperative serum folate levels. Patients' characteristics at the time of the surgery were analyzed with ranksum and linear regression. Uni- and multivariable analyses of folate levels (log-transformed) and time to biochemical recurrence were performed with Cox proportional hazards. Results The median preoperative folate level was 11.6ng/mL (reference = 1.5-20.0ng/mL). Folate levels were significantly lower among African-American men than Caucasians (P = 0.003). In univariable analysis, higher folate levels were associated with more recent year of surgery (P < 0.001) and lower preoperative PSA (P = 0.003). In univariable analysis, there was a trend towards lower risk of biochemical recurrence among men with high folate levels (HR = 0.61, 95%CI = 0.37-1.03, P = 0.064). After adjustments for patients characteristics' and pre- and post-operative clinical and pathological findings, higher serum levels of folate were independently associated with lower risk for biochemical recurrence (HR = 0.42, 95%CI = 0.20-0.89, P = 0.023). Conclusion In a cohort of men undergoing radical prostatectomy at several VAs across the country, higher serum folate levels were associated with lower PSA and lower risk for biochemical failure. While the source of the folate in the serum in this study is unknown (i.e. diet vs. supplement), these findings, if confirmed, suggest a potential role of folic acid supplementation or increased consumption of folate rich foods to reduce the risk of recurrence. .