Clinical, Histopathological and Molecular Characteristics of Metastatic Breast Cancer in North-Eastern Kazakhstan: a 10 Year Retrospective Study

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the top cancer among women worldwide and has been the most frequent malignancy among Kazakhstan women over the past few decades. Information on clinical and histopathological features of metastatic breast cancer (MBC), as well as the distribution of molecular subtypes is limited for Kazakh people. Materials and Methods: The present observational retrospective study was carried out at Regional Oncologic Dispensaries in the North-East Region of Kazakhstan (in Semey and Pavlodar cities). Сlinical and histopathological data were obtained for a total of 570 MBC patients in the 10 year period from 2004-2013, for whom data on molecular subtype were available for 253. Data from hospital charts were entered into SPSS 20 for analysis by one-way ANOVA analysis of associations of different variables with 1-5 year survival. Pearson correlation and linear regression models were used to examine the relation between parameters with a p-value < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: No significant relationships were evident between molecular subtype and survival, site of metastases, stage or ethnicity. Young females below the age of 44 were slightly more likely to have triple negative lesions. While the ductal type greatly predomonated, luminal A and B cases had a higher percentage with lobular morphology. Conclusions: In this select group of metastatice brease cancer, no links were noted for survival with molecular subtype, in contrast to much of the literature.

Temporal Epidemiological Assessment of Colorectal Cancer Incidence and Mortality in East Kazakhstan, 2004-2013.

Colorectal cancer incidence and mortality in Kazakhstan are relatively high but exact statistics have hitherto been lacking and trends over time are unclear. The present study was therefore undertaken to retrospectively assess data for East Kazakhstan, accessed from the central registration office, for the period 2004-2013. Approximate age standardized data for incidence and mortality were generated and compared across age groups, gender and year. It was determined that during the studied period 3,417 new cases of colorectal cancer were registered and 2,259 died of this pathology. Average cancer cancer incidence and mortality over the ten years were 24.1/105 and 15.9/105 respectively, and the overall ratio of mortality/incidence (M/I) was 0.69:1 (range 0.58-0.73). Both incidence and mortality tended to remain constant in both males and females. The male to female ratios also did not significantly vary over time but a trend for improvement of the mortality to incidence ratio was observed, especially for rectum. Whether this might be related to screening remains unclear. These preliminary data indicate that whereas colorectal cancer continues to be important, change in environmental factors are not having a great impact on incidence in East Kazakhstan.

Spatial and Temporal Epidemiological Assessment of Breast Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Kazakhstan, 1999-2013.

Breast cancer incidence and mortality in Kazakhstan are considered to be increasing but exact statistics have hitherto been lacking. The present study was therefore undertaken to retrospectively assess data for the whole country, accessed from the central registration office, for the period 1999-2013. Age standardized data for incidence and mortality were generated and compared across age groups. It was determined that during the studied period 45,891 new cases of breast cancer were registered and 20,122 women died of this pathology. Average breast cancer incidence and mortality were 37.9±1.10/105 and 16.7±0.20/105 respectively, and the overall ratio of mortality/incidence (M/I) was 0.44. Incidence tended to increase (T=+2.3%), and mortality to decrease (T of =-0.3%). Peaks of incidence and mortality were noted in those aged 60-74 years and 75-84, respectively. Particularly high incidences were established in large cities of Kazakhstan, Astana (46.8±1.80/105) and Almaty (49.7±1.30/105), and high mortality was observed in the Pavlodar region (17.9±0.60/105) and Almaty city (20.1±0.40/105). Considerable variation in the mortality/incidence ratio was noted, suggesting the need for more stress on access to screening and clinical care in some regions of the country.