Background-Selenium is an essential trace element which has been implicated in cancer risk; however, study results have been inconsistent with regard to colon cancer. Our objectives were to 1) investigate the association between selenium and colon cancer 2) evaluate possible effect measure modifiers and 3) evaluate potential biases associated with the use of post-diagnostic serum selenium measures

Background: Selenium is an essential trace element found in cereals, wheat, dairy products, meat, and fish. This micronutrient may prevent carcinogenesis through several biochemical pathways; one suggested pathway is enhanced apoptosis. Objectives: The relation between selenium and colorectal adenomas was evaluated because the colorectal adenoma is the established precursor lesion of most colorectal cancers. Apoptosis was a pathway of interest because decreased apoptosis has been associated with an increased prevalence of adenomas. Our objectives were as follows: to investigate the association between (a) selenium and colorectal adenomas and (b) selenium and apoptosis.

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BackgroundVenous thromboembolic co-morbidities can have a significant impact on treatment response, treatment options, quality of life, and ultimately, survival from cancer. There is a dearth of published information on venous thromboembolic co-morbidity among older soft tissue sarcoma patients.MethodsSEER-Medicare linked data (1993–2005) was utilized for this retrospective cohort analysis (n = 3,480 soft tissue sarcoma patients). Non-cancer patients were frequency-matched by age to cancer patients at a ratio of 1:1; coverage and follow-up requirements were the same as for soft tissue sarcoma cases. Venous thromboembolic events were divided into three groups of interest: deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and other thromboembolic events. Relative incidence rates of venous thromboembolic events in soft tissue sarcoma patients with a recent history of cardiovascular event or venous thromboembolic event (12 months before diagnosis) versus soft tissue sarcoma patients without such a recent history were calculated using the Cox proportional hazard models. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to build predictive models to identify important risk factors for each venous thromboembolic event of interest among soft tissue sarcoma patients. Relative incidence rate of VTEs in cancer patients (12 months after diagnosis) versus non-cancer cases (12 months after index date) was calculated using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models.ResultsWe observed that among older soft tissue sarcoma patients, 10.6% experienced a deep vein thrombosis, 3.0% experienced a pulmonary embolism, and 3.1% experienced other thromboembolic events in the 12 months after sarcoma diagnosis. On average, 60% of venous thromboembolic events occurred in the first 90 days after sarcoma diagnosis. The highest rates of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism after sarcoma diagnosis were seen in patients with sarcoma not otherwise specified (deep vein thrombosis: 204/1,000 p-y and pulmonary embolism: 50/1,000 p-y). Recent history of a venous thromboembolic event was the strongest predictor of a subsequent venous thromboembolic event after soft tissue sarcoma diagnosis.ConclusionVenous thromboembolic events are common and serious co-morbidities that should be closely monitored in older soft tissue sarcoma patients.

BackgroundVenous thromboembolic co-morbidities can have a significant impact on treatment response, treatment options, quality of life, and ultimately, survival from cancer. The extent of venous thromboembolic co-morbidity among older renal cell cancer patients is poorly described in the literature. It is important to understand the scope of venous thromboembolic events, before and after diagnosis, in order to offer renal cell cancer patients optimal care and improved quality of life.MethodsThe main goal of this study was to estimate and describe the incidence of venous thromboembolic events before and after renal cell cancer diagnosis. SEER-Medicare linked data (1991–2003) was utilized for this retrospective cohort analysis (n = 11,950) of older renal cell cancer patients (≥ 65 years). Incidence rates and proportions in addition to multivariable Cox proportional hazard and logistic regression models were utilized to describe the incidence and relative risk of venous thromboembolic events.ResultsWe observed that in the 12 months after diagnosis, 8.3% of renal cell cancer patients experienced a deep venous thrombosis, 2.4% experienced a pulmonary embolism, and 3.9% experienced other thromboembolic events. Nearly 70% of venous thromboembolic events occurred in the first 90 days after renal cell cancer diagnosis. Renal cell cancer patients were 2–4 times more likely to have a venous thromboembolic event in the 12 months after cancer diagnosis than non-cancer patients followed during the same time frame. Recent history of a venous event substantially increased the risk of that same event in the 12 months after diagnosis (HR = 5.2-18.8).ConclusionVenous thromboembolic events are common and serious co-morbidities that should be closely monitored in older renal cell cancer patients, particularly during the first 3 months following diagnosis and among those with a recent history of a venous thromboembolic event.