<p>Effects of HER2 status on the prognosis of male breast cancer: a population-based study</p>

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study was designed to analyze the effects of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) status on the prognosis of male breast cancer (MBC).MethodsThe SEER database was used to identify MBC patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2015. Patients were divided into HER2-negative and HER2-positive groups and chi-square test was used to compare the demographics. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to remove confounding factors. The log-rank test was used to compare the overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate the effects of different variables on the prognosis of MBC patients. Subgroup analysis was conducted by using R software to explore the benefit of OS and DSS in the subgroup of MBC patients.ResultsIn the matched cohort, the log-rank test showed that there was a longer OS (P=0.044) in the HER2-negative group, and the 4-year OS rate in HER2-negative patients was significantly improved (P=0.008), but there was no difference in the DSS (P=0.408) and the 4-year DSS rates (P=0.198) between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression also showed that the HER2 status did not independently associate with DSS (P=0.444). Subgroup analysis showed that HER2-negative patients experienced a longer OS in the subgroup of tumors 2–4 cm in size, no distant metastasis and who had received radiotherapy, but none of subgroup was found a significant difference in DSS between different HER2 status.ConclusionThis study identified that HER2 status had a clear influence on OS in patients with MBC, and there was a longer OS and a higher 4-year OS rate in the HER2-negative group. In addition, we observed that HER2 status had no significant effect on DSS in patients with MBC.

<p>Prognostic Factors and Local Treatment Modalities of Small-Cell Carcinoma of the Cervix: An Analysis According to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Stage</p>

“…Most studies on SCCC have sample sizes of <100 patients due to the rarity of the disease. In this study, we evaluated the clinicopathologic characteristics, survival, and optimal local treatment modalities for SCCC using a pooled cohort of 695 patients identified from the SEER database, 12,13 the Chinese Periodical Database, and our institution. SCCC is characterized by an aggressive disease course and poor prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate of only 29% compared to 68% in other cervical cancer subtypes.…”

“…No standardized guideline for the selection of chemotherapy regimens in SCCC has been developed. Because the SEER database 12,13 does not include data on the specific chemotherapy regimen and treatment course, these were not evaluated in the current study. Huang et al 31 found that platinum-based chemotherapy (etoposide or paclitaxel combined with cisplatin) could improve the survival rate; whereas, Yuan et al 40 reported that patients who received Taxotere and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy (paclitaxel combined with carboplatin) could achieve a better prognosis.…”

“…First, the majority of the patients were identified from small case series, making it difficult to validate the quality of information; this is an inherent limitation in any retrospective study. Second, due to pathological factors (eg marginal state, parametrial invasion status, LVSI, and stromal invasion) and lack of central pathology review and recurrence status in the SEER database, 12,13 we were unable to ascertain patients' conditions accurately. The SEER database also lacks information on chemotherapy regimens and doses, 12,13 which might affect the evaluation of the clinical value of local treatments.…”

“…This was a retrospective pooled analysis of the data of patients pathologically diagnosed with SCCC between 1988 and 2015 in the SEER database (Surveillance Research Program, National Cancer Institute SEER*Stat software, Version 8.2.1), 12,13 between 1995 and 2015 in the Periodical Database, and between 2007 and 2015 at the Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai, China. Pathological diagnosis was based on the primary site using the International Classification of Disease for Oncology (3 rd Edition).…”

“…Towards this goal, we pooled cases from our institution, the Periodical Database, and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database for survival analysis. 12,13 Patients and Methods…”