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Patient treatment decisions affect their quality of life but not overall cancer survival.
Scientists in the United States conducted a study "to determine the impact of race and other factors on the management and outcomes of women treated for cervical cancer in a rural state."
"Following IRB approval, a retrospective review identified 434 eligible women treated for cervical cancer from 1994 to 2000. Collected data included: demographics, clinicopathologic data, primary and adjuvant therapy, recurrence, and survival," stated C.A. Leath and colleagues.
"Statistical analyses were performed with the chi-square test, Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox regression. Three hundred four" (70%) of the women were white and 130 (30%) were non-white."
"Non-whites were more likely to present with advanced stage disease [Stage IIB-IVB] (25% vs. 13%; p<0.01). Whites were more likely to smoke, be married, be employed, and have private insurance," the investigators reported. "Non-whites were more likely to have medical co-morbidities such as diabetes and hypertension. Although whites with early stage disease were more likely to undergo surgery as their primary therapy than non-whites (93% vs. 84%; p<0.01), survival was similar. Survival outcomes for advanced stage disease were similar between groups."
The researchers concluded, "Non-whites diagnosed with cervical cancer are more likely to present with advanced stage disease than whites however, overall survival was similar between groups. The decision to use radiation therapy vs. surgery does not appear to have a detrimental effect on overall survival, but may impact quality of life."
Leath and colleagues published their study in Gynecologic Oncology (Predictors of outcomes for women with cervical carcinoma. Gynecol Oncol, 2005;99(2):432-436).
Additional information can be obtained by contacting C.A. Leath, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecological Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 619 19th Street South, OHB538, Birmingham, AL 35249-7333, USA; E-mail: Trey_Leath@yahoo.com.
The publisher of the journal Gynecologic Oncology can be contacted at: Academic Press Inc. Elsevier Science, 525 B Street, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101-4495, USA.
Keywords: Birmingham, Alabama, United States, Cervical Cancer, Cervical Carcinoma, Cervical Cancer Therapy, Racial Disparity, Quality of Life, Cancer Survival, Women's Health. This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com.
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