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Background: Published findings on breast cancer risk associated with different types of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) are inconsistent, with limited information on long-term effects. We bring together the epidemiological evidence, published and unpublished, on these associations, and review the relevant randomised evidence. Methods: Principal analyses used individual participant data from all eligible prospective studies that had sought information on the type and timing of MHT use; the main analyses are of individuals with complete information on this. Studies were identified by searching many formal and informal sources regularly from Jan 1, 1992, to Jan 1, 2018. Current users were included up to 5 years (mean 1·4 years) after last-reported MHT use. Logistic regression yielded adjusted risk ratios (RRs) comparing particular groups of MHT users versus never users. Findings: During prospective follow-up, 108 647 postmenopausal women developed breast cancer at mean age 65 years (SD 7); 55 575 (51%) had used MHT. Among women with complete information, mean MHT duration was 10 years (SD 6) in current users and 7 years (SD 6) in past users, and mean age was 50 years (SD 5) at menopause and 50 years (SD 6) at starting MHT. Every MHT type, except vaginal oestrogens, was associated with excess breast cancer risks, which increased steadily with duration of use and were greater for oestrogen-progestagen than oestrogen-only preparations. Among current users, these excess risks were definite even during years 1–4 (oestrogen-progestagen RR 1·60, 95% CI 1·52–1·69; oestrogen-only RR 1·17, 1·10–1·26), and were twice as great during years 5–14 (oestrogen-progestagen RR 2·08, 2·02–2·15; oestrogen-only RR 1·33, 1·28–1·37). The oestrogen-progestagen risks during years 5–14 were greater with daily than with less frequent progestagen use (RR 2·30, 2·21–2·40 vs 1·93, 1·84–2·01; heterogeneity p Interpretation: If these associations are largely causal, then for women of average weight in developed countries, 5 years of MHT, starting at age 50 years, would increase breast cancer incidence at ages 50–69 years by about one in every 50 users of oestrogen plus daily progestagen preparations; one in every 70 users of oestrogen plus intermittent progestagen preparations; and one in every 200 users of oestrogen-only preparations. The corresponding excesses from 10 years of MHT would be about twice as great.

Background Although heterogenous risks of recurrence or late effects according to cancer type and host factors exist, increasing evidence of cure has emerged for some cancers. This leads, among other important topics, to the so-called “right to be forgotten” law, adopted in France and Belgium to help cancer survivors access loans and insurance. The aim of the study was to estimate population-based indicators of cancer cure in Europe by type, sex, age, and period. Methods Data from 7.2 million cancer patients, aged 15-74 years, from 42 population-based cancer registries in 17 countries were extracted from the EUROCARE-5 dataset. Mixture-cure models were used to estimate: a) median life expectancy of fatal cases (LEF); b) cure fraction (CF) as a proportion of patients with death rates similar to the general population; and c) time to cure (TTC) as the time to reach five-year conditional relative survival (CRS)>95%. Results LEF ranged from 10 years for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia to Conclusions In a context of increasing number of people living after a cancer diagnosis, these results may help to reduce unneeded medicalization (e.g., follow-up) and resources needed for their care, and they further document that there is already a cure for some cancers. Fundings This work was supported by the Italian Association of Cancer Research (AIRC) and the European Commission (IPAAC). Key messages Cancer cure indicators are provided for European patients and 32 cancer type. Recognizing cancer patients as cured has relevant clinical and social implications.

Cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (CV) can develop in 1.2-4% of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients. HBV infection affects about 350 million people worldwide. It can progress from acute or fulminant hepatitis to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Twenty per cent of HBV patients may develop extra-hepatic manifestations, such as polyarteritis nodosa, glomerulonephritis, dermatitis, polyarthralgias and arthritis, lung disease, aplastic anaemia. Our review focuses on the role of antiviral agent nucleot(s)ide analogues (NAs) in treatment of HBV-related CV. The studies in literature have demonstrated that NAs therapy in HBV-related CV yields high virological and satisfying clinical responses in most patients with mild-and-moderate CV, but a low response in severe CV. Overall, NAs represent a promising therapeutic option for HBV-related CV. Obtaining early suppression of HBV viral load should be the main virological and clinical goal in order to prevent organ complications and lymphoproliferative disorders.

Objectives Despite the wide accessibility to free human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing and combined antiretroviral therapy (cART), late HIV diagnosis remains common with severe consequences at individual and population level. This study aimed to describe trends of late HIV testing and to identify their determinants in the late cART era in Italy. Study design We conducted a population-based, nationwide analysis of the Italian National AIDS Registry data (AIDS – acquired immune deficiency syndrome) for the years 1999–2013. Methods Late testers (LTs) were defined as people with AIDS (PWA) whose first HIV-positive test preceded AIDS diagnosis by 3 months or less. Odds ratios (ORs) with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated to examine factors associated with being LTs. Joinpoint analysis was used to estimate annual percent changes (APCs) of LTs' proportion over time. Results Among 20,753 adult PWA, 50.8% were LTs. Italian PWA showed a lower proportion of LTs than non-Italian PWA (46.5% vs 68.2%). Among Italian PWA, the odds of being LTs was higher in men than in women (OR = 2.62, 95% CI: 2.38–2.90); in the age groups below 35 years and over 49 years at diagnosis (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.12–1.37 and OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.38–1.67, respectively) vs PWA aged 35–49 years; and in those infected through sexual contact as compared with injecting drug use (OR = 13.34, 95% CI: 12.06–14.76 for heterosexual contact and OR = 8.13, 95% CI: 7.30–9.06 for male-to-male sexual contact). The proportion of LTs increased over time among Italians, especially in the latest period (APC2006–2013 = 5.3, 95% CI: 3.8–6.9). The LTs' proportion resulted higher, though stable, among PWA aged ≥50 years. Conversely, an increasing trend was observed among PWA aged 18–34 years (APC = 5.3, 95% CI: 4.5–6.1). The LTs' proportion was persistently higher among PWA who acquired HIV infection through sexual contact, even if a marked increase among injecting drug users was observed after 2005 (APC = 11.4, 95% CI: 5.7–17.5). Conclusions The increasing trend of LTs' proportion in the late cART era highlights the need of new strategies tailored to groups who may not consider themselves to be at a high risk of infection. Active promotion of early testing and continuous education of infection, especially among young people, need to be implemented.

BACKGROUND: The risk of many cancers is higher in subjects with a family history (FH) of cancer at a concordant site. However, few studies investigated FH of cancer at discordant sites. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study is based on a network of Italian and Swiss case-control studies on 13 cancer sites conducted between 1991 and 2009, and including more than 12 000 cases and 11 000 controls. We collected information on history of any cancer in first degree relatives, and age at diagnosis. Odds ratios (ORs) for FH were calculated by multiple logistic regression models, adjusted for major confounding factors. RESULTS: All sites showed an excess risk in relation to FH of cancer at the same site. Increased risks were also found for oral and pharyngeal cancer and FH of laryngeal cancer (OR = 3.3), esophageal cancer and FH of oral and pharyngeal cancer (OR = 4.1), breast cancer and FH of colorectal cancer (OR = 1.5) and of hemolymphopoietic cancers (OR = 1.7), ovarian cancer and FH of breast cancer (OR = 2.3), and prostate cancer and FH of bladder cancer (OR = 3.4). For most cancer sites, the association with FH was stronger when the proband was affected at age

BACKGROUND: Significant advances in the management of patients with lymphoid and myeloid malignancies entered clinical practice in the early 2000's. The EUROCARE-5 study database provides an opportunity to assess the impact of these changes at the population level by country in Europe. We provide survival estimates for clinically relevant haematological malignancies (HM), using the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology 3, by country, gender and age in Europe. METHODS: We estimated age-standardised relative survival using the complete cohort approach for 625, 000 adult patients diagnosed in 2000-2007 and followed up to 2008. Survival information was provided by 89 participating cancer registries from 29 European countries. Mean survival in Europe was calculated as the population weighted average of country-specific estimates. RESULTS: On average in Europe, 5-year relative survival was highest for Hodgkin lymphoma (81% ; 40, 625 cases), poorest for acute myeloid leukaemia (17% ; 57, 026 cases), and intermediate for non- Hodgkin lymphoma (59% ; 329, 204 cases), chronic myeloid leukaemia (53% ; 17, 713 cases) and plasma cell neoplasms (39% ; 94, 024 cases). Survival was generally lower in Eastern Europe and highest in Central and Northern Europe. Wider between country differences (>10%) were observed for malignancies that benefited from therapeutic advances, such as chronic myeloid leukaemia, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, follicular lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Lower differences (

Background Primary malignant brain tumours are rare but represent a serious health burden due to their poor survival. This manuscript describes the survival of malignant brain tumours in adults diagnosed 2000–2007 in Europe. Methods For this study we analysed patients archived in 86 European population-based cancer registries, followed up to 31st December 2008. Only primary malignant neuroepithelial brain tumours (with pathological confirmation) and primary malignant unspecified brain tumours without pathological confirmation were included. We estimated 1-year and 5-year relative survival (RS) weighted by age group and country. We also estimated country-specific and age-specific survival, together with survival differences between time periods (for 1999–2001, 2002–2004 and 2005–2007). Results Glioblastoma represents 49% of all brain tumours, followed by other/unspecified astrocytoma (18%), oligodendroglioma/oligoastrocytoma (9%), ependymoma (1.5%) and embryonal tumours (1%). Five-year RS was 20% for all tumours combined, but ranged from 58% for ependymoma to only 6% for glioblastoma and sharply decreased with increasing age. Differences between countries were relatively small, but generally RS in Ireland/United Kingdom (UK) and Eastern Europe was below the average. An increase in 1-year RS (up to 10–12%) was noted over time, being largest in Central and Northern Europe in patients between 45 and 74 years of age. Conclusions Despite an increase in 1-year RS in most European regions, the survival of primary malignant brain tumours is still poor. Disparities between countries were evident, being even larger at the end of the study period than at the beginning, suggesting differences in availability of the latest treatment modalities.

Tavani, A Rosato, V Di Palma, F Bosetti, C Talamini, R Dal Maso, L Zucchetto, A Levi, F Montella, M Negri, E Franceschi, S La Vecchia, C eng Meta-Analysis Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2012/01/11 06:00 Ann Oncol. 2012 Aug;23(8):2173-8. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdr581. Epub 2012 Jan 9.; International audience; BACKGROUND: We analyzed the relationship between cholelithiasis and cancer risk in a network of case-control studies conducted in Italy and Switzerland in 1982-2009. METHODS: The analyses included 1997 oropharyngeal, 917 esophageal, 999 gastric, 23 small intestinal, 3726 colorectal, 684 liver, 688 pancreatic, 1240 laryngeal, 6447 breast, 1458 endometrial, 2002 ovarian, 1582 prostate, 1125 renal cell, 741 bladder cancers, and 21 284 controls. The odds ratios (ORs) were estimated by multiple logistic regression models. RESULTS: The ORs for subjects with history of cholelithiasis compared with those without were significantly elevated for small intestinal (OR=3.96), prostate (OR=1.36), and kidney cancers (OR=1.57). These positive associations were observed >/=10 years after diagnosis of cholelithiasis and were consistent across strata of age, sex, and body mass index. No relation was found with the other selected cancers. A meta-analysis including this and three other studies on the relation of cholelithiasis with small intestinal cancer gave a pooled relative risk of 2.35 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.82-3.03]. CONCLUSION: In subjects with cholelithiasis, we showed an appreciably increased risk of small intestinal cancer and suggested a moderate increased risk of prostate and kidney cancers. We found no material association with the other cancers considered.

Background Scanty and inconsistent studies are available on the relation between dietary fiber intake and pancreatic cancer. A case–control study was carried out in northern Italy to further investigate the role of various types of dietary fibers in the etiology of pancreatic cancer. Patients and methods Cases were 326 patients with incident pancreatic cancer, excluding neuroendocrine tumors, admitted to major teaching and general hospitals during 1991–2008. Controls were 652 patients admitted for acute, nonneoplastic conditions to the same hospital network of cases. Information was elicited using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Odds ratios (ORs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for intake quintiles of different types of fiber after allowance for total energy intake and other potential confounding factors. Results Total fiber intake was inversely related to risk of pancreatic cancer (OR = 0.4 for highest versus lowest quintile of intake; 95% CI 0.2–0.7). An inverse association emerged between pancreatic cancer and both soluble (OR = 0.4; 95% CI 0.2–0.7) and total insoluble fiber (OR = 0.5; 95% CI 0.3–0.8), particularly cellulose (OR = 0.4; 95% CI 0.3–0.7) and lignin (OR = 0.5; 95% CI 0.3–0.9). Fruit fiber intake was inversely associated with pancreatic cancer (OR = 0.5; 95% CI 0.3–0.8), whereas grain fiber was not (OR = 1.2; 95% CI 0.7–2.0). Conclusions This study suggests that selected types of fiber and total fiber are inversely related to pancreatic cancer.

Background Various studies reported direct associations between endometrial cancer risk and individual components of the metabolic syndrome (MetS), i.e. obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, but only a few epidemiological studies considered the association with MetS overall. Methods We analyzed data from a case–control study including 454 women with incident endometrial cancer and 798 controls admitted to the same hospitals as cases for acute conditions. Different definitions of MetS were considered, including a combination of self-reported history of diabetes, drug-treated hypertension, drug-treated hyperlipidemia, and various measures of (central) obesity. Odds ratios (ORs) were computed from unconditional logistic regression models, adjusted for major confounding factors. Results The multivariate ORs of endometrial cancer were 2.18 for type 2 diabetes, 1.77 for hypertension, 1.20 for hyperlipidemia, between 1.62 and 2.23 for various definitions of central obesity, and 3.83 for women with a body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m2. The risk of endometrial cancer was significantly increased for subjects with MetS, the ORs ranging between 1.67 and 2.77 when waist circumference was included in MetS definition, and 8.40 when BMI was considered instead. Conclusions This study indicates a direct association between various MetS components, besides overweight, with the risk of endometrial cancer.

BACKGROUND: Survival differences across Europe for patients with cancers of breast, uterus, cervix, ovary, vagina and vulva have been documented by previous EUROCARE studies. In the present EUROCARE-5 study we update survival estimates and investigate changes in country-specific and over time survival, discussing their relationship with incidence and mortality dynamics for cancers for which organised screening programs are ongoing. METHODS: We analysed cases archived in over 80 population-based cancer registries in 29 countries grouped into five European regions. We used the cohort approach to estimate 5-year relative survival (RS) for adult (⩾15years) women diagnosed 2000-2007, by age, country and region ; and the period approach to estimate time trends (1999-2007) in RS for breast and cervical cancers. RESULTS: In 2000-2007, 5-year RS was 57% overall, 82% for women diagnosed with breast, 76% with corpus uteri, 62% with cervical, 38% with ovarian, 40% with vaginal and 62% with vulvar cancer. Survival was low for patients resident in Eastern Europe (34% ovary-74% breast) and Ireland and the United Kingdom [Ireland/UK] (31-79%) and high for those resident in Northern Europe (41-85%) except Denmark. Survival decreased with advancing age: markedly for women with ovarian (71% 15-44years ; 20% ⩾75years) and breast (86% ; 72%) cancers. Survival for patients with breast and cervical cancers increased from 1999-2001 to 2005-2007, remarkably for those resident in countries with initially low survival. CONCLUSIONS: Despite increases over time, survival for women's cancers remained poor in Eastern Europe, likely due to advanced stage at diagnosis and/or suboptimum access to adequate care. Low survival for women living in Ireland/UK and Denmark could indicate late detection, possibly related also to referral delay. Poor survival for ovarian cancer across the continent and over time suggests the need for a major research effort to improve prognosis for this common cancer.

Background Cancer registries (CRs) are fundamental for estimating cancer burden, evaluating screening and monitoring health service performance. Stage at diagnosis—an essential information item collected by CRs—has been made available, for the first time, by CRs participating in EUROCARE-5. We analysed the quality of this information and estimated stage-specific survival across Europe for CRs with good data quality. Data and methods Sixty-two CRs sent stage (as TNM, condensed TNM or extent of disease) for 15 cancers diagnosed in 2000–2007. We assessed the quality, partly by comparing stage according to the three systems. We also developed procedures to reconstruct stage (categories: local, regional, metastatic and unknown) using information from all three systems, thus minimising the amount of missing information. Results Moderate-to-excellent stage concordance was found for practically all 24 CRs, for which it was possible to compare at least two staging systems. However, since stage was often incorrectly assigned, and information on the presence/absence of metastases was often lacking, data on only 7/15 cancers from 34/62 CRs (15 countries) were of sufficient quality for further analysis. Cases diagnosed ≥70 years had more advanced (or lacking) stage– and worse stage-specific survival than those Conclusions Many European CRs collect and record reasonably accurate stage information. Others have difficulties. Both the completeness of primary data and the accuracy of stage coding need to be improved in order for CRs to fulfil their expanding roles in cancer control. We propose our stage reconstruction/checking procedures as a means of fully exploiting the stage information provided by EUROCARE CRs. More advanced (or lacking) stage at diagnosis plus poorer stage-specific survival in the elderly are worrying.

Background: There is some evidence that dietary habits may influence the risk of endometrial cancer independently of body mass, although the role of diet on endometrial carcinogenesis is unclear. Patients and methods: We carried out a multicenter case-control study from 1992 to 2006 in Italy on 454 women with incident, histologically confirmed endometrial cancer (age range 18-79 years) and 908 controls (age range 19-79 years) admitted to hospitals for acute, non-neoplastic diseases. A validated food-frequency questionnaire was used to estimate macronutrients, fatty acids and cholesterol intake. Logistic regression models, conditioned on age and study centre, and adjusted for major known risk factor of endometrial cancer and residual of energy intake were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Significant direct associations were observed with intake of energy (OR = 1.7 for the highest versus the lowest quintile, 95% CI = 1.1-2.5), and cholesterol (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.4-3.2), while a direct borderline association emerged with saturated fatty acids (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 0.9-2.0). There was no association with proteins, sugars, starch, total fat and other selected fatty acids. Conclusion: Energy and cholesterol intake were associated with endometrial cancer. RI Parpinel, Maria/B-1605-2012

Background: Incidence rates of thyroid cancer (TC) increased in several countries during the last 30 years, while mortality rates remained unchanged, raising important questions for treatment and follow-up of TC patients. This study updates population-based estimates of relative survival (RS) after TC diagnosis in Europe by sex, country, age, period and histology.Methods: Data from 87 cancer registries in 29 countries were extracted from the EUROCARE-5 dataset. One-and 5-year RS were estimated using the cohort approach for 86,690 adult TC patients diagnosed in 2000-2007 and followed-up to 12/31/2008. RS trends in 1999-2007 and 10-year RS in 2005-2007 were estimated using the period approach.Results: In Europe 2000-2007, 5-year RS after TC was 88% in women and 81% in men. Survival rates varied by country and were strongly correlated (Pearson rho = 75%) with country-specific incidence rates. Five-year RS decreased with age (in women from > 95% at age 15-54 to 57% at age 75+), from 98% in women and 94% in men with papillary TC to 14% in women and 12% in men with anaplastic TC. Proportion of papillary TC varied by country and increased over time, while survival rates were similar across areas and periods. In 1999-2007, 5-year RS increased by five percentage points for all TCs but only by two for papillary and by four for follicular TC. Ten-year RS in 2005-2007 was 89% in women and 79% in men.Conclusions: The reported increasing TC survival trend and differences by area are mainly explained by the varying histological case-mix of cases. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Background Folate deficiency leads to DNA damage and inadequate repair, caused by a decreased synthesis of thymidylate and purines. We analyzed the relationship between dietary folate intake and the risk of several cancers. Patients and methods The study is based on a network of case–control studies conducted in Italy and Switzerland in 1991–2009. The odds ratios (ORs) for dietary folate intake were estimated by multiple logistic regression models, adjusted for major identified confounding factors. Results For a few cancer sites, we found a significant inverse relation, with ORs for an increment of 100 μg/day of dietary folate of 0.65 for oropharyngeal (1467 cases), 0.58 for esophageal (505 cases), 0.83 for colorectal (2390 cases), 0.72 for pancreatic (326 cases), 0.67 for laryngeal (851 cases) and 0.87 for breast (3034 cases) cancers. The risk estimates were below unity, although not significantly, for cancers of the endometrium (OR = 0.87, 454 cases), ovary (OR = 0.86, 1031 cases), prostate (OR = 0.91, 1468 cases) and kidney (OR = 0.88, 767 cases), and was 1.00 for stomach cancer (230 cases). No material heterogeneity was found in strata of sex, age, smoking and alcohol drinking. Conclusions Our data support a real inverse association of dietary folate intake with the risk of several common cancers.

The patchy geographical distributions of classic Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8), better known as Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) remain unexplained. It has been proposed that certain species of bloodsucking insects (‘promoter arthropods') promote the reactivation of HHV-8/KSHV and facilitate both HHV-8/KSHV transmission and KS development. This hypothesis was tested by sampling the presence and density of human-biting Diptera with CDC light traps in two areas of Sardinia with contrasting incidence rates of classic KS. In total, 11 030 specimens (99.9% sandflies and 0.1% mosquitoes) belonging to 10 species were collected from 40 rural sites. Five of these species are considered to be possible promoter arthropods because of the irritation their bites cause: Phlebotomus perniciosus Newstead; Phlebotomus perfiliewi Parrot (Diptera: Psychodidae); Aedes berlandi Seguy; Culiseta annulata (Schrank) and Culex theileri Theobald (Diptera: Culicidae). Five species are probable ‘non-promoters' because their bites are not particularly irritating: Culiseta longiareolata (Macquart); Culex pipiens s.l.; Anopheles algeriensis Theobald; Anopheles maculipennis s.l., and Anopheles plumbeus Stephens. A significant correlation was found between the geographical distribution of promoter arthropods and incidence rates of KS (Spearman's r = 0.59,P < 0.01). Promoter arthropods were more likely to be caught in areas with cutaneous leishmaniasis and a past high prevalence of malaria, and in areas of limestone, acid volcanic soil and cereal cultivation. The study supports the association between promoter arthropods and classic KS, which may explain the geographic variability of KS and HHV-8/KSHV, and highlights the links with a number of variables previously associated with the incidence of KS.

Background Limited information is available on the relationship between dietary patterns and breast and ovarian cancers. Patients and methods Cases were 2569 breast cancers and 1031 ovarian cancers hospitalized in four Italian areas from 1991 to 1999. Controls were 3413 women in hospital for acute non-neoplastic diseases. Dietary habits were investigated through a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were obtained from a K-means clustering on factor scores from factor analysis. Odds ratios (ORs) for both cancers were estimated using unconditional multiple logistic regression models on clusters of patients. Floating absolute risk method was used for reporting 95% floating confidence intervals (FCIs). Results We identified five groups of subjects. The G3 cluster, including subjects with the lowest intakes of any food group, was used as reference. The G5 cluster, including subjects mainly consuming bread and pasta, was unfavorable for both cancers (OR = 1.23, 95% FCI = 1.08–1.38 for breast cancer, OR = 1.21, 95% FCI = 1.03–1.42 for ovarian cancer). The G1 group, including subjects mainly consuming fruits and vegetables, was protective against ovarian cancer (OR = 0.81, 95% FCI = 0.67–0.98). Conclusions A diet mainly based on bread and pasta is unfavorable for breast and ovarian cancers; a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may be associated with a reduced risk of ovarian cancer.

Background In Europe skin melanoma (SM) survival has increased over time. The aims were to evaluate recent trends and differences between countries and regions of Europe.Methods Relative survival (RS) estimates and geographical comparisons were based on 241,485 patients aged 15 years and over with a diagnosis of invasive SM in Europe (2000-2007). Survival time trends during 1999-2007 were estimated using the period approach, for 213,101 patients. Age, gender, sub-sites and morphology subgroups were considered. Results In European patients, estimated 5-year RS was 83% (95% confidence interval, CI 83-84%). The highest values were found for patients resident in Northern (88%; 87-88%) and Central (88%; 87-88%) Europe, followed by Ireland and United Kingdom (UK) (86%; 85-86%) and Southern Europe (83%; 82-83%). The lowest survival was in Eastern Europe (74%; 74-75%). Within regions the intercountry absolute difference in percentage points of RS varied from 4% (North) to 34% (East). RS decreased markedly with patients' age and was higher in women than men. Differences according to SM morphology and skin sub-sites also emerged. Survival has slightly increased from 1999 to 2007, with a small improvement in Northern and the most pronounced improvement in Eastern Europe. Discussion SM survival is high and still increasing in European patients. The gap between Northern and Southern and especially Eastern European countries, although still present, diminished over time. Differences in stage distribution at diagnosis may explain most of the geographical differences. However, part of the improvement in survival may be attributed to overdiagnosis from early diagnosis practices.

Objective To quantify the relation between body mass index (BMI) and endometrial cancer risk, and to describe the shape of such a relation. Design Pooled analysis of three hospital-based case–control studies. Setting Italy and Switzerland. Population A total of 1449 women with endometrial cancer and 3811 controls. Methods Multivariate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were obtained from logistic regression models. The shape of the relation was determined using a class of flexible regression models. Main outcome measure The relation of BMI with endometrial cancer. Results Compared with women with BMI 18.5 to

To explore the relation between a wide range of alcohol consumptions and levels of the components of insulin-like growth factor system (IGFs) and adiponectin in humans.A cross-sectional study using controls from a case-control study on ovarian and endometrial cancer.The study included women hospitalized between 1999 and 2002 in Pordenone, Italy.One hundred and eight cancer-free (controls) with a median age of 61 years (range 29-79 years), admitted for acute conditions unrelated to gynecologic, hormonal or metabolic disorders or diseases leading to dietary modifications.Levels of IGF-I (total and free), total IGF-II, IGF-binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1), IGFBP-3 and adiponectin were individually measured, and their distributions across strata of alcohol consumption were tested by the Kruskal-Wallis statistic.Median concentrations of total IGF-I were higher (P0.01) in women reporting low (151 ng/ml) or no alcohol consumption (134 ng/ml) compared to drinkers of 12-23 g/day (103 ng/ml) oror=24 g/day (118 ng/ml). Median concentrations were higher (P=0.05) for IGFBP-3 in non-drinkers (2333 ng/ml) and in light drinkers (2647 ng/ml) compared to drinkers ofor=24 g/day (2090 ng/ml). No statistically significant difference emerged for other IGFs across levels of alcohol intakes. Adiponectin was slightly lower for non-drinkers, compared to all drinkers categories.Our study suggests that alcohol consumption is related to circulating levels of components of the IGF system and adiponectin. These results may have a potential impact on the prevention of several chronic diseases.Italian Association for Research on Cancer, Milan, Italy, and Italian League against Tumours, Milan, Italy.

We investigated the influence of anthropometric measures at diagnosis and at different ages on prostate cancer risk using an Italian multicentre case-control study conducted between 1991 and 2002 of 1294 histologically confirmed cases and 1451 controls admitted to the same network of hospitals for acute non-neoplastic conditions. Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, lean body mass 1 year before diagnosis/interview were not significantly associated with risk. However, a positive association with high BMI at age 30 years was found (odds ratio = 1.2 for BMI greater than or equal to 24.7 vs

BACKGROUND: Endometrial cancer is strongly associated with body mass index (BMI), but the influence of BMI history and of different types of obesity is uncertain. METHODS: A case-control study was carried out in Italy including 454 cases and 908 controls admitted to hospital for acute non-hormone-related conditions. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed using multivariate logistic and spline regression models. RESULTS: The OR for BMI > 30 at diagnosis compared with 20 to

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between history of cancer in first-degree relatives and ovarian cancer risk. Between 1992 and 1999, we conducted a case-control study in Italy on 1031 women with epithelial ovarian cancer and 2411 women admitted to hospital for acute non-neoplastic conditions. Odds ratios (OR.) were estimated using unconditional logistic regression, adjusted for age and several potential confounders. Overall, 27 cases and nine controls reported a family history of ovarian cancer (OR=7.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.1-16). The OR was 23 (95% CI 2.6-212) below age 50 years, based on 10 cases and one control only. The risk of ovarian cancer was also increased in women with a family history of cancer of the stomach (OR=1.5; 95% CI 1.0-2.1), intestine (OR=1.7; 95% CI 1.2-2.4), lung (OR=1.3; 95% CI 1.0-1.8), breast (OR=2.3; 95% CI 1.7-3.1), lymphomas (OR=2.3; 95% CI 1.0-5.1) and all sites (OR=1.6; 95% CI 1.4-1.9). Our results confirm the higher ovarian cancer risk in women with a family history of ovarian and breast cancer, and suggest a few associations with other sites. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco smoking is one of the main risk factors for oral, pharyngeal and oesophageal cancers in developed countries. Information on the role of the tar yield of cigarettes in upper digestive tract carcinogenesis is sparse and needs to be updated because the tar yield of cigarettes has steadily decreased over the last few decades. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analysed two case-control studies, from Italy and Switzerland, conducted between 1992 and 1999, involving 749 cases of oral and pharyngeal cancer and 1770 controls, and 395 cases of squamous-cell oesophageal carcinoma and 1066 matched controls. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated by unconditional multiple logistic regression models, including terms for age, sex, study centre, education and alcohol consumption. RESULTS: Based on the brand of cigarettes smoked for the longest time, the multivariate ORs for current smokers compared with never smokers were 6.1 for or=20 mg tar for oral and pharyngeal neoplasms, and 4.8 and 5.4 for oesophageal cancer, respectively. For the cigarette brand smoked in the previous six months, the ORs for >or=10 mg compared with

Dietary carbohydrates vary in their ability to raise blood glucose and insulin levels, which, in turn, influence levels of sex hormones and insulin-like growth factors. We analyzed the effect of type and amount of carbohydrates on ovarian cancer risk, using the glycemic index (GI) and the glycemic load (GL) measurement in a large case-control study conducted in Italy.Cases included 1031 women with incident, histologically confirmed epithelial ovarian cancer, from four Italian regions. Controls included 2411 women admitted to the same hospital networks for acute, non-neoplastic conditions. Average daily GI and GL were calculated from a validated food frequency questionnaire. Odds ratios (OR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed using multiple logistic regression.Ovarian cancer was directly associated with dietary GI (OR for highest versus lowest quartile = 1.7, 95% CI 1.3-2.1) and GL (OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.3-2.1). The associations were observed in pre- and postmenopausal women, and they remained consistent across strata of major covariates identified.This study supports the hypothesis of a direct association between GI and GL and ovarian cancer risk and, consequently, of a possible role of hyperinsulinemia/insulin resistance in ovarian cancer development.

Objective: Several studies have shown an inverse relation between vegetable and fruit intake and pancreatic cancer, but no specific beneficial component of such foods has been consistently identified. We considered the role of 15 selected vitamins and carotenoids and 6 minerals on pancreatic cancer risk in an Italian case–control study. Methods: Subjects were 326 patients with incident pancreatic cancer and 652 controls, admitted to the same hospitals as cases for acute conditions. Micronutrient computation was based on a validated and reproducible food-frequency questionnaire. We estimated the odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CI) using conditional logistic regression models, adjusted for various confounding factors and for energy intake, according to the residual model. Results: Comparing the highest to the lowest quintile of intake, the OR were 0.60 (95% CI 0.36–0.98) for vitamin E, 0.44 (95% CI 0.27–0.73) for vitamin C, 0.56 (95% CI 0.34–0.93) for folate, and 0.57 (95% CI 0.35–0.92) for potassium. No significant inverse associations were observed for α-carotene (OR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.43–1.12), β-carotene (OR = 0.64, 95% CI 0.39–1.06), and β-cryptoxanthin (OR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.39–1.09). No relation was found for other micronutrients considered. Conclusion: Our findings support a favorable role of vitamins E and C, selected carotenoids, and folate on pancreatic carcinogenesis.

Background Survival of patients diagnosed with lung and pleura cancer is a relevant health care indicator which is related to the availability and access to early diagnosis and treatment facilities. Aim of this paper is to update lung and pleural cancer survival patterns and time trends in Europe using the EUROCARE-5 database. Methods Data on adults diagnosed with lung and pleural cancer from 87 European cancer registries in 28 countries were analysed. Relative survival (RS) in 2000–2007 by country/region, age and gender, and over time trends in 1999–2007 were estimated. Results Lung cancer survival is poor everywhere in Europe, with a RS of 39% and 13% at 1 and 5 years since diagnosis, respectively. A geographical variability is present across European areas with a maximum regional difference of 12 and 5 percentage points in 1-year and 5-year RS respectively. Pleural cancer represents 4% of cases included in the present study with 7% 5-year RS overall in Europe. Most pleural cancers (83%) are microscopically verified mesotheliomas. Survival for both cancers decreases with advancing age at diagnosis for both cancers. Slight increasing trends are described for lung cancer. Survival over time is higher for squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinomas than for small and large cell carcinoma; and better among women than men. Conclusions Despite the generalised although slight increase, survival of lung and pleural cancer patients still remains poor in European countries. Priority should be given to prevention, with tobacco control policies across Europe for lung cancer and banning asbestos exposure for pleural cancer, and in early diagnosis and better treatment. The management of mesothelioma needs a multidisciplinary team and standardised health care strategies.

Background The EUROCARE study collects and analyses survival data from population-based cancer registries (CRs) in Europe in order to provide data on between-country differences in survival and time trends in survival. Methods This study analyses data on liver cancer, gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract cancers (“biliary tract cancers”), and pancreatic cancer diagnosed in 2000–2007 from 88 CRs in 29 countries. Relative survival (RS) was estimated overall, by region, sex, age and period of diagnosis using the complete approach. Time trends in 5-year RS over 1999–2007 were also analysed using the period approach. Results The prognosis of the studied cancers was poor. Age-standardised 5-year RS was 12% for liver cancer, 17% for biliary tract cancers and 7% for pancreatic cancer. There were some between-country differences in survival. In general, RS was low in Eastern Europe and high in Central and Southern Europe. For all sites, 5-year RS was similar in men and women and decreased with advancing age. No substantial changes in survival were reported for pancreatic cancer over the period 1999–2007. On average, there was a crude increase in 5-year RS of 3 percentage points between the periods 1999–2001 and 2005–2007 for liver cancer and biliary tract cancers. Conclusions The major changes in imaging techniques over the study period for the diagnosis of the three studied cancers did not result in an improvement in the prognosis of these cancers. In the near future, new innovative treatments might be the best way to improve the prognosis in these cancers.

Background We provide updated estimates of survival and survival trends of male genital tumours (prostate, testicular and penis cancers), in Europe and across European areas. Methods The complete approach was used to obtain relative survival estimates for patients diagnosed in 2000–2007, and followed up through 2008 in 29 countries. Data came from 87 cancer registries (CRs) for prostate tumours and from 86 CRs for testis and penis tumours. Relative survival time trends in 1999–2007 were estimated by the period approach. Data came from 49 CRs in 25 countries. Results We analysed 1,021,275 male genital cancer cases. Five-year relative survival was high and decreased with increasing age for all tumours considered. We found limited variation in survival between European regions with Eastern Europe countries having lower survival than the others. Survival for penile cancer patients did not improve from 1999 to 2007. Survival for testicular cancer patients remained stable at high levels since 1999. Survival for prostate cancer patients increased over time. Conclusions Treatment standardisation and centralisation for very rare diseases such as penile cancers or advanced testicular tumours should be supported. The high survival of testicular cancer makes long-term monitoring of testicular cancer survivors necessary and CRs can be an important resource. Prostate cancer patients’ survival must be interpreted considering incidence and mortality data. The follow-up of the European Randomised Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer should continue to clarify the impact of screening on prostate cancer mortality together with population based studies including information on stage and treatments.

Long-term survival for adult patients with solid tumours continues to increase. For some cancers, the possibility of recurrence after a number of years is extremely low, and the risk of death becomes similar to that of the general population of the same sex and age. During the Fifth European Conference on Survivors and Chronic Cancer Patients held in Siracusa, Italy, June 2014, oncologists, general practitioners, epidemiologists, cancer patients and survivors, and patient advocates joined to discuss the possible use of the term “cured” in reference to some adult patients with solid tumours. The specific focus was the appropriateness of using the term in communicating with cancer patients, survivors, and their families. Initial results of the discussion, in concert with a review of the published literature on the subject, were later further discussed by all participants through electronic communication. The resulting final statement aims to suggest appropriate ways to use the word “cured” in the clinical and communicative setting, to highlight the potential impact of the word on patients, and to open a critical discussion concerning this timely and delicate matter.

Objective: To provide information on the effects of alcohol and tobacco on laryngeal cancer and its subsites. Methods: This was a case–control study conducted between 1992 and 2000 in northern Italy and Switzerland. A total of 527 cases of incident squamous-cell carcinoma of the larynx and 1297 hospital controls frequency-matched with cases on age, sex, and area of residence were included. Odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multiple logistic regression. Results: In comparison with never smokers, ORs were 19.8 for current smokers and 7.0 for ex-smokers. The risk increased in relation to the number of cigarettes (OR = 42.9 for ≥25 cigarettes/day) and for duration of smoking (OR = 37.2 for ≥40 years). For alcohol, the risk increased in relation to number of drinks (OR = 5.9 for ≥56 drinks per week). Combined alcohol and tobacco consumption showed a multiplicative (OR = 177) rather than an additive risk. For current smokers and current drinkers the risk was higher for supraglottis (ORs 54.9 and 2.6, respectively) than for glottis (ORs 7.4 and 1.8) and others subsites (ORs 10.9 and 1.9). Conclusions: Our study shows that both cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking are independent risk factors for laryngeal cancer. Heavy consumption of alcohol and cigarettes determined a multiplicative risk increase, possibly suggesting biological synergy.

In Italy, pancreatic cancer accounts for approximately 5% of cancer-related deaths. Tobacco smoking is the major established risk factor for this cancer, whereas the role of alcohol consumption is open to debate. Between 1991 and 2008, we conducted a hospital-based case-control study on pancreatic cancer in northern Italy Cases were 326 patients (median age 63 years) with incident pancreatic cancer admitted to major general hospitals. Controls were 652 patients (median age 63 years) with acute non-neoplastic conditions admitted to the same hospital network of cases. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (OR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Pancreatic cancer was associated to current smoking (OR = 1.68; 95% Cl: 1.13-2.48), and the risk rose with increasing number of cigarettes/day (OR = 2.04; 95% CI: 1.14-3.66 for >= 20 cigarettes/day). No association emerged for former smokers (OR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.66-1.45). Alcohol consumption was associated to increased pancreatic cancer risk, but ORs were significant only among heavy drinkers (ORs: 2.03 and 3.42 for 21-34 and >= 35 drinks/week, respectively). Pancreatic cancer risk was 4.3-fold higher in heavy smokers (>= 20 cigarettes/day) and heavy drinkers (>= 21 drinks/week) in comparison with never smokers who drunk

Background The risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has been related to refined cereals and starchy foods, but the association has not been studied in terms of glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL). To provide information on this issue, we analyzed data from an Italian multicentric case–control study. Materials and methods Cases were 767 patients with histologically confirmed, incident RCC. Controls were 1534 subjects admitted to the same hospitals as cases for a wide spectrum of acute, non-neoplastic conditions, unrelated to known risk factors for RCC. Information on dietary habits was derived through a food-frequency questionnaire. Multivariate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for GI and GL intake were adjusted for major relevant covariates. Results Compared with the lowest quintile, the ORs for the highest quintile were 1.43 (95% CI 1.05–1.95) for GI and 2.56 (95% CI 1.78–3.70) for GL, with significant trends in risk. Compared with the lowest quintile, the risk of RCC for all subsequent levels of GL was higher in never drinkers than in ever drinkers. Conclusions We found direct relations between dietary levels of GI and GL and RCC risk. This can be related to mechanisms linked to insulin resistance and sensitivity.

Background Cancer survivorship is an increasingly important issue in cancer control. Life expectancy of patients diagnosed with breast, colon, and testicular cancers, stratified by age at diagnosis and time since diagnosis, is provided as an indicator to evaluate future mortality risks and health care needs of cancer survivors. Patients and methods The standard period life table methodology was applied to estimate excess mortality risk for cancer patients diagnosed in 1985–2011 from SEER registries and mortality data of the general US population. The sensitivity of life expectancy estimates on different assumptions was evaluated. Results Younger patients with colon cancer showed wider differences in life expectancy compared with that of the general population (11.2 years in women and 10.7 in men at age 45–49 years) than older patients (6.3 and 5.8 at age 60–64 years, respectively). Life expectancy progressively increases in patients surviving the first years, up to 4 years from diagnosis, and then starts to decrease again, approaching that of the general population. For breast cancer, the initial drop in life expectancy is less marked, and again with wider differences in younger patients, varying from 8.7 at age 40–44 years to 2.4 at ages 70–74 years. After diagnosis, life expectancy still decreases with time, but less than that in the general population, slowly approaching that of cancer-free women. Life expectancy of men diagnosed with testicular cancer at age 30 years is estimated as 45.2 years, 2 years less than cancer-free men of the same age. The difference becomes 1.3 years for patients surviving the first year, and then slowly approaches zero with increasing survival time. Conclusions Life expectancy provides meaningful information on cancer patients, and can help in assessing when a cancer survivor can be considered as cured.

Background: Certain types of carbohydrates increase glucose and insulin levels to a greater extent than others. In turn, insulin may raise levels of insulin-like growth factors, which may influence breast cancer risk. We analyzed the effect of type and amount of carbohydrates on breast cancer risk, using the glycemic index and the glycemic load measures in a large case-control study conducted in Italy. Patients and methods: Cases were 2569 women with incident, histologically-confirmed breast cancer interviewed between 1991 and 1994. Controls were 2588 women admitted to the same hospital network for a variety of acute, non-neoplastic conditions. Average daily glycemic index and glycemic load were calculated from a validated 78-item food frequency questionnaire. Results: Direct associations with breast cancer risk emerged for glycemic index (odds ratio, OR for highest vs. lowest quintile = 1.4; P for trend

Data from an Italian multicentre case-control study on ovarian cancer were used to analyse the relationship between various types of fibres and ovarian cancer risk. The study, conducted between 1992 and 1999, included 1031 cases of incident, histologically-confirmed epithelial ovarian cancer. Controls were 2411 women admitted to the same network of hospitals for acute, non-malignant, non-hormonal-related diseases. Cases and controls were interviewed using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Odds ratios (ORs), and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI), were estimated using unconditional multiple logistic regression models. For total (Englyst) fibre, the OR for the highest versus the lowest quintile of intake was 0.68, and the continuous OR for the difference between the 80th and the 20th percentile of intake was 0.87. For most types of fibre, the continuous OR was significantly below 1. The OR was 0.83 for cellulose, 0.89 for soluble non-cellulose polysaccharides (NCPs), 0.86 for total insoluble fibre, 0.92 for insoluble NCP, and 0.95 (non-significant) for lignin. The inverse association was consistent across strata of age, family history and menopausal status, even if the association was apparently stronger in postmenopausal women. When fibre was lassified according to the source, vegetable (but not grain) fibres, showed a significant protective effect, with an OR of 0.78. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. RI Calza, Stefano/B-1915-2010

Objective: To obtain more precise estimates of the association between thyroid cancer and benign thyroid diseases and to elucidate the role of potential confounders or effect modifiers.

Record linkage was carried out between the national Registry of AIDS and 13 Cancer Registries (CRs) covering, in 1991, about 15% of the Italian population. Observed and expected numbers of cancers and standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were assessed in 6067 persons with AIDS, for a total of 25,759 person-years. Significantly increased SIRs were found for Hodgkin's disease [8.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.4-16.0], in which seven of 11 cases were of mixed cellularity type; invasive carcinoma of the cervix uteri (15.5; 95% CI 4.0-40.1); and non-melanomatous skin cancer (3.0, 95% CI 1.3-5.9), in which five of eight cases were basal cell carcinoma. An excess was also seen for brain tumours, but this may be partly due to misdiagnosis of brain non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or other brain diseases occurring near the time of the AIDS diagnosis. The risk for all cancer types, after exclusion of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), was approximately twice the general population risk. An increased SIR for Hodgkin's disease in persons with AIDS is thus confirmed, though it is many times smaller than that for NHL. An association with invasive carcinoma of the cervix is also shown at a population level. The excess of non-melanomatous skin cancer seems to be lower than in transplant recipients.

A case-control study was conducted between 1992 and 1996 in six Italian areas. It included 537 women with colon cancer, 291 women with rectal cancer and 2081 control women in hospital for acute conditions, unrelated to hormonal or gynaecological diseases. A higher age at menopause was associated with increased colon cancer risk (odds ratio (OR) for greater than or equal to 53 years compared with < 50 years = 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-1.87), Among parous women, a significant trend of decreasing colon cancer risk with increasing number of births was seen for colon (OR for greater than or equal to 4 births compared with 1 birth = 0.62, 95% CI 0.42-0.90), but not for rectal cancer. Nulliparous women, however, were at lower risk than women with a single birth, and age at first birth was directly associated with risk. While oral contraceptive use showed no significant influence, ever users of hormone replacement therapy had a reduced risk of rectal cancer (OR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.31-1.01). Thus, the association of colorectal cancer with reproductive and menstrual factors is neither strong nor consistent. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Background Persons living after a cancer diagnosis represent 4% of the whole population in high income Countries. The study aim was to provide estimates of indicators of long-term survival and cure for 26 cancer types, presently lacking. Patients and Methods Data on 818,902 Italian cancer patients diagnosed at age 15-74 years in 1985-2005 were included. Proportions of patients with the same death rates of the general population (cure fractions) and those of prevalent patients who were not at risk of dying as a result of cancer (cure prevalence) were calculated, using validated mixture cure models, by cancer type, sex, and age group. We also estimated complete prevalence, conditional relative survival (CRS), time to reach five- and ten-year CRS>95%, and proportion of patients living longer than those thresholds. Results The cure fractions ranged from >90% for patients aged 95% after 19 and 25 years, respectively, and in 15 and 18 years for prostate cancer patients. Five-year CRS remained 25 years after cancer diagnosis in patients with liver and larynx cancers, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, myeloma, and leukaemia. Overall, the cure prevalence was 67% for men and 77% for women. Therefore, 21% of male and 31% of female patients had already reached five- year CRS>95%, while 18% and 25% had reached ten-year CRS>95%. Conclusions A quarter of Italian cancer patients can be considered cured. This observation has a high potential impact on health planning, clinical practice, and patients perspective.

Original, population-based estimates of indicators of long-term survival and cure in cancer patients are provided. More than a quarter of cancer patients in Italy have reached death rates similar to those of the general population. Nearly three quarters of them will not die as a result of cancer. These estimates are potentially helpful to health-care planners, clinicians, and patients., Background Persons living after a cancer diagnosis represent 4% of the whole population in high-income countries. The aim of the study was to provide estimates of indicators of long-term survival and cure for 26 cancer types, presently lacking. Patients and methods Data on 818 902 Italian cancer patients diagnosed at age 15–74 years in 1985–2005 were included. Proportions of patients with the same death rates of the general population (cure fractions) and those of prevalent patients who were not at risk of dying as a result of cancer (cure prevalence) were calculated, using validated mixture cure models, by cancer type, sex, and age group. We also estimated complete prevalence, conditional relative survival (CRS), time to reach 5- and 10-year CRS >95%, and proportion of patients living longer than those thresholds. Results The cure fractions ranged from >90% for patients aged 95% were both reached in 95% after 19 and 25 years, respectively, and in 15 and 18 years for prostate cancer patients. Five-year CRS remained 25 years after cancer diagnosis in patients with liver and larynx cancers, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, myeloma, and leukaemia. Overall, the cure prevalence was 67% for men and 77% for women. Therefore, 21% of male and 31% of female patients had already reached 5-year CRS >95%, whereas 18% and 25% had reached 10-year CRS >95%. Conclusions A quarter of Italian cancer patients can be considered cured. This observation has a high potential impact on health planning, clinical practice, and patients' perspective.

Background Complete cancer prevalence data in Europe have never been updated after the first estimates provided by the EUROPREVAL project and referred to the year 1993. This paper provides prevalence estimates for 16 major cancers in Europe at the beginning of the year 2003. Patients and methods We estimated complete prevalence by the completeness index method. We used information on cancer patients diagnosed in 1978–2002 with vital status information available up to 31 December 2003, from 76 European cancer registries. Results About 11.6 millions of Europeans with a history of one of the major considered cancers were alive on 1 January 2003. For breast and prostate cancers, about 1 out of 73 women and 1 out of 160 men were living with a previous diagnosis of breast and prostate cancers, respectively. The demographic variations alone will increase the number of prevalent cases to nearly 13 millions in 2010. Conclusions Several factors (early detection, population aging and better treatment) contribute to increase cancer prevalence and push for the need of a continuous monitoring of prevalence indicators to properly plan needs, resource allocation to cancer and for improving health care programs for cancer survivors. Cancer prevalence should be included within the EU official health statistics