Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1533-4946

Date of Award

Fall 1-10-2020

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

Public Health

First Advisor

Dora Il’yasova, Ph.D.__

Second Advisor

Ike Okosun, Ph.D._

Abstract

ABSTRACT

DESCRIPTIVE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF ADULT LIPOSARCOMA: A POPULATION-BASED STUDY USING SEER AND THE COMBINED SEER/NPCR DATABASES,

2001-2016

SUZANNE BOCK

November 12, 2019

INTRODUCTION:

Rare cancers, affecting 1 in 5 cancer patients, disproportionally contribute to cancer mortality. This research focused on liposarcoma, an understudied rare cancer with unknown risk factors and limited treatment options.

METHODS:

Liposarcoma incident cases were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result (SEER) program and the combined SEER-National Program of Cancer Registries (CNPCR) for 2001-2016. Incidence rates (age-adjusted and age-specific) and 5-year survival were calculated using SEER*stat. Time trends were determined using Joinpoint.

RESULTS:

SEER liposarcoma cases represented ~30% (n=11,162) of the nationwide pool (n=37,499). Males accounted for ~60% of the cases, 82% cases were identified among whites. Age-adjusted incidence was greater among males vs. females and whites vs. blacks, whereas survival did not differ by sex and race (~80%). The dedifferentiated (57.2%), pleomorphic (64.1%) and retroperitoneal (63.9%) tumors had the worse survival. Liposarcoma rates increased nationwide by 19% in 2001-2016, with the annual percent increase (APC) of 1.43% (95% CI: 1.12-1.47). The APC was greater for males vs. females (1.67% vs. 0.89%) and retroperitoneal vs. extremity tumors (1.96% vs. 0.58%). The SEER generally overestimated the rates and time trends compared to nationwide data.

CONCLUSIONS:

The comprehensive description of liposarcoma epidemiology reveals increasing incidence of this understudied rare cancer, with greater increases among males, the high-risk subgroup and retroperitoneal tumors, the low-survival subgroup. The time trends suggest an environmental component, which if discovered, may help to prevent liposarcoma. Differences between SEER and CNPCR findings emphasize the need for nationwide cancer surveillance.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.57709/15760070

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