Open AccessRacial disparity in survival of patients diagnosed with early-onset colorectal cancer
Author(s) -
Kristin Wallace,
Hong Li,
Chrystal M. Paulos,
David Lewin,
Alexander V. Alekseyenko
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
colorectal cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1758-1958
pISSN - 1758-194X
DOI - 10.2217/crc-2020-0015
Subject(s) - medicine , colorectal cancer , proportional hazards model , hazard ratio , cohort , survival analysis , cancer , oncology , gastroenterology , demography , confidence interval , sociology
Background: Survival is reduced in African–Americans (AAs) diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC), especially in those <50 years old, when compared with Caucasian Americans (CAs). Yet, the role of clinicopathologic features of CRCs on racial differences in survival needs further study. Materials & methods: Over 1000 individuals (CA 709, AA 320) diagnosed with CRC were studied for survival via the Cox proportional hazards regression analysis based on race and risk of death in two age groups (<50 or 50+). Results: Risk of death for younger AAs (<50) was elevated compared with younger CAs (hazard ratio [HR] 1.98 [1.26–3.09]). Yet no racial differences in survival was observed in older cohort (50+ years), HR 1.07 (0.88–1.31); p for interaction = 0.01. In younger AAs versus CAs only, colonic location attenuated the risk of death. Conclusion: The tumor location and histology influence the poorer survival observed in younger AAs suggesting these may also influence treatment responses.