Authors : Ali A Siddiqui , Yomi Fayiga , Victoria Hernandez-Ugarte and Sergio Huerta
Abstract: Data indicate racial disparity in patients with colorectal cancer disfavoring African Americans. The aim of our study was to determine if race affected stage at the time of presentation and survival in patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) of the anal canal. A retrospective review of all patients admitted to Parkland Memorial Hospital diagnosed with SCC of the anal canal from 1997 to 2005 was performed. Factors associated with mortality were assessed by Univariate Analysis (UA). Significant variables by UA were included in a Multivariate Regression Analysis (MVA) model to determine factors predicting mortality. All values are presented as Means±SE. Statistic significance was determined at a p 0.05. Seventy-five patients with SCC of the anal canal were identified (mean age 46.1±1.1 y.o., men 75 and 9% Hispanic, 60% Caucasian, 27% African American and 4% others). The mean stage at diagnosis was 1.8±1.4 (stage I = 32, stage II =20, stage III = 11, stage IV = 1). Mortality was 29%. Univatiate analysis demonstrated factors associated with mortality were: Stage (1.6±0.3 vs. 1.0±0.2; p = 0.047) and history of smoking 81% in non-survivors vs. 42% in survivors (OR = 1.95; p = 0.003). Age or ethnicity were not associated with mortality. Women presented on the average with a more advanced grade (2.0±0.1 vs. 1.6±0.1; p = 0.02). However, gender was not associated with mortality. MVA of all significant factors by UA did not yield any independent predictors of mortality. In contrast to colorectal cancer, our data demonstrates no disparities among Hispanics, African Americans, or Caucasians in tumor stage, age of presentation or survival in patients with SCC of the anal canal. In agreement with previous reports, stage and history of smoking were associated with mortality across all races.
Ali A Siddiqui , Yomi Fayiga , Victoria Hernandez-Ugarte and Sergio Huerta , 2007. Predictors of Mortality in Patients With Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anal Canal: Does Race Play a Role?. Surgery Journal, 2: 55-59.