DETROIT, April 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Karmanos Cancer Institute
physician-scientists today reported on two research studies investigating
racial disparities in patients with gynecologic cancer at the American
Association of Cancer Research annual meeting in Los Angeles, CA.
Caucasian patients with endometrial or ovarian cancer, on average, live
longer than their African American counterparts. Led by Veronica Schimp,
D.O., assistant professor of gynecologic oncology, Karmanos Cancer
Institute, Wayne State University, two studies were conducted to determine
if this stems from the molecular composition of the tumor, or the
aggressiveness of the treatment plan. Dr. Schimp's presentation, Outcomes
of Endometrial and Ovarian Cancer Treatment and Ethnicity, was part of the
conference's Minorities in Cancer Research Forum.
Endometrial Cancer Patients - Racial Disparities at the Molecular
Level?
Dr. Schimp's team analyzed the molecular profiles of endometrial cancer
in a group of 150 Caucasian and African American patients using a number of
known molecular markers. The tumors' expression of these markers was
compared based on ethnicity and tumor type (Type I = endometrioid
carcinomas, hormone-related tumors and Type II = non-endometrioid
carcinomas, non-hormone related tumors which are more clinically
aggressive).
"Upon conclusion of the five-year study, we found the molecular
profiles were similar between the two ethnic groups," explains Dr. Schimp.
"While African American patients with endometrial cancer seemed to show a
trend toward a shorter survival, this seemed to be mainly due to their
higher proportion of Type II tumors which are more aggressive by nature."
Ovarian Cancer Patients - Racial Disparities Based on Treatment Plan?
Karmanos researchers conducted a study to determine whether the
survival rates among African Americans with ovarian cancer are shorter than
those of Caucasians due to a less aggressive treatment plan. These
treatment plans may be prescribed by the physician, chosen by the patient,
or due to a lack of treatment options.
Over seven years, Karmanos physician-scientists followed a group of 170
Caucasian and African American ovarian cancer patients through similar
treatment plans, consisting of surgery and chemotherapy. The study
revealed, out of the 70 percent of patients who had optimal tumor reduction
surgery followed by chemotherapy, the Caucasian patients lived 16-20 months
longer than the African American patients.
These results were compared to the Charlson co-morbidity index, which
predicts the one-year mortality for a patient who may have a range of
co-morbid conditions, such as a patient suffering from cancer along with
diabetes.
"African Americans were found to have higher co-morbidity scores,
meaning they may have additional factors that contribute to their cancer
survivability rate," said Dr. Schimp. "Our study revealed that, in part, a
patient's outcome is based on her co-morbidity score, not only on the
biology of her cancer or aggressiveness of the cancer treatment."
Based in midtown Detroit, the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute is
committed to a future free of cancer. The Institute is one of 39 National
Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United
States. Caring for more than 6,000 new patients annually on a budget of
$216 million, conducting more than 700 cancer-specific scientific
investigation programs and clinical trials, the Karmanos Cancer Institute
is among the nation's best cancer centers. Through the commitment of 1,000
staff, including nearly 300 faculty members, and supported by thousands of
volunteer and financial donors, the Institute strives to prevent, detect
and eradicate all forms of cancer. John C. Ruckdeschel, M.D. is the
Institute's president and CEO.
SOURCE Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
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Related links:
http://www.karmanos.org
CONTACT:
Courtney McCrimmon, +1-412-225-6899, or Linda
Remington, +1-313-576-8614, both of Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer
Institute
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