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. 2018 Oct 24:4:JGO.18.00145.
doi: 10.1200/JGO.18.00145. eCollection 2018.

Colorectal Cancer in Ukraine: Regional Disparities and National Trends in Incidence, Management, and Mortality

Nelya Melnitchouk  1 , Galyna Shabat  1 , Pamela Lu  1 , Heather Lyu  1 , Rebecca Scully  1 , Krystle Leung  1 , Molly Jarman  1 , Andrey Lukashenko  1 , Olena O Kolesnik  1 , Joel Goldberg  1 , Jennifer S Davids  1 , Ronald Bleday  1
Affiliations

Colorectal Cancer in Ukraine: Regional Disparities and National Trends in Incidence, Management, and Mortality

Nelya Melnitchouk et al. J Glob Oncol. .

Abstract

Purpose: The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing worldwide, and the greatest increase is in low- to middle-income countries, such as Ukraine. Better knowledge of epidemiology of CRC in Ukraine is needed to understand how best to decrease the burden of disease.

Methods: The National Cancer Registry of Ukraine (NCRU) was queried for CRC incidence, mortality, stage, and treatment in Ukraine and assessed for regional variation from 1999 to 2015. Joinpoint analysis was used to analyze the trends.

Results: The incidence of colon cancer increased from 10.6 to 13.3 occurrences per 100,000, which provided an average annual percent change (AAPC) of 1.48 (95% CI, 1.3 to 1.7; P < .05). The incidence of rectal and anal cancers also increased from 9.9 to 11.5 occurrences per 100,000, which provided an AAPC of 1.0 (95% CI, 0.8 to 1.3; P < .05). Mortality remained the same (AAPC, 0.1; 95% CI, -0.3 to 0.2; P = .4). The proportion of patients who received cancer-specific treatment increased from 54.6% to 68.5% for colon cancer and from 61% to 74.4% for rectal and anal cancers. Overall, 34.5% of patients with colon cancer and 27.5% of patients with rectal cancer died within a year of diagnosis in 2015. Great regional variations in 1-year mortality and treatment received were identified.

Conclusion: The incidence of CRC in Ukraine is increasing. Despite stable mortality rates, many do not receive cancer-specific treatment, and a large proportion of patients die within a year of diagnosis. These findings illustrate the need to promote establishment of a screening program and to improve access to cancer-specific therapy in Ukraine.

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Conflict of interest statement

The following represents disclosure information provided by authors of this manuscript. All relationships are considered compensated. Relationships are self-held unless noted. I = Immediate Family Member, Inst = My Institution. Relationships may not relate to the subject matter of this manuscript. For more information about ASCO's conflict of interest policy, please refer to www.asco.org/rwc or ascopubs.org/jco/site/ifc. Nelya MelnitchoukNo relationship to discloseGalyna ShabatNo relationship to disclosePamela LuNo relationship to discloseHeather LyuNo relationship to discloseRebecca ScullyNo relationship to discloseKrystle LeungNo relationship to discloseMolly JarmanNo relationship to discloseAndrey LukashenkoNo relationship to discloseOlena O. KolesnikNo relationship to discloseJoel GoldbergResearch Funding: Genentech (I) Patents, Royalties, Other Intellectual Property: Royalties from UpToDate Travel, Accommodations, Expenses: Intuitive Surgical Other Relationship: Various legal firmsJennifer S. DavidsNo relationship to discloseRonald BledayNo relationship to disclose

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
Trends in incidence and mortality of (A) colon cancer and (B) rectal and anal cancers in Ukraine between 1999 and 2015. APC, annual percent change.
Fig 2
Fig 2
Trends in percentage of patients with (A) colon cancer and (B) rectal and anal cancer in Ukraine who lived less than 1 year from diagnosis and received cancer-specific treatment between 1999 and 2015. APC, annual percent change.
Fig 3
Fig 3
Disparity in mortality and treatment received by region in 2013.
Fig 4
Fig 4
Relationship between 1-year mortality and specialized treatment received for (A) colon cancer and (B) rectal and anal cancer by region in 2013.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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