But Other Differences Warrant Further Study, Researchers Say
DURHAM, N.C., Dec. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Contrary to previous studies,
married patients with lung cancer do not have longer survival, according to
analysis of an extensive Mayo Clinic database in the December issue of "The
Oncologist."
However, the results suggest some other potentially important differences
among patient subgroups -- including the possibility that married patients
receive a more aggressive approach to lung cancer treatment, write Dr. Aminah
Jatoi and colleagues.
The researchers analyzed data on nearly 5,900 patients from a Mayo Clinic
database of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common
type of lung cancer. The database included information on a wide range of
factors, including cancer stage, cancer treatment, and other factors affecting
prognosis.
The study also included information on marital status: 76 percent of the
patients were married (average age, 65 years), four percent single, seven
percent divorced, and twelve percent widowed (average age, 73 years). The
researchers analyzed the data to see if there was any relationship between the
patients' marital status at the time their cancer was diagnosed and their
survival outcomes.
Initial analysis found no significant differences in survival among the
different marital status groups. This remained true after adjustment for
important prognostic factors, including age, tumor stage, and smoking. The
results were in contrast to previous studies suggesting that married patients
with lung cancer tended to have longer survival.
However, exploratory analyses found some significant differences in lung
cancer treatment by marital status. Widowed and divorced patients received
less aggressive treatment for cancer, which in some cases seemed to lead to
shorter survival times. Survival was also shorter for patients in certain
subgroups -- for example, widowed patients with stage IA lung cancer (the
least advanced stage).
Some aspects of quality of life also differed among marital groups.
Divorced patients had greater financial concerns than patients in the other
groups, while married and widowed patients had greater spirituality and better
social support.
Smaller, less well-controlled studies have reported longer survival for
married patients with lung cancer. The extensive Mayo Clinic NSCLC database
provided an opportunity to re-evaluate the relationship between marriage and
lung cancer survival.
The findings show no differences in survival based on marital status.
"Nonetheless, marital status at times appeared to have influenced whether or
not a patient received certain types of cancer therapy," the researchers
write.
The subgroup analyses also suggest other differences in lung cancer
treatment and quality of life that are worthy of further exploration, Dr.
Jatoi and coauthors believe. They conclude, "Thus, health care providers
should continue to remain sensitive to the importance of human bonds as they
care for patients with NSCLC."
The new article, entitled "Does Marital Status Impact Survival and Quality
of Life in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer? Observations from the
Mayo Clinic Lung Cancer Cohort," is available online at
http://theoncologist.alphamedpress.org and in print in the December issue of
"The Oncologist."
About AlphaMed Press
AlphaMed Press publishes the internationally renowned journals "Stem
Cells" and "The Oncologist." "Stem Cells," now in its 25th year, is the
oldest and one of the world's top-tier peer-reviewed monthly journals in the
fast-paced area of stem cells and regenerative medicine. "The Oncologist," in
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Contact: George Kendall: 919-680-0011, GKendall@alphamedpress.com.
SOURCE AlphaMed Press
George Kendall of AlphaMed Press, +1-919-680-0011, GKendall@alphamedpress.com
