Trends in incidence and survival for upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC) in the state of Victoria--Australia.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the incidence and mortality trends of upper tract urothelial cancers (UTUC) in Victoria over the last decade.


METHODS
Age-adjusted incidence and mortality rates were calculated for UTUC. These were identified using data from the Victorian Cancer Registry from 2001 until 2011 based on histological diagnoses. Age at diagnosis, sex and demographical location were compared.


RESULTS
The age-standardised incidence of UTUC remained stable from 2001 to 2011. There were 278 deaths from UTUC over this period with an overall 5-year survival rate of 32%. There was no significant difference in survival between 2001-06 and 2007-11 (30% vs 36%, respectively). Lower age at diagnosis was associated with a significant improvement in survival (P = 0.01). Sex and geographical location appeared to have no effect on survival.


CONCLUSIONS
The 5-year survival rates for UTUC in Victoria are poor, particularly in comparison to worldwide data. In contrast to worldwide trends, the incidence of UTUC appears to be stable. No significant improvement in 5-year survival rates over the short study period was identified. These findings highlight the difficulties in managing this rare yet deadly malignancy.
Monash Health, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
Richard
R
Woodford
Monash Health, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.|Launceston General Hospital, Tasmania, Australia.
Weranja
W
Ranasinghe
Monash Health, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
Hau Choong
HC
Aw
Austin Health, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
Shomik
S
Sengupta
Bristol Urological Institute, Bristol, UK.
Raj
R
Persad
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012042:Registries; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends; D014516:Ureteral Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
Australia; incidence; mortality; survival; trends; upper tract urothelial carcinoma