Aspirin use reduces cancer risk in betel nut chewers: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

Betel nut chewing, common in several Asian populations, is linked to increased cancer risk, including oral, esophageal, gastric, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Aspirin shows potential as a chemopreventive agent. This study investigates the association between aspirin use and cancer risk among betel nut chewers.

Effects of N-acetylcysteine on hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection significantly contributes to global hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), known for its antioxidant properties, is a potential therapeutic agent. However, evidence on its efficacy in reducing HCC risk among HCV patients is limited.

Survival impact of pre-transplant local treatments in liver transplant recipients with BCLC stage A hepatocellular carcinoma.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of different pre-transplant local treatments on the survival of liver transplantation (LTx) recipients with BCLC Stage A Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). We analyzed data from the Taiwan Cancer Registry and National Health Insurance Research Databases spanning 2012 to 2018. Employing propensity score matching, patients were categorized into three groups: those receiving local treatments (180 patients), hepatectomy (179 patients), and combined treatments (180 patients).

Protective effect of N-acetylcysteine against hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis B virus carriers.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a leading risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), contributing to cancer development through direct genomic integration and chronic inflammation. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), known for its antioxidant properties, is widely utilized in cancer prevention. However, clinical evidence regarding its protective effect against HCC in HBV carriers remains sparse.

Statin therapy enhances survival in unresectable stage III lung squamous cell carcinoma with concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

To evaluate the impact of statin use on overall survival and lung cancer-specific survival in patients with unresectable stage III lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) undergoing standard concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Using data from the Taiwan Cancer Registry Database and National Health Insurance Research Database, this propensity score matching cohort study analyzed the influence of statin use during CCRT on overall survival and lung cancer-specific survival. Statin use during CCRT was independently associated with significant improvements in overall survival and lung cancer-specific survival.

Correlation of maintenance chemotherapy and improved survival in patients with locally advanced unresectable pancreatic head adenocarcinoma receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

To assess the efficacy of maintenance chemotherapy in the management of unresectable locally advanced pancreatic head adenocarcinoma (PHA) cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT). This study, a large-scale head-to-head propensity score matching (PSM) cohort study, employed real-world data. PSM was used to evaluate the impact of maintenance chemotherapy on overall survival and cancer-specific survival in patients with unresectable locally advanced PHA who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and CCRT.

Maintenance chemotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after standard concurrent chemoradiotherapy: a national propensity score matching cohort study.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a common and aggressive cancer, and its standard treatment is concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Maintenance chemotherapy is often used to help prevent cancer recurrence, but its efficacy for patients with ESCC receiving CCRT remains unclear. We conducted a large head-to-head propensity score matching cohort study to estimate the effects of maintenance chemotherapy on overall survival and cancer-specific survival in patients with ESCC receiving standard CCRT.

Antihistamines H1 use on survival outcomes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in Taiwan, with poor survival rates despite standard treatment with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Antihistamines H1 (AH1) may have anticancer effects by reducing allergic reactions, activating mitogen-activated protein kinases, and regulating the immune system. However, the impact of AH1 use during CCRT on survival outcomes in patients with ESCC remains uncertain.

Risk factors and specific cancer types of second primary malignancies in patients with breast cancer receiving adjuvant radiotherapy: a case-control cohort study based on the SEER database.

Patients with breast cancer can survive and live a long, cancer-free life; however, late complications of treatment, such as second primary malignancies (SPMs), have emerged as a competing cause of death and morbidity. We conducted a long-term population-based cohort study to identify the risk factors for SPMs and specific secondary cancer types after various latency periods of irradiated breast cancer. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for independent risk factors for SPM.

Insufficient pain control for patients with cancer and dementia during terminal cancer stages.

Purpose: To estimate differences in pain control between patients with cancer and with or without dementia during terminal cancer stages 3 months or 1 month before cancer death.

Patients And Methods: We conducted frequency matching cohort for age, sex, and year of death for both groups at a 1:4 ratio. The prescription prevalence, total cumulative dose, and average daily dose of opioids during the terminal cancer stages 3 months and 1 month before cancer death were estimated.

Long-term oncologic outcomes of breast conserving surgery with propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia or volatile inhalational general anesthesia without propofol: a propensity score-matched, population-based cohort study.

To estimate oncologic outcomes (overall survival [OS], locoregional recurrence [LRR], and distant metastasis [DM]) in patients with breast intraductal carcinoma (IDC) receiving breast conserving surgery (BCS) under propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) or volatile inhalational (INHA) general anesthesia (GA) without propofol. Patients with breast IDC receiving BCS were recruited through propensity score matching and categorized by anesthesia techniques into propofol-based TIVA-GA and non-propofol-based INHA-GA groups, respectively. Cox regression analysis was performed to calculate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Association of temperature and relative humidity with the growth rate of the coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic.

The effects of temperature and relative humidity on the growth of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remain unclear. Data on the COVID-19 epidemic that were analyzed in this study were obtained from the official websites of the National Health Commission of China and the Health Commissions of 31 provinces in China. From January 26 to February 25, 2020, the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in each region was counted daily using data from our database.

Factors affecting the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to anesthesiologists performing endotracheal intubation in patients with SARS-CoV-2.

Background: In this study, we estimated the predictive factors of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission in anesthesiologists performing endotracheal intubation in patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2.

Method: We analyzed data from a survey conducted by the Chinese Society of Anesthesiology Task Force on Airway Management on endotracheal intubation in 98 patients with SARS-CoV-2 confirmed through nucleic acid testing and chest computed tomography. The multivariate logistic model with stepwise selection was used for selecting the predictive factors significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the corresponding anesthesiologists.

Contemporary external beam radiotherapy boost or high dose-rate brachytherapy boost for cervical cancer: a propensity-score-matched, nationwide, population-based cohort study.

To estimate the survival effects of contemporary external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) boost modalities (intensity-modulated radiation therapy or volumetric modulated arc therapy) and high dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) boost in patients with cervical cancer (CC). Patients who had been diagnosed as having CC were recruited from the Taiwan Cancer Registry Database. Propensity score matching was performed, and Cox proportional-hazards model curves were used to analyze the all-cause mortality of patients who received standard whole-pelvis irradiation with different boost modalities.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers might be associated with lung adenocarcinoma risk: a nationwide population-based nested case-control study.

Objectives: To analyze the association of the use of different doses of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) independently with lung cancer risk and to evaluate the lung cancer type that may be related to ARB or ACEI use.

Patients And Methods: A nationwide population-based nested case-control study was conducted using Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database linked to the Taiwan Cancer Registry database between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2016. The cumulative defined daily dose (DDD) was estimated.

Pathologic response as predictor of recurrence, metastasis, and survival in breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy and total mastectomy.

To determine easy-to-use predictors of overall survival (OS), locoregional recurrence (LRR), and distant metastasis (DM) in breast invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and total mastectomy (TM), we used the pathologic response (PR) of primary breast diseases (T stages), nodal diseases (N stages), and combined primary and nodal diseases (American Joint Committee on Cancer [AJCC] stages) based on existing clinical and pathologic reports as predictors. We enrolled patients with IDC who received NACT followed by TM. Cox regression analysis was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) of PR; other independent predictors were controlled for or stratified in the analysis.

Outcome of post-mastectomy radiotherapy after primary systemic treatment in patients with different clinical tumor and nodal stages of breast cancer: a cohort study.

To evaluate the effect of post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) stratified by clinical tumor (T) or nodal (N) staging and determine predictors of overall survival (OS), locoregional recurrence (LRR), distant metastasis, and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with breast cancer who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and total mastectomy (TM), we enrolled patients who received a diagnosis of breast invasive ductal carcinoma who received NACT followed by TM. Cox regression analysis was employed to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses indicated that non-PMRT, Charlson comorbidity index ≥ 2, advanced clinical T or N stage, pathologic partial response, pathologic stationary disease, or pathologic progression disease were poor prognostic factors for OS.

Overall survival, locoregional recurrence, and distant metastasis of definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy for cervical squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma: before and after propensity score matching analysis of a cohort study.

Purpose: To estimate the outcomes of definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for bulky or advanced-stage cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (ADC).

Patients And Methods: We enrolled patients who had been diagnosed as having cervical SCC or ADC and received definitive CCRT. A Cox regression analysis was performed to determine the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI); independent predictors were stratified or controlled for in the analysis, and the endpoint was all-cause mortality among patients with cervical SCC and ADC who received CCRT.

Outcome patterns of cervical adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma following curative surgery: before and after propensity score matching analysis of a cohort study.

To estimate the outcome patterns and predictors of curative surgery for cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (ADC) for overall survival (OS), locoregional recurrence (LRR), and distant metastasis (DM), we enrolled 4628 patients who had received a diagnosis of cervical SCC or ADC and received curative surgery. Cox regression analysis was employed to calculate hazard ratios and confidence intervals (CIs); independent predictors were controlled for or stratified in the analysis, and the endpoint was all-cause death. Propensity score matching was conducted to create well-balanced groups.

Cancer risk in chronic rhinosinusitis: a propensity score matched case-control cohort study.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) have infection, innate immune disorder and chronic inflammation problems which are considered as potential mechanism of tumorigenesis. To estimate cancer risk in CRS using propensity scores matching (PSM) case-control cohort study.

Methods: A nationwide retrospective case-control cohort study is conducted on claim data from National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan.