Myeloid Malignancies Underreported In U.S.

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla., and colleagues from the UF Shands Cancer Center in Gainesville, Fla., have found that cases of myeloid malignancies are being underreported since a change in registry protocols and laboratory practices starting in 2001.

Their study is published in a recent issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research.

“Since the 1970s, cancer registries have monitored myeloid leukemia incidence in the United States,” said study lead author Benjamin M. Craig, Ph.D., an assistant member in Moffitt’s Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior. “According to data from nine Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) sites, myeloid leukemia incidence decreased from 1975 to 1989, increased from 1990 to 2000, and decreased after 2000. We hypothesize that the drop in myeloid leukemia incidence since 2001 is the result of both changes in registry protocols and practice patterns that favor the use of commercial laboratories and do not reflect changing disease patterns among the population.”

"The big surprise from our findings wasn't that myeloid leukemias were missed; it was the magnitude of uncaptured cases," said Christopher R. Cogle, M.D., an associate professor of hematology and oncology in the University of Florida College of Medicine’s department of medicine.

According to the authors, in 2001 SEER issued a guideline saying that “a myeloid malignancy diagnosed after a previous myeloid malignancy would not be recorded as a subsequent primary.”

SEER Stat Fact Sheets: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia It is estimated that 5,150 men and women (3,000 men and 2,150 women) will be diagnosed with and 270 men and women will die of chronic myeloid leukemia in 2011.

Incidence & Mortality

From 2004-2008, the median age at diagnosis for chronic myeloid leukemia was 65 years of age. Approximately 2.6% were diagnosed under age 20; 7.7% between 20 and 34; 9.9% between 35 and 44; 13.9% between 45 and 54; 15.6% between 55 and 64; 19.1% between 65 and 74; 21.3% between 75 and 84; and 10.0% 85+ years of age.

The age-adjusted incidence rate was 1.6 per 100,000 men and women per year. These rates are based on cases diagnosed in 2004-2008 from 17 SEER geographic areas.

US Mortality

From 2004-2008, the median age at death for chronic myeloid leukemia was 74 years of age. Approximately 1.1% died under age 20; 3.5% between 20 and 34; 5.2% between 35 and 44; 9.0% between 45 and 54; 12.9% between 55 and 64; 18.9% between 65 and 74; 28.3% between 75 and 84; and 21.2% 85+ years of age.

The age-adjusted death rate was 0.3 per 100,000 men and women per year. These rates are based on patients who died in 2004-2008 in the US.