Project

Relsurv - an R package for relative survival analysis

The package includes a variety of functions used in relative survival analysis. All steps of the analysis are covered:
one can estimate the overall relative survival function, fit regression models and check their fit. Since in practice,
the most annoying part of the relative survival analysis is to put the population tables into the right format, some functions
to help with this initial step of the analysis are also provided despite the fact that the ratetable format originates
from the survival package.

Available functions

Calculates the overall relative survival curve. The syntax mimics the survfit function (survival package).

Methods available:

• new method by Pohar Perme et al (estimates net survival - unbiased)
• Hakulinen (estimates relative survival ratio)
• Ederer I (estimates relative survival ratio)
• Ederer II (estimates net survival - biased).

The curve can be split by covariates and plotted. Function summary gives values at specific times, std. errors and confidence intervals.

Fits the additive (proportional excess hazard) model, using several options:

• semiparametric model (EM, no assumptions on the baseline form)
• parametric model with max. likelihood (constant baseline within sub-intervals)
• parametric model with glm (Poisson or binomial link, constant baseline within sub-intervals)

For prediction: use rs.surv.rsadd(fit), available for max.lik.

Goodness of fit checking after fitting an additive relative survival model, a multiplicative model or a classical Cox model.

• rs.zph for graphical inspection (mimics cox.zph, but does no formal testing, only for additive relative survival model)
• rs.br (formal testing), can also be plotted

Using transformation approach we can:

• calculate the Y values (could also be done using survexp function)
• fit the Cox model in Y
• back transform from Y: invtime (not thoroughly checked)

For a further presentation of the idea, see an illustration.

Fits the Andersen et al multiplicative model.

Assistance in forming the ratetable object (defined in package survival):

• form objects from your own tables: transrate
• form objects from tables available on the web: transrate.hld, transrate.hmd
• join two ratetable objects into one: joinrate

For more information on this time consuming step, see Population tables.