In the Era of pass/fail: Medical student perceptions on optimizing their surgical residency applications.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear how changes to the 2023-2024 Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) application will impact future applicants. We investigate students' perceptions about applying to residency during this transition period. METHODS: An anonymous electronic survey was sent to medical students through social media of a women's surgical society. Questions reflected aspects of the ERAS application. RESULTS: There were 415 responses, with 68 â€‹% planning to apply into surgical specialties (SS) and 17 â€‹% into non-surgical specialties (NSS). Compared with the NSS group, SS students reported decreased confidence in successfully matching, less attainable applicant expectations, and increased personal sacrifices to pursue their residency of interest. Students interested in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS) placed 3-times more importance on the number of publications than General Surgery students. Away rotations were rated significantly more important for Otolaryngology, Orthopaedic, and PRS students. CONCLUSION: Students applying into surgical residencies experience unique stressors. Values among SS students differed across surgical subspecialties in preparation for the match. Further investigation characterizing the relationship between these values and characteristics of successful resident applicants is warranted.

Integrating Audiovisual Immersion Into Pediatric Radiation Therapy Across Multiple Centers: Methodology, Timeliness, and Cost of the Audiovisual-Assisted Therapeutic Ambience in Radiation Therapy Prospective Multi-Institutional Trial.

Purpose: The Audiovisual-Assisted Therapeutic Ambience in Radiotherapy (AVATAR) trial was a prospective multicenter study (NCT03991156) examining the combination of video immersion with radiation therapy and was successfully conducted through the collaboration of pediatric radiation oncology teams at 10 institutions independent of any pre-existing consortium. We sought to analyze and report the methodology of trial conception and development, process map, and cost. Methods and Materials: The study enrolled patients aged 3 to 10 years preparing to undergo radiation therapy, integrated the combination of AVATAR-based video immersion with radiation therapy at each institution, and offered AVATAR use as an alternative to anesthesia, with rates of anesthesia use and outcomes of serial standardized anxiety and quality-of-life assessments assessed among the 81 children enrolled. A process map was created based on the trial timeline with the following components: study development time (time from conception of the trial to the accrual of the first patient, including design phase, agreement and approval phase, and site preparation phase), and accrual duration time (time from the first to last accrual). Costs and institutional success rates were calculated. Results: Time from inception of study to last accrual was 3.6 years (1313 days). The study development time was 417 days (31.7%), and accrual duration time was 896 days (68.3%), with the final 50% of accrual occurring in <6 months. Equipment cost was approximately $550 per institution and was covered by funding from the lead study institution. All 10 centers were successful with AVATAR implementation, defined as ≥50% of patients able to avoid anesthesia with the use of AVATAR, including centers with both photon and proton therapy. Conclusions: This report elaborates on the methodology and timeline of trial conception and development using data from a previously published supportive care study combining video immersion with radiation therapy among 10 cooperating pediatric oncology institutions. It highlights the potential for multicenter collaborations on prospective trials integrating supportive care therapies with radiation therapy.

Feasibility of the Audio-Visual Assisted Therapeutic Ambience in Radiotherapy (AVATAR) System for Anesthesia Avoidance in Pediatric Patients: A Multicenter Trial.

PURPOSE: The Audio-Visual Assisted Therapeutic Ambience in Radiotherapy (AVATAR) system was the first published radiation therapy (RT)-compatible system to reduce the need for pediatric anesthesia through video-based distraction. We evaluated the feasibility of AVATAR implementation and effects on anesthesia use, quality of life, and anxiety in a multicenter pediatric trial. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Pediatric patients 3 to 10 years of age preparing to undergo RT at 10 institutions were prospectively enrolled. Children able to undergo at least 1 fraction of RT using AVATAR without anesthesia were considered successful (S). Patients requiring anesthesia for their entire treatment course were nonsuccessful (NS). The PedsQL3.0 Cancer Module (PedsQL) survey assessed quality of life and was administered to the patient and guardian at RT simulation, midway through RT, and at final treatment. The modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (mYPAS) assessed anxiety and was performed at the same 3 time points. Success was evaluated using the χ2 test. PedsQL and mYPAS scores were assessed using mixed effects models with time points evaluated as fixed effects and a random intercept on the subject. RESULTS: Eighty-one children were included; median age was 7 years. AVATAR was successful at all 10 institutions and with photon and proton RT. There were 63 (78%) S patients; anesthesia was avoided for a median of 20 fractions per patient. Success differed by age (P = .04) and private versus public insurance (P < .001). Both patient (P = .008) and parent (P = .006) PedsQL scores significantly improved over the course of RT for patients aged 5 to 7. Anxiety in the treatment room decreased for both S and NS patients over RT course (P < .001), by age (P < .001), and by S versus NS patients (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: In this 10-center prospective trial, anesthesia avoidance with AVATAR was 78% in children aged 3 to 10 years, higher than among age-matched historical controls (49%; P < .001). AVATAR implementation is feasible across multiple institutions and should be further studied and made available to patients who may benefit from video-based distraction.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy for metastatic sarcoma to the lung: adding to the arsenal of local therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Conventional treatment of pulmonary metastatic sarcoma primarily involves surgery, with systemic therapy added in select patients. However, broader applications of radiation therapy techniques have prompted investigation into the use of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for treatment of metastatic sarcoma, an attractive non-invasive intervention with potential for lower rates of adverse events than surgery. Current data are limited to retrospective analyses. This study analyzed 2-year local control and overall survival and adverse events in patients prospectively treated with SBRT to pulmonary sarcoma metastases. METHODS: Patients prospectively treated with SBRT to the lung for biopsy-proven metastatic sarcoma at a single institution from 2010 to 2022 were included. SBRT dose/fractionation treatment regimens ranged from 34 to 54 Gy in 1-10 fractions using photons. Local recurrence, local progression-free survival (LPFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated from the end of SBRT. Univariable analysis (UVA) was performed using the log-rank test. Multivariable analysis (MVA) was performed using the Cox proportional hazards model. Adverse events due to SBRT were graded based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.0. RESULTS: Eighteen patients with metastatic sarcoma were treated to 26 pulmonary metastases. The median local progression-free survival was not met. The median overall survival was not met. The local control rate at 2 years was 96%. 2-year LPFS was 95.5% and OS was 74%. Three patients (16.7%) developed grade 1 adverse events from SBRT. There were no adverse events attributed to radiation that were grade 2 or higher. CONCLUSION: We report prospective data demonstrating that SBRT for sarcoma pulmonary metastases affords a high rate of local control and low toxicity, consistent with prior sarcoma SBRT retrospective data. This study adds to the wealth of information on SBRT in a radioresistant tumor. Though largely limited to retrospective reviews, current data indicate high rates of local control with favorable toxicity profiles. Therefore, SBRT for pulmonary sarcoma metastases may be considered for properly selected patients.

Stereotactic radiosurgery for recurrent pediatric brain tumors: clinical outcomes and toxicity.

OBJECTIVE: Recurrence of brain tumors in children after the initial course of treatment remains a problem. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of reirradiation using stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in patients with recurrent pediatric primary brain tumors. METHODS: This IRB-approved retrospective review included pediatric patients with recurrent primary brain tumors treated at Stanford University from 2000 to 2019 using frameless SRS. Time to local failure (LF) and distant intracranial failure (DIF) were measured from the date of SRS and analyzed using competing risk analysis. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: In total, 37 patients aged 2-24 years (median age 11 years at recurrence) were treated for 48 intracranial tumors. Ependymoma (38%) and medulloblastoma (22%) were the most common tumor types. The median (range) single fraction equivalent dose of SRS was 16.4 (12-24) Gy. The median (range) follow-up time was 22.9 (1.5-190) months. The median OS of all patients was 36.8 months. Eight of 40 (20%) lesions with follow-up imaging locally recurred. The 2-year cumulative incidence of LF after reirradiation with SRS was 12.8% (95% CI 4.6%-25.4%). The 2-year cumulative incidence of DIF was 25.3% (95% CI 12.9%-39.8%). The median PFS was 18 months (95% CI 8.9-44). Five (10.4%) patients developed toxicities potentially attributed to SRS, including cognitive effects and necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Reirradiation using SRS for recurrent pediatric brain tumors appears safe with good local control. Innovations that improve overall disease control should continue because survival outcomes after relapse remain poor.

Local Control Outcomes Using Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy or Surgical Resection for Metastatic Sarcoma.

PURPOSE: Traditional management of metastatic sarcoma primarily relies on systemic therapy, with surgery often used for tumor control. We analyzed the rates of recurrence, overall survival, and treatment complications in patients undergoing either surgical resection or stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for metastatic sarcoma of the bone and/or soft tissue. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The records of patients with metastatic sarcoma between 2009 and 2020 were reviewed. Local recurrence (LR) was defined as tumor growth or recurrence at the tumor site. Cumulative LR incidence was analyzed accounting for the competing risk of death, and groups were compared using the Gray test. Overall survival (OS) was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Hazard ratios were determined using the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: A total of 525 metastatic lesions in 217 patients were analyzed. The mean age of patients was 57 years (range, 4-88 years). The lung was the predominant site treated (50%), followed by intra-abdominal (13%) and soft tissue (11%). Two-year cumulative incidences of LR for surgery and SBRT were 14.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.6%-18.5%) and 1.7% (95% CI, 0.1%-8.2%), respectively (P = .003). Local recurrence occurred in 72 (16.5%) of 437 tumors treated with surgery and 2 (2.3%) of 88 tumors treated with SBRT. The adjusted hazard ratio for LR of lesions treated surgically was 11.5 (P = .026) when controlling for tumor size and tumor site. Median OS was 29.8 months (95% CI, 25.6-40.9 months). There were 47 surgical complications among a total of 275 procedures (18%). Of 58 radiation treatment courses, radiation-related toxic effects were reported during the treatment of 7 lesions (12%), and none were higher than grade 2. CONCLUSIONS: We observed excellent local control among patients selected for treatment with SBRT for metastatic sarcoma, with no evidence of an increase in LR after SBRT compared with surgical management. Further investigation is necessary to better define the most appropriate local control strategies for metastatic sarcoma.

Delays in Care Associated With Non-English-Speaking Patients With Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer care requires coordination between multiple diagnostic and treatment modalities. Disparities such as age, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status are associated with delays in care. This study investigates whether primary language is associated with delays in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment before and through radiotherapy (RT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was an institutional retrospective matched-cohort analysis of women treated with breast RT over 2 years. A total of 65 non-English-speaking (NES) patients were matched with 195 English-speaking (ES) patients according to stage, age, and chemotherapy delivery. Key time intervals along the breast cancer care path from initial findings through RT were recorded. Data were analyzed in a mixed model with matching as the random effect. The impact of race and insurance status was analyzed in addition to language. RESULTS: Significant delays were found for NES patients, which varied by race. NES Latina patients experienced the longest delay, with a mean total care-path time of 13.53 months (from initial findings to end of RT) versus 8.18 months for all ES patients (P<.0001). Specifically, their mean total care-path time was 5.97 months longer than that of ES Latina patients (P=.001) and 5.80 months longer than that of ES White patients (P<.0001). In addition, NES Latina patients had a significantly longer total care-path time than NES patients of other races/ethnicities (P=.001). Delays were specifically seen between initial clinical or radiographic findings and diagnostic mammogram (P=.001) and between biopsy and resection (P=.044). Beyond language, race/ethnicity was itself associated with delays between resection and start of RT (P=.032) and between start and end of RT (P=.022). CONCLUSIONS: Language is associated with pre-RT delays in breast cancer care, especially for NES Latina patients. Delays are most pronounced before diagnostic mammograms, but they also exist before resection and RT. Future work should target NES patients to assist their progress along the care path.

Impact of Insurance on Stage of Breast Cancer Presentation for Different Races and Ethnicities.

PURPOSE: Survival in breast cancer is largely stage-dependent. Lack of insurance and Medicaid have been associated with later-stage breast cancer, but it is unknown to what degree this association varies by race or ethnicity. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective single-institution cohort analysis of women undergoing breast radiotherapy from 2012 to 2017 (n = 1,019). Patients were categorized as having private insurance (n = 540), Medicare (n = 332), Medicaid (n = 122), or self-pay (n = 25). Ordinal logistic regression analysis identified variables associated with later-stage presentation, including age, race or ethnicity, insurance, the interaction between insurance and race or ethnicity, body mass index, education, and language. RESULTS: The association between insurance and breast cancer stage varied on the basis of a patient's race or ethnicity (P = .0114). White and Asian patients with Medicaid had significantly higher odds of later-stage breast cancer than those with private insurance (White odds ratio [OR], 2.10; 95% CI, 1.02 to 4.34; Asian OR, 3.22; 95% CI, 1.56 to 6.67). However, the inverse was true for Hispanic patients who had lower odds of later-stage disease with Medicaid than private insurance (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.16 to 0.90). Hispanic patients with Medicaid had lower odds than either White or Asian patients with Medicaid. These findings persisted across all ages. CONCLUSION: The association between insurance and later-stage presentation is significantly influenced by race or ethnicity. Medicaid was generally associated with later-stage breast cancer diagnosis, but this was not true across all races and ethnicities. Although White and Asian patients with Medicaid presented with later stage, Hispanic patients fared better with Medicaid than private insurance. Future work should investigate how Medicaid is successfully targeting Hispanic patients in breast cancer care.

Locoregional and Distant Outcomes in Women With cT1-3N1 Breast Cancer Treated With Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy With or Without Adjuvant Radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the impact of postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) or supraclavicular radiation therapy (SCV RT) in women with cT1-3N1 breast cancer (BC) who became node negative (ypN0) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 485 women treated with NAC for BC between 2005 and 2019. Radiation treatment fields were reviewed in detail. Pathologic complete response (pCR) was defined as ypT0/Tis ypN0. Patients who had residual nodal disease were defined as ypN+. Those who achieved complete response in the lymph nodes but not in the breast were defined as ypT+ypN0. RESULTS: After excluding patients with cT4 and cN0 disease at diagnosis, a total of 185 patients with cT1-3N1 BC were included. Patients were more likely to receive PMRT if they had ypN+ disease (P < .001) and/or lymphovascular invasion (P = .03). Patients who underwent lumpectomy were more likely to receive SCV RT if they did not achieve pCR (P = .04) and/or if they had ypN+ disease (P = .01). The 5-year rates of locoregional recurrence (LRR) were 15% for all patients, 14% for patients who attained ypT+ypN0, and 5% for patients who achieved pCR. Of ypT+ypN0 patients (n = 98), 53 received PMRT or SCV RT and 45 did not. For these patients, there were no differences in LRR based on whether a patient did or did not receive PMRT or SCV RT (P = .23). CONCLUSION: Recommendations for or against PMRT or SCV RT after NAC vary based on final pathologic response. We await the results of ongoing randomized clinical trials to help guide clinical decision making in this context.

Development of a Classification Tree to Predict Implant-Based Reconstruction Failure with or without Postmastectomy Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the complications, incidence, and predictors of implant-based reconstruction failure (RF) among patients treated with mastectomy for breast cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 108 patients who underwent mastectomy, tissue expander, and implant-based breast reconstruction with or without radiation therapy (RT) at our institution (2000-2014). Descriptive statistics determined complication incidences, with major complications defined as any complications requiring surgical intervention or inpatient management. Chi square and Fisher's exact tests determined differences in RF incidences, defined as implant loss. Logistic regression analyses identified predictors of RF. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 42.5 months. Sixty patients (55.6%) experienced major complications. Overall, 27 patients (25%) experienced RF. Incidences of RF were significantly increased in patients who had any major complication (43.3% vs. 2.1%; p < 0.0001), especially infection (61.3% vs. 10.4%; p < 0.0001), delayed wound healing (83.3% vs. 21.7%; p = 0.004), and implant exposure (80.0% vs. 19.4%; p = 0.0002). Receiving RT, but not timing of RT, significantly predicted RF [odds ratio (OR) 4.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11-14.47; p = 0.03]. On multivariable analysis, infection (OR 7.69, 95% CI 2.12-27.89; p = 0.002) and delayed wound healing (OR 17.86, 95% CI 1.59-200.48; p = 0.02) independently predicted for RF. Our newly developed classification tree, which includes stepwise assessment of major infection, delayed wound healing, implant exposure, age ≥ 50 years, and total number of lymph nodes removed ≥ 10, accurately predicted 74% of RF events and 75% of non-RF events. CONCLUSIONS: Infection or delayed wound healing requiring surgical intervention or hospitalization and receipt of RT, but not radiation timing, were significant predictors of RF. Our classification tree demonstrated > 70% accuracy for stepwise prediction of RF.

Association Between Patient Education Videos and Knowledge of Radiation Treatment.

PURPOSE: Patient knowledge of radiation therapy (RT) before consult is typically limited, with many having misconceptions or fears. There exists a need to improve patient education in RT. Our purpose was to study the impact of patient education videos on patient-reported knowledge of RT, anxiety/fear, and satisfaction. METHODS AND MATERIALS: At our institution, we created 2 RT educational videos: a general RT video and a breast cancer-specific video. Patients presenting for breast RT who agreed to participate (n = 107) were randomly assigned to receive a link to the videos (video group; n = 58) or not (no-video group; n = 49) before consultation. Pre- and postconsult surveys were administered assessing patient-reported measures on a 5-point Likert-type scale. RESULTS: Patients in the video group reported significantly higher levels of confidence in their knowledge of radiation side effects, with 45.6.% at least somewhat confident versus 21.3% in the no-video group (P = .009; median on a 5-point Likert-type scale, 2 [interquartile range {IQR}, 2-3] versus 2 [IQR, 1-2], respectively [P = .012]). There was a trend toward higher knowledge of the radiation treatment process in the video group (median, 3 [IQR, 2-3] versus 2 [IQR, 2-3] for no-video group; P = .064). There were no significant differences in preconsult anxiety or fear between the groups, but of those who were assigned videos, 46.8% reported decreased anxiety afterward, and 66.0% felt more comfortable coming to a consult. While those in the no-video group hypothesized that a video would be helpful (median, 3; IQR, 3-4), those in the video group found them to be very helpful in real life (median, 4; IQR, 45; P = .0009). After the consult, all patients in both groups were satisfied. CONCLUSIONS: Patient education videos increase patient-reported knowledge of RT and are found to be very helpful.

Angiosarcoma of the Breast: Management and Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Angiosarcoma of the breast is rare and has a poor prognosis. We reviewed our institution's experience with this disease to characterize presentation, identify management patterns, and report outcomes. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with nonmetastatic angiosarcoma were identified from 1998 to 2019 and retrospectively reviewed. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 43.4 months (range: 1.8 to 203.3 mo). Twenty-four patients had primary angiosarcoma (PAS) and 34 patients had secondary angiosarcoma (SAS). Patients with PAS were significantly younger than those with SAS (P<0.0001). Mastectomy was the main surgical treatment in our cohort (n=47) and 3 underwent a lumpectomy. The multifocal disease was found in 5/23 patients with PAS and 11/35 patients with SAS. Twenty-eight patients received chemotherapy. Radiation was administered to 13 patients with PAS and 3 patients with SAS. Five-year OS was 73.7% for PAS and 63.5% for SAS. Local recurrence occurred in a greater proportion of patients with margins <5 mm than those with margins ≥5 mm. Chemotherapy did not impact RFS and was not associated with OS in PAS (P=0.35). Those with SAS treated with chemotherapy had significantly greater OS than those who did not receive chemotherapy (P=0.043). Radiation did not significantly influence RFS or OS. CONCLUSIONS: Five-year OS was higher than anticipated. Margins >5 mm appear important for local control. Patients with SAS, but not PAS, may achieve improved survival with chemotherapy. National trials using prespecified agents may be needed to identify an optimal chemotherapy regimen for women with SAS.

Telemedicine in Radiation Oncology: Is It Here to Stay? Impacts on Patient Care and Resident Education.

PURPOSE: Telemedicine was rapidly and ubiquitously adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are growing discussions as to its role postpandemic. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We surveyed patients, radiation oncology (RO) attendings, and RO residents to assess their experience with telemedicine. Surveys addressed quality of patient care and utility of telemedicine for teaching and learning core competencies. Satisfaction was rated on a 6-point Likert-type scale. The quality of teaching and learning was graded on a 5-point Likert-type scale, with overall scores calculated by the average rating of each core competency required by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (range, 1-5). RESULTS: Responses were collected from 56 patients, 12 RO attendings, and 13 RO residents. Patient feedback was collected at 17 new-patient, 22 on-treatment, and 17 follow-up video visits. Overall, 88% of patients were satisfied with virtual visits. A lower proportion of on-treatment patients rated their virtual visit as "very satisfactory" (68.2% vs 76.5% for new patients and 82.4% for follow-ups). Only 5.9% of the new patients and none of the follow-up patients were dissatisfied, and 27% of on-treatment patients were dissatisfied. The large majority of patients (88%) indicated that they would continue to use virtual visits as long as a physical examination was not needed. Overall scores for medical training were 4.1 out of 5 (range, 2.8-5.0) by RO residents and 3.2 (range, 2.0-4.0) by RO attendings. All residents and 92% of attendings indicated they would use telemedicine again; however, most indicated that telemedicine is best for follow-up visits. CONCLUSIONS: Telemedicine is a convenient means of delivering care to patients, with some limitations demonstrated for on-treatment patients. The majority of both patients and providers are interested in using telemedicine again, and it will likely continue to supplement patient care.

Lymphopenia and clinical outcomes in patients with residual nodal disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Patients with residual nodal disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer have a poor prognosis. We wanted to evaluate whether lymphopenia after treatment for breast cancer impacted clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assessed 99 patients with node-positive disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Absolute lymphocyte count was recorded 1 year after radiation. Dates of local, regional, and distant failure were recorded. Time to event outcomes were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Multivariable analysis determined factors predictive for overall survival. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 44 months (range 3-150). Median age was 48 years (range 23-79). Twenty-six patients (26%) had lymphopenia 1 year after RT. Patients with lymphopenia had a greater incidence of regional (p = 0.03) and distant failure (p = 0.009) compared to those with normal lymphocyte counts and had a 6.05 greater risk of death (p = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with residual nodal disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, lymphopenia after breast cancer treatment was associated with overall survival. The relationship between lymphopenia and breast cancer outcomes warrants further investigation.

Importance of a Culture Committee for Boosting Morale and Maintaining a Healthy Work Environment in Radiation Oncology.

During the unprecedented workplace disruption from the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, health care workers have been particularly vulnerable to increased work-related stress and anxiety. This may have a negative effect on job performance and personal well-being. Personal safety, job security, and childcare needs are essential concerns that must be addressed by health care organizations to ensure stability of its workforce. In addition, workplace morale is also damaged by the many daily changes brought about by social distancing. Thus, opportunities exist for departments to address the loss of social bonding and cohesiveness needed for successful team building. In this report, we describe the efforts of our departmental workplace culture committee during this pandemic.

Impact of mastectomy for breast cancer on spinal curvature: Considerations when treating patients with scoliosis.

OBJECTIVE: Mastectomy has been shown to influence body posture in women; however, there are limited data outlining changes in spine curvature after mastectomy in patients with scoliosis. We sought to quantify changes in spine curvature after mastectomy for breast cancer. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 62 patients with scoliosis who underwent mastectomy for breast cancer at a single institution between 1995 and 2018. Preoperative and postoperative radiographs were used to measure Cobb angles to assess lateral spinal curvature. Changes in Cobb angle were compared using paired two-tailed t-tests. The relationship between mass of breast removed and changes in Cobb angle was modeled using a linear regression. RESULTS: The median follow-up after mastectomy was 7.9 years (range 0.9-21.5). Median age was 62 years (range 30-85). Of 62 patients, 10 (16%) expressed that their back pain became worse after mastectomy. Nineteen patients had evaluable radiographs before and after mastectomy. In these patients, the average change in Cobb angle was 4.7° (range -0.2-12.2). Cobb angle significantly increased after mastectomy (P < .0001). Although not statistically significant, average Cobb angle was greater for patients who underwent unilateral compared to bilateral mastectomy (P = .09). Mass of breast removed significantly correlated with the difference in Cobb angle for patients who underwent unilateral mastectomy (P = .0006), but not for bilateral mastectomy (P = .55). CONCLUSIONS: In this understudied patient population, mastectomy significantly increased the change in spine curvature. Further care should be taken to assess patient-reported pain and quality of life in patients with spine morbidity who undergo mastectomy for breast cancer.

Patterns of Failure in Women Who Have Residual Nodal Disease After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer According to Extent of Lymph Node Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Optimal surgical management of limited axillary nodal disease following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for breast cancer is evolving. Concerns exist with respect to leaving residual disease in the axilla when omitting axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in this setting. We sought to determine whether extent of nodal surgery altered patterns of failure and patient outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified 70 patients with breast cancer who were confirmed cN0 after NAC yet had residual nodal disease (ypN1) on sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). Twenty-eight patients underwent SLNB alone and 42 underwent SLNB+completion (c)ALND in a non-randomized fashion. Most (n = 65) patients underwent adjuvant regional nodal irradiation (RNI). Detailed patterns of failure data were obtained for each patient. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 43.5 months. There were 30 (43%) recurrences. Of these, 5 were isolated locoregional failures, and 24 were distant failures. There were no significant differences in local (P = .13), regional (P = .62), or distant (P = .47) failure between patients who underwent SLNB alone versus SLNB+cALND. Seventeen (24%) patients died. Overall survival was similar in both groups with median overall survival not reached for those who underwent SLNB and 109 months for those who underwent SLNB+cALND (P = .45). CONCLUSIONS: There were no differences in patterns of recurrence among patients with 1 to 3 involved lymph nodes after NAC who underwent SLNB alone versus SLNB+cALND in the setting of RNI. We await the results of ongoing, prospective clinical trials to confirm the relative merits of RNI in lieu of cALND in these patients.

Durability of response in metastatic melanoma patients after combined treatment with radiation therapy and ipilimumab.

AIM: We previously reported a prospective trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of combining ipilimumab and radiation therapy in patients with metastatic melanoma. Herein, we provide a long-term update on patients with complete response (CR) or partial response (PR). PATIENTS & METHODS: We continued to follow these patients with serial imaging including computed tomography, PET or MRI. RESULTS: Two of the three patients with CR are still alive and without evidence of melanoma but with chronic treatment-induced hypophysitis. The third patient died of hepatocellular carcinoma, but with no evidence of melanoma. Among the three patients with PR, two achieved CR after pembrolizumab monotherapy. CONCLUSION: This long-term follow up reveals the striking durability of the CRs, which appears to correlate with a grade 2-3 hypophysitis.

Erythema of the skin after breast radiotherapy: It is not always recurrence.

Recurrence of breast cancer is a predominant fear for patients who were treated for breast cancer. Acute and late dermatologic effects of radiotherapy are not uncommon and could have similar characteristics to breast cancer recurrence. Thus, it is important to highlight key differences between the clinical and histologic presentations of radiation effects and recurrence. Herein, we present two patients who presented with late dermatologic effects of radiotherapy months to years after treatment, neither of whom had workup consistent with cancer recurrence. We provide clinical and microscopic descriptions of each case and provide a review to differentiate various dermatologic conditions. This report aims to outline potential late dermatologic effects of radiation treatment and emphasise that changes in the breast do not always signal breast cancer recurrence.