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Background: Vitamin D (vitD) may be involved in different extraskeletal conditions as well as skeletal muscle diseases. It has been hypothesized that, at least in part, a low level of vitD could contribute to facilitating cancer development. Breast cancer (BC) seems to be associated with low levels of vitD. Materials and methods: This was an observational retrospective evaluation of 87 women (mean age: 54 ± 12 years old) who underwent surgery for the treatment of BC. Our main purpose was to correlate the types of BC and the levels of vitD. Results: A positive significant correlation (R > 0.7) was found between non-invasive carcinoma in situ and 25(OH)D levels and age (R = 0.82, p < 0.05). A positive, but nonsignificant, correlation was reported between invasive ductal carcinoma and 25(OH)D and age (R = 0.45, p > 0.05). A negative but nonsignificant correlation was found between invasive lobular carcinoma and 25(OH)D and age (R = 0.24, p > 0.05). Discussion and Conclusions: We did not find a significant relationship between vitD and BC subtypes. Considering the positive significant correlation between vitD levels and age for in situ BC, although preliminary, our results seem to suggest a possible role of vitD in in situ BC. However, these findings need to be confirmed in larger studies.
RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Nipple-sparing mastectomy is an oncologically validated technique for selected breast cancer patients and allows to improve aesthetic results and patients' quality of life. Conventional skin incisions are often a suboptimal solution due to the visibility of the scars. Aim of this work is to show our innovative technique, which allows to perform nipple-sparing mastectomy, lymph-node surgery, and endoscopic immediate prosthetic breast reconstruction using a single cosmetic axillary incision. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between June 2016 and October 2019, 14 consecutive patients underwent therapeutic nipple- sparing mastectomy with endoscopic immediate reconstruction via axillary incision; inclusion criteria were cup A or B breasts and tumors less than 3 cm in diameter. Data were recorded in order to evaluate reproducibility, feasibility, safety, aesthetic outcomes and patients' quality of life. RESULTS: Mean age was 46 years old (range: 34-54 years); median tumor size was 1.7 cm; average follow-up time was 11 months (range 3-42); median operation time was 340 minutes; mean hospital stay was 4,1 days. Tumor-free margins were obtained in all 14 cases. No local-regional recurrence occurred during follow-up. No major complications were experienced. No systemic complications were observed. All patients were satisfied with their aesthetic results, especially the absence of visible scars. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic nipple-sparing mastectomy with endoscopic immediate prosthetic reconstruction via axillary incision is a safe and appropriate procedure in cup A and B breasts, alternative to conventional techniques. It allows to improve aesthetic outcomes and patients' quality of life thanks to a single well-hidden axillary scar. KEY WORDS: Axillary Incision, Breast Cancer, Endoscopic Breast Reconstruction, Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy, Oncological and Aesthetic Outcomes, Quality of Life.
