Progressive relaxation training in patients with breast cancer receiving aromatase inhibitor therapy-randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Aromatase inhibitors have positive impacts on the disease-free life of patients with breast cancer. However, their side effects, especially arthralgia, may be experienced by many patients. This study sought to assess the efficacy of Progressive Relaxation Exercises on the prevalent side effects of Aromatase Inhibitors in patients with breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This clinical trial was conducted with single-blind randomization at a physiotherapy department in a local hospital. Patients who received Aromatase Inhibitor were assigned at random to either the study or control group. The study group (n = 22) performed a Progressive Relaxation Exercises program four days a week for six weeks, while the control group (n = 22) received advice on relaxation for daily life. Data was collected before the intervention and after six weeks. The study's primary endpoint was the Brief Pain Inventory, which was used to measure pain severity. Secondary endpoints included assessments of quality of life and emotional status, which were measured using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy and Hospital Anxiety and Depression scales, respectively. RESULTS: The study group exhibited a significant reduction in Pain Severity (p = 0.001) and Pain Interference (p = 0.012) sub-scores. Reduction in Pain Severity (p<0.001) and Patient Pain Experience (p = 0.003) sub-scores was also noted between the groups. Quality of Life and Emotional Status showed no significant variation both within and between the groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that Progressive Relaxation Exercises caused a significant reduction in pain scores among Breast Cancer patients receiving Aromatase Inhibitors. While a decrease in pain during the 6-week period is valuable data, it is necessary to monitor the long-term effects of relaxation techniques.

The Relationship of Pathological Response and Visceral Muscle and Fat Volume in Women With Breast Cancer Who Received Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.

Objective: Differences in individual muscle/fat volumes may change the effectiveness of chemotherapy. In this study, the relationship between trunkal muscle and fat volume and body mass index (BMI) obtained before receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) in patients with breast cancer and complete pathological response (pCR) was investigated. Materials and Methods: The volumes of psoas, abdominal and paraspinal muscles, and trunkal subcutaneous and visceral fat were calculated using CoreSlicer AI 2.0 opensource program from the F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (CT) and CT images before NCT and postoperative pCR rates to NCT were recorded. Muscle/fat volumes and BMI prior to NCT were compared in terms of pathological pCR rates. Patients were followed up regularly for recurrence and survival. Results: Ninety-three patients were included with median (range) values for age, BMI, and body weights of 48 (28-72) years, 27 (16.8-51.6) kg/m2, and 71.94 (43-137) kg, respectively. The median follow-up time was 18.6 (6.7-59.6) months. No significant correlation was found between total muscle or fat volumes of patients with and without pCR. BMI [26.2 (16.8-51.6) kg/m2 vs. 24.6 (20.3-34.3) kg/m2, p = 0.03] and pCR rates in patients with low right-psoas muscle volume [11.74 (7.03-18.51) vs. 10.2 (6.71-13.36), p = 0.025] were significantly greater. A significant relationship was found between right psoas muscle volume and disease-free survival (DFS) (11.74 cm3 (7.03-18.51) vs. 10.2 cm3 (6.71-13.36), p = 0.025). However, no significant relationship was detected between total muscle-fat volume, BMI and overall survival and DFS (p>0.05). Conclusion: This is the first published study investigating the relationship between the pCR ratio and body muscle and fat volume measured by CoreSlicer AI 2.0 in patients with breast cancer who received NCT. No correlation was found between the pCR ratio and total muscle plus fat volume. However, these results need to be validated with larger patient series.

Outcomes of reconstructive techniques in breast cancer using BCCT. core software.

BACKGROUND: Surgery remains a priority for breast cancer treatment. This study aimed to compare the cosmetic outcomes of oncoplastic patients who had undergone breast-conserving surgery, mini-LDF (latissimus dorsi flap), and immediate implant reconstruction using both the Japanese scale and the BCCT.core (The Breast Cancer Conservative Treatment cosmetic results software) program and to validate this program. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery for breast cancer between 1997 and 2021 were retrospectively studied. Patients were divided into three groups: 1-those who had undergone breast-conserving surgery (245 patients, 71.3%), 2-those who had undergone mini-LDF after lumpectomy (38 patients, 11.02%), and 3- those who underwent reconstruction with implants after nipple-sparing mastectomy (61 patients, 17.68%). The patients were called for a follow-up examination, and their photos were taken. The photographs were shown to an independent breast surgeon and a plastic surgeon who was not included in the surgeries, and they were asked to evaluate and rate them according to the Japanese cosmetic evaluation scale. The same images were transferred to the computer and scored using BCCT.core. RESULTS: The plastic and breast surgeon evaluation results showed no significant difference between the three cosmetic techniques (p = 0.99, 0.98). The results of BCCT.core software measurements were similar to the results of plastic and breast surgeons (p: 0.43). CONCLUSION: Patients are more knowledgeable about cosmetic outcomes and expect more objective data. In this study, we used 3 different cosmetic evaluation scales. We found that these techniques give results that are compatible with each other in terms of evaluating the work done in a more concrete way. For this reason, we recommend the use of such software, which offers objective results in a subjective field such as aesthetics and is very easy to apply.

Evaluation of Anti-Mullerian Hormone Levels, Antral Follicle Counts, and Mean Ovarian Volumes in Chemotherapy-Induced Amenorrhea among Breast Cancer Patients: A Prospective Clinical Study.

Estradiol (E2), a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), AMH, and inhibin B levels, along with AFC and MOV, are used to determine ovarian reserve in pre-menopausal women. Studies have shown that AMH levels are more sensitive than those of E2, FSH, and inhibin B and that AFC and MOV can be used to evaluate ovarian reserve. AMH, AFC, and MOV measurements were performed before and after adjuvant SC in 3-month periods for one year. Patients were classified as experiencing chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea (CIA) if they did not have menstrual cycles for a period of six months or longer following the conclusion of their chemotherapy treatment. We aimed to evaluate the factors affecting chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea in breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy and the performance of baseline measurements of AMH, AFC, and MOV to predict chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea. The effects of different chemotherapy regimens on the AMH level, AFC, and MOV in CIA patients were investigated. Seventy-one patients were eligible for this study, and the median age was 38 years (range: 23-45). The median follow-up was 37 months (range: 20-51), and CIA developed in 62% of the patients. The AMH level and AFC were significantly decreased one year after SC (p < 0.0001), whereas MOV was not (p = 0.507). AMH levels before chemotherapy (median: 1.520 vs. 0.755, p = 0.001) and at the end of the first year (median: 0.073 vs. 0.010, p = 0.030) and pre-treatment AFC (median: 12 vs. 4.50, p = 0.026) were lower in patients with CIA compared to those without CIA. The AMH levels before SC were the most valuable and earliest factor for predicting CIA development. In addition, there was no difference between the chemotherapy regimens (including or not including taxane) in terms of CIA development.

MCM-2 Levels as a Potential Biomarker for Predicting High-Risk Breast Cancer Patients According to TAILORx Classification.

Background: The minichromosome maintenance protein-2 (MCM-2) is a more sensitive proliferation marker than Ki-67. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between MCM-2 and Oncotype DX recurrence score (ODX-RS) and determine an MCM-2 cutoff value in high-risk patients according to TAILORx risk categorization. Methods: Hormone receptor (HR) positive HER-2 negative early-stage breast cancer patients (pT1-2, pN0-N1, M0) who had ODX-RS were included in the study. According to the TAILORx trial, patients were divided into two groups with high (ODX-RS ≥26) and low risk (ODX-RS <26) in terms of ODX-RS. Formalin-fixed-paraffin-embedded tissues of patients were re-evaluated, and 3 µm sections were prepared for MCM-2 immuno-histochemical staining. The relationship between ODX-RS and the percentage of MCM-2 staining was evaluated in two groups. The ROC curve analysis was performed to determine the MCM-2 cut-off value for the TAILORx high-risk group (ODX-RS ≥26). Results: The mean MCM-2 value was significantly higher in the high-risk group [(60.2 ± 11.2 vs 34.4 ± 13.8, p < 0.001)]. In the multivariate analysis, MCM-2 (OR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.08-1.49, p = 0.003) and progesterone receptor (PR) levels ≤10% (OR: 60.9, 95% CI: 4.1-89.7, p = 0.003) were found to be independent factors indicating a high-risk group. A one-unit increase in MCM-2 level increased the likelihood of being in the high-risk group by 1.27 times. In the ROC curve analysis, the optimal MCM-2 cut-off level was 50 (AUC: 0.921, sensitivity: 86.7%, specificity: 96.0%, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our study is the first study in the literature to investigate the relationship between ODX-RS and MCM-2 levels in HR-positive HER-2 negative early breast-cancer patients. In this study, MCM-2 was an independent risk factor in identifying high-risk patients according to TAILORx risk classification. MCM 2 cut-off value (50) may help the decision on adjuvant chemotherapy in patients where the Oncotype DX test cannot be performed.

Survival results according to Oncotype Dx recurrence score in patients with hormone receptor positive HER-2 negative early-stage breast cancer: first multicenter Oncotype Dx recurrence score survival data of Turkey.

Background: The Oncotype Dx recurrence score (ODx-RS) guides the adjuvant chemotherapy decision-making process for patients with early-stage hormone receptor-positive, HER-2 receptor-negative breast cancer. This study aimed to evaluate survival and its correlation with ODx-RS in pT1-2, N0-N1mic patients treated with adjuvant therapy based on tumor board decisions. Patients and methods: Estrogen-positive HER-2 negative early-stage breast cancer patients (pT1-2 N0, N1mic) with known ODx-RS, operated on between 2010 and 2014, were included in this study. The primary aim was to evaluate 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates according to ODX-RS. Results: A total of 203 eligible patients were included in the study, with a median age of 48 (range 26-75) and median follow-up of 84 (range 23-138) months. ROC curve analysis for all patients revealed a recurrence cut-off age of 45 years, prompting evaluation by grouping patients as ≤45 years vs. >45 years. No significant difference in five-year DFS rates was observed between the endocrine-only (ET) and chemo-endocrine (CE) groups. However, among the ET group, DFS was higher in patients over 45 years compared to those aged ≤45 years. When stratifying by ODx-RS as 0-17 and ≥18, DFS was significantly higher in the former group within the ET group. However, such differences were not seen in the CE group. In the ET group, an ODx-RS ≥18 and menopausal status were identified as independent factors affecting survival, with only an ODx-RS ≥18 impacting DFS in patients aged ≤45 years. The ROC curve analysis for this subgroup found the ODx-RS cut-off to be 18. Conclusion: This first multicenter Oncotype Dx survival analysis in Turkey demonstrates the importance of Oncotype Dx recurrence score and age in determining treatment strategies for early-stage breast cancer patients. As a different aproach to the literature, our findings suggest that the addition of chemotherapy to endocrine therapy in young patients (≤45 years) with Oncotype Dx recurrence scores of ≥18 improves DFS.

Evaluation of Abdominal Fat Ratio in Patients with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Controlled Study.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the possible relationship between breast cancer-related lymphedema and central obesity, which is known to be effective in metabolic syndrome and chronic inflammation. Methods and Results: Thirty-six patients (18 lymphedemas, 18 control) enrolled in the study. There was no statistically significant difference in demographic data between the two groups except body mass index (BMI) distribution (p = 0.008). Although 50% of the patients in the study group were obese, this rate was 5.6% in the control group. Although there was a significant difference between the study and control groups in terms of abdominal circumference measurement, there was no significant difference between total and abdominal fat amount and ratios. When BMI and abdominal circumference measurements were evaluated together to predict lymphedema, the area under the curve in abdominal circumference measurement was higher than BMI (0.715 vs. 0.659). In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, 107 cm of abdominal circumference measurement was determined as cutoff value for lymphedema, with 55% sensitivity and 89% specificity (Youden index: 0.44). Conclusion: Abdominal circumference measurement can be evaluated together with BMI in determining the risk of lymphedema.

LONG-TERM SURVIVAL EFFECTS OF PREOPERATIVE BREAST MRI IN PATIENTS WITH BREAST-CONSERVING SURGERY.

The benefit of breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in breast-conserving surgery (BCS) is unclear. Our study compared breast cancer patients with and without preoperative breast MRI and their long-term oncologic outcomes are reported. A total of 1378 BCS cases with early breast cancer between 1996 and 2017 were reviewed. Patients with carcinoma in situ or neoadjuvant treatment or having breast MRI after tumor excision were excluded. Of 1378 patients, 270 (19.5%) had preoperative MRI. There were no significant differences regarding T and N stage and molecular subtypes between the groups. Surgical margins were significantly wider in the breast MRI group. Five-year overall survival (OS) was 96.9% in the MRI group and 94.3% in the control group, and this difference was not significant (p=0.11). Five-year local-regional recurrence-free survival (LRFS) was not significantly different either (98.8% and 96.5%, respectively, p=0.41). When analyses were repeated only for patients with hormone receptor-negative or triple-negative breast cancer, there was still no significant difference in OS, LRFS, or disease-free survival. In conclusion, MRI does not seem necessary in all patients undergoing BCS. New prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to determine appropriate use of preoperative MRI and its effects on oncologic outcomes in early breast cancer patients.

The effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in patients with breast cancer.

Aim: This study investigated the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) on stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (sTILs) and their treatment response. Materials & methods: 115 patients with pre-NAC core biopsies and post-NAC surgical resection specimens were reviewed. Results: There was no significant change between pre- and post-treatment sTILs. Both pre- and post-NAC sTILs were significantly lower in patients with luminal A subtype. An increase in sTILs was observed in 21 (25.9%) patients after NAC, a decrease in 29 (35.8%) and no change in 31 (38.3%; p = 0.07). Pretreatment sTIL density was independent predictor of pathological complete response in multivariate analyses (odds ratio: 1.025, 95% CI: 1.003-1.047; p = 0.023). Conclusion: High sTIL density in core biopsies was independently related to pathological complete response. In addition, ER appears to be the most crucial factor determining the rate of sTIL.

New studies have shown that the tumor microenvironment is critical in tumor behavior. Immune cells surrounding tumor cells are the main components of the tumor microenvironment. Our study aimed to investigate the change in immune cells before and after chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Our study included 115 patients. All patients underwent chemotherapy before surgery to shrink the tumor. Tru-cut biopsy pieces and the breast tissue obtained after surgery were examined. The presence of estrogen or progesterone receptors on tumor cells decreased the number of immune cells surrounding the tumor cells. The number of immune cells did not decrease after chemotherapy. Another finding was that the greater the number of immune cells around the tumor, the more likely that the tumor would disappear after chemotherapy.

Importance of multigene panel test in patients with consanguineous marriage and family history of breast cancer.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology is used to evaluate hereditary cancer risks of patients worldwide; however, information concerning the germline multigene mutational spectrum among patients with breast cancer (BC) with consanguineous marriage (CM) is limited. Therefore, this prospective study aimed to determine the molecular characteristics of patients with BC who were tested with multigene hereditary cancer predisposition NGS panel and to show the effect of CM on cancer-related genes. Patients with BC with or without CM and family history (FH) of BC treated in our breast center were selected according to The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) criteria for hereditary BC. In these patients, the analysis of a panel of 33 genes involved in hereditary cancer predisposition was performed after genetic counseling by using NGS. The pathogenic variant (PV) and the variant of uncertain significance (VUS) were found to be 15.8 and 47.4%, respectively. PVs were identified in 10/33 genes in 34 patients; 38.2% in BRCA1/2 genes; 6, 24, and 14% in other high, moderate and low-risk genes, respectively. The CM rate was 17.7% among the 215 patients with BC. The PV rate was 13.2% in patients with CM and 16.4% in patients without CM (P=0.80). When PV and VUS were evaluated together, the PV+VUS ratio was significantly higher in patients with CM and FH of BC than patients without CM and FH of BC (88.2 vs. 63.3%, P=0.045). Analysis of multigene panel provided 9.76% additional PVs in moderate/low-risk genes. The PV rate was similar in patients with BC with or without CM. A high PV+VUS ratio in patients with CM and FH of BC suggests that genes whose importance are unknown are likely to be pathogenic genes later.

The effect of multifocal and multicentric tumours on local recurrence and survival outcomes in breast cancer.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the multifocal (MF)/multicentric (MC) breast cancers with unifocal (UF) breast cancers in terms of tumour characteristics, treatment methods, loco-regional recurrence and survival rates. METHODS: Patients who were treated with a diagnosis of early-stage breast cancer (stage I,II) and had regular follow-up were included in the study. MF tumours were defined as having more than one tumour focus in the same quadrant, whereas MC tumours refered to the presence of more than one tumour focus in different quadrants. RESULTS: In total, 1865 patients with invasive breast cancer were evaluated, 1493 (80.1%) of whom had UF cancer, 330 (17.7%) had MF cancer, and 42 (2.3%) had MC cancer. After comparing the groups with each other, it was seen that MF and MC breast cancers occurred more often at early ages and that lymph node invasion (LNI) was greater. No differences were seen between the 3 groups in terms of local recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) rates . In multivariate analysis, it was found that MF and MC tumours had no impact on local recurrence and OS. In multivariate analysis, it was understood that HER2 positivity and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) had an impact on local recurrence, and age, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), T3 tumour, lymph node positivity and TNBC subtype had an impact on OS. CONCLUSION: Although MC and MF tumours show aggressive features such as high lymph node positivity and LVI, they have similar loco-regional recurrence and survival rates to UF tumours.

The Effect of Systemic Chemotherapy on Ovarian Function: A Prospective Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Premenopausal women with breast cancer are at risk of developing ovarian failure after chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the negative effects of systemic chemotherapy on ovarian function in premenoupausal women with breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one premenopausal women with operable breast cancer aged between 26-48 years were enrolled in this prospective cohort study to investigate preliminary results. Additional 69 patients' data will be included after the completion of all five measurements. The change in serum Antimullerian Hormone (AMH) levels, mean ovarian volumes (MOV) and antral follicle counts (AFCs) at 3-month intervals were recorded to evaluate ovarian function. Women who had at least one pretreatment and four post-treatment measurements in one year follow-up period were included in the study. Decision of chemotherapy regimen was taken by the Tumor Board. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients had all five AMH, MOV and AFCs results. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between 1st - 5th AMH levels (p=0.006) and 1st - 5th AFCs during the follow-up period (p<0.0001). However pre- and post-chemotherapy measurements of MOVs did not demonstrate any significant correlation (p=0.799). BMI, parity, lactation, histopathology and molecular subtypes of breast cancer, alcohol intake, smoking and type of chemotherapy regimen were not significantly correlated with AMH, AFC and MOV. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment AMH levels and AFC were shown to have a significant role in early prediction of ovarian-reserve after chemotherapy.

Comparison of breast cancer patients who underwent partial mastectomy (PM) with mini latissimus dorsi flap (MLDF) and subcutaneous mastectomy with implant (M + I) regarding quality of life (QOL), cosmetic outcome and survival rates.

PURPOSE: The latissimus dorsi muscle has long been used in breast cancer (BC) patients for reconstruction. This study aimed to compare early stage BC patients who had partial mastectomy (PM) with mini latissimus dorsi flap (MLDF) and subcutaneous mastectomy with implant (MI) with respect to quality of life (QoL), cosmetic outcome (CO), and survival rates. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data of patients who underwent PM + MLDF (Group 1) and M + I (Group 2) between January 2010 and January 2018 were evaluated. Both groups were compared in terms of demographics, clinical and pathological characteristics, surgical morbidity, survival, quality of life, and cosmetic results. The EORTC-QLQ C30 and EORTC-QLO BR23 questionnaires and the Japanese Breast Cancer Society (JBCS) Cosmetic Evaluation Scale were used to assess the quality of life and the cosmetic outcome, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 317 patients were included in the study, 242 (76.3%) of them in group 1 and 75 (23.6%) of them in group 2. Median follow-up time was 56 (14-116) months. There were no differences identified between the groups in terms of tumor histology, hormonal receptors and HER-2 positivity, surgical morbidity, and 5-year overall and disease-free survival. Group 2 patients were significantly younger than group 1 (p = 0.003). The multifocality/multicentricity rate was higher in group 2 (p ≤ 0.001), whereas tumor size (p = 0.009), body mass index (BMI, p = 0.006), histological grade (p ≤ 0.001), lymph node positivity (p = 0.002), axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) rate (p = 0.005), and presence of lympho-vascular invasion (LVI, p = 0.013) were significantly higher in group 1. When the quality of life was assessed by using the EORTC QLQ C30 and BR23 questionnaires, it was seen that the body image perception (p < 0.001) and nausea/vomiting score (p = 0.024) were significantly better in PM + MLDF group whereas physical function score was significantly better in M + I group (p = 0.012). When both groups were examined in terms of cosmesis with JBCS Cosmetic Evaluation Scale, good cosmetic evaluation score was significantly higher in patients in MLDF group (p = 0.01). DISCUSSION: The results of this study indicate that in comparison to M + I procedure, the PM + MLDF procedure provides significantly superior results in terms of body image and cosmetic result with similar morbidity and oncologic outcomes. In selected patients with small breasts and a high tumor/breast ratio, PM + MLDF may be an alternative to subcutaneous mastectomy and implant.

Usefulness of imaging findings in predicting tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in patients with breast cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have been determined as a new prognostic indicator of immunotherapy response in breast cancer (BC). The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of imaging features in predicting the TIL levels in invasive BC patients. METHODS: A total of 158 patients with invasive BC were included in our study. All lesions were evaluated based on the BIRADS lexicon. US was performed for all the patients and 89 of them underwent MRI. The histologic stromal TIL (sTIL) levels were assessed and associations between the sTIL levels and imaging features were evaluated. RESULTS: Tumors with high sTIL levels had more circumscribed margins, round shape, heterogeneous echogenicity, and larger size on ultrasonography (p < 0.005). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the sTIL levels and ADC value (p < 0.001). Tumors with high sTIL levels had significantly more homogeneous enhancement than the tumors with low sTIL levels (p = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that the ADC was the most statistically significant parameter in predicting the sTIL levels (the odds ratio was 90.952; p = 0.002). The optimal cutoff value for ADC in predicting low and high sTIL levels was found to be 0.87 × 10-3 mm2 s-1 (AUC = 0.726, 73% specificity, and 60% sensitivity). CONCLUSIONS: Imaging findings, especially the ADC, may play an important role as an adjunct tool in cases of uncertain situations and may improve the accuracy of biopsy results. The prediction of sTIL levels using imaging findings may give an opportunity to predict prognosis. KEY POINTS: • Preoperative assessment of TILs is an important biomarker of prognosis and treatment efficacy. • ADC value can be a useful tool in distinguishing high and low sTIL levels as a non-invasive method. • The prediction of sTIL levels using imaging findings may give an opportunity to predict prognosis and an optimal treatment for the BC patients.

Lymph Node Ratio (LNR): Predicting Prognosis after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy (NAC) in Breast Cancer Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Axillary lymph node status is an important prognostic factor in breast cancer (BC). Residual nodal disease burden after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is one of the important prognostic factors to determine the prognosis and in the treatment of BC. Lymph node ratio (LNR) defined as the ratio of the number of positive lymph nodes to total excised axillary lymph nodes, may be a stronger determinant of prognosis than pN in axillary nodal staging, although there is very limited data evaluating its prognostic value in the setting of NAC. In this cohort of patients, we studied the utility of LNR in predicting recurrence and overall survival (OS) after NAC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An Institutional cancer registry was queried from 2009 to 2014 for women with axillary node-positive BC with no evidence of distant metastasis, and who received NAC followed by surgery for loco-regional treatment (axillary dissection with breast conserving surgery or total mastectomy). Patients with axillary complete response were excluded. Locoregional recurrence (LRR), distant recurrence (DR) and overall survival (OS) rates were reviewed regarding pN and LNR. RESULTS: A total of 179 patients were analyzed. Median follow up time was 24 [25%, 75%: 13-42] months. Patients with pN1 in comparison to pN2 and pN3 had lower rate of LRR (9% vs. 15% and 14%, respectively; p=0.41), lower rate of DR (14% vs. 25% and 27%, respectively, p=0.16) and increased rate of OS (89% vs. 79% and 78%, respectively, p=0.04). In comparison to patients with LNR >20%, patients with LNR ≤20% had lower LRR (9% vs. 14%, p=0.25), lower DR (13% vs. 27%, p=0.01) and improved OS (89% vs. 79%, p=0.02) rates. In the pN1 group, patients who had a LNR >20% had higher DR (22% vs. 14%, p=0.48) rates in comparison to patients with LNR ≤20%. In ER/PR (+) patients who had LNR ≤20% DR was 6% compared with 23% in patient who had LNR >20% (p=0.02), and in triple negative patients' OS rate was significantly better compared the LNR less/equal or more than 20% (71% vs 33%, p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that LNR adds valuable information for the prognosis after NAC and this additional information should be considered when deciding further treatment and follow-up for patients who had residual tumor burden on the axilla. This observation should be tested in a larger study.

Endoscopy Assisted Oncoplastic Breast Surgery (EAOBS).

Endoscopic oncoplastic breast surgery represents a minimal invasive approach with the aim of both removing cancer safely and also restoring the breast image. It has less noticeable scar, excellent cosmetic outcomes, high patient satisfaction rate and recently reported relatively long term safety. Operative techniques for both endoscopic breast conserving surgery and endoscopic nipple/areola/skin sparing mastectomy have been described in detail. Two different working planes in which one of them is subcutaneous and the other one is sub-mammary planes are being used during the surgery. Surgical techniqe needs some instruments such as endoscopic retractor, light guided specific mammary retractor, wound protector and bipolar scissor. Endoscopic breast retractors provide magnified visualization and extensive posterior dissection facility. Tunneling method and hydrodissection simplify the technique in the subcutaneous field. Oncoplastic reconstruction techniques are also applied after the tumor resection by endoscopic method. Complication rates of endoscopic breast surgery are similar to open breast surgery rates. Quite succesful local recurrence, distant metastasis and overall survival rates have been declared. However it looks reasonable to wait for the results with longer follow-up before having a judgement about oncologic efficiency and safety of the endoscopic breast cancer surgery.

Distinct postsurgical management in young and elderly breast cancer patients results in equal survival rates.

BACKGROUND: Although breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common malignant diseases in women, the majority of the studies describing the characteristics of BC in elderly patients have been limited to survival assessments or tumor features, without using younger BC patients as a reference group. The aim of our study was to describe and compare tumor characteristics and management patterns in elderly versus younger breast cancer patients in Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 152 patients with invasive breast cancer who underwent surgery in our institution between 2002 and 2012. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to age at the time of diagnosis. RESULTS: There were 62 patients in the elderly group (≥65 years) and 90 patients in the younger group (<65 years). Compared to the younger group, tumors in the elderly group were more likely to be larger (p=0.018), of lower grade (p=0.005), and hormone receptor-positive (p>0.001). There were no significant differences regarding histology, localization, lymph node involvement, or types of surgical procedures between the 2 groups. Comorbidities were more common in elderly patients (p<0.001). In addition, elderly patients were more likely to receive hormonal therapy (p<0.001) and less likely to receive radiotherapy (p=0.08) and chemotherapy (p=0.003). There was no difference in survival and locoregional recurrence rates between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that breast cancer in elderly patients has more favorable tumor features, warranting less aggressive treatment regimens after surgery.

Guideline for Antimicrobial Prophylaxis in Breast Surgery.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) published the 2012/2013 edition of the book entitled "Best Practices for Hospital & Health-System Pharmacy: Position and Guidance Documents of ASHP" with Bruce Hawkins as the editor. (ISSN: 15558975). Pages 582-667 of this book contain the section: "Therapeutic Guidelines on Antimicrobial Prophylaxis in Surgery". This section includes current clinical developments, evidence and recommendations on the application of standard and effective antimicrobial prophylaxis in adult and pediatric patients, and has significant differences compared to the previous 1999 edition. On pages 632-633, antimicrobial prophylaxis in breast and plastic surgery practice is addressed in detail. This article contains a summary of the recommendations made in ASHP 2012/2013 Report regarding the antimicrobial prophylaxis in breast and plastic surgery applications.

Effects of the ischemic preconditioning on anastomotic healing in laparoscopic colon operations.

BACKGROUND: Previous experimental studies have repeatedly demonstrated the potential protective effect of remote ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on colon anastomosis. The purpose of this experimental study was to investigate the possible positive effects of IPC by interval insufflations in laparoscopic colon operations. METHODS: Thirty Wistar-albino rats were randomized into 3 groups. Colonic transsection and anastomosis were performed in the control group. In the laparoscopic colon operation without IPC group, the intra-abdominal pressure was raised to 14 mm Hg for 60 minutes, and then laparotomy and colonic anastomosis were performed. In the IPC group, the intra-abdominal pressure was raised to 14 mm Hg for 5 minutes, followed by desufflation. Laparotomy and colonic anastomosis were performed exactly as in the non-IPC group. On the seventh postoperative day, all animals were killed, and blood and tissue samples were obtained. Anastomotic healing and inflammatory responses were determined by histopathologic examination and by measuring the anastomotic bursting pressure, tissue hydroxyproline level, and tissue and serum nitric oxide, malondialdehyde (MDA), and catalase activity levels. Differences with P-values of <0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: Although the best anastomotic healing was detected in the control group, anastomotic healing was better in the IPC group than that in the non-IPC group. In terms of anastomotic bursting pressure, plasma MDA, serum catalase activity, and tissue nitric oxide levels, the IPC group was superior to the non-IPC group. No significant differences were found between the control and IPC groups, except in the plasma MDA levels. CONCLUSIONS: Use of IPC with colon anastomosis had positive effects on wound healing and may serve as a safe method to reduce the adverse effects of ischemia and wound healing in laparoscopic colon operations.