Is my patient an appropriate candidate for sentinel node biopsy? Less axillary surgery, for the right patients. Critical review and grades of recommendation.

INTRODUCTION: While general conclusions of historical trials are widely recognized, the nuances regarding precise indications of Sentinel Node Biopsy (SNB) in breast cancer in complex clinical scenarios often remain a source of debate and require further elucidation. METHODS: Two reviewers (JFB and GNM) independently searched electronic databases for studies including SNB as the main intervention. Filters were applied to retrieve only clinical trials (randomized or experimental non-randomized); non-oncological outcomes were excluded. The selected studies were considered to construct a narrative review focused on inclusion criteria and survival outcomes, followed by recommendations. RESULTS: Fourteen (n = 14) trials were selected, including eleven (n = 11) randomized trials for upfront surgery, and three (n = 3) single-group clinical trials for surgery following neoadjuvant therapy. All trials for upfront surgery provided long-term survival data for SNB, that was equivalent or non-inferior to axillary dissection, in tumors without palpable adenopathy (caution for larger T3 and T4 tumors) - Grade of recommendation: A. In tumors up to 5 cm, complete axillary dissection is not necessary if up to two sentinel nodes are positive for macrometastasis, and radiation therapy is planned - Grade of recommendation: A. If there are more than two sentinel nodes positive for macrometastasis, or a positive node other than the sentinel one, complete axillary dissection is recommended - Grade of recommendation: A. Following neoadjuvant chemotherapy, considering 10% as an acceptable false negative rate, SNB might be offered for cN0 patients who have remained negative, and for cN1 (caution for cN2) patients become clinically negative; complete axillary dissection might not be necessary if at least two sentinel lymph nodes are retrieved, and there is no residual disease - Grade of recommendation: B. CONCLUSION: SNB can be performed in most cases of clinically negative nodes. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, SNB is feasible and may have acceptable performance for cN0 and cN1 tumors, although prospective survival data is still awaited.

Inframammary versus Periareolar Incision: A Comparison of Early Complications in Nipple-sparing Mastectomy.

Background: Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM), either used therapeutically or prophylactically, may yield more complications than conventional mastectomy. The incision may affect aesthetic outcome and complication rates, with periareolar incisions being associated with nipple-areolar complex (NAC) necrosis. Methods: Early complications were compared between NSM performed in 2015-2022 using inframammary fold (IMF) or periareolar incisions. Results: Overall, 180 procedures in 152 patients (bilateral NSM = 28) were included (IMF = 104; periareolar = 76). Mean age (47 versus 43.9 years; P < 0.038), mastectomy weight (312.7 versus 246.8 grams; P < 0.001), implant volume (447.5 versus 409.0 mL; P = 0.002), and use of tissue expanders (68.4% versus 50.0%; P = 0.013) were all greater with periareolar incisions. Prepectoral reconstruction was more common with IMF (18.3% versus 3.9%; P = 0.004). Forty-three complications (23.9%) were recorded (periareolar n = 27, 35%; IMF n = 16, 15.3%; P = 0.0002). NAC necrosis accounted for 17 complications (22.4%) in the periareolar group versus nine (8.5%) in the IMF group (P = 0.002). Necrosis was predominantly moderate (n = 6, 8.3% versus n = 1, 1.0%, respectively) (P = 0.014). Unadjusted odds ratios (OR) for complications [3.05; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.27-7.26] and necrosis (3.04; 95% CI: 1.27-7.27) were higher in the periareolar group. In the multivariate analysis, necrosis was associated with periareolar incisions [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.92; 95% CI: 1.14-7.44]. Prepectoral reconstruction was associated with IMF incisions (aOR: 25.51; 95% CI: 3.53-184.23; P = 0.001) and with body mass index of more than 25-30 (aOR: 37.09; 95% CI: 5.95-231.10; P < 0.001). Therapeutic mastectomies (aOR: 68.56; 95% CI: 2.50-188.36; P = 0.012) and tissue expanders (aOR: 18.36; 95% CI: 1.89-178.44; P = 0.026) were associated with seromas. Conclusions: Both incisions are viable options; however, the risk of NAC necrosis increased with the periareolar approach. Further research is required.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy following neoadjuvant chemotherapy: an evidence-based review and recommendations for current practice.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) at upfront surgery is the gold-standard surgical method for axillary lymph node staging in early stage breast cancer: the technique provides adequate information regarding axillary status, with similar oncological safety and lower morbidity compared to axillary dissection, despite the false negative rates. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), traditionally used for locally advanced breast cancer, plays an important role in the treatment of early stage breast cancer, making downstaging possible in axillary lymph node and breast cancer, thus minimizing the impact of surgery and reducing morbidity, as well as enabling patients with residual disease to be selected for adjuvant treatment. In this respect, the role of SLNB has proved controversial, particularly in view of the lack of data from randomized clinical trials on this subject. Currently, the de-escalation of axillary surgery after NACT is mainly based on retrospectives studies and false negative rates. This paper reviews current evidence on the management of axillary surgery following NACT under different circumstances, with suggested recommendations in each scenario: clinically negative nodes at diagnosis and SLNB after NACT, clinically positive nodes at diagnosis and SLNB after NACT, positive SLNB following NACT and finally the possibility of omitting axillary surgery in good responders.

Management of early-stage triple-negative breast cancer: recommendations of a panel of experts from the Brazilian Society of Mastology.

BACKGROUND: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogenous subtype involving different patterns of behavior and clinical course, demanding a complex, individualized sequence of treatment. The knowledge and attitudes of the affiliated members of the Brazilian Society of Mastology regarding TNBC were evaluated and a consensus regarding management and treatment was reached. METHODS: Affiliates completed a survey involving 44 objective questions. In addition, a specialist meeting was held with 27 experts and 3 ad hoc consultants. The panelists completed the survey before and after brainstorming. Answers achieving 70% of agreement were considered consensual. The chi-square test was used to compare answers between panelists and affiliates and the Kappa coefficient to calculate agreement. RESULTS: Consensus among the panelists increased from 26 (59.1%) to 32 questions (72.7%) following brainstorming (p = 0.17), including 7/10 questions on systemic treatment. Among the affiliates, consensus was achieved for 24 questions (54.5%), resulting in moderate agreement (κ = 0.445). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy should be indicated for almost all cases (except cT1a-b N0) and should include platinum agents. When indicated, immunotherapy is part of the standard of care. The panel reaffirmed the concept of no ink on tumor as indicative of adequate margins and the possibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy for cN1 patients who become cN0 following neoadjuvant therapy. Controversies remain on combining immunotherapy with capecitabine/olaparib in pertinent cases. CONCLUSION: Expert consensus was achieved for > 70% of the questions, with moderate agreement between panelists and affiliates. Educational interventions on systemic breast cancer treatment affected decision-making in 60% of the questions.

An update on the status of breast cancer screening in Brazil after the covid-19 pandemic.

We have previously reported the impact of covid-19 pandemic on breast cancer screening, in Brazil: among women aged 50-69 years, mammography attendance decreased by 42% in public healthcare (SUS), comparing 2019 and 2020. In this short communication, we wish to present: a) an update of the number of mammograms performed, in 2021; b) an exploratory analysis of the characteristics of the screened population between 2019 and 2021. A total of 1.675.307 mammograms were performed in 2021, nearly 15% lower than pre-pandemic levels. Almost a third, 29.5% of them, had intervals greater than three years. In accordance with our previous study, the number of patients with palpable lumps on physical exam increased. The consequences of postponing breast cancer screening during the pandemic are still uncertain. Unfortunately, as of December 2021, screening attendance has not resumed. On the contrary, our results show an increase in the fraction of women with mammography delayed beyond three years.

Management of the positive sentinel lymph node following neoadjuvant chemotherapy: results of a survey conducted with breast surgeons.

Introduction: Despite the lack of randomised evidence, there is a current trend towards omitting axillary surgery in cases of positive sentinel lymph node (SLN) following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). This study evaluated practice patterns of Brazilian breast surgeons when managing positive SLN following NACT. Methods: This was a nationwide electronic survey of breast surgeons affiliated with the Brazilian Society of Mastology. Management approaches for positive SLN after NACT (axillary dissection (AD), regional nodal irradiation (RNI) or no additional treatment) were evaluated as a function of residual disease volume in the SLN (macro-metastasis, micro-metastasis or isolated tumour cells (ITC)). Results: Survey response rate was 49%, with 799/1,627 questionnaires returned. Most respondents were <50 years old (61%), lived in south-eastern Brazil (50%), in a major city (67%), worked in an academic institute (80%) and were board-certified (80%). AD recommendation rate decreased according to residual nodal disease volume: 91% of respondents recommended AD for cases of macro-metastasis, 64% for micro-metastasis and 38% for ITC (p < 0.00001). Furthermore, 35% would recommend no additional surgery for micro-metastasis, while 27% would recommend no treatment at all for ITC (p < 0.00001). Not working in an academic institute was associated with RNI for micro-metastasis (p = 0.02), but not for macro-metastasis or ITC. Being board-certified did not affect axillary management. Conclusion: Most respondents would recommend AD and/or RNI in residual nodal disease following NACT irrespective of disease volume. Nevertheless, a trend towards surgical de-escalation was found with low-volume disease (micro-metastasis and ITC). Ongoing randomised trials will clarify the impact of this trend.

The Attitudes of Brazilian Breast Surgeons on Axillary Management in Early Breast Cancer-10 Years after the ACOSOG Z0011 Trial First Publication.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of the ACOSOG Z0011 trial on axillary breast cancer surgery management in Brazil following publication of that study (2010) and again in 2020. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A survey of members of the Brazilian Society of Mastology. RESULTS: Of 1627 breast surgeons, 799 (49.1%) completed and returned the questionnaire. For patients with the Z11 inclusion criteria, following detection of a positive sentinel lymph node (SLN), axillary dissection (AD) was recommended by 99.2% of respondents before publication of the study, 47.5% in 2010 and 18.5% in 2020 (p < 0.001). In breast-conserving surgery, if there were micro-metastases, 2.6% would perform AD, 30.3% axillary radiotherapy, and 67.1% no additional axillary treatment, while with macro-metastases, these proportions were 21.3%, 52.2%, and 26.5%, respectively. In cases of mastectomy and of nodal extracapsular extension, 43.4% and 36% of surgeons, respectively, recommended AD. For clinically negative axilla and suspicious findings at ultrasonography, 69% of the surgeons would apply the Z11 approach. Most applied the Z11 criteria in cases of younger patients (83.6%) and triple-negative and/or HER2 positive tumors (74%). AD was significantly more likely to be recommended by surgeons who did not work in academic institutes, who worked in locations other than capital cities, who were not board-certified, and who were ≥ 50 years old. CONCLUSIONS: This survey revealed substantial changes in axillary surgery management in cN0/pathologically positive SLN, particularly following publication of the updated Z11 results and other similar studies. A better education environment and long-term follow-up were factors associated with the incorporation of Z11-related changes in practice.

An update on the status of breast cancer screening in Brazil after the covid-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT We have previously reported the impact of covid-19 pandemic on breast cancer screening, in Brazil: among women aged 50-69 years, mammography attendance decreased by 42% in public healthcare (SUS), comparing 2019 and 2020. In this short communication, we wish to present: a) an update of the number of mammograms performed, in 2021; b) an exploratory analysis of the characteristics of the screened population between 2019 and 2021. A total of 1.675.307 mammograms were performed in 2021, nearly 15% lower than pre-pandemic levels. Almost a third, 29.5% of them, had intervals greater than three years. In accordance with our previous study, the number of patients with palpable lumps on physical exam increased. The consequences of postponing breast cancer screening during the pandemic are still uncertain. Unfortunately, as of December 2021, screening attendance has not resumed. On the contrary, our results show an increase in the fraction of women with mammography delayed beyond three years.

Management of early breast cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted early breast cancer (EBC) treatment worldwide. This study analyzed how Brazilian breast specialists are managing EBC. METHODS: An electronic survey was conducted with members of the Brazilian Society of Breast Cancer Specialists (SBM) between April 30 and May 11, 2020. Bivariate analysis was used to describe changes in how specialists managed EBC at the beginning and during the pandemic, according to breast cancer subtype and oncoplastic surgery. RESULTS: The response rate was 34.4% (503/1462 specialists). Most of the respondents (324; 64.4%) lived in a state capital city, were board-certified as breast specialists (395; 78.5%) and either worked in an academic institute or one associated with breast cancer treatment (390; 77.5%). The best response rate was from the southeast of the country (240; 47.7%) followed by the northeast (128; 25.4%). At the beginning of the pandemic, 43% changed their management approach. As the outbreak progressed, this proportion increased to 69.8% (p < 0.001). The southeast of the country (p = 0.005) and the state capital cities (p < 0.001) were associated with changes at the beginning of the pandemic, while being female (p = 0.001) was associated with changes during the pandemic. For hormone receptor-positive tumors with the best prognosis (Ki-67 < 20%), 47.9% and 17.7% of specialists would recommend neoadjuvant endocrine therapy for postmenopausal and premenopausal women, respectively. For tumors with poorer prognosis (Ki-67 > 30%), 34% and 10.9% would recommend it for postmenopausal and premenopausal women, respectively. Menopausal status significantly affected whether the specialists changed their approach (p < 0.00001). For tumors ≥ 1.0 cm, 42.9% of respondents would recommend neoadjuvant systemic therapy for triple-negative tumors and 39.6% for HER2 + tumors. Overall, 63.4% would recommend immediate total breast reconstruction, while only 3.4% would recommend autologous reconstruction. In breast-conserving surgery, 75% would recommend partial breast reconstruction; however, 54.1% would contraindicate mammoplasty. Furthermore, 84.9% of respondents would not recommend prophylactic mastectomy in cases of BRCA mutation. CONCLUSIONS: Important changes occurred in EBC treatment, particularly for hormone receptor-positive tumors, as the outbreak progressed in each region. Systematic monitoring could assure appropriate breast cancer treatment, mitigating the impact of the pandemic.

Progress in Local Treatment of Breast Cancer: A Narrative Review.

The present paper reports on the local treatment of breast cancer from a historical perspective. A search for articles written in English was made in the Medline and EMBASE databases, and 40 papers were selected. Over the past 10 years, various randomized, controlled clinical trials on the local treatment of breast cancer indicated that patients with the same molecular subtype may receive different individualized surgical treatments aimed at optimizing systemic adjuvant therapy. With a view to retaining the gains made in disease-free and overall survival, surgical techniques have advanced from radical surgery to conservative mastectomies, thus reducing sequelae, while adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies have contributed toward controlling the disease, both distant metastases and local recurrence. Current studies evaluate whether future breast cancer therapy may even succeed in eliminating surgery to the breast and axilla altogether.

Este artigo discute o tratamento local do câncer de mama a partir de uma perspectiva histórica. Uma busca de artigos publicados em inglês foi realizada nas bases de dados Medline e EMBASE, sendo selecionados 40 artigos. Nos últimos 10 anos, vários ensaios clínicos controlados e randomizados sobre o tratamento local do câncer de mama indicaram que pacientes com o mesmo subtipo molecular podem receber diferentes tratamentos cirúrgicos individualizados com o objetivo de otimizar a terapia adjuvante sistêmica. Pretendendo reter os ganhos obtidos na sobrevida livre de doença e na sobrevida global, as técnicas cirúrgicas avançaram progressivamente da cirurgia radical para mastectomias conservadoras, reduzindo sequelas, enquanto as terapias adjuvantes e neoadjuvantes contribuíram para o controle da doença, tanto em relação às metástases distantes quanto à recorrência local. Estudos atuais avaliam se a terapia futura contra o câncer de mama poderá até mesmo eliminar a cirurgia da mama e da axila por completo.

Progress in local treatment of breast cancer: A narrative review / Evolução do tratamento local do câncer de mama: Revisão narrativa

Abstract The present paper reports on the local treatment of breast cancer from a historical perspective. A search for articles written in English was made in the Medline and EMBASE databases, and 40 papers were selected. Over the past 10 years, various randomized, controlled clinical trials on the local treatment of breast cancer indicated that patients with the samemolecular subtypemay receive different individualized surgical treatments aimed atoptimizing systemic adjuvant therapy. With a view to retaining the gainsmade in diseasefree and overall survival, surgical techniques have advanced from radical surgery to conservative mastectomies, thus reducing sequelae, while adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies have contributed toward controlling the disease, both distant metastases and local recurrence. Current studies evaluate whether future breast cancer therapy may even succeed in eliminating surgery to the breast and axilla altogether.

Resumo Este artigo discute o tratamento local do câncer de mama a partir de uma perspectiva histórica. Uma busca de artigos publicados em inglês foi realizada nas bases de dados Medline e EMBASE, sendo selecionados 40 artigos. Nos últimos 10 anos, vários ensaios clínicos controlados e randomizados sobre o tratamento local do câncer de mama indicaram que pacientes com o mesmo subtipo molecular podem receber diferentes tratamentos cirúrgicos individualizados como objetivo de otimizar a terapia adjuvante sistêmica. Pretendendo reter os ganhos obtidos na sobrevida livre de doença e na sobrevida global, as técnicas cirúrgicas avançaram progressivamente da cirurgia radical para mastectomias conservadoras, reduzindo sequelas, enquanto as terapias adjuvantes e neoadjuvantes contribuíram para o controle da doença, tanto em relação às metástases distantes quanto à recorrência local. Estudos atuais avaliam se a terapia futura contra o câncer de mama poderá até mesmo eliminar a cirurgia da mama e da axila por completo.