Breast-Conserving Therapy Versus Mastectomy in Young Breast Cancer Patients Concerning Molecular Subtypes: A SEER Population-Based Study.

Breast-conserving therapy was once a contraindication in young breast cancer patients (aged ≤40 years). Emerging studies suggest that breast-conserving therapy and mastectomy could achieve similar prognosis in this population. However, the effect of molecular subtype disparity on surgical strategy in these patients remains unclear. Data from 8656 young patients (aged ≤40 years) diagnosed with invasive breast cancer between in 2010 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate subtype-dependent relationships between the surgical method and survival. Of the 8656 patients, 4132 (47.7%) underwent breast-conserving therapy and 4524 (52.3%) underwent mastectomy. The median follow-up period was 30.0 months. Patients in the breast-conserving therapy group demonstrated better overall survival and breast cancer-specific survival than those in the mastectomy group (both p < 0.05). Patients with different molecular subtypes exhibited significant differences in overall survival and breast cancer-specific survival (p < 0.001). Patients with luminal subtypes experienced better overall survival and breast cancer-specific survival than those with the triple-negative subtype. Multivariate analysis revealed that overall mortality risk of the breast-conserving therapy group was lower than that of the mastectomy group among HR(+)HER-2(-) and HR(-)HER-2(-) patients (overall mortality risk of 36.3% [adjusted hazard ratio = 0.637 {95% confidence interval = 0.448-0.905}, p = 0.012] and 36.0% [adjusted hazard ratio = 0.640 {95% confidence interval = 0.455-0.901}, p = 0.010] respectively.) The breast cancer-specific mortality risk was also lower by a percentage similar to that of the overall mortality risk. In the HR(+)HER-2(+) group, the surgical method was an independent prognostic factor for breast cancer-specific survival (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.275 [95% confidence interval = 0.089-0.849], p = 0.025), while there was a trend that patients with breast-conserving therapy had better overall survival than those with mastectomy (p = 0.056). In the HR(-)HER-2(+) group, no significant difference was observed in overall survival and breast cancer-specific survival (p = 0.791 and p = 0.262, respectively). Breast-conserving therapy resulted in significantly better prognosis in patients with luminal and triple-negative subtypes, while no significant difference was observed in patients with the HER-2 enriched subtype. These results may be helpful in informing clinically precise decision-making for surgery in this population.

Long-term Impact of CALGB 9343 on Radiation Utilization.

BACKGROUND: The results of the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) 9343 trial showed that radiation therapy (RT) did not improve survival for women older than 70 y with early-stage estrogen receptor + breast cancer treated with breast conserving surgery and adjuvant endocrine therapy. In 2005, guidelines were modified to allow for RT omission; however, minimal change in clinical practice has occurred. The aim of this study was to determine if CALGB long-term follow-up data have affected RT utilization, and to characterize the population still receiving RT after breast conserving surgery. METHODS: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database was used to identify women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer from 2004 to 2015 who matched the CALGB 9343 inclusion criteria. Multivariate logistic regression was carried out to identify the factors that affect the receipt of radiation therapy. We also plotted the overall use of RT over time juxtaposed with the temporal trends of CALGB 9343 clinical trial data, guideline recommendations, and publishing of long-term survival data. RESULTS: The study cohort included 25,723 Medicare beneficiaries, of whom 20,328 (79%) received RT and 5395 (21%) did not receive RT. In a multivariate model, the frequency of RT omission increased over time, with those diagnosed in year 2015 being 2.72 times more likely to omit RT compared with those diagnosed in 2004 (95% confidence interval 2.31-3.19). CONCLUSIONS: This study investigated the impact of long-term CALGB 9343 data on clinical practice. The results of this study support results from previous studies, extend the dates of analysis, and indicate that after long-term follow-up of CALGB 9343 data, RT was less used, but overall trends did not dramatically decrease.

Non-doctoral factors influencing the surgical choice of Chinese patients with breast cancer who were eligible for breast-conserving surgery.

BACKGROUND: The rate of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) is low in China. Many patients choose mastectomy even when informed that there is no difference in the overall survival rate compared with that of BCS plus radiotherapy. This study aimed to investigate the factors that influenced the surgical choice in patients eligible for BCS. METHODS: Female patients with breast carcinoma were enrolled in a single center from March 2016 to January 2017. They made their own decision regarding the surgical approach. Univariate analysis was employed to determine the factors associated with the different breast surgical approaches. Significant factors (defined as P < 0.05) were then incorporated into multivariate logistic regression models to determine the factors that independently influenced patients' decision. RESULTS: Of the 271 patients included, 149 were eligible for BCS; 65 chose BCS and 84 chose mastectomy. On the basis of univariate analysis, patients with younger age, higher income and education, shorter admission to surgery interval, and shorter confirmed diagnosis to surgery interval were more likely to choose BCS than mastectomy (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, patients who resided in rural regions, did not have general medicare insurance, and were diagnosed with breast cancer preoperatively were more inclined to choose mastectomy than BCS (P < 0.05). The multivariate model revealed three independent influencing factors: age at diagnosis (P = 0.009), insurance status (P = 0.035), and confirmed diagnosis to surgery interval (P = 0.037). In addition, patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) were more inclined to choose mastectomy. CONCLUSION: Surgical choice of patients eligible for BCS was affected by several factors, and age at diagnosis, confirmed diagnosis to surgery interval, and insurance status were independent factors.

Breast-Conserving Surgery in Patients With Mammary Paget's Disease.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to analyze the association between Paget's disease (PD) and breast cancer (BC) subtypes and compare the effect of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) as a local treatment with mastectomy for PD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of patients with histologic type International Classification of Diseases-0-3 8540-8543 who were treated from 1973 to 2014 were retrieved from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database of the National Cancer Institute. A chi-square test was used to identify differences in categorical data among different groups. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test, Cox proportional hazards models, sequential landmark analysis, and propensity score-matched analysis. RESULTS: The study cohort included 5398 patients. Triple-negative BC accounted for the fewest patients with PD-only (1/22, 4.54%), Paget's disease-ductal carcinoma in situ (PD-DCIS) (3/48, 6.25%), and Paget's disease-invading ductal carcinoma (PD-IDC) (23/352, 6.53%). According to the results of the log-rank test and Cox analysis, the 10-year OS rates were similar for the BCS and mastectomy subgroups among patients with PD-DCIS or PD-IDC. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in survival benefits among the different surgeries after propensity score matching. Landmark analyses for OS of patients with PD-DCIS or PD-IDC surviving more than 1, 3, and 5 y showed no significant differences in survival. There were statistical differences in 10-year OS rates for patients with PD-DCIS or PD-IDC who underwent radiation therapy, or not, following BCS (both, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: For patients with PD-DCIS or PD-IDC, breast conservation therapy with lumpectomy and radiation is an effective local treatment strategy, compared with mastectomy.

Ageism and surgical treatment of breast cancer in Italian hospitals.

AIM: To determine if age is a factor influencing the type of breast cancer surgery (radical versus conservative) in Italy and to investigate the regional differences in breast cancer surgery clinical practice. METHODS: Retrospective study is based on national hospital discharge records. The study draws on routinely collected data from hospital discharge records in Italy in 2010. The following exclusion criteria were applied: day hospital stays, patients younger than 17 years, males, patients without an ICD-9CM code indicating breast cancer and breast surgery, and repeated hospital admission of the same patient. Overall, 49,058 patient records were selected for the analysis. RESULTS: The proportion of conservative breast cancer operations was 70.9%. A greater number of women younger than 70 had undergone a breast-conserving operation compared to older women. There were regional variations ranging from a minimum in Basilicata to a maximum in Val d'Aosta. Multivariate analysis revealed that older patients with lower clinical severity were more likely to have undergone a radical operation than younger women. In addition, radical surgery was approximately twice as likely to occur in a private hospital that performed at least 50 breast cancer operations annually than in a public hospital that performed <50 breast surgeries. CONCLUSION: Notwithstanding increases in life expectancy and the lack of clinical evidence to support the use of age as a surrogate for co-morbid conditions and frailty, our data on breast cancer operations in Italy are consistent with the hypothesis suggesting the persistence of ageistic practice in the healthcare system.

Contouring Guidelines for the Axillary Lymph Nodes for the Delivery of Radiation Therapy in Breast Cancer: Evaluation of the RTOG Breast Cancer Atlas.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the axillary lymph nodes on pretreatment diagnostic computed tomography (CT) of the chest to determine their position relative to the anatomic axillary borders as defined by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) breast cancer atlas for radiation therapy planning. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Pretreatment diagnostic CT chest scans available for 30 breast cancer patients with clinically involved lymph nodes were fused with simulation CT. Contouring of axillary levels I, II, and III according to the RTOG guidelines was performed. Measurements were made from the area of distal tumor to the anatomic borders in 6 dimensions for each level. RESULTS: Of the 30 patients, 100%, 93%, and 37% had clinical involvement of levels I, II, and III, respectively. The mean number of lymph nodes dissected was 13.6. The mean size of the largest lymph node was 2.4 cm. Extracapsular extension was seen in 23% of patients. In 97% of patients, an aspect of the involved lymph node lay outside of the anatomic border of a level. In 80% and 83% of patients, tumor extension was seen outside the cranial (1.78 ± 1.0 cm; range, 0.28-3.58 cm) and anterior (1.27 ± 0.92 cm; range, 0.24-3.58 cm) borders of level I, respectively. In 80% of patients, tumor extension was seen outside the caudal border of level II (1.36 ± 1.0 cm, range, 0.27-3.86 cm), and 0% to 33% of patients had tumor extension outside the remaining borders of all levels. CONCLUSIONS: To cover 95% of lymph nodes at the cranial and anterior borders of level I, an additional clinical target volume margin of 3.78 cm and 3.11 cm, respectively, is necessary. The RTOG guidelines may be insufficient for coverage of axillary disease in patients with clinical nodal involvement who are undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy, incomplete axillary dissection, or treatment with intensity modulated radiation therapy. In patients with pretreatment diagnostic CT chest scans, fusion with simulation CT should be considered for tumor delineation.

Do Recent Advances in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures Negate the Benefit of Postmastectomy Radiotherapy in N1 Patients With a Low Risk of Locoregional Recurrence?

Recent advances in breast cancer management might make the use of postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) redundant in the treatment of pT1/T2N1 patients. We investigated the impact of PMRT on disease-free survival (DFS) in these patients who have a low risk of locoregional recurrence (LRR) after contemporary multidisciplinary management.Between 1998 and 2011, 1123 patients underwent upfront surgery for pathologically diagnosed pT1/T2N1 breast cancer, at a single institution. A retrospective review was performed on 692 patients who had a mastectomy with axillary lymph node (LN) clearance. Most patients received adjuvant systemic chemotherapy and/or endocrine therapy. PMRT was administered to 17.8% of the patients. The median follow-up time was 98 months.The entire cohort was divided into 2 groups, the early-era (1998-2003) and late-era (2004-2011) cohorts. Grouping was based on the use of modern therapies since 2004 including sentinel LN (SLN) biopsy, anthracycline/taxane-based chemotherapy, and aromatase inhibitors. Late-era patients had a significantly lower 5-year LRR compared with early-era patients (3.2% vs 10.3%, respectively; P < 0.001). In late-era patients, although PMRT did not significantly reduce the 5-year LRR rate (1% vs 3.8%, respectively), it did improve the 5-year DFS rate (96.1% vs 87.5%, respectively). After controlling for all clinicopathological variables, PMRT was independently associated with improved DFS. In subgroup analysis, depending on the presence of micro- or macrometastasis in the axillary nodes, the benefit of PMRT was most apparent in patients with macrometastasis (hazard ratio, 0.19). In the late-era cohort with no PMRT, the 3-year distant metastasis risk increased according to LN tumor burden (0%, 5.2%, and 9.8% in micrometastasis, SLN macrometastasis, and non-SLN macrometastasis, respectively).Advanced surgical and systemic therapies might not negate the benefit of PMRT in recently diagnosed pN1 patients who have a very low risk for LRR. Our data indicate that the overall recurrence risk combined with the LRR should be considered for an indication of PMRT, and raises the question of whether the receipt of PMRT would improve outcome in patients with micrometastasis.

CAUSES OF DEATH IN PATIENTS WITH STAGE 0-II BREAST CANCER.

AIM: To analyze the main causes of death in patients with stage 0-II breast cancer who undergo breast conserving surgery or radical mastectomy, and to establish the role of imaging surveillance protocols following breast cancer treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective medical record review between January 2005 and December 2012, when breast cancer was the primary cause of death for 113 inpatients. All patients were admitted to the Oncology Clinic of the Iasi Regional Cancer Institute (IRCI), Romania. Patients were stratified by clinical stage 0, I and II, of which 33 (29.2%) patients were managed by breast conservation therapy and 80 (70.8%) underwent radical mastectomy. From the patient medical records all diagnostic imaging studies performed (ultrasound, radiography and computed tomography) were identified and analyzed according to a standard protocol for imaging the postoperative breast. RESULTS: Bone, liver, lung, lymph nodes and local-regional recurrence were the most common sites for metastasis, while the most frequent cause of death were metastases to the liver, pleura, lung and brain. The time interval between recurrence and death ranged from 0-24 years among patients with one type of metastasis, and decreased to 0-3 years since the last recurrence for patients with multiple metastases. CONCLUSIONS: The current imaging protocol for monitoring the postoperative breast could be optimized to improve the prognosis and quality of life in patients with stage 0-II breast cancer.

Predictive Factors for Non-Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients With Clinically Node-Negative Ipsilateral Multiple Breast Cancer Treated With Total Mastectomy.

BACKGROUND: Recent clinical trials have shown that axillary lymph node dissection can be omitted even with positive sentinel nodes (SN) unless the patient undergoes total mastectomy without irradiation. The aim of our study was to identify predictive factors for non-SN metastasis among patients with solitary or multiple breast cancer treated with total mastectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinically node-negative breast cancer patients with pathologically node-positive disease treated with total mastectomy and axillary dissection after SN biopsy were retrospectively analyzed. Significant pathologic predictive factors for positive non-SN metastasis were also examined. RESULTS: There were 47 multiple and 143 solitary breast cancer patients. Pathologic diagnosis demonstrated that smaller invasion size but larger tumor size, including adjacent noninvasive cancer, was observed in multiple breast cancer. The number of involved SNs and the rate of non-SN metastasis were similar between the multiple and solitary groups. Regarding predictive factors for non-SN metastasis, lymphatic invasion and SN macrometastasis were significant factors in the solitary group, and pathologic invasion size > 2 cm was the only significant factor in the multiple group. CONCLUSION: Larger pathologic invasion size was important for predicting non-SN metastasis in multiple breast cancer.

Treatment variation in patients diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in Alberta from 2002 to 2010: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) followed by radiotherapy is generally the preferred treatment for women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. This study aimed to investigate the proportion of patients who receive BCS versus mastectomy and post-BCS radiotherapy, and explore factors associated with receipt of these treatments in Alberta, Canada. METHODS: A retrospective population-based study was conducted that including all patients surgically treated with stage I-III breast cancer diagnosed in Alberta from 2002-2010. Clinical characteristics, treatment information and patient age at diagnosis were collected from the Alberta Cancer Registry. Log binomial multiple regression was used to calculate stage-specific relative risk estimates of receiving BCS and post-BCS radiotherapy. RESULTS: Of the 14 646 patients included in the study, 44% received BCS, and of those, 88% received post-BCS radiotherapy. The adjusted relative risk of BCS was highest in Calgary and lowest in Central Alberta for all disease stages. Relative to surgeries performed in Calgary, those performed in Central Alberta were significantly less likely to be BCS for stage I (RR = 0.65; 95% 0.57, 0.72), II (RR = 0.58; 95% 0.49, 0.68), and III (RR = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.37, 0.95) disease, respectively, adjusting for patient age at diagnosis, clinical and treatment characteristics. No significant variation of post-BCS radiotherapy was found. CONCLUSIONS: Factors such as region of surgical treatment should not be related to the receipt of standard care within a publicly-funded health care system. Further investigation is needed to understand the significant geographic variation present within the province in order to identify appropriate interventions.

Oncoplastic surgery in breast conservation: a prospective evaluation of the patients, techniques, and oncologic outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The oncologic efficacy of breast-conserving therapies has been established in recent decades. Oncoplastic breast surgery (OBS), as a leap forward in breast conservation, offers concomitant techniques of oncologic and plastic surgeries that grant better esthetic results. The outcomes of our oncoplastic surgeries from 2007 to 2012 are reported. METHODS: A series of 258 cases with breast masses (18 benign and 240 carcinomas) were operated on by OBS techniques and prospectively followed. Neoadjuvant and adjuvant oncologic treatments were also delivered as indicated. RESULTS: Free margins were obtained in 95% of cancer patients. During the 26 months of follow-up, local recurrence happened in 7 (2.9%) patients, of which 1 underwent oncologic therapies and 6 underwent completion mastectomy. Complications postponed adjuvant therapies in 3 (1.2%) patients. Postsurgically, metastases were diagnosed in 8 (3.3%) patients. Two patients (.8%) died of cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes of OBS are oncologically acceptable with low frequencies of positive margins and recurrence, while cosmetic results are much improved by OBS.

[Evaluation of the risk of developing lymphoedema of the upper limb in women subjected to motor rehabilitation after radical mastectomy]. / Ocena ryzyka rozwoju obrzeku limfatycznego konczyny górnej u kobiet poddanych rehabilitacji ruchowej po radykalnej mastektomii.

The analysis included 86 women in whom lymphoedema occurred in the upper limn (ULL) after radical mastectomy. The analysis were carried out in this group of patients, as well as in a control group (patients without ULL) 14 somatic parameters were examined. These parameters were evaluated before the intervention. It was established that among the anthropometric traits examined, only the body mass, hip width, hip-shoulder index, Chest flattening index, BMI index, WHR index, Quetelet's index, Rohrer's index, Pignet-Verwaeck's index assume average values in women with ULL in the preoperative period (statistically significantly different from those which occur in women without this complication(. It was shown that the dispensary group of women ill with breast cancer with a statistically significantly high risk of developing ULL was made up of patients with a large mass (>69.2 kg), WHR (>0.94), Quetele's (>448.7), Rohrer's (>1.76) and Pignet-Verwaeck's (107.7). A slim body build and low indexe values appear to be a factor protecting from this occurrence of the complication.

The management of ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast: a screened population-based analysis.

BACKGROUND: A recent SEER study identified significant variations in the care of women with DCIS, yet several potential confounding variables were not included. We report a patterns of care study of women with DCIS to better understand the gap between evidence-based knowledge and the management of DCIS. METHODS: We studied all cases of DCIS diagnosed through the Ontario Breast Screening Program from 1991 to 2000. Data was obtained by database linkage and chart abstraction. A logistic regression model using generalized estimating equations to adjust for clustering was used. RESULTS: About 320,236 women were screened and 727 individuals were diagnosed with DCIS. The rate of mastectomy was 30% and was associated with multifocality (OR: 3.5 [1.7, 7.1], P = 0.0005), tumor size (OR: >2 cm vs. 1 cm (OR: 2.4 [1.3, 4.4], P = 0.006). Half of cases with margins <1 cm did not receive XRT. CONCLUSIONS: Our study corroborates previous reports on the persistent rates of mastectomy and axillary nodal dissection and the limited use of XRT in the treatment of DCIS.

Newly diagnosed breast cancer patients choose bilateral mastectomy over breast-conserving surgery when testing positive for a BRCA1/2 mutation.

In women diagnosed with breast cancer and testing positive for a BRCA1/2 mutation, decisions as to whether to undergo prophylactic risk-reduction surgery may differ from those women who test positive in a presymptomatic phase. Eighty-four women were identified who had undergone genetic testing at the time of breast cancer diagnosis. The study group consisted of 46 of these women who had initially undergone breast-conserving surgery. Eight patients (17.4%) tested positive for a mutation. Seven of the eight underwent bilateral prophylactic mastectomy prior to receiving radiation therapy. The only patient not undergoing bilateral mastectomy was awaiting liver transplant. Women who are candidates for breast-conserving surgery and who test positive for a breast cancer gene mutation choose mastectomy over surveillance.

Sexual dysfunction in breast cancer survivors.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine differences in body image and sexuality of breast cancer survivors, depending on treatment: radical mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 206 patients treated for breast cancer between January 2001 and January 2004 were asked to fill in the questionnaire 1-5 years after treatment. Patients were divided into 2 groups. The first group consisted of 108 patients with advanced stages of breast cancer and who were treated with modified mastectomy with adjuvant chemo- or radiation therapy. The second group consisted of 98 patients with early stages of breast cancer who were treated with breast conserving surgery, lumpectomy and radiotherapy. RESULTS: A significant number of patients in both groups was satisfied with their sexual life before treatment, 70.37 and 73.47% respectively, which is grossly reduced after treatment of breast cancer (56.48 and 50.00%, respectively, p > 0.05). Most of patients found their partner's attitude towards them to be the same (31.48 and 45.92%), or even better (39.82 and 25.51%) after treatment, and they described them as very supportive and tender. In group 1, 58.33% of patients felt differences in their body image, in contrast to 44.90% in group 2. Similar proportions were observed in both groups for patients who felt mutilated (18.52 vs. 8.16%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: These findings confirm and extend previous reports of impaired sexual functioning among breast cancer survivors.

Socioeconomic status, immigration/acculturation, and ethnic variations in breast conserving surgery, San Francisco Bay area.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have demonstrated substantial variations in breast conserving surgery (BCS) across sociodemographic groups. This study explored the joint influences of socioeconomic, immigration/acculturation, and clinical factors on ethnic differences in breast cancer surgery for early-stage disease. DESIGN: The study used interview data for 297 women, under the age of 70, who resided in the San Francisco Bay area, and had been diagnosed with primary early-stage breast cancer (carcinoma in-situ or invasive) between January 1990 and December 1992. RESULTS: The proportion of patients who either had undergone BCS or had no surgery was 45%, 20%, 45%, and 34%, among Whites, Chinese, Blacks, and Hispanics, respectively. The proportion of patients diagnosed at in-situ or localized stages, with tumors of less than 4 centimeters, was higher among those who received BCS or no surgery, compared to those who had undergone a mastectomy. White women who received BCS/no surgery tended to be younger than their counterparts who underwent mastectomies, but Chinese and Black women who received BCS/no surgery were older. The proportion of women diagnosed in smaller, private hospitals was higher among those receiving BCS/no surgery, although these associations varied by ethnicity. Women who had undergone BCS/no surgery were characterized as being of higher socioeconomic status, more acculturated, and less likely to be recent immigrants. In a multivariate regression model adjusting for clinical, socioeconomic, and immigration/acculturation factors, Chinese women were more likely than Whites to have a mastectomy, rather than BCS/no surgery (odds ratio, 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-7.8). CONCLUSIONS: Use of BCS or no surgery was associated with various clinical, socioeconomic, and immigration/acculturation characteristics, although some of the associations varied by ethnicity. However, these factors did not account for the reduced presence of BCS, or no surgery, among Chinese women.