Comparative Long-term Study of a Large Series of Patients with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma and Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. Loco-Regional Recurrence, Metastasis, and Survival.

Our aim was to compare histologic and immunohistochemical features, surgical treatment and clinical course, including disease recurrence, distant metastases, and mortality between patients with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) or invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). We included 1,745 patients operated for 1,789 breast tumors, with 1,639 IDC (1,600 patients) and 145 patients with ILC and 150 breast tumors. The median follow-up was 76 months. ILC was significantly more likely to be associated with a favorable phenotype. Prevalence of contralateral breast cancer was slightly higher for ILC patients than for IDC patients (4.0% versus 3.2%; p = n.s). ILC was more likely multifocal, estrogen receptor positive, Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 (HER2) negative, and with lower proliferative index compared to IDC. Considering conservative surgery, ILC patients required more frequently re-excision and/or mastectomy. Prevalence of stage IIB and III stages were significantly more frequent in ILC patients than in IDC patients (37.4% versus 25.3%, p = 0.006). Positive nodes were significantly more frequent in the ILC patients (44.6% versus 37.0%, p = 0.04). After adjustment for tumor size and nodal status, frequencies of recurrence/metastasis, disease-free and specific survival were similar among patients with IDC and patients with ILC. In conclusion, women with ILC do not have worse clinical outcomes than their counterparts with IDC. Management decisions should be based on individual patient and tumor biologic characteristics rather than on lobular versus ductal histology.

Strict versus Liberal Use of Sentinel Node Biopsy in Breast Cancer Surgery: Any Clinical Outcome Differences? A 20-Year Clinical Experience.

Introduction: As applied to early breast cancer (BC) patients, sentinel node biopsy (SNB) has undergone major changes over the years, especially concerning the widening of indication criteria or skipping systematic axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) after a positive SN. We aimed to ascertain whether a strict versus a more liberal use of SNB resulted in different clinical outcomes in our clinical experience. Methods: We studied consecutive BC patients undergoing SNB between January 1, 2000, and March 31, 2020. There were 1,587 patients and 1,634 SNB procedures. Cases were divided into two study groups: the "strict" SNB group (unifocal tumors up to 35 mm in which ALND was always performed for a positive SN, amounting to 1,183 SNBs), and the "liberal" SNB group (extended tumor size up to selected T3 cases, as well as multifocal or bilateral disease, and patients with previous contralateral BC, not always followed by ALND after a positive SN, amounting to 451 SNBs). Patients were closely followed up to the end of the study. Results: Clinico-pathological variables were strikingly different between study groups, with the liberal group showing a higher risk profile. Cox regression analysis for disease recurrence did not show significant differences in axillary, lymph node, or locoregional recurrence rates or distant relapse. There were no differences in survival between groups. Conclusion: It seems reasonable to adopt the liberal SNB approach, as the goal of surgical management in early BC patients must be attaining optimal locoregional disease control, no matter the differences in distant metastatic spread rates across different BC risk profiles.

Differential survival and recurrence patterns of patients operated for breast cancer according to the new immunohistochemical classification: analytical survey from 1997 to 2012.

Breast cancer can no longer be considered only one condition. It should be regarded rather as a heterogeneous group of diseases with different molecular outlines. The aim of this study is to establish a correlation between immunohistochemical tumor sub-typing and surgical treatment, local recurrence rates, distant metastases, and cancer-specific mortality at 5 and 10 years. At least, four tumor sub-types have been described, which were associated with variable risk factors, different natural clinical course, and different response to both local and systemic therapies. For Luminal A: ER + and/or PR + HER2- Ki67 <15 %; Luminal B: ER + and/or PR + HER2- Ki67 ≥ 15 %; Pure HER2: ER-PR-HER2+; Triple Negative: ER-PR-HER2-. One thousand four hundred seventy-seven patients operated for 1,511 invasive breast tumors were included. Disease-free survival, overall mortality, and breast cancer-specific mortality at 5 and 10 years were calculated. Distant metastases prevalence ranged from 8 to 28 % across sub-types, increasing stepwise from Luminal A, Luminal B, and pure HER2 through triple negative. Conversely, larger tumors with significant axillary burden were more likely to belong to HER2 or triple negative groups. Luminal A sub-type patients showed significantly lower mortality rates both overall and specific at 5 and 10 years, as compared to the rest. Luminal B patients showed lower mortality rates only when compared with triple negative patients. Simple classification of breast cancer patients based on immunohistochemistry and other risk factors is quite useful to establish groups with bad or even worse prognosis. Although results from immunohistochemical classification were not taken into account for surgical procedure decision-making, we found that pure HER2 and triple negative patients received nevertheless higher rates of radical treatment.

COVID-19 Incidence and Mortality in Patients Operated on for Breast Cancer. Comparison with the General Population.

BACKGROUND: Breast Cancer (BC) remains the most diagnosed malignancy and the most common cause of cancer-related mortality in women worldwide. Covid-19 mortality in BC patients has been linked to comorbid conditions rather than to cancer treatment itself, although this was not confirmed by a meta-analysis. Also, during Covid-19 outbreaks, a great deal of health care resources is reassigned to critical Covid-19 patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During 5 consecutive trimesters (from 1/12/2020 to 31/3/2021) 2511 BC patients older than 20 years from our institution were surveyed. 1043 of them had received a Covid test and these made our study group, which was conveniently compared with the Covid-19 tested background feminine Catalan population. RESULTS: 13.1% of our patients presented with a positive Covid-19 test, whereas confirmed COVID-19 infection amounted to 7.1% of the feminine Catalan tested population. The COVID-19-specific mortality rate was 11.7% (16/137) in the study group, which compares with a 4.7% rate for the overall population. Most deaths occurred in patients over 70. CONCLUSION: Three clinical factors were significantly associated with Covid-19 mortality in BC, namely lack of hormone therapy, distant metastases, and BC dwelling in nursing homes. BC patients are at a higher risk of Covid-19 infection and mortality in comparison with the reference group without BC.

Intraoperative Sentinel Node Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy as a Substitute for Whole Sentinel Node Excisional Biopsy in Breast Cancer Patients. Initial Report.

INTRODUCTION: Sentinel Node Biopsy (SNB) is the choice procedure for axillary staging in Breast Cancer. Following the ACOSOG Z11 trial, axillary dissection is advised only in patients with more than 2 positive SNs. We aimed at exploring palpation-guided, intraoperative fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the SN as a replacement for whole SN excision in node-negative BC patients to minimize side-effects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We included 80 patients with BC undergoing SNB between December 2020 and May 2022. After identification of the SN, the breast surgeon performed SN-FNAB. Results were compared with definitive pathological assessment. ResultsDiagnostic yield was 80%, including a "learning curve." 58 of 64 patients with suitable samples tested negative. In this group, the Negative Predictive Value was 77.6% (IC 64.7%-87.5 %). If micro metastasis is disregarded, the NPV would increase to 86.2% (IC 74.6%-93.9%). If we accept the Z11 criterion for axillary dissection, the NPV would rise to 100%. Six patients had a positive SN-FNAB. They were all confirmed as having macro metastatic-positive SNs at the final pathological assessment, and 3 of them also displayed extra nodal extension (ENE). CONCLUSION: We believe that intraoperative SN-FNAB is highly accurate for swiftly depicting both low axillary tumor burden/negative cases, in whom axillary dissection is to be omitted, as well as high axillary tumor burden cases.

Clinico-pathologic factors associated with the occurrence of early and late metastatic spread in a cohort of breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Distant metastatic spread in breast cancer patients is a complex phenomenon involving several prognostic factors. We focused our analysis on early metastatic breast cancer (EMBC) (occurring during the first 36 months) versus late metastatic breast cancer (LMBC) (occurring beyond 3 years) in order to ascertain their possible differential predictive factors. METHODS: diagnostic, surgical, and follow-up data were assessed for consecutive patients with breast cancer undergoing surgery between 1997 and 2019. We analysed the predictive factors for distant metastasis using both univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The median follow-up for this cohort of 2708 patients was 89 months. The median metastasis-free interval (FMI) for metastasis patients was 38 months (17 months for EMBC group and 76 months for LMBC group). Distant metastases developed in 12.9% (350/2708); 48% (168/350) of them as EMBC and 52% (182/350) as LMBC. Loco-regional recurrence and nodal extracapsular extension were the only common predictors for both. CONCLUSIONS: EMBC and LMBC appeared as two separate conditions, with a different outcome. In the EMBC group, tumour proliferation related factors were significant (histological grade, tumour size, body mass index), whereas for LMBC, other slow-acting factors seemed to be involved (screening program, tumour burden, bilateral tumour).

[Evaluation of splenic function by dynamic gammagraphy, study of pitted erythrocytes and submembranous vacuoles in patients with slight and severe splenic trauma receiving conservative treatment or splenectomy]. / Valoración de la función esplénica mediante gammagrafía dinámica y estudio de "pits" de la membrana eritrocitaria y de vacuolas submembranarias en los pacientes con traumatismo leve y grave de bazo tratados de forma conservadora o mediante esplenectomía.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The splenic function of patients followed by the Department of General and Digestive Surgery in the Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol (HUGTiP) from 1985 to 2003 for different degrees of splenic trauma according to the classification of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) 1994 was quantified and related to the treatment received (non surgical, total splenectomy with or without splenosis and splenectomy plus autotransplantation) to detect splenic dysfunction predisposing the development of postsplenectomy sepsis (PSS). PATIENTS AND METHOD: 43 patients underwent an isotopic study with dynamic splenic gammagraphy and pitted erythrocytes (Normarsky optics) and submembranous vacuoles (transmission electron microscopy) were evaluated. RESULTS: The non surgical group presented normal phagocytic and filtration function with the median speed of splenic enhancement being 3.46 Kcts/s2 (interval: 0.8-6.98). The percentage of pitted erythrocytes was 2% (0-8.8), the number of pits per erythrocyte was 0.03 (0-0.12) and the percentage of erythrocytes with 1, 2, 3 and 4 pits was 1.6%, 0.4%, 0% and 0%, respectively. The percentage of red cells with submembranous vacuoles was 2.55% (0-5.6), the number of vacuoles per red cell was 0.03 (0-0.06) and the percentage of red cells with 1, 2, 3 and 4 vacuoles was 2%, 0.2%, 0% and 0%, respectively. In the operated group, the splenic enhancement speed was 0.08 Kcts/s2 (0-1.75) (p < 0.0001). The percentage of pitted erythrocytes was 38% (0.2-64) (p < 0.0001), the number of pits per erythrocyte was 0.86 (0-1.8) (p < 0.0001) and the percentage of erythrocytes with 1,2,3 and 4 pits was 16.39%, 7.2%, 3.59% and 2.52%, respectively (p < 0.0001). The percentage of red cells with submembranous vacuoles was 11.2% (1.8-31.9) (p = 0.0006); the number of vacuoles per cell was 0.16 (p = 0.0022) and the percentage of red cells with 1, 2, 3 and 4 vacuoles was 6.51%, 1.73%, 0.4% and 0.2%, respectively (p = 0.0246, 0.0010, < 0.0001 and 0.0002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Splenic function of patients with a history of splenic trauma receiving conservative treatment is normal, independently of the degree of the lesion, thereby reinforcing the use of this therapeutic approach to avoid the development of postsplenectomy sepsis. In the patients treated with splenectomy, with or without splenosis, splenic function was absent or very altered being partially conserved in cases treated with splenectomy plus autotransplantation.

MOHS micrographic surgery for treating erosive adenoma of the nipple: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Erosive adenoma of the nipple (EAN) is a benign condition that involves major ducts of the nipple. Its clinical presentation may resemble other disorders. Complete removal of the nipple is often suggested because of frequent relapse. However, adverse cosmetic and functional results have prompted clinicians to look for other more conservative options. AIMS: To present a case of EAN successfully treated using Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) and summarize differential diagnosis and treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 40-year-old woman with EAN was diagnosed by immunohistochemical markers after clinical suspicion. We have reviewed other cases treated with MMS in the literature. RESULTS: In this patient, lesion size was 0.8 cm and the margin specimen was 1 × 0.9 × 0.2 cm, with EAN as histopathologic diagnosis. No atypia or malignancy was reported. Final esthetic outcome was reached with only one session, under local anesthesia and on an outpatient basis. DISCUSSION: Dermatologic lesions appearing on the nipple's surface should be closely followed. Paget's disease, carcinoma or proliferative lesions like EAN have to be considered, and such conditions require different surgical approaches. Traditional complete removal of the nipple is performed in many cases, but it may result in over-treatment and unfavorable cosmetic outcome. MMS is frequently used in dermatologic surgery to treat malignant lesions with a high cure rate, avoiding excess tissue excision and leading to better patient satisfaction. CONCLUSION: EAN can be successfully treated by minimal resection, especially if early diagnosis is done. MMS offers a better aesthetic outcome than traditional total excision.

A comparison of prediction equations for estimating glomerular filtration rate in adult patients with chronic kidney disease stages 4-5. Effect of nutritional status and age.

BACKGROUND: The accuracy of prediction equations has not been validated in adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 4-5 in extreme situations of nutritional status and age. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: The significance of nutritional status, calculated with the creatinine production (CP) formula, and age (< or =64 years and >64 years) in the application of different prediction equations--modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD), simplified MDRD (sMDRD), Cockcroft-Gault (CG)--and the mean of urea and creatinine clearance (Cr-Ur) compared with the isotopic glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimation calculated by 51Cr-EDTA was studied in 87 Caucasian adults with CKD stages 4-5 (GFR: 30-8 ml/min/1.73 m2). The Bland-Altman method and Lin's concordance coefficient (Rc) were used to study accuracy (bias) and precision. RESULTS: The GFR calculated with 51Cr-EDTA in the study group was 22.2 +/- 6.9 ml/min/1.73 m2 (range: 8-30). CG and sMDRD were the best prediction equations with bias of -1.1 and -3.8 ml/min/1.73 m2 and Rc of 0.52-0.50. In this situation, the mean Cr-Ur proved the most inaccurate equation compared with the isotopic technique with bias of -5.4 ml/min/1.73 m2 and Rc of 0.32. In the analysis of patients with higher CP (> 0.90; n = 44), CG and sMDRD obtained the best bias of 1.2 and -2.7 ml/min/1.73 m2 and Rc of 0.54-0.53. In patients aged < or =64 (n = 44), these equations obtained a bias of 1.1 and -3.6 ml/min/1.73 m2 and Rc 0.50-0.49. Both in lower CP (< or =0.90; n = 43) and older age (>64 years; n = 43), all the equations underestimated the value obtained with isotopic GFR. In these situations, the results obtained with CG had a bias of -2.2 and -3.6 ml/min/1.73 m2 (Rc 0.29-0.56) and with sMDRD -4.0 and -4.1 ml/min/1.73 m2 (Rc 0.39-0.51). In these circumstances, Cr-Ur was the most inaccurate equation, obtaining a bias of -10.1 and -13.2 ml/min/1.73 m2 (Rc 0.14-0.16). CONCLUSIONS: In the group with higher CP and age < or =64 years, results of the presented data yielded no evidence for superiority of the MDRD equation over CG formula in patients with advanced renal failure. On the basis of our results, we do not recommend the use of the Cr-Ur adjusted to 1.73 m(2) of body surface area, which was the most imprecise equation. Application of all the equations proved inaccurate in lower CP patients with or without advanced age, implying the premature start of substitution renal treatment. In these circumstances, ambulatory GFR determination by isotopic techniques would be indicated.

Is it possible to refine the indication for sentinel node biopsy in high-risk ductal carcinoma in situ?

BACKGROUND: The indication for sentinel node biopsy (SNB) has not been fully established yet for patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). AIM: To relate the conversion rate to invasive carcinoma with sentinel node positivity in high risk DCIS, and to refine the clinical presentation analysis in order to better select patients for SNB. For this purpose, a risk score was devised. METHODS: From 1998 to 2005, 151 high-risk DCIS patients from six clinical centres were included in a prospective sentinel node database. The conversion rate to invasive carcinoma was 39%. Ten of 142 (7%) successful SNBs showed a positive sentinel node (eight micrometastatic). The sentinel node was positive in 1% of pure DCIS, in 5.5% of DCIS with micro-invasion, and in 19.5% of invasive carcinoma. RESULTS: Both clinical presentation and corresponding risk score were closely related to conversion to invasive carcinoma. The association of risk score and sentinel node positivity approached but did not reach statistical significance (P=0.06); therefore a subset of further selected higher risk patients could not be defined. CONCLUSION: The relevance of SNB positivity cannot be overlooked in high-risk DCIS patients, however, because SNB is not free from morbidity and cost, more studies are needed to refine its final indication.

Sentinel Node Biopsy in Special Histologic Types of Invasive Breast Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of sentinel node biopsy (SNB) in ductal and lobular invasive breast cancer, a group of tumors known as special histologic type (SHT) of breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1997 and July 2008, 2253 patients from 6 affiliated hospitals underwent SNB who had early breast cancer and clinically negative axilla. The patients' data were collected in a multicenter database. For lymphatic mapping, all patients received an intralesional dose of radiocolloid Tc-99m (4mCi in 0.4 mL saline), at least two hours before the surgical procedure. SNB was performed by physicians from the same nuclear medicine department in all cases. RESULTS: Of the 2253 patients in the database, the SN identification rate was 94.5% (no radiotracer migration in 123 patients), and positive sentinel node prevalence was 22%. SHT was reported in 144 patients (6.4%) of the whole series. In this subgroup, migration of radiotracer was unsuccessful in 8 patients (identification rate was 94.4%) and SNs were positive in 7.4%. SN positivity prevalence in these tumors was variable across the subtypes. Higher probability of lymphatic spread seemed to be related to tumor invasiveness (20% of positivity in micropapillary, 15% in cribriform subtypes, and 0% in adenoid-cystic). CONCLUSION: Sentinel node biopsy is feasible in special histologic subtypes of breast carcinoma with a good identification rate. Lower migration rates, however, might be associated with special histologic features (colloid subtype). Complete axillary dissection after a positive sentinel node cannot be omitted in patients with SHT breast cancer because they can be associated with further axillary disease; the reported very low incidence of axillary metastases would justify avoiding axillary dissection only in the adenoid-cystic subtype.

Lactating Adenoma of the Breast.

Lactating adenoma is an uncommon breast palpable lesion occurring in pregnancy or lactation. Although it is a benign condition, it often requires core biopsy or even surgery to exclude malignancy. As with other solid lesions in pregnancy and lactation, lactating adenoma needs an accurate evaluation in order to ensure its benign nature. Work-up must include both imaging and histologic findings. Ultrasound evaluation remains the first step in assessing the features of the lesion. Some authors consider magnetic resonance imaging as a useful tool in cases of inconclusive evaluation after ultrasound and histologic exam in an attempt to avoid surgery. Most lactating adenomas resolve spontaneously, whereas others persist or even increase in size and must be removed. The authors present a case of a 35-year-old woman at 6 months postpartum with a lactating adenoma in her right breast. After surgical removal, breastfeeding was perfectly continued within the next 24 hours, which highlights the fact that breast surgery is most often compatible with breastfeeding.

Factors predictive of mortality in a cohort of women surgically treated for breast cancer from 1997 to 2014.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether previously reported factors predictive of breast cancer mortality are effectively linked with mortality, particularly breast-cancer-specific mortality. METHODS: In a prospective study, clinical, surgical, and follow-up data were assessed for consecutive patients with breast cancer who underwent surgery between 1997 and 2014 at two centers in Barcelona, Spain. Predictors of mortality were assessed by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 2134 patients were treated for 2206 breast tumors. Overall mortality was 15.0% (n=319), and breast-cancer-specific mortality was 9.0% (n=191). On multivariate analysis, the most significant factors associated with breast-cancer-specific mortality were clinical stage, inmunohistochemical profile, locoregional relapse, and lymphovascular invasion (all P<0.001). Age at onset, participation in the mass-screening program, histologic grade, and multicentricity were not significant. Patients with three or more positive axillary nodes sustained a specific mortality significantly higher than did node-negative patients or those with fewer than three positive nodes. CONCLUSION: Factors predictive of breast cancer mortality were clinical stage, locoregional relapse, molecular classification, lymphovascular invasion, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy. As a single factor, nodal disease becomes relevant only when three or more lymph nodes are involved.

Magnetic resonance imaging in the preoperative setting for breast cancer patients with undetected additional disease.

OBJECTIVE: The last few years have witnessed a significant increase in the preoperative use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for staging purposes in breast cancer (BC) patients. Many studies have confirmed the improvement that MRI can provide in terms of diagnostic assessment, especially with regard to additional disease foci. In the present study, we address the advantages and disadvantages of MRI in the preoperative setting for BC patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: There were 1513 consecutive breast MRI studies performed in patients with either primary or recurrent BC, who were scheduled for surgery. RESULTS: Beyond the primary lesion, 10.4% of our cases had additional disease at the final histological assessment. MRI overall sensitivity, when considering tumour size and additional foci together, was 74.3%, and 80.3% when considering additional foci exclusively. MRI specificity for additional disease was 95.3%, positive predictive value was 77.4%, and negative predictive value was 94.6%. Nevertheless, 5% of cases had additional tumours that were missed by MRI or, conversely, had additional foci on MRI that were not confirmed by histology. Age (p=0.020) and lobular carcinomas (p=0.030) showed significance in the multivariate analysis by logistic regression, using the presence of additional foci diagnosed by MRI as a dependent variable. CONCLUSION: Preoperative MRI seems to have a role in preoperative tumour staging for breast cancer patients, as it discloses additional disease foci in some patients, including contralateral involvement. However, given the lack of absolute accuracy, core-needle biopsy cannot be neglected in the diagnosis of such additional malignant foci, which could result in a change in surgical treatment.

Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Sentinel Node Biopsy: Additional Axillary Tumor Burden as a Function of the Total Number of Excised Sentinel Nodes-A Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have challenged the long-standing assumption that breast cancer prognosis is determined by lymph node regional status. We assessed locoregional relapse, distant metastases, and mortality alongside additional axillary disease in breast cancer patients undergoing sentinel node (SN) biopsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study assessed 1070 women with clinical T1-T2 invasive breast cancer with negative clinical/ultrasound axillae. RESULTS: A total of 25.1% of patients had positive SN biopsy findings, of whom 69.2% had only 1 involved SN. The rate of axillary recurrence was 0.7%, with no significant differences found between patients with positive or negative SN (0.6% vs. 1.1%). There were also no significant differences in the rate of distant metastases or breast cancer-specific mortality. If we had applied the Z0011 trial suggestions, residual axillary disease would have reached 16.2%: 13.5% in patients over 50% and 21.3% in patients under 50. The rate of residual axillary disease would have been 25.2% in patients with only 1 SN (20.2% in patients over 50% and 38.2% in patients under 50). In patients with 2 SN, residual disease would have ranged from 12.0% in patients over 50% to 19.0% in patients under 50. From 3 SN on, residual disease seems negligible. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in locoregional relapse, distant metastases, or mortality between patients with negative and positive SN. Patients with 3 or more SN have no additional axillary disease. In patients younger 50, one must be extremely cautious if the Z0011 suggestions are to be applied, especially if there is only 1 SN.

Comparison of Screened and Nonscreened Breast Cancer Patients in Relation to Age: A 2-Institution Study.

INTRODUCTION: Screening programs for breast cancer aim to allow early diagnosis, and thus reduce mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a population screening program in a sample of women aged between 50 and 69 years in terms of recurrence, metastasis, biological profiles, and survival, and to compare their results with those of women of a wider age range who did not participate on the screening program. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective multicenter study in which 1821 patients with 1873 breast tumors who received surgery between 1999 and 2014 at MútuaTerrassa University Hospital and the Hospital of Terrassa in Barcelona were analyzed. A comparison was performed in the 50- to 69-year-old age group between those who participated on the screening program and those who did not. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 58 years. The mean follow-up was 72 months, and median follow-up 59 months. The screened group showed significantly better results in all prognostic factors and in specific mortality than all nonscreened groups. The specific mortality rate in the screened patients was 2.4% (12/496), local recurrence 2.8% (14/496), and metastasis at 10 years 3.6% (18/496). In the nonscreened group, younger women presented a higher rate of metastasis (16.4% [81/493]) and a shorter disease-free period (77.1% [380/493]). The age group older than 70 years had the highest number of T4 tumors (7.5% [30/403]) and the highest proportion of radical surgery (50.4% [203/403]). CONCLUSION: Patients in the screening program presented improved survival. We speculate that extending breast cancer screening programs to women younger than 50 and older than 70 years could bring about mortality benefits.

Value of bone SPECT-CT to predict chronic pain relief after percutaneous vertebroplasty in vertebral fractures.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Longer life span has resulted in increased risk of vertebral osteoporotic fractures. Among minimally invasive procedures, percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) has shown excellent results in the treatment of chronic vertebral pain. The role of preintervention bone single photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography (SPECT-CT) has not been clearly established for the management of these patients. PURPOSE: To determine the value of bone SPECT-CT in patient selection, treatment planning, and prediction of response to PV. A comparison with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was also aimed. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective consecutive series. PATIENT SAMPLE: We studied the performance of bone SPECT-CT on 33 consecutive patients with chronic pain because of vertebral fracture intended for PV. OUTCOME MEASURES: Improvement of clinical status was based on comparison of preprocedure and postprocedure outcome measurements of pain, mobility, and analgesic use. METHODS: Bone SPECT was done using a dual-detector variable-angle gamma camera coupled with a two-slice CT scanner (Symbia T2 System; Siemens, Munich, Germany). Magnetic resonance imaging was done using a magnet of 1.5 T (Giroscan System ACS NT Intera; Philips, Amsterdam, The Netherlands). RESULTS: Of the 33 patients, 24 finally underwent PV. Positive SPECT-CT images predicted clinical improvement in 91% (21 of 23) of them. Agreement between SPECT-CT and MRI was 80% (20 of 25). Single photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography images showed an alternative cause of pain in some cases, such as new fractures or multiple coexisting fractures, persisting bone remodeling in a previous cemented vertebra, and facet or discal degenerative disease. Single photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography was mandatory in eight patients that could no receive MRI, all of whom improved after PV. CONCLUSIONS: Positive bone SPECT-CT seems a good predictor of postprocedural response. It also adds valuable information as to the cause of back pain and facilitates complete patient evaluation in patients that can not receive MRI.