Breast cancer in elderly women and altered clinico-pathological characteristics: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women in terms of incidence and mortality. Age is undoubtedly the biggest breast cancer risk factor. In this study we examined clinical, histological, and biological characteristics and mortality of breast cancer in elderly women along with their changes with advancing age. METHODS: We reviewed 63 original articles published between 2006 and 2016 concerning women over 70 years with breast cancer. RESULTS: Compared to patients 70-79 years, patients aged 80 and over had larger tumor size with fewer T1 (42.9% vs 57.7%, p < 0.01) and more T2 lesions (43.5% vs 33.0%, p < 0.01). Lymph nodes and distant metastases were more frequent, with more N + (49.5% vs 44.0%, p < 0.01) and more M1 (8.0% vs 5.9%, p < 0.01). Infiltrating mucinous carcinomas were more frequent (4.3% vs 3.7%, p < 0.01). Tumors had lower grades, with more grade 1 (23.2% vs 19.8%, p = 0.01) and fewer grade 3 (21.5% vs 25.5%, p < 0.01), and were more hormone-sensitive: PR was more often expressed (72.6% vs 67.3%, p < 0.01). Lympho-vascular invasion was less frequent in the 80 years and over (22.9% vs 29.7%, p = 0.01). Breast cancer-specific mortality was higher both at 5 years (25.8% vs 17.2%, p < 0.01) and 10 years (32.7% vs 26.6%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Clinico-pathological characteristics, increased incidence, and mortality associated with aging can be explained on one hand by biological changes of the breast such as increased estrogen sensitivity, epithelial cell alterations, immune senescence, and tumor microenvironment modifications. However, sociologic factors such as increased life expectancy, under-treatment, late diagnosis, and insufficient individual screening, are also involved.

[Intra uterine devices removal during office hysteroscopy: About 36 cases]. / Retrait des dispositifs intra-utérins sous hystéroscopie en consultation : à propos de 36 cas.

OBJECTIVES: To assess effectiveness and patient tolerance of office hysteroscopy performed for the removal of intra-uterine devices (IUDs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single center, retrospective study from May 2005 to June 2012. Analysis of the office hysteroscopy database only retrieving data concerning IUD removals: 36 hysteroscopies were performed for IUD removal with mean age of 40±7 years old (20-51), mean parity of 2.1±1.09 (0-5), and mean gestity of 2.5±1.14 (0-5). The indication was failure of IUD removal in an office setting, mostly because of non-visible sutures (33 cases, 91.6%), in 3 cases owing to broken sutures (8.4%). We performed then an office hysteroscopy using a 5.5mm hysteroscope. Either sutures or the IUD itself were grasped, then removed under visual control. Main end point was technique effectiveness, namely success or failure of IUD removal. Secondary end point equals to patient tolerance. RESULTS: We included 36 patients. IUD removal was effective in 34 out of 36 cases (94.4% success rate). Patient tolerance was rated good for 12 patients (52%), acceptable for 10 (44%), poor for one (4%) and a vasovagal episode occurred in 3% of cases. CONCLUSION: Office hysteroscopy performed to remove IUDs difficult to extract is an effective method, generally achieving good patient tolerance and reduced morbidity.

Preoperative immunonutrition in liver resection-a propensity score matched case-control analysis.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The value of preoperative nutritional support in liver resection remains questionable. The aim of the present study was to compare the incidence of postoperative complications after liver resection between those patients that received preoperative immunonutrition versus those patients without preoperative nutritional support. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Patients undergoing elective liver resection between 9 November 2007 and 14 May 2013 were considered for the study: 84 with preoperative immunonutrition (Oral-Impact, Nestle, 3 × 237 ml per day for seven days at home) and 63 control patients without preoperative nutritional support. To reduce selection bias, propensity score matching was performed. Primary endpoint was the overall complication rate. Secondary endpoints were infectious and major complications. RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients could be matched (49 in each group). Seventy-seven patients (78.6%) had a minor and 21 patients (21.4%) a major liver resection. The two groups were balanced for age, gender distribution, American Society of Anesthesiology score ⩾3, NRS 2002 score, weight loss>10%, cirrhosis, steathosis, preoperative chemotherapy, pathology, major liver resection and extrahepatic procedures. No significant differences were observed in the overall complication rate (53.0% versus 51.0%), infectious complications (38.7% versus 28.5%) and major complications (12.2% versus 10.2%) for the immunonutrition and control group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present study did not permit to demonstrate an impact of preoperative immunonutrition with Oral-Impact on postoperative complications after minor liver resection.