Hypofractionated Regional Nodal Irradiation for Women With Node-Positive Breast Cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of hypofractionated radiation therapy (HFRT) of the breast/chest wall and regional nodes on overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), locoregional control and on treatment-related toxicity in patients with breast cancer and nodal involvement. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Two hundred fifty-seven patients treated between October 2009 and June 2011 with hypofractionated locoregional radiation therapy (42 Gy in 15 fractions) were retrospectively reviewed, 51 (19.8%) after breast-conserving surgery and 206 (80.2%) after radical surgery. Patients treated with breast-conserving surgery received a boost dose to the tumor bed (delivered by photons, electrons, or interstitial high-dose-rate brachytherapy). Two hundred fifty-six (99.6%) patients underwent chemotherapy, 209 (81.3%) had hormonal treatment, and 65 (25.3%) had anti-HER2 targeted therapy. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 64 months (range, 11-88 months). The rates of 5-year OS, DFS, locoregional recurrence (LRR)-free survival, and distant metastasis (DM)-free survival were 86.6%, 84.4%, 93.9%, and 83.1%, respectively. In multivariate analysis (MVA), lymph node ratio >65%, lymphovascular invasion, and negative hormone receptor status predicted for OS, DSF, and DM. T3 to 4 stage was also associated with worse DFS and DM. Finally, for LRR the independent prognostic factors on MVA were N2 to 3 stage and grade 3. Hyperpigmentation was observed in 19.2% of patients, telangiectasia in 12.3%, and fibrosis in 30.7%. Grade ≥2 lymphedema was recorded in 5.8% of cases. During the study follow-up, no cardiac or symptomatic pneumonitis was observed, nor were plexopathy or rib fractures. CONCLUSION: According to the findings from this retrospective study, HFRT seems to be an acceptable alternative for patients with breast cancer who need regional nodal irradiation. However, prospective randomized trials are necessary to confirm these preliminary results.

Management of early breast cancer in older women: from screening to treatment.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is a common condition. It is a leading cause of death among women, and its incidence increases with age. Aging of the population and improvement of the quality of life of elders make it a major public health issue. We reviewed the literature to try to determine the management of breast cancer in older women. METHODS: We conducted a narrative review by literature searches using key words "breast cancer", "elderly and older", and "women" in Pubmed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The aim of this review is to summarize the management of early breast cancer in older women by discussing the controversies of screening in older women. Then, we try to define the optimal strategy for these women, either surgery alone or primary endocrine therapy. We also discuss the indications of lymph node dissection, and we evaluate the benefit of adjuvant radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and the anti HER2 treatment for these women. RESULTS: More than 50% of patients with breast cancer are 65 years or older, and around 30% are more than 70 years old. Most randomized trials did not include older women. Hence, the treatment of breast cancer in older patients is based on the management provided to younger women. Regardless of age, the treatment must aim for the best efficiency. Advanced age in itself should not be a limitation to treatment. There are no standard guidelines set for elderly patients. Surgical treatment for older patients evolved to avoid mastectomy, and conservative mammary surgery was proposed, similar to that used in younger patients. The proportion of elderly patients receiving adjuvant radiotherapy is increasing. The role of adjuvant radiotherapy in older patients with breast cancer was analyzed. Adjuvant chemotherapy is beneficial to women with hormone receptor-negative tumors. In those with hormone receptor-positive tumors, adjuvant chemotherapy in association to trastuzumab is beneficial for HER2-positive tumors, and for women with HER2-negative tumors adjuvant hormonal therapy is a very good option. CONCLUSION: Breast cancer is common in older women. This population requires particular and adapted management. It is essential for older patients to be included in new clinical trials for individualized treatment recommendation.

Venous thromboembolism in cancer patients: an underestimated major health problem.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major health problem among patients with cancer, its incidence in this particular population is widely increasing. Although VTE is associated with high rates of mortality and morbidity in cancer patients, its severity is still underestimated by many oncologists. Thromboprophylaxis of VTE now considered as a standard of care is still not prescribed in many institutions; the appropriate treatment of an established VTE is not yet well known by many physicians and nurses in the cancer field. Patients are also not well informed about VTE and its consequences. Many studies and meta-analyses have addressed this question so have many guidelines that dedicated a whole chapter to clarify and expose different treatment strategies adapted to this particular population. There is a general belief that the prevention and treatment of VTE cannot be optimized without a complete awareness by oncologists and patients. The aim of this article is to make VTE a more clear and understood subject.

Breast cancer associated with neurofibromatosis type 1: a case series and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Neurofibromatosis type 1, also known as Von Recklinghausen's disease, is a rare neuroectodermal disease that mainly affects the skin and the nervous system. Patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 have a higher risk of developing various types of cancers, especially tumors derived from the embryogenic neural crest. However, its association with breast cancer has seldom been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the cases of three white Arabic women diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1, with a median age of 40-years-old (range: 39 to 43), who sought treatment at our centre for breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The association between neurofibromatosis type 1 and breast cancer is uncommon. In our case series we readdress this association through a literature review.