Accuracy of frozen section in intraoperative margin assessment for breast-conserving surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It is well established that tumor-free margin is an important factor for reducing local recurrence and reoperation rates. This systematic review with meta-analysis of frozen section intraoperative margin assessment aims to evaluate the accuracy, and reoperation and survival rates, and to establish its importance in breast-conserving surgery. METHODS: A thorough review was conducted in all online publication-databases for the related literature up to March 2020. MeSH terms used: "Breast Cancer", "Segmental Mastectomy" and "Frozen Section". We included the studies that evaluated accuracy of frozen section, reoperation and survival rates. To ensure quality of the included articles, the QUADAS-2 tool (adapted) was employed. The assessment of publication bias by graphical and statistical methods was performed using the funnel plot and the Egger's test. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42019125682). RESULTS: Nineteen studies were deemed suitable, with a total of 6,769 cases. The reoperation rate on average was 5.9%. Sensitivity was 0.81, with a Confidence Interval of 0.79-0.83, p = 0.0000, I2 = 95.1%, and specificity was 0.97, with a Confidence Interval of 0.97-0.98, p = 0.0000, I-2 = 90.8%, for 17 studies and 5,615 cases. Accuracy was 0.98. Twelve studies described local recurrence and the highest cumulative recurrence rate in 3 years was 7.5%. The quality of the included studies based on the QUADAS-2 tool showed a low risk of bias. There is no publication bias (p = 0.32) and the funnel plot showed symmetry. CONCLUSION: Frozen section is a reliable procedure with high accuracy, sensitivity and specificity in intraoperative margin assessment of breast-conserving surgery. Therefore, this modality of margin assessment could be useful in reducing reoperation rates.

Pregnancy outcomes after chemotherapy for trophoblastic neoplasia.

INTRODUCTION: The successful development of chemotherapy enabled a fertilitysparing treatment for patients with trophoblastic neoplasia. After disease remission, the outcome of a subsequent pregnancy becomes a great concern for these women. OBJECTIVE: To analyze existing studies in the literature that describe the reproductive outcomes of patients with trophoblastic neoplasia treated with chemotherapy. METHOD: Systematic review was performed searching for articles on Medline/ Pubmed, Lilacs and Cochrane Library databases, using the terms "gestational trophoblastic disease" and "pregnancy outcome". RESULTS: A total of 18 articles were included. No evidence of decreased fertility after chemotherapy for trophoblastic neoplasia was observed. The abortion rates in patients who conceived within 6 months after chemotherapy was higher compared to those who waited longer. Some studies showed increased rates of stillbirth and repeat hydatidiform moles. Only one work showed increased congenital abnormalities. CONCLUSION: The pregnancies conceived after chemotherapy for trophoblastic neoplasia should be followed with clinical surveillance due to higher rates of some pregnancy complications. However, studies in the literature provide reassuring data about reproductive outcomes of these patients.

Pregnancy outcomes after chemotherapy for trophoblastic neoplasia / Futuro reprodutivo após tratamento quimioterápico da neoplasia trofoblástica

SUMMARY Introduction The successful development of chemotherapy enabled a fertilitysparing treatment for patients with trophoblastic neoplasia. After disease remission, the outcome of a subsequent pregnancy becomes a great concern for these women. Objective To analyze existing studies in the literature that describe the reproductive outcomes of patients with trophoblastic neoplasia treated with chemotherapy. Method Systematic review was performed searching for articles on Medline/ Pubmed, Lilacs and Cochrane Library databases, using the terms “gestational trophoblastic disease” and “pregnancy outcome”. Results A total of 18 articles were included. No evidence of decreased fertility after chemotherapy for trophoblastic neoplasia was observed. The abortion rates in patients who conceived within 6 months after chemotherapy was higher compared to those who waited longer. Some studies showed increased rates of stillbirth and repeat hydatidiform moles. Only one work showed increased congenital abnormalities. Conclusion The pregnancies conceived after chemotherapy for trophoblastic neoplasia should be followed with clinical surveillance due to higher rates of some pregnancy complications. However, studies in the literature provide reassuring data about reproductive outcomes of these patients.

RESUMO Introdução o sucesso do desenvolvimento da quimioterapia no tratamento da neoplasia trofoblástica proporcionou a possibilidade de conservação da fertilidade das pacientes, tornando o futuro reprodutivo uma nova preocupação após a remissão da doença Objetivo analisar os estudos existentes na literatura que descrevem o futuro reprodutivo de pacientes com neoplasia trofoblástica tratadas com quimioterapia. Método revisão sistemática que buscou artigos nas bases de dados Medline/Pubmed, Lilacs e Biblioteca Cochrane, utilizando as palavras-chave “gestational trophoblastic disease” e “pregnancy outcome”. Resultados foram selecionados 18 artigos de acordo com critérios de inclusão e exclusão. Não foi observada diminuição da fertilidade após a quimioterapia para neoplasia trofoblástica. Pacientes que engravidaram até 6 meses do término da quimioterapia apresentaram maiores taxas de abortamento quando comparadas às que esperaram mais de 6 meses. Alguns artigos encontraram maiores taxas de natimorto e nova mola hidatiforme. Apenas um estudo mostrou aumento da taxa de malformação. Conclusão as gestações subsequentes à neoplasia trofoblástica devem ser acompanhadas com vigilância clínica em decorrência da maior taxa de complicações na gestação, principalmente nas mulheres que engravidam até 6 meses após o término da quimioterapia. No entanto, os dados encontrados nos estudos tranquilizam quanto ao futuro reprodutivo dessas pacientes.