Effect of MRI on the management of ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast.

INTRODUCTION: The accuracy of breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detection of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) has prompted recommendations for its routine preoperative use, but its clinical benefit is debated. We reviewed our experience with MRI in DCIS patients to assess the utility of MRI for surgical planning. METHODS: DCIS patients (2008-2010) were identified through a prospectively maintained database and grouped into MRI and no-MRI groups. The rates of additional biopsies, altered surgical management, and reoperation were compared. Additionally, DCIS size ascertained by mammography, MRI, and final pathology was compared. RESULTS: Of 352 DCIS patients, 217 received MRI and 135 did not. The type of initial operation and number of reoperations were similar between the two groups, but successful breast conservation was more frequent in the no-MRI group (p = 0.06). The additional biopsy rate was 38 % in the MRI group versus 7 % in the no-MRI group; ≥2 additional biopsies were performed in 18 % of the MRI group and 2 % of the no-MRI group (p < 0.0001). These yielded a cancer diagnosis in 26 % of MRI and 33 % of no-MRI patients (p = 0.73). MRI was not superior to mammogram in detecting size of DCIS lesions preoperatively; 52 % of mammograms were accurate (within 1 cm) compared with 41 % of MRIs. CONCLUSIONS: DCIS patients who undergo preoperative breast MRI are far more likely to undergo additional biopsies. Unless these can be demonstrated to lead to improved long-term outcomes, the utility of routine preoperative MRI in DCIS patients remains questionable.

Neoadjuvant versus adjuvant chemotherapy for triple negative breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The study aim was to investigate factors that predict the use of neoadjuvant versus adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and the overall survival in each group. METHODS: We identified 493 patients with Stage I-III TNBC between 1998 and 2008. Patients were divided according to receipt of neoadjuvant, adjuvant, or none/unknown chemotherapy. Data were compared using chi(2) and Fisher's exact test. For more than two group comparisons and analyzing multiple dependent variables, MANOVA was used. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated. RESULTS: Of 493 patients with TNBC, 154 (31%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 251 (51%) received adjuvant chemotherapy, and 88 (18%) had no or unknown chemotherapy. Patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy were younger (mean 50, range 20-83) compared with those undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy (mean 53, range 25-83) or none/unknown chemotherapy (mean 62, range 29-86) (P < 0.0001). The three groups did not differ significantly by patient race, tumor histology, or tumor grade. Increased tumor size, nodal positivity, and advanced stage were more likely to be associated with use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (all comparisons P < 0.0001). After controlling for covariates associated with survival in unadjusted tests, patients undergoing adjuvant therapy were less likely to die compared with patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy or none/unknown therapy (overall aHR 0.476, 95% CI 0.295-0.770). CONCLUSIONS: Women with TNBC who underwent adjuvant chemotherapy were 52% less likely to die overall compared with those who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy or none/unknown chemotherapy in this institutional series. Prospective studies are necessary to determine if this finding is durable.