Interactive multidisciplinary pilot workshop to improve medical student perception of and interest in breast surgical oncology.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to breast surgical oncology (BSO) and the multidisciplinary management of patients with breast cancer is limited in medical school. The purpose of this study was to assess changes in student perceptions of BSO as a career following an interactive multidisciplinary workshop. METHODS: Pre-clinical medical students participated in a multidisciplinary, hands-on workshop, composed of breast radiology (BR), breast surgical oncology (BSO) and breast plastic reconstructive surgery (B-PRS). BR presented students screening and diagnostic breast imaging followed by hands-on ultrasound-guided biopsy on phantom simulators. BSO demonstrated lumpectomy, mastectomy, sentinel lymph node biopsy, and axillary lymph node dissections while B-PRS demonstrated oncoplastic techniques and autologous flap reconstruction with cadavers. Pre-and post-workshop surveys assessed student opinions on surgery and BSO. Results were compared using Wilcoxon Signed Rank, Wilcoxon Rank Sum, and Fisher's Exact. RESULTS: The workshop was attended by twenty-four students. There was a statistically significant increase in interest in BSO from 52% to 86% after the workshop (p = 0.003). The event improved understanding of the work and lifestyle in BSO for 79% (19/24). All students (100%) expressed interest to further explore BSO. The most common attractors to a career in BSO were impacts on patients' lives (N = 23), intellectual stimulation (N = 22), and earnings (N = 20). The most reported deterrents were lack of personal time (N = 18) and stress (N = 15). CONCLUSION: An interactive, anatomically based exposure to multidisciplinary breast cancer surgery improves medical student perception and interest in BSO. Medical schools should consider incorporating similar events to foster interest in BSO and other surgical subspecialties.

Evaluation of learning curve with Indocyanine Green (IcG) versus blue dye for sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Indocyanine green (IcG) is an alternative to isosulfan blue (IB) for sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in breast cancer (BC). IcG carries improved cost and safety, but oncologic data upon implementation in practice is limited. We evaluated the learning curve defined as oncologic yield and operative (OR) time for IcG in SLN mapping in BC. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients >18 years with cTis-2 cN0 BC undergoing surgery first with SLN biopsy using IB or IcG. Analysis compared IB versus IcG across three time cohorts. RESULTS: Of 278 patients, 77 received IB and 201 received IcG. OR time was longer for IcG (p â€‹= â€‹0.022). There was no difference in oncologic yield between groups (p â€‹= â€‹0.35, p â€‹= â€‹0.61). CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons may be able to safely transition from IB to IcG for patients with early-stage breast cancer undergoing surgery first. Individuals should track their own data to confirm safety of the technique.

Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema (BCRL) and Bioimpedance Spectroscopy: Long-Term Follow-Up, Surveillance Recommendations, and Multidisciplinary Risk Factors.

BACKGROUND: Early detection and intervention for breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) significantly decreases progression to persistent BCRL (pBCRL). We aimed to provide long-term follow-up on our early detection with bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) and early home intervention demonstrating reduced pBCRL to guide surveillance recommendations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In total, 148 female patients with breast cancer who had axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) from November 2014 to December 2017 were analyzed. Baseline BIS measurements and postoperative follow-up occurred every 3 months for 1 year, biannual for 1 year, and then annually. An elevated BIS triggered evaluation and initiation of at-home interventions with reassessment for resolution versus persistent BCRL (pBCRL). High-risk factors and timing were analyzed. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 55 months, and 65 (44%) patients had an abnormal BIS. Of these, 54 (82%) resolved with home intervention. The overall pBCRL rate was 8%. Average time to first abnormal BIS was 11.7 months. None of the stage 0 patients (0/34) and only 5/25 (20%) of stage 1 patients had pBCRL. All of stage 2 and stage 3 patients (7/7) had pBCRL. pBCRL correlated with number of positive nodes, percentage of positive nodes, stage of lymphedema at diagnosis, and recurring abnormal BIS measurements (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We have shown that patients undergoing ALND with early BCRL identified by BIS who performed home interventions had an 8% pBCRL rate. Patients at high risk for pBCRL should have routine surveillance starting at 9 months postoperatively to identify an opportunity for early intervention.

Building Approachable Surgical Experiences (BASE) in High School Populations.

OBJECTIVE: Pipeline programs are often set up to bring more diverse candidates to medical schools with the goal of diversifying the physician workforce in the years to come. All too often, these programs begin in college, long after many students of diverse backgrounds have been left behind through a myriad of barriers that exist between entering high school and matriculating to medical school. The Building Approachable Surgical Experiences (BASE) outreach program was designed to showcase healthcare careers, with an emphasis on surgical subspecialties, to historically underserved high school students. This pilot program's goal was to increase high school students' interest and confidence in pursuing future medical and surgical careers and provide a platform to initiate mentorship. DESIGN: Local high school students from underrepresented in medicine (URiM) populations or medically underserved communities were invited to spend the day at an academic medical school campus. These students engaged in hands-on clinical and basic operative skill workshops led by third- and fourth-year medical students. They also engaged in small group conversations centered on mentorship with surgical residents and faculty. SETTING: Program implementation took place at an academic medical center school of medicine in an urban city. PARTICIPANTS: Forty high school students, 16 medical students, and 2 surgery faculty participated in this pilot program. CONCLUSIONS: This event allowed early exposure for high school students to surgical and medical specialties, clinical techniques, and surgical mentorship. From the connections made, students have developed mentorship relationships and have felt comfortable reaching out with questions regarding the steps required to seek entrance to medical school. Mentors are currently resident or attending physicians, which provides students from underrepresented populations an opportunity for direct insight and guidance to and through the path to becoming a physician. Based on qualitative feedback from students, their high school teachers, and administrators, this pilot program succeeded in providing a window into healthcare, using a format that was encouraging to students long beyond their time on the school of medicine campus.

A Hands-On Surgical Event to Improve Medical Student Operating Room Confidence.

INTRODUCTION: The negative perceptions and lack of exposure to surgery and the operating room (OR) have been known to divert students away from surgical specialties. This study describes the impact of a surgical subspecialty exposure event (OR Essentials), combined with surgical faculty and M4 mentorship on preclinical medical students' confidence at an academic medical center. METHODS: OR essentials event teaches surgical skills to preclinical medical students through hands-on skill-based workshops in a simulated OR setting. Pre and postevaluations were administered to measure program impact. RESULTS: One hundred four preclinical medical students participated. Following OR essentials, students reported a significant increase in confidence in the OR (P < 0.0001) and in basic surgical skills (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Early surgical exposure events like OR essentials provide opportunities to improve medical student confidence in the OR, which will hopefully support recruitment of future surgeons.

Improving Medical Student Anatomy Knowledge and Confidence for the Breast Surgical Oncology Rotation.

BACKGROUND: The anatomy curriculum has undergone considerable reductions in class time, resulting in decreased student anatomical knowledge retention and confidence during their surgical rotations. To counter this deficit in anatomy knowledge, a clinical anatomy mentorship program (CAMP) was developed by fourth-year medical student leaders and staff mentors in a near-peer teaching fashion prior to the surgical clerkship. This study analyzed the impact this program had on third-year medical students (MS3s) self-assessed anatomical knowledge and confidence in the operating room on the Breast Surgical Oncology rotation after this near-peer program. METHODS: A single-center prospective survey study was performed at an academic medical center. Pre- and post-program surveys were administered to all students who participated in the CAMP and rotated on the breast surgical oncology (BSO) service during the surgery clerkship rotation. A control group of individuals who did not rotate on the CAMP was established, and this group was administered a retrospective survey. A 5-point Likert scale was used to assess surgical anatomy knowledge, confidence in the operating room, and comfort in assisting in the operating room. Control group versus post-CAMP intervention group and pre- versus post-CAMP intervention groups survey results were compared using the Student's t-test with a p-value of <0.05 statistically significant. RESULTS: All CAMP students rated their surgical anatomy knowledge (p < 0.01), confidence in the operating room (p < 0.01), and comfort in assisting in the operating room (p < 0.01) as greater than those who did not participate in the program. Additionally, the program improved the ability of third-year medical students to prepare for operating room cases going into their third-year breast surgical oncology clerkship (p < 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: This near-peer surgical education model appears to be an effective way to prepare third-year medical students for the breast surgical oncology rotation during the surgery clerkship by improving anatomic knowledge and student confidence. The program can serve as a template for medical students, surgical clerkship directors, and other faculty interested in efficiently expanding surgical anatomy at their institution.

Use of Ultrasound and Ki-67 Proliferation Index to Predict Breast Cancer Tumor Response to Neoadjuvant Endocrine Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Prediction of tumor shrinkage and pattern of treatment response following neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NET) for estrogen receptor positive (ER+), Her2 negative (Her2-) breast cancers have had limited assessment. We examined if ultrasound (US) and Ki-67 could predict the pathologic response to treatment with NET and how the pattern of response may impact surgical planning. METHODS: A total of 103 postmenopausal women with ER+, HER2- breast cancer enrolled on the FELINE trial had Ki-67 obtained at baseline, day 14, and surgical pathology. A total of 70 patients had an US at baseline and at the end of treatment (EOT). A total of 48 patients had residual tumor bed cellularity (RTBC) assessed. The US response was defined as complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD), and progressive disease (PD). CR or PR on imaging and ≤70% residual tumor bed cellularity (RTBC) defined a contracted response pattern. RESULTS: A decrease in Ki-67 at day 14 was not predictive of EOT US response or RTBC. A contracted response pattern was identified in one patient with CR and in sixteen patients (33%) with PR on US. Although 26 patients (54%) had SD on imaging, 22 (85%) had RTBC ≤70%, suggesting a non-contracted response pattern of the tumor bed. The remaining four (15%) with SD and five with PD had no response. CONCLUSION: Ki-67 does not predict a change in tumor size or RTBC. NET does not uniformly result in a contracted response pattern of the tumor bed. Caution should be taken when using NET for the purpose of downstaging tumor size or converting borderline mastectomy/lumpectomy patients.

Safety of de-escalation of surgical intervention for atypical ductal hyperplasia on percutaneous biopsy: One size does not fit all.

BACKGROUND: Oncologic safety of active monitoring (AM) for atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) on core-needle biopsy (CNB) is not well defined. We sought to define oncologic outcomes for AM to manage ADH meeting institutional predefined low-risk criteria (LOW). METHODS: ADH was diagnosed on CNB from 10/2015-03/2020. LOW (pure ADH, size <1 cm, >50% removed by CNB, <3 foci, and no necrosis) patients were offered AM; all others were recommended for surgical excision. Oncologic outcomes were compared for AM and surgery. RESULTS: 111 were included, 21 (19%) meeting LOW. AM occurred in 18 (86%) while 3 elected for excision (with 0% upgrade). Of the 18 LOW in AM, 2 required additional CNB (none at ADH site): 0% were diagnosed with cancer over median 23 month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: There were no missed cancers at ADH site during AM for LOW, confirming the oncologic safety of AM in this select group.

Rethinking Routine Surgical Excision for all Radial Sclerosing Lesions of the Breast.

INTRODUCTION: The need for routine surgical excision of a radial sclerosing lesions (RSL) of the breast identified on percutaneous biopsy remains controversial, as contemporary upgrade rates are lower than historically cited. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospectively-maintained database of high-risk breast biopsies undergoing multidisciplinary review at a single institution was queried to identify cases of RSL from 2/2015 to 11/2020. Demographic, radiologic, and pathologic variables were summarized using frequencies and analyzed in association with RSL excision status using mixed-effects logistic regression or Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: 217 RSL were identified, diagnosed at a mean age of 57 y. The median imaging size was 1.3 cm and the majority had estimated >50% of the target removed by core needle biopsy. 32.3% underwent surgical excision of the RSL biopsy site and 2/70 (2.9%) upgraded to ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) on final surgical pathology. Upgrade was significantly higher for atypical RSL (P = 0.02). None of the RSL (n = 60) without atypia who had undergone excision were upgraded. For those omitting surgical excision, there was no subsequent breast cancer diagnosis at the RSL site over a mean follow-up of 23 mo. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical excision may be omitted for RSL without atypia as this group has 0% risk of upgrade after multidisciplinary review.

The clinical impact of MRI on surgical planning for patients with in-breast tumor recurrence.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility of breast MRI for patients with known in-breast tumor recurrence (IBTR). The aim was to determine if the addition of breast MRI altered surgical approach or multidisciplinary management. Previous studies have focused on using breast MRI for surgical planning for index breast cancers (BC) or detecting IBTR. However, the clinical impact of obtaining MRI in the setting of known IBTR has not been evaluated. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective chart review was performed to compare surgical approach and multidisciplinary management for patients diagnosed with isolated IBTR who did and did not undergo breast MRI following IBTR diagnosis. RESULTS: IBTR was identified in 69 patients, 46% of whom underwent MRI. There was no difference in the operative approach (p = 0.14) for IBTR patients who did and did not undergo breast MRI Additionally, there was no difference in multidisciplinary care, treatment order, metastatic disease identification, or mortality between cohorts. A relatively small subgroup of patients (n = 3) required change in surgical plan based on MRI results. Patients proceeding with surgery first who also underwent breast MRI experienced a significantly longer time to surgical intervention (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Breast MRI following IBTR diagnosis infrequently impacted clinical management, including surgical approach and multidisciplinary care. MRI for local disease assessment at the time of IBTR should be used selectively based on clinical concern.

Risk of Breast Cancer in Selected Women With Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia Who do not Undergo Surgical Excision.

OBJECTIVE: To review breast cancer incidence in women with ADH diagnosed by CNB and managed nonoperatively. BACKGROUND: ADH found on CNB is associated with an upgrade to carcinoma in 10%-50% of women, thus surgical excision remains the standard of care. Safety of nonoperative management is unknown. METHODS: ADH patients diagnosed between January 2004 and October 2018 were identified. Subsequent breast cancer events were compared between those who were excised and those who met predetermined criteria of low risk and were thus observed. Subsequent breast cancer events were classified as index site event if identified in the same quadrant as prior ADH. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess potential predictors of subsequent breast cancer events. RESULTS: Four hundred seventy-eight women with 483 ADH lesions were identified; 309 were observed and 174 underwent excision. Median follow-up was 5.2 years. Prior breast cancer history was the only factor associated with subsequent breast cancer risk (odds ratio 2.25, 95% confidence interval 1.04-4.87). After excluding patients with a breast cancer history, there was no association of age, race, chemoprevention, or surgical excision of ADH with future cancer risk. 21/387 patients without a breast cancer history developed a subsequent cancer; 10 (7.3%) in the surgical group and 11 (4.4%) in the observed ( P = 0.2). Two cancers were identified at the index site in the surgery group (2/137, 1.5%) and three in those observed (3/250, 1.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Observation, rather than surgical excision, is safe in select women with ADH. National guidelines should consider observation for this select group of patients.

Multidisciplinary Review of Intraductal Papilloma of the Breast can Identify Patients who may Omit Surgical Excision.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to define contemporary management recommendations regarding who would benefit from surgical excision of intraductal papilloma (IDP). METHODS: A prospective database from a single institution identified patients with IDP on percutaneous biopsy from February 2015 to September 2020. Categorical patient demographic, biopsy, and pathologic variables were analyzed using Fisher's exact test and continuous demographic and imaging variables using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: IDP was present in 416 biopsies, at a median age of 56 years. The median size was 0.9 cm, and the majority had greater than 50% of the target excised by biopsy. Surgical excision was performed for 124 of 416 biopsies (29.8%). Upgrade to malignancy was identified in 14 (11.3%): 8 to ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and 6 to invasive cancer. Upgrade was significantly associated with concurrent ipsilateral breast cancer (p = 0.027), larger imaging size (p = 0.045), <50% excised with biopsy (p = 0.02), and atypia involving IDP (p = 0.045). Age, clinical presentation, and concurrent contralateral cancer were not significantly associated with upgrade. Lowest upgrade risk (0%) was in pure IDP ≤1 cm with >50% removed by biopsy. Of 401 biopsies that either did not upgrade or undergo excision, 7 (1.7%) developed subsequent breast cancer over a median follow-up of 23.5 months (interquartile range [IQR] 11,41), none at IDP site. CONCLUSIONS: After multidisciplinary review, the management of IDP can be stratified into low- and high-risk for upgrade groups using key criteria. Low-risk group may omit surgical excision, because those patients have 0% risk of upgrade over the limited short-term follow-up.

Impact of the early COVID-19 pandemic on Breast Surgical Oncology fellow education.

INTRODUCTION: The early COVID-19 pandemic rapidly transformed healthcare and medical education. We sought to evaluate the professional and personal impact of the pandemic on 2019-2020 Breast Surgical Oncology (BSO) fellows in Society of Surgical Oncology approved programs to capture the experience and direct future changes. METHODS: From July 15, 2020 to August 4, 2020 a survey was administered to the American Society of Breast Surgeons' fellow members. The survey assessed the impact of the pandemic on clinical experience, education/research opportunities, personal health/well-being, and future career. Responses were collected and aggregated to quantify the collective experience of respondents. RESULTS: Twenty-eight of fifty-seven (54%) eligible fellows responded. Twenty-one (75%) indicated the clinical experience changed. Twenty-seven (96%) reported less time spent caring for ambulatory breast patients and sixteen (57%) reported the same/more time spent in the operating room. Fourteen (50%) stated their future job was impacted and eight (29%) delayed general surgery board examinations. Stress was increased in 26 (93%). Personal health was unaffected in 20 (71%), and 3 (10%) quarantined for COVID-19 exposure/infection. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic altered the clinical experience of BSO fellows; however, the operative experience was generally unaffected. The creation of frameworks and support mechanisms to mitigate potential challenges for fellows and fellowship programs in the ongoing pandemic and other times of national crisis should be considered.

Reducing Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema (BCRL) Through Prospective Surveillance Monitoring Using Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (BIS) and Patient Directed Self-Interventions.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a chronic progressive disease that results from breast cancer treatment and nodal surgery. NCCN guidelines support baseline measurements with prospective assessment for early diagnosis and treatment. We sought to determine if baseline measurement with bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) and serial postoperative evaluations provide early detection amenable to conservative interventions that reduce BCRL. METHODS: Breast cancer patients with unilateral disease high-risk for BCRL from a single institution were evaluated from November 2014 to December 2017. High risk was defined as axillary lymph node dissection with radiation and/or taxane chemotherapy. Patients received preoperative baseline BIS measurements followed by postoperative measurements with at least two follow-ups. Patients with BIS results that were 2 standard deviations above baseline (10 + points) started home conservative interventions for 4-6 weeks. Postintervention measurements were taken to assess improvement. RESULT: A total of 146 patients high-risk for BCRL were included. Forty-nine patients (34%) developed early BCRL and started self-directed treatment. Forty patients (82%) had elevated BIS measurements return to normal baseline range. Nine (6%) patients had persistent BCRL requiring referral for advanced therapy. Patients with persistent BCRL had significant nodal burden on surgical pathology; eight (89%) had N2/N3 disease. Six (76%) with BCRL refractory to conservative measures died of their breast cancer. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that early conservative intervention for breast cancer patients high risk for BCRL who were prospectively monitored by utilizing BIS significantly lowers rates of BCRL. These findings support early prospective screening and intervention for BCRL. Early detection with patient-directed interventions improves patient outcomes and decreases the risk of persistent BCRL.