Management of early-stage triple-negative breast cancer: recommendations of a panel of experts from the Brazilian Society of Mastology.

BACKGROUND: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogenous subtype involving different patterns of behavior and clinical course, demanding a complex, individualized sequence of treatment. The knowledge and attitudes of the affiliated members of the Brazilian Society of Mastology regarding TNBC were evaluated and a consensus regarding management and treatment was reached. METHODS: Affiliates completed a survey involving 44 objective questions. In addition, a specialist meeting was held with 27 experts and 3 ad hoc consultants. The panelists completed the survey before and after brainstorming. Answers achieving 70% of agreement were considered consensual. The chi-square test was used to compare answers between panelists and affiliates and the Kappa coefficient to calculate agreement. RESULTS: Consensus among the panelists increased from 26 (59.1%) to 32 questions (72.7%) following brainstorming (p = 0.17), including 7/10 questions on systemic treatment. Among the affiliates, consensus was achieved for 24 questions (54.5%), resulting in moderate agreement (κ = 0.445). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy should be indicated for almost all cases (except cT1a-b N0) and should include platinum agents. When indicated, immunotherapy is part of the standard of care. The panel reaffirmed the concept of no ink on tumor as indicative of adequate margins and the possibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy for cN1 patients who become cN0 following neoadjuvant therapy. Controversies remain on combining immunotherapy with capecitabine/olaparib in pertinent cases. CONCLUSION: Expert consensus was achieved for > 70% of the questions, with moderate agreement between panelists and affiliates. Educational interventions on systemic breast cancer treatment affected decision-making in 60% of the questions.

Management of early breast cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted early breast cancer (EBC) treatment worldwide. This study analyzed how Brazilian breast specialists are managing EBC. METHODS: An electronic survey was conducted with members of the Brazilian Society of Breast Cancer Specialists (SBM) between April 30 and May 11, 2020. Bivariate analysis was used to describe changes in how specialists managed EBC at the beginning and during the pandemic, according to breast cancer subtype and oncoplastic surgery. RESULTS: The response rate was 34.4% (503/1462 specialists). Most of the respondents (324; 64.4%) lived in a state capital city, were board-certified as breast specialists (395; 78.5%) and either worked in an academic institute or one associated with breast cancer treatment (390; 77.5%). The best response rate was from the southeast of the country (240; 47.7%) followed by the northeast (128; 25.4%). At the beginning of the pandemic, 43% changed their management approach. As the outbreak progressed, this proportion increased to 69.8% (p < 0.001). The southeast of the country (p = 0.005) and the state capital cities (p < 0.001) were associated with changes at the beginning of the pandemic, while being female (p = 0.001) was associated with changes during the pandemic. For hormone receptor-positive tumors with the best prognosis (Ki-67 < 20%), 47.9% and 17.7% of specialists would recommend neoadjuvant endocrine therapy for postmenopausal and premenopausal women, respectively. For tumors with poorer prognosis (Ki-67 > 30%), 34% and 10.9% would recommend it for postmenopausal and premenopausal women, respectively. Menopausal status significantly affected whether the specialists changed their approach (p < 0.00001). For tumors ≥ 1.0 cm, 42.9% of respondents would recommend neoadjuvant systemic therapy for triple-negative tumors and 39.6% for HER2 + tumors. Overall, 63.4% would recommend immediate total breast reconstruction, while only 3.4% would recommend autologous reconstruction. In breast-conserving surgery, 75% would recommend partial breast reconstruction; however, 54.1% would contraindicate mammoplasty. Furthermore, 84.9% of respondents would not recommend prophylactic mastectomy in cases of BRCA mutation. CONCLUSIONS: Important changes occurred in EBC treatment, particularly for hormone receptor-positive tumors, as the outbreak progressed in each region. Systematic monitoring could assure appropriate breast cancer treatment, mitigating the impact of the pandemic.

The use of blue dye alone for sentinel lymph node biopsy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with initially node-positive breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: False-negative sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) rates following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in initially node-positive (cN1/2) breast cancer patients are high, but decrease when lymph nodes are clipped, ≥3 sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) are removed or dual-tracer localization (radioisotope and blue dye) is used. Radiotracer, however, is often unavailable and outcomes with blue dye alone are unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Initially cT1-4, cN1/2 patients treated with NACT in 2013-2023 who underwent SLNB using blue dye alone were evaluated regarding SLN identification, axillary recurrence, disease-free and overall survival rates. RESULTS: Of 119 patients included, 19 remained cN1/2 after NACT. SLNB was performed using blue dye alone in 100 ycN0 cases (84%), with an identification rate of 96%. The SLN was negative in 70/119 cases (i.e. 59% avoided axillary dissection). The number of SLN detected was ≥3 in 55/70 cases (78%) (median 3.1; 1-6). Median age was 49 years (25-84). Most were T2 (n = 40, 57.1%), N1 (n = 64, 91.4%). Predominant subtypes were ERBB2 (52.9%) and triple-negative (20%). No axillary recurrence occurred over a median 36-month period. Five-year disease-free and overall survival were, respectively, 85.9% (95%CI: 74-99.8) and 96.3% (95%CI: 89.4-100). The ERBB2 subtype (1.99, 95%CI: 1.02-3.85, p = 0.04) and N1 lymph node status (2.58, 95%CI: 1.54-9.10, p = 0.03) were associated with a greater likelihood of undergoing SLNB alone without axillary dissection. CONCLUSIONS: SLNB with blue dye alone following NACT in initially cN1/2 patients avoided axillary dissection in almost 60% of cases, with no recurrences during the period evaluated. Longer follow-up studies are necessary.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy following neoadjuvant chemotherapy: an evidence-based review and recommendations for current practice.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) at upfront surgery is the gold-standard surgical method for axillary lymph node staging in early stage breast cancer: the technique provides adequate information regarding axillary status, with similar oncological safety and lower morbidity compared to axillary dissection, despite the false negative rates. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), traditionally used for locally advanced breast cancer, plays an important role in the treatment of early stage breast cancer, making downstaging possible in axillary lymph node and breast cancer, thus minimizing the impact of surgery and reducing morbidity, as well as enabling patients with residual disease to be selected for adjuvant treatment. In this respect, the role of SLNB has proved controversial, particularly in view of the lack of data from randomized clinical trials on this subject. Currently, the de-escalation of axillary surgery after NACT is mainly based on retrospectives studies and false negative rates. This paper reviews current evidence on the management of axillary surgery following NACT under different circumstances, with suggested recommendations in each scenario: clinically negative nodes at diagnosis and SLNB after NACT, clinically positive nodes at diagnosis and SLNB after NACT, positive SLNB following NACT and finally the possibility of omitting axillary surgery in good responders.

Progress in Local Treatment of Breast Cancer: A Narrative Review.

The present paper reports on the local treatment of breast cancer from a historical perspective. A search for articles written in English was made in the Medline and EMBASE databases, and 40 papers were selected. Over the past 10 years, various randomized, controlled clinical trials on the local treatment of breast cancer indicated that patients with the same molecular subtype may receive different individualized surgical treatments aimed at optimizing systemic adjuvant therapy. With a view to retaining the gains made in disease-free and overall survival, surgical techniques have advanced from radical surgery to conservative mastectomies, thus reducing sequelae, while adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies have contributed toward controlling the disease, both distant metastases and local recurrence. Current studies evaluate whether future breast cancer therapy may even succeed in eliminating surgery to the breast and axilla altogether.

Este artigo discute o tratamento local do câncer de mama a partir de uma perspectiva histórica. Uma busca de artigos publicados em inglês foi realizada nas bases de dados Medline e EMBASE, sendo selecionados 40 artigos. Nos últimos 10 anos, vários ensaios clínicos controlados e randomizados sobre o tratamento local do câncer de mama indicaram que pacientes com o mesmo subtipo molecular podem receber diferentes tratamentos cirúrgicos individualizados com o objetivo de otimizar a terapia adjuvante sistêmica. Pretendendo reter os ganhos obtidos na sobrevida livre de doença e na sobrevida global, as técnicas cirúrgicas avançaram progressivamente da cirurgia radical para mastectomias conservadoras, reduzindo sequelas, enquanto as terapias adjuvantes e neoadjuvantes contribuíram para o controle da doença, tanto em relação às metástases distantes quanto à recorrência local. Estudos atuais avaliam se a terapia futura contra o câncer de mama poderá até mesmo eliminar a cirurgia da mama e da axila por completo.

Bilateral giant juvenile fibroadenomas of the breasts-a rare indication for bilateral skin reducing mastectomy.

Fibroadenoma is the most common benign tumor of the breast but giant juvenile fibroadenoma represent only 0.5% of all fibroadenomas and when bilateral are much more rare. We describe the case of a 25 years old girl that presented with bilateral giant juvenile fibroadenomas and was treated by bilateral skin reducing mastectomy using the inferior dermal flap, implant, and free nipple graft.

Progress in local treatment of breast cancer: A narrative review / Evolução do tratamento local do câncer de mama: Revisão narrativa

Abstract The present paper reports on the local treatment of breast cancer from a historical perspective. A search for articles written in English was made in the Medline and EMBASE databases, and 40 papers were selected. Over the past 10 years, various randomized, controlled clinical trials on the local treatment of breast cancer indicated that patients with the samemolecular subtypemay receive different individualized surgical treatments aimed atoptimizing systemic adjuvant therapy. With a view to retaining the gainsmade in diseasefree and overall survival, surgical techniques have advanced from radical surgery to conservative mastectomies, thus reducing sequelae, while adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies have contributed toward controlling the disease, both distant metastases and local recurrence. Current studies evaluate whether future breast cancer therapy may even succeed in eliminating surgery to the breast and axilla altogether.

Resumo Este artigo discute o tratamento local do câncer de mama a partir de uma perspectiva histórica. Uma busca de artigos publicados em inglês foi realizada nas bases de dados Medline e EMBASE, sendo selecionados 40 artigos. Nos últimos 10 anos, vários ensaios clínicos controlados e randomizados sobre o tratamento local do câncer de mama indicaram que pacientes com o mesmo subtipo molecular podem receber diferentes tratamentos cirúrgicos individualizados como objetivo de otimizar a terapia adjuvante sistêmica. Pretendendo reter os ganhos obtidos na sobrevida livre de doença e na sobrevida global, as técnicas cirúrgicas avançaram progressivamente da cirurgia radical para mastectomias conservadoras, reduzindo sequelas, enquanto as terapias adjuvantes e neoadjuvantes contribuíram para o controle da doença, tanto em relação às metástases distantes quanto à recorrência local. Estudos atuais avaliam se a terapia futura contra o câncer de mama poderá até mesmo eliminar a cirurgia da mama e da axila por completo.

AESTHETIC OUTCOME AND ONCOLOGICAL SAFETY OF NIPPLE-SPARING MASTECTOMY / Resultado estético e segurança oncológica da mastectomia poupadora do mamilo

Background: Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) has been performed for breast cancer treatment and for women at high risk. NSM provides better aesthetic outcomes; however, its oncological safety is still controversial. Objective: To evaluate the surgical complications, oncological safety and aesthetic satisfaction of breast cancer patients undergoing NSM with immediate breast reconstruction operated by the same medical team in a Breast Cancer Center in Brazil. Method: From 2004 to 2011, an aesthetic satisfaction questionnaire was administered to women undergoing NSM followed by immediate breast reconstruction 30 or 60 days after surgery. Aesthetic satisfaction, complication rates and oncological safety were analyzed. Results: Thirty-six breast cancer patients who underwent NSMs followed by immediate reconstruction answered the questionnaire. Most of them considered their results good (51%) or great (43%) and all patients will recommend NSM as a therapeutic treatment for other women with breast cancer. Only one patient presented infection and loss of the mammary implant, and recurrence rates were satisfactory (5.5%). Conclusion: Our findings showed low complication rate, oncological safety and good aesthetic outcome related to NSM with immediate reconstruction in patients from a Breast Cancer Center in Brazil. Despite the limitations of our study, we support the use of NSM with immediate reconstruction for a better aesthetic outcome with oncological safety.

Introdução: A Mastectomia Poupadora do Mamilo (MPM)tem sido realizada em tratamentos de câncer de mama e em mulheres em situação de risco. A cirurgia traz melhores resultados estéticos; todavia, a sua segurança oncológica ainda é controversa. Objetivo: Avaliar as complicações cirúrgicas, a segurança oncológica e a satisfação estética de pacientes com câncer de mama submetendose à MPM com reconstrução imediata da mama operadas pela mesma equipe médica em um centro de câncer de mama no Brasil. Método: De 2004 a 2011, um questionário de satisfação estética foi administrado a mulheres submetidas à MPM seguida de reconstrução imediata de mama 30 ou 60 dias após a cirurgia. Foram analisadas a satisfação estética, as taxas de complicações e a segurança oncológica. Resultados: Trinta e seis pacientes com câncer que se submeteram a MPMs seguidas de reconstrução imediata responderam ao questionário. A sua maioria considerou os resultados bons (51%) ou ótimos (43%) e todos os pacientes a recomendarão como tratamento terapêutico a outras mulheres com câncer de mama. Apenas uma paciente apresentou infecção e perda do implante mamário, e as taxas de recorrência foram satisfatórias (5,5%). Conclusão: Nossas descobertas mostraram baixa taxa de complicação, segurança oncológica e bom resultado estético relacionado à MPM com reconstrução imediata em pacientes de um centro de câncer de mama no Brasil. Apesar das limitações do nosso estudo, nós apoiamos o uso da MPM com reconstrução imediata para um melhor resultado estético com segurança oncológica.

Aplicações práticas da ressonância magnética nas patologias mamárias / Practical applications of magnetic resonance in breast pathologies

As patologias da mama podem apresentar resultados falso-negativos ou inconclusivos nos exames convencionais , fato que pode influenciar no prognóstico das pacientes. Neste contexto emerge um novo método para avaliar as mamas, a ressonância magnética. O objetivo deste artigo de revisão é abordar os principais usos da ressonância magnética mamária.

The breast pathologies may show false negative or inconclusive conventional examinations, which may influence the prognosis of patients. In this context emerges a new method to evaluate the breast, magnetic resonance. The aim of this review article is to address the main uses of the breast magnetic resonance.

Mastite granulomatosa lobular idiopática: relato de caso / Idiopatic lobular granulomatous mastitis: case report

Introdução: A mastite granulomatosa lobular idiopática (MGLI) é uma doença inflamatória crônica rara, benigna e autolimitada, cuja etiologia é desconhecida. A incidência permanece incerta, geralmente acomete mulheres em idade fértil com história recente de gestação e aleitamento. Relato de caso: Paciente com 37 anos, feminina, branca. Referia nodularidade em mama direita associada à dor há três meses. Fez uso de antibiótico por trinta dias sem melhora do quadro. Negava febre ou trauma local, não estava amamentando. Ao exame, palpava-se área endurecida, irregular, com, aproximadamente, 11,Ox12,O cm em quadrante superior interno. À ultrassonografia (US) mamária havia diversas coleções em quadrante superior interno e periareolar. Realizada drenagem de coleções em mama direita, bem como biópsia de parênquima mamário. O anatomopatológico foi compatível com MGLI com formação de abscesso. Conclusão: A MGLI é uma condição inflamatória que pode mimetizar neoplasia e abscesso mamários. Os achados do exame físico e radiológicos são inespecíficos. A histopatologia confirma o diagnóstico na presença de granuloma não caseoso em unidades lobulares. Em virtude da tendência à recorrência e à resolução lenta, seguimento prolongado é indispensável.

Introduction: The idiopathic lobular granulomatous mastitis (ILGM) is a rare chronic inflammatory disease, benign and self-limited, whose etiology is unknown. The incicknce remains uncertain, usually affects women of childbearing age with a recent history of pregnancy and lactation. Case report: A 37-year-old, white woman reported nodularity in the right breast associated with pain ftr three months. She used antibiotic ftr thirty days without improvement. Fever or local trauma was not nursing. On examination, there was hardened and irregular area with approximately 11.Oxl2. 0 em in the upper inner quadrant. At ultrasound (US), breast had several collections in the upper inner quadrant and periareolar. The lesion was biopsied and drained. The pathology was compatible with ILGM with abscess. Conclusion: ILGM is an inflammatory condition that can mimic cancer and breast abscess. The findings of physical examination and radiological findings are nonspecific. Histopathology confirms the diagnosis in the presence of noncaseating granuloma in lobular units. Given the tendency to recurrence and slow recovery, extenckd ftllow-up is essential.

Retalho do músculo oblíquo externo para reconstrução de extenso defeito da parede torácica após ressecção de carcinoma de mama recidivado / External oblique muscle flap for reconstruction of large chest wall defect after resection of recurrent breast cancer

A reconstrução de extensos defeitos da parede torácica secundárias à ressecção de tumores avançados é desafiadora ao cirurgião plástico. Relatamos o caso de uma paciente com recidiva locorregional de carcinoma ductal de mama, que resultou em grande perda de substância da parede torácica anterior após sua ressecão. O defeito foi reconstruído com retalho miocutâneo do músculo oblíquo externo (MOE). O retalho miocutâneo do MOE possui diversas vantagens sobre os demais retalhos possíveis para a reconstrução de extensos defeitos da parede torácica, como um menor tempo cirúrgico e uma menor morbidade (AU)

The reconstruction of large defects of the chest wall secondary to resection of advanced tumors is challenging to the plastic surgeon. Here we report the case of a patient with locoregional recurrence of breast ductal carcinoma, which resulted in great loss of substance of the anterior chest wall after its resection. The defect was reconstructed with myocutaneous flap of the external oblique muscle (EOM). The myocutaneous flap of EOM has several advantages over other possible flaps for the reconstruction of extensive defects of the chest wall, such as reduced surgical time and lower morbidity (AU)

Fertilidade e sintomas de climatério em pacientes jovens com câncer de mama / Fertility and climateric symptoms in young patients with breast cancer

Objetivos: avaliar e discutir aspectos de fertilidade, gestação e sintomas climatéricos no seguimento de pacientes com menos de 36 anos de idade com neoplasia mamária. Métodos: foi realizado um estudo transversal no Centro de Mama do Hospital São Lucas da PUCRS entre 1996 e 2006, incluindo pacientes com câncer de mama que apresentavam idade inferior a 36 anos no momento do diagnóstico. Os dados pesquisados foram características demográficas, tratamento, ciclos menstruais, desejo de gestar, gestação e sintomas climatéricos. Resultados: entre 577 pacientes com câncer de mama, 34 apresentavam idade inferior a 36 anos no momento do diagnóstico. Todas receberam tratamento cirúrgico e os casos de neoplasia invasora receberam quimioterapia. Em um tempo médio de seguimento de três anos e 10 meses houve quatro mortes. Realizaram-se entrevistas com 30 pacientes, cuja idade média foi de 32 anos. Após o tratamento, 18 pacientes voltaram a apresentar ciclos menstruais regulares. Houve uma gestação a termo e seis mulheres ainda desejavam ter filhos. Permaneceram em amenorréia 12 pacientes e todas estas referiram pelo menos um sintoma climatérico. Sete pacientes apresentavam sintomas depressivos. Conclusões: O desejo de gestar após o câncer de mama esteve presente em um número considerável demulheres. Os sintomas climatéricos acompanharam essas jovens pacientes após o tratamento da neoplasia. Portanto, elaborar um plano de preservação de fertilidade e manejar os sintomas climatéricos após o tratamento da neoplasia mamária em mulheres jovens deve fazer parte de um atendimento integral.

Aims: To evaluate and to discuss fertility, pregnancy and climacteric symptoms in the follow-up of patients less than 36 years-old with breast cancer. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at Centro de Mama from Hospital São Lucas da PUCRS between 1996 and 2006, including patients with breast cancer who were less than 36 years of age by the time of diagnosis.The variables studied were demographic characteristics, treatment, menstrual cycles, desire to pregnancy, pregnancyand symptoms. Results: Among 577 patients with breast cancer, 34 were less than 36 years-old by the time of the diagnosis. All patients underwent surgical treatment, and cases of invasivecancer were treated with chemotherapy. During a mean follow-up of three years and 10 months, four patients died.Thirty patients (mean age of 32 years) were interviewed. After treatment, 18 patients continued to have regularmenstrual cycles. One full-term pregnancy occurred, and six women still wanted to have children. Twelve patientsremained in amenorrhea. In this group, all patients referred at least one climacteric symptom. Conclusions: The desire for pregnancy after breastcancer is present in a considerable number of women. The climacteric symptoms accompany these young patients after treatment of cancer. Therefore, developing a planfor preservation of fertility and manage the climacteric symptoms after treatment of breast cancer in young women must be part of a full attendance.

Regularidade do ciclo menstrual pós-menarca / Regularity of the post-menarche menstrual cycle

Foram analisadas 144 escolares entre dez e 14 anos de idade, em relaçao à regularidade do ciclo menstrual pós-menarca. O ciclo foi estudado em relaçao à idade das meninas e ao tempo decorrido da menarca. O ciclo menstrual tornou-se regular (em torno de 80 por cento) no período entre seis meses e um ano após a menarca.

Câncer de mama em mulheres jovens / Breast neoplasms in young women

Os autores fazem uma revisão bibliográfica sobre o câncer de mama em mulheres com menos de 35 anos de idade, considerada uma doença de manifestação precoce nesta faixa etária. Abordaremos o diagnóstico, as opções terapêuticas e as implicações da doença na vida destas pacientes

Eliot (terapia intraoperatória com elétrons): uma inovação no tratamento conservador do câncer de mama / Eliot (intraoperative therapy with electrons): an innovation in the conservative treatment of the breast neoplasms

Os autores fazem uma breve revisão sobre câncer de mama; introduzem e descrevem uma nova técnica de radioterapia intra-operatória que substitui o curso da radioterapia atualmente utilizada após cirurgia conservadora da mama