Lack of Prognostic Value of Pretreatment Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Early Breast Cancer.

Background: Breast cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease with large differences in the risk of recurrence. An elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is correlated with a poor prognosis in a variety of tumors, and although it is still controversial in breast cancer, there are multiple studies, including meta-analysis, suggesting this. The purpose of this study was to analyze the prognostic value of preoperative NLR in an Argentine population of patients with nonmetastatic breast cancer, not exposed to neoadjuvant treatment. Methods: Retrospective multicenter cohort study that includes patients over 18 years of age from three centers in the city and province of Buenos Aires who have had surgery for early breast cancer between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2014. Based on the previous literature, a cutoff value of 2.0 was defined. Results: A total of 791 patients were eligible for the analysis. Median age was 55 years (IQR 45-65). Median NLR was 1.92 (IQR 1.50-2.56). The distribution of groups according to the 8th edition of the AJCC was 54.1% for stage I, 35.6% stage II, and 10.4% stage III. Among the different tumor phenotypes, 79.0% were HR+/HER2-, 11.4% were HR+ or-/HER2+, and 9.2% were HR-/HER2-. With a median follow-up of 5.3 years, 112 patients (14.2%) had disease recurrence. Stage III patients had a higher NLR than stage I and stage II patients (p = 0.002). The rest of the clinical and pathological characteristics did not show differences in the groups according to NLR. There were no differences in relapse-free survival according to the NLR (p = 0.37), and it did not change after adjusting for other prognostic variables. Conclusion: We consider it is important to determine the efficacy of prognostic markers that are easily accessible and of simple, systematic application. However, NLR does not appear to be an independent prognostic factor for recurrence in our population. In this sense, we consider it is important to publish negative results in order to avoid publication bias.

Practice-Changing Use of the 21-Gene Test for the Management of Patients With Early-Stage Breast Cancer in Latin America.

PURPOSE: We present a physician survey of the impact of 21-gene Breast Recurrence Score test results on treatment decisions in clinical practice in Latin America. METHODS: This prospective survey enrolled consecutive patients at 14 sites in Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru who had routine 21-gene testing. Physician surveys captured patient and tumor characteristics and treatment decisions before and after 21-gene test results. The survey spanned the period before and after Trial Assigning Individualized Options for Treatment (TAILORx) results reported (June 2018). Overall net percent change in adjuvant chemotherapy recommendations was estimated, and asymptotic 95% CIs with continuity correction were calculated. The proportion with a change between pretest treatment recommendation and actual treatment received was calculated overall and by Recurrence Score groups per TAILORx. RESULTS: Between March 2015 and December 2019, the survey was completed for 647 patients; 20% were node-positive. The mean patient age was 54 years (24-85 years); 55% were postmenopausal; 17%, 63%, and 20% had grade 1, 2, and 3 tumors, respectively; and 30% had tumors > 2 cm. Recurrence Score (RS) results were as follows: 20% RS 0-10, 56% RS 11-25, and 24% RS 26-100. Overall, chemotherapy recommendations fell by a relative proportion of 39% (95% CI, 33.4 to 44.3) after 21-gene testing (33% decrease in node-negative and 55% decrease in node-positive). Among node-negative patients, the relative decrease in chemotherapy recommendations was 28% (95% CI, 18.9 to 39.5) before TAILORx and 36% (95% CI, 28.4 to 43.7) after. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this large survey of 21-gene test practice patterns was the first conducted in Latin America and showed the relevance of 21-gene testing in low- and medium-resource countries to minimize chemotherapy overuse and underuse in breast cancer. The results showed substantial reductions in chemotherapy use overall-especially after TAILORx reported-indicating the practice-changing potential of that study.

Positive margins following breast cancer tumorectomy. Can we predict the occurrence of residual disease?

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: In conservative early stage breast cancer surgery, the sample's margins are directly related to relapse, and positive or close margins indicate the need for additional surgery. Since the range of residual disease in secondary surgeries and the related pathological factors are highly variable, we intended to evaluate the number of additional surgeries due to compromised margins and identify the percentage of residual disease and factors related to it. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of 659 tumorectomy or needle localization surgery patients with breast carcinoma at the Hospital Universitario Austral in Buenos Aires, Argentina, between December 2000 and December 2012. The variables considered were age, type of surgery, type of margin, tumor size, histological grade, extensive intraductal component and immunohistochemical profile. We investigated how they related to the presence of residual disease. RESULTS: We identified 68 patients (10%) who were reoperated because of positive (75%) or close (25%) margins. Residual disease was identified in 68% of them; the positive (66%) and close (70%) margin ratio was similar. The individual analysis of variables was statistically significant only for tumors larger than 3 cm (Pearson's chi square [1] = 6.7194; P = 0.0095; relative risk = 1.56 [95% CI 1.09-2.21]) with an association between age and tumor size: Pearson's chi square (1) = 3.8984; P = 0.0483; relative risk = 1.56 (95% CI 1.09-2.21). CONCLUSIONS: The need for second surgery due to compromised margins is not common, with variable residual tumor identifying ranges. Some pathological factors can predict the persistence of residual disease. In our series, tumor size >3 cm was the variable identified as an independent predictor.

Asesoramiento genético y estrategias de reducción de riesgo: experiencia de la Clínica de Alto Riesgo de Cáncer de Mama y Ovario del Centro Mamario del Hospital Universitario Austral / Genetic Counseling process and Risk Reduction Strategies: experience at "Clínica de Alto Riesgo de Cáncer de Mama y Ovario", Breast Center of Austral Universitary Hospital

Introducción El cáncer de mama hereditario es el 10% de los cánceres mamarios a expensas principalmente de los genes brca 1 y 2. La identificación de pacientes de Alto Riesgo inicia el proceso de Asesoramiento Genético en Oncología (ago). Objetivo Presentar nuestra experiencia inicial de Asesoramiento Genético, evaluando las Estrategias de Reducción de Riesgo y las variables que influyeron en la toma de decisiones. Material y método Se analizaron en forma retrospectiva los registros clínicos de las pacientes consideradas de Alto Riesgo Heredo Familiar (arhf) que concurrieron a la consulta desde junio del año 2000 a enero de 2019. Las variables analizadas fueron: edad, antecedente personal de cáncer de mama, antecedentes familiares de cáncer de mama y ovario, derivación a ago, concurrencia a la consulta, solicitud de test genético, realización del mismo y Estrategia de Reducción de Riesgo adoptada. Resultados Analizamos 420 pacientes, 228 (54%) con cáncer de mama y 192 (46%) sanas. Fueron derivadas a ago 335 (80%) de las cuales concurrieron 224 (67%). Se les solicitó estudio genético a 195 (87%); de ellas 164 (84%) pudieron realizarlo, con el siguiente resultado: 46 fueron brca positivas, 90 negativas y 22 con Variantes de Significado Incierto. Se realizaron 68 (16%) Mastectomías de Reducción de Riesgo, 293 pacientes (70%) ingresaron en Vigilancia, 1 paciente en Quimioprevención y 58 pacientes (14%) quedaron pendientes. El 67% de las pacientes brca positivas eligieron cirugía. El estado brca positivo y la edad menor de 50 años fueron variables independientes significativas para la conducta quirúrgica. Conclusiones Las pacientes de Alto Riesgo deben ser tratadas en equipos multidisciplinarios a fin de optimizar el proceso de Asesoramiento Genético. La decisión de la Estrategia de Reducción de Riesgo puede estar influenciada por la edad, el antecedente personal de cáncer y un resultado brca mutado

Introduction Hereditary breast cancer is 10% of breast cancers at the expense mainly of the brca 1 and 2 genes. The identification of High Risk patients begins the process of Genetic Counseling in Oncology Objective We present our initial experience in the Genetic Counseling process, evaluating the Risk Reduction Strategies and the variables that influenced decision making. Materials and method We retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of patients considered to be High Risk Family Inheritance (arhf) who attended the consultation from June 2000 to January 2019. The variables analyzed were: age, personal history of breast cancer, family history of breast and ovarian cancer, referral to ago, attendance at the consultation, request for genetic testing, performance of the same and Risk Reduction Strategy adopted. Results We analyzed 420 patients, 228 (54%) with breast cancer and 192 (46%) healthy. 335 (80%) were referred to ago, 224 (67%) attended. 195 (87%) were asked for a genetic study and 164 (84%) were able to do it. Of these, 46 were brca Positive, 90 Negative and 22 with Variants of Uncertain Meaning. 68 (16%) Risk Reduction Mastectomies were performed, 293 (70%) chose Surveillance, 1 patient in Chemoprevention and 58 patients (14%) pending. 67% of brca + patients chose surgery. Positive brca status and age under 50 years were significant independent variables for surgical behavior. Conclusions High-risk patients should be treated in multidisciplinary teams in order to optimize the genetic counseling process. The decision of the Risk Reduction Strategy may be influenced by age, personal history of cancer and a mutated brca result

Impacto del diagnóstico y tratamiento del cáncer de mama en la calidad de vida de las pacientes / Impact of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment on patients' quality of life

Introducción El cáncer de mama (cm) es la principal causa de muerte por enfermedad oncológica en mujeres. Con el aumento de su incidencia y de las tasas de sobrevida, resulta importante evaluar los efectos de la enfermedad en la calidad de vida (cv) de las pacientes. Objetivos Medir el impacto del diagnóstico y tratamientos del cm en la cv de las pacientes e identificar factores de riesgo (fr) para la afectación de las distintas dimensiones de la cv, a fin de brindar mejor contención e implementar medidas específicas. Material y método Es un estudio observacional, analítico, transversal. Se incluyeron pacientes con diagnóstico y tratamientos por cm en tiempos y lugares variables, tratadas actualmente en el Centro Mamario del Hospital Universitario Austral. La información se obtuvo a través de encuestas anónimas, que incluían dos cuestionarios que evaluaban cv en cáncer (eortc qlq-c30) y en cm específicamente (eortc qlq-br23) y un cuestionario propio. Resultados Se obtuvieron 171 encuestas. El promedio de cv fue bueno en todos los grupos. La escala de funcionamiento emocional fue la más afectada. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron: fatiga e insomnio. El funcionamiento sexual y la preocupación por el futuro fueron las áreas de mayor afectación en el cuestionario específico de cm. Los síntomas específicos más reportados fueron las molestias por la pérdida del cabello. Logramos identificar al menos 10 fr con diferencias estadísticamente significativas. Conclusiones Resulta fundamental el conocimiento de la población tratada para medir el impacto de la enfermedad y de sus tratamientos y para reconocer los grupos más vulnerables. Esto permite no solo implementar medidas para mejorar la cv de las pacientes sino también mejorar la relación médicopaciente

Introduction Breast cancer (bc) is the main cause of death due to malignancy in women. With its rising incidence and prolonged survival rates, it is important to assess its effect on quality of life (qol) on women. Objectives To measure the impact of bc diagnosis and treatments on patients' qol and to identify wich risk factors (rf) play a role on qol, in orther to better understand, improve and develop patient centered care strategies. Materials and method This is a cross-sectional observational study of women with a diagnosis of bc who received treatment at different institutions, with different followup times, that are currently treated at the Breast Center of the Hospital Universitario Austral. Patients were evaluated via anonymous surveys, which included two questionnaires that evaluated qol in cancer (eortc qlq-c30) and in bc specifically (eortc qlq-br23), and a personalized questionnaire of our own. Results 171 surveys were obtained. The average qol was scored good among all groups. The emotional functioning scale was the most affected. The most frequent symptoms experienced were fatigue and insomnia. Sexual functioning and future perspectives were the most affected areas in the specific bc questionnaire. The specific symptom most commonly reported was upset by hair loss. At least 10 rf with statistically significant differences were identified. Conclusions Knowledge of the treated population is essential to assess the impact of the disease and its treatments, and to know the most vulnerable groups. This allows, not only the implementation of actions to improve patients' qol, but also to improve the doctor-patient relationship

Hernias paraesofágicas / Paraesophageal hiatal hernia

La hernia hiatial paraesofágica (PE) es una patología que puede tener consecuencias graves y hasta letales. Entre enero de 1979 y diciembre de 1995, se operaron 48 pacientes con diagnóstico de hernia PE, que representa el 21 por ciento de las hernias hiatales operadas. El promedio de edad fue 68,5 años (rango entre 38 y 91). 30 pacientes eran de sexo femenino. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron epigastralgia (43 por ciento), dolor torácico (33 por ciento), vómitos (33 por ciento), pirosis (33 por ciento), disnea (29 por ciento), HDA (23 por ciento) y anemia crónica (23 por ciento). Un paciente tenía necrosis gástrica gástrica. Se operaron electivamente el 71 por ciento, otro 21 por ciento que ingresó de urgencia, pudo ser llevado a condiciones electivas. El 8 por ciento restante se operó de urgencia. Todos los pacientes se operaron por abdomen, y en un caso de abordaje fue trans-laparoscópico. Se efectuó un procedimiento antirreflujo en el 90 por ciento de los casos (Nissen). La mortalidad ocurrió en 2 pacientes (4 por ciento). Se mantuvo en seguimiento a 36 pacientes (78 por ciento). El resultado se consideró excelente en 22 (61 por ciento), bueno en 7 (19,5 por ciento), regular en 5 (14 por ciento) y malo en 2 (5,5 por ciento). 3 pacientes presentaron recidiva, en 2 casos anatómica y funcional y sólo anatómica en el 3º. Otros 2 pacientes que ingresaron por hernia PE complicada fallecieron antes de ser operados (uno por necrosis gástrica y el otro por broncoaspiración). Los pacientes con hernia PE deben ser operados en forma electiva, de esta forma se evitará la alta morbimortalidad de sus complicaciones