Breast cancer after thoracic radiotherapy in young patients: what does the radiologist need to know? / Câncer de mama após radioterapia torácica em pacientes jovens: o que o radiologista precisa saber?

Abstract Radiation-induced secondary tumors constitute a rare complication of radiation therapy and typically occur in or near the irradiated area. Women who undergo thoracic radiotherapy before 30 years of age have a significantly greater lifetime risk of developing breast cancer than do those in the general population. It is recommended that a patient who has previously received thoracic radiotherapy with a radiation dose ≥ 10 Gy subsequently undergo annual screening with mammography and magnetic resonance imaging, beginning eight years after the initial treatment or when the patient has reached 25 years of age (whichever comes later). The treatment of secondary breast cancer in this population should be individualized and should be discussed with a multidisciplinary team to avoid toxicity related to the treatment of the primary cancer.

Resumo Os cânceres secundários induzidos por radiação são complicações raras da radioterapia e geralmente ocorrem na área tratada ou próximo a ela. Mulheres com menos de 30 anos de idade tratadas com radioterapia torácica têm risco significativamente aumentado de desenvolver câncer de mama ao longo da vida, em comparação com a população em geral. Para as pacientes tratadas com irradiação torácica com dose igual ou superior a 10 Gy é recomendado rastreamento anual com mamografia e ressonância magnética iniciando oito anos após o tratamento, desde que este início seja após 25 anos de idade. O tratamento do câncer de mama secundário nessa população deve ser individualizado e discutido com equipe multidisciplinar, para evitar toxicidade relacionada ao tratamento do câncer primário.

An introduction to male breast cancer for urologists: epidemiology, diagnosis, principles of treatment, and special situations

ABSTRACT Breast cancer (BC) is mainly considered a disease in women, but male BC (MaBC) accounts for approximately 1.0% of BC diagnoses and 0.5% of malignant neoplasms in the western population. The stigmatization of MaBC, the fact that men are less likely to undergo regular health screenings, and the limited knowledge of health professionals about MaBC contribute to men being diagnosed at more advanced stages. The aim of this article is to increase the visibility of MaBC among urologists, who have more contact with male patients. This review highlights key points about the disease, the risk factors associated with MaBC, and the options for treatment. Obesity and increased population longevity are among the important risk factors for MaBC, but published studies have identified family history as extremely relevant in these patients and associated with a high penetrance at any age. There is currently no screening for MaBC in the general population, but the possibility of screening in men at high risk for developing BC can be considered. The treatment of MaBC is multidisciplinary, and, because of its rarity, there are no robust clinical studies evaluating the role of systemic therapies in the management of both localized and metastatic disease. Therefore, in current clinical practice, treatment strategies for men with breast cancer are extrapolated from information arising from studies in female patients.

Benefits of a standardized protocol for axillary management after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in a single center

Introduction: The axillary lymph node status is one of the most important prognostic factors in breast cancer. For locally advanced tumors, neoadjuvant chemotherapy favors higher rates of breast lumpectomy and downstaging tumor burden of axilla. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a standardized image-guided protocol after neoadjuvant chemotherapy to enable sentinel node dissection in patients with axillary downstaging, avoiding axillary dissection. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of data collected from medical records of patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy in a single center, from January 2014 to December 2018. The protocol comprises the placement of a metal clip in positive axillary lymph node, in patients with up to two clinically abnormal lymph nodes presented on imaging. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and once a radiologic complete response was achieved, sentinel node dissection was performed using blue dye and radiotracer. Axillary dissection were avoided in patients whose clipped sentinel node were negative for metastasis and in patients with three identified and negative sentinel node dissection. Results: A total of 471 patients were analyzed for this study: 303 before and 165 after the implementation of the protocol; 3 cases were excluded. The rate of sentinel node dissection in clinical nodes positive patients was statistically higher in this group when compared to patients treated before the protocol implementation (22.8% vs. 40.8%; p=0.001). Patients with triple negative and HER2-positive tumors underwent sentinel node dissection more frequently when compared to luminal tumors (p=0.03). After multivariate analysis, the variables that were associated with a greater chance of performing sentinel node dissection were clinical staging, type of surgery performed and implementation of the axillary assessment protocol. Conclusions: The results showed that the use of an easily and accessible image-guided protocol can improve sentinel node dissection in selected patients, even if the lymph node was positive previously to neoadjuvant treatment.

Pleomorphic adenoma of the breast

Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is a common tumor of the salivary gland, but rarely occurs in the breast. PA of the breast is a benign tumor that usually presents as a periareolar nodule. Core-needle biopsies may yield misdiagnosis with complex fibroadenoma, phyllodes tumor and metaplastic breast cancer due to the mixture of stromal and epithelial elements. We present a case of PA of the breast suspected after core-needle biopsy, but confirmed after surgical excision. The importance to make a correct diagnosis consists in avoid extensive unnecessary surgery, such as mastectomy, since PA can be treated with local surgical resection.

Postoperative complications following simultaneous therapeutic and contralateral prophylactic nipple-sparing mastectomy: a retrospective study

Introduction: Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy (NSM) is increasingly indicated for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes due to better cosmetic results with nipple maintenance. Postoperative complications have not been compared among patients who have undergone simultaneous therapeutic and contralateral prophylactic NSM. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors for postoperative complications in bilateral/unilateral NSMs, and therapeutic and/or prophylactic NSMs. Methods: Retrospective study of patients who underwent NSM between 2007 and 2017 at A.C. Camargo Cancer Center. Results: Among 290 patients, 367 NSMs were performed, 64 simultaneous therapeutic and contralateral prophylactic NSM. The latter were associated with more postoperative complications (OR=3.42; p=0.002), mainly skin flap necrosis (OR=3.79; p=0.004), hematoma (OR=7.1; p=0.002), wound infection (OR=3.45; p=0.012), and nipple-areola complex (NAC) loss (OR=9.63; p=0.003). Of the 367 NSMs, 213 were unilateral NSMs, which were associated with lower rates of postoperative complications (OR=0.44; p=0.003), especially skin flap necrosis (OR=0.32; p=0.001), hematoma (OR=0.29; p=0.008), wound infection (OR=0.22; p=0.0001), and reoperation (OR=0.38; p=0.008). Obesity was related to more postoperative complications (OR=2.55; p=0.01), mainly hematoma (OR=3.54; p=0.016), reoperation (OR=2.68; p=0.023), and NAC loss (OR=3.54; p=0.016). Patients' age (p=0.169), their smoking status (p=0.138), breast ptosis (0.189), previous chest radiotherapy (p 1), or previous breast surgery (p=0.338) were not related to higher chances of postoperative complications. Conclusions: Results suggest that performing therapeutic and contralateral prophylactic NSM as separated procedures may represent a good strategy for minimizing postoperative complications.

Accuracy of ultrasound-guided core-needle biopsy confronted with pathological findings and comparison of its costs with vacuum-assisted biopsy's costs

Introduction: Breast cancer screening has enhanced early­stage diagnosis by detection of impalpable tumors which require histopathological evaluation. Main percutaneous biopsy types are core-needle biopsy (CNB) and vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB). CNB is less invasive and related to less bleeding and pain. VAB allows larger tissue samples and permits metal clip placement in biopsy bed for posterior localization in case of surgery. Access to VAB is restricted in Brazil due to its high costs. Objectives: To evaluate the agreement between pathological results of ultrasound (US) guided CNB with metal clip placement and surgery and settle false negative rates (FNR), sensibility, specificity, and accuracy of this method, for breast lesions < 20 mm. Methods: 388 US-guided CNB were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Surgical excision was performed in 317 patients. Overall FNR was 9.8%, (5.2% for lesions 10­20 mm), sensibility 90.2% (94.8% for lesions 10­20 mm), specificity 94.9% (94.1% for lesions 10­20 mm), and accuracy 91.1% (94.7% for lesions 10­20 mm). Cost of VAB varies from 2.2 to 12.5 times US-guided CNB. With metal clip placement, VAB costs 1.95 to 5.2 times US-guided CNB. Conclusions: For lesions that can be identified in US, CNB with metal clip placement has high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy, as well as low FNR.

Accuracy of ultrasound-guided core-needle biopsy confronted with pathological findings and comparison of its costs with vacuum-assisted biopsy's costs

Introduction: Breast cancer screening has enhanced early­stage diagnosis by detection of impalpable tumors which require histopathological evaluation. Main percutaneous biopsy types are core-needle biopsy (CNB) and vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB). CNB is less invasive and related to less bleeding and pain. VAB allows larger tissue samples and permits metal clip placement in biopsy bed for posterior localization in case of surgery. Access to VAB is restricted in Brazil due to its high costs. Objectives: To evaluate the agreement between pathological results of ultrasound (US) guided CNB with metal clip placement and surgery and settle false negative rates (FNR), sensibility, specificity, and accuracy of this method, for breast lesions < 20 mm. Methods: 388 US-guided CNB were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Surgical excision was performed in 317 patients. Overall FNR was 9.8%, (5.2% for lesions 10­20 mm), sensibility 90.2% (94.8% for lesions 10­20 mm), specificity 94.9% (94.1% for lesions 10­20 mm), and accuracy 91.1% (94.7% for lesions 10­20 mm). Cost of VAB varies from 2.2 to 12.5 times US-guided CNB. With metal clip placement, VAB costs 1.95 to 5.2 times US-guided CNB. Conclusions: For lesions that can be identified in US, CNB with metal clip placement has high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy, as well as low FNR.

Impact of breast magnetic resonance imaging on the locoregional staging and management of breast cancer / Impacto da ressonância magnética das mamas no estadiamento locorregional e manejo do câncer de mama

Abstract Objective: To assess the impact of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on the locoregional staging of breast cancer. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 61 patients with breast cancer who underwent pre-treatment breast MRI, between August 2015 and April 2016. An experienced breast surgeon determined the surgical treatment, on the basis of the findings of conventional imaging examinations, and made a subsequent treatment recommendation based on the MRI findings, then determining whether the MRI changed the approach, as well as whether it had a positive or negative impact on the treatment. Results: The mean age was 50.8 years (standard deviation, 12.0 years). The most common histological type was invasive breast carcinoma of no special type (in 68.9%), and the most common molecular subtype was luminal B (in 45.9%). Breast MRI modified the therapeutic management in 23.0% of the cases evaluated, having a positive impact in 82.7%. Conclusion: Breast MRI is an useful tool for the locoregional staging of breast cancer, because it provides useful information that can have a positive impact on patient treatment.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto do uso da ressonância magnética (RM) no estadiamento pré-operatório do câncer de mama. Materiais e Métodos: Foram avaliadas 61 pacientes com carcinoma mamário submetidas a RM das mamas, no período de agosto de 2015 a abril de 2016. Um mastologista foi questionado sobre a conduta terapêutica indicada diante dos dados da paciente e dos exames convencionais e, após realização da RM, foi novamente questionado sobre a conduta para determinar se houve mudança e impacto no tratamento. Resultados: A média de idade das pacientes foi 50,8 anos (desvio-padrão: 12,0), o tipo histológico mais frequente foi carcinoma mamário invasivo tipo não especial (68,9%) e o imunofenótipo mais prevalente foi luminal B (45,9%). A RM das mamas mudou a conduta terapêutica em 23% dos casos, com impacto positivo em 82,7%. Conclusão: A RM das mamas é instrumento útil no estadiamento locorregional do câncer de mama, sendo capaz de adicionar informações que tenham impacto positivo no tratamento.

Linfonodo sentinela em câncer de mama: situações especiais na prática clínica / Sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer: special situations in clinical practice

A biópsia do linfonodo sentinela já é um procedimento consagrado tanto em nivel nacional quanto internacional para a avaliação da axila de pacientes com câncer de mama diagnosticado na sua fase inicial. Porém, ainda existem algumas situações que geram dúvidas tanto sobre a melhor abordagem, quanto o tratamento. Nos últimos anos, temos observado um crescente interesse em relação à biópsia do linfonodo sentinela (BLS) e na maneira como urilizá-la em algumas situações especiais como no carcinoma ductal in situ (CDIS), quando há drenagem para a mamária interna, câncer de mama na gravidez, mastectomia profilática e tratamento quimioterápico sistêmico pré-operatório (quimioterapia sistêmica neoadjuvante - QT neo). Existem diversos estudos prospectivos em andamento para se estabelecer a condura ideal. Porém, enquanto os resultados não são publicados, necessitamos nos atualizar com relação à melhor maneira de abordá-los. Este artigo tentou apresentar, de maneira clara e resumida, o que há de mais recente publicado em relação à essas situações.

The sentinel lymph node biopsy is an accepted procedure at a national and international level to study the axillary status of patients with early-stage breast cancer. However there are some special situations that create some doubts about the better way to diagnostic and to threat it. In the last years we have seen a greatest interest in sentinel lymph node biopsy (SINB) and in the manner how to use it in some special situations like ductal carcinoma in situ, when there is migration to internal mammary lymph nodes, breast cancer and pregnancy, during prophylactic mastectomy and systemic therapy before surgery (preoperative chemotherapy). There are several prospective studies going on, with the intent to determine the ideal treatment for these special situations. While these results are not published, we must be aware of the better way to treat them. This article tries to show, in an easy and clear way, what have been published recently about these situations.

Câncer de mama na gestação: relato de casos / Pregnancy-associated breast cancer: case reports

O câncer de mama na gestação vem se tomando uma realidade na medida em que a idade da primeira gestação das mulheres aumenta. Aproximadamente 3% dos tumores de mama são diagnosticados em mulheres grávidas entre os 23 e os 47 anos de idade (media de 33 anos). Por definição, o câncer de mama associado à gestação é todo câncer de mama diagnosticado durante a mesma ou até um ano após o parto. Em geral, o câncer de mama na gestação apresenta-se de forma avançada devido principalmente ao atraso no diagnóstico e no tratamento do que devido às características histológicas dos tumores. Na literatura, ainda não há um consenso sobre a melhor estratégia terapêutica a ser usada. São apresentados aqui três casos de câncer de mama durante a gestação bem como uma análise sobre aspectos patológicos, diagnósticos e terapêuticos, com base na experiência dos autores e no que há de mais recente na literatura.

Pregnancy-associated breast cancer is becoming a reality since women delay childbearing. Approximately 3% of breast cancers are diagnosed in pregnant woman between 23 to 47years (mean age 33 years). It is defined as any breast carcinoma diagnosed during pregnancy or during the first postpartum year. The pregnancy-associated breast cancer usually presents as an advanced stage, in part because of delay on diagnostic and treatment, than histological characteristics of the breast cancer. There is no consensus about the better treatment option that should being used. We report here three cases of pregnancy-associated breast cancer and discuss some clinical, histopathological, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects, showing our experience and the more recent we found in literature.

Intracystic papillary carcinoma of the breast: risks in diagnostic, staging and treatment

Intracystic papillary carcinoma (IPC) of the breast is a rare form of breast in situ carcinoma that comprises 0.5-2% of all breast tumors. IPC of the breast occurs in women around the sixth decade of life and presents an injury of great dimensions, more frequently retroareolar. Clinical and radiological findings can be confused with advanced-staged invading carcinomas (T2 or T3), leading to unnecessarily aggressive treatment. The correlation of clinical, radiological and anatomopathological findings is necessary for a correct diagnosis. We present two cases of IPC and discuss diagnostic characteristics.