Management of the clinically positive axilla.

Axillary dissection has been the standard of care for any patient with clinically positive lymph nodes at initial breast cancer presentation. However, modern neo-adjuvant therapies can convert positive nodes to negative nodes, especially in the setting of HER2-positive disease. Accurate axillary staging can be achieved after neo-adjuvant therapy in initially node-positive patients using dual tracer lymphatic mapping, removal of three or more lymph nodes, and confirmation of excision of the previously biopsied and clipped lymph node. Currently accruing clinical trials are designed to determine which patients can safely avoid axillary dissection and/or axillary radiation.

Lymphoedema and health-related quality of life by early treatment in long-term survivors of breast cancer. A comparative retrospective study up to 15 years after diagnosis.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to compare progression/regression of arm lymphoedema, health-related quality of life and medical background data among women who discontinued their treatment (non-continued treatment group, NCTG) with these factors among women who continued treatment (continued treatment group, CTG). METHODS: Seventy-two women were included in the NCTG and 58 women in the CTG. Women in the NCTG were invited to an examination and measurement of affected arm volume at the clinic in 2008. Medical background data and arm volume values, measured using the water displacement method, were collected from patient records and the Breast Cancer Quality Register of the Uppsala Örebro Region. The functional assessment of cancer therapy for breast cancer (FACT-B) was used to assess health-related quality of life in both groups. RESULTS: There were no differences with regard to progression/regression of arm lymphoedema or health-related quality of life. The CTG had experienced more advanced disease and received more extensive surgical and oncological treatment. The CTG had significantly larger arm volume due to lymphoedema at diagnosis (mean 422 ml) compared to the NCTG (mean 283 ml; p < 0.001), and at the last visit at the clinic (CTG mean 414 ml versus NCTG mean 239 ml; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that there might be a spontaneous regression of lymphoedemas in the NCTG but there is a need for more research to make it possible to draw firm conclusions regarding this.

The impact of breast cancer-related lymphedema on rural and small-town Survivors' return-to-work and quality of life: A multiple-case study.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a lifelong condition. Millions who develop breast cancer are younger than retirement age and at a lifetime risk for developing BCRL. Rural and small-town survivors may face unique challenges in terms of access to health care and BCRL/survivorship resources. This multiple-case study describes how BCRL influences the work experiences and quality of life (QoL) of survivors living in rural and small towns in Missouri. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Thirteen survivors from rural and small towns in Missouri completed semi-structured interviews and a standardized QoL instrument. Cases were analyzed using in-vivo and open-coding techniques and constant cross-case comparative methods. Twelve of the 13 participants' data are synthesized into themes to represent an illustrative case. The 13th case is presented as a contradictory (rival) case. RESULTS: Four themes are represented within the illustrative case - multiple medical encounters; the development of self-care routines; the reciprocity of work/live activities, triggers, and adjustments; and rural/small-town cultural impact. Upon BCRL diagnosis, survivors received intensive treatments, eventually establishing self-care routines. Survivors identified strategies for working around their BCRL when completing work and home responsibilities. The contradictory (rival) case was more recently diagnosed and, as such, had not established self-care and coping mechanisms in the same way. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Survivors alleviate BCRL symptoms and improve their QoL by establishing self-care strategies. This provides guidance for client-centered survivorship care-planning and occupational rehabilitation of rural survivors with BCRL. This study provides the foundation for developing information for rural survivors that supports mental preparation and coping skills for BCRL self-management.

Long-term oncologic and complication outcomes in anal cancer patients treated with radiation therapy.

AIM: The aim of the study is to analyze prognostic factors for tumor control, survival, and late toxicity in patients with anal cancer treated with chemoradiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anal cancer patients treated between 1996 and 2010 were analyzed. Patients received radiotherapy and concurrent 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin-C. RESULTS: Data from 70 patients were analyzed. With a median follow-up of 6.4 years, 5-year overall survival and progression-free survival were 88% and 84%, respectively. Female gender and total radiation dose (≥54 Gy) were significantly associated with better local control. For survival, female gender, patient age, and tumor size were significant prognostic factors. The most common late toxicity was lymphedema. Possible prognosticators were examined, and only radiation dose to the inguinal area was significant. CONCLUSION: Despite moderately high radiation doses, local recurrence, and late complications were problems in treating anal cancer. In the intensity-modulated radiotherapy era, consensus on accurate target volume based on the pattern of failure analysis is required.

Sobrevivência e Fatores de Risco em Mulheres com Câncer de Mama: a Relação do Linfedema / Survival and Risk Factors in Women with Breast Cancer: the Relationship of Lymphedema / Supervivencia y Factores de Riesgo en Mujeres con Cáncer de Mama: la Relación del Linfedema

Introdução: O linfedema relacionado ao câncer de mama é a principal complicação dos tratamentos para essa neoplasia, acometendo o membro superior homolateral à mama comprometida. Objetivo: Analisar a incidência, fatores de risco e o impacto na sobrevida global do linfedema secundário ao câncer de mama. Método: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo com dados de 709 mulheres atendidas em núcleo de reabilitação de câncer de mama, entre 1989 e 2014. Realizou-se comparação de frequências absolutas categóricas com o teste qui-quadrado. As funções de sobrevida foram calculadas por meio do método de Kaplan Meier e o modelo de riscos proporcionais de Cox foi utilizado para avaliação de fatores prognósticos; utilizou-se a regressão logística para definir fatores associados à incidência de linfedema. Resultados: Predominaram mulheres brancas, média de idade de 61,5 anos. Das mulheres com linfedema (33,24%), 85,8% foram diagnosticadas em estadiamento avançado, maior frequência de linfadenectomia axilar (p=0,064) e baixa realização da biópsia de linfonodo sentinela (p<0,0001). No status de sobrevida, as mulheres com linfedema apresentaram maior frequência de óbito por causas relacionadas ao câncer (50,2%), com taxa de sobrevivência de 0,996 até cinco anos. As principais características preditoras ao óbito dessas mulheres foram o estadiamento avançado e a quantidade de linfonodos comprometidos. Conclusão: As mulheres com linfedema apresentaram maior chance de óbito por câncer do que o outro grupo, porém permaneceram vivas por período maior. O estadiamento avançado e a não realização da biópsia do linfonodo sentinela foram considerados fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento do linfedema e como características preditoras de óbito.

Introduction: Lymphedema related to breast cancer is the main complication of the treatments for this neoplasm, affecting the upper limb homolateral to the compromised breast. Objective: To analyze the incidence, risk factors and impact on overall survival of lymphedema secondary to breast cancer. Method: Retrospective cohort study with 709 women attended at a rehabilitation center for breast cancer, between 1989 and 2014. The categorical absolute frequencies were compared to the Chi-square test. Overall survival rate was calculated using Kaplan Meier method and the Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to evaluation of prognostic factors, the definition of indicators associated with lymphedema incidence was calculated with logistic regression. Results: White women predominated, mean age 61.5 years. Women with lymphedema (33.24%), 85.8% were diagnosed at an advanced stage, a higher frequency of axillary lymphadenectomy (p=0.064) and low sentinel lymph node biopsy (p<0.0001). In the survival status the women with lymphedema presented a higher death rate due to the cancer (50.2%), with a survival rate of 0.996 up to five years. Women death predictors were advanced cancer stage and the amount of compromised lymph nodes. Conclusion: Women with lymphedema present a greater chance to die from cancer than the other group, but they remain alive for a longer period. The advanced stage and non-performance of sentinel lymph node biopsy were considered risk factors for the development of lymphedema and the predictive characteristics of death.

Introducción: El linfedema relacionado con el cáncer de mama es la principal complicación de los tratamientos para esta neoplasia, afectando al miembro superior homolateral a la mama comprometida. Objetivo:Analizar la incidencia, factores de riesgo y impacto en la supervivencia global del linfedema secundario al cáncer de mama. Método: Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo con 709 mujeres atendidas en un núcleo de rehabilitación de cáncer, entre 1989 y 2014. Se realizó la comparación de sus series completas con la prueba Chi-cuadrado. Funciones de sobrevida fueran calculadas por método de Kaplan Meier y el modelo de evaluación de Cox fue utilizado para la evaluación de factores pronósticos, regresión logística fue usada para la definición de indicadores asociados al incidencia de linfedema. Resultados:Predominaron mujeres blancas, media de edad 61,5 años. Las mujeres con linfedema (33,24%), 85,8% fueron diagnosticadas en estadio avanzado, mayor frecuencia de linfadenectomía axilar (p=0,064) y baja realización de la biopsia de ganglio centinela (p<0,0001). En el estatus de sobrevida, mujeres con linfedema presentaron mayor frecuencia de muerte por cáncer (50,2%), con tasa de supervivencia de 0,996 hasta cinco años. Las características predictoras de muerte fueran estadio avanzado y la cantidad de ganglios linfáticos comprometidos. Conclusión: Las mujeres con linfedema presentan mayor probabilidad de muerte por cáncer que el otro grupo, sin embargo, permanecen vivas por período mayor. El estado avanzado y la no realización de la biopsia del ganglio centinela fueron considerados factores de riesgo para el desarrollo del linfedema y como características preditorias del óbito.

Lymphedema and therapeutic lymphangiogenesis.

Lymphedema is a disorder of the lymphatic vascular system characterized by impaired lymphatic return and swelling of the extremities. Lymphedema is divided into primary and secondary forms based on the underlying etiology. Despite substantial advances in both surgical and conservative techniques, therapeutic options for the management of lymphedema are limited. Although rarely lethal, lymphedema is a disfiguring and disabling condition with an associated decrease in the quality of life. The recent impressive expansion of knowledge on the molecular mechanisms governing lymphangiogenesis provides new possibilities for the treatment of lymphedema. This review highlights the lymphatic biology, the pathophysiology of lymphedema, and the therapeutic lymphangiogenesis using hepatocyte growth factor.

[Stewart-Treves syndrome (angiosarcoma on lyphoedema): A rare complication of lymphoedema]. / Syndrome de Stewart-Treves (angiosarcome sur lymphœdème) : complication rare du lymphœdème.

Stewart-Treves syndrome (SST) or former lymphangiosarcoma is a rare complication of chronic lymphoedema mainly related to the breast cancer (90% of cases). It occurs in 0.03% of patients surviving 10 or more years after radical mastectomy. The prognosis is very poor with a five-year survival close to 10% despite the various treatment modalities. The treatment of choice is a large resection, but some authors recommend radical resection in the form of shoulder disarticulation or forequarter amputation. Surgical treatment can be preceded or followed by radiation therapy. Locally advanced tumors or metastatic forms can be treated with mono or polychemotherapy, systemic or local.

Prognosis, with evaluation of general biochemistry, of liver disease in lymphoedema cholestasis syndrome 1 (LCS1/Aagenaes syndrome).

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prognosis of liver disease in Aagenaes syndrome (lymphoedema cholestasis syndrome 1 (LCS1)), which is an autosomal recessive inherited syndrome consisting of neonatal cholestasis with intermittent cholestatic episodes in childhood into adulthood and development of lymphoedema. Forty Norwegian patients are known to have this condition, 25 of whom are alive. A clinical description of the liver disease is supplied with a case-control study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this paper we review the course of the liver disease in the Norwegian cohort of patients and present results from a case-control study in the patients above 10 years of age. The case-control study was performed on 15 patients without clinical cholestasis (itching and sometimes jaundice) at the time of the study. An evaluation of 11 patients above 15 years of age without chronic biochemical cholestasis (increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and/or serum bile acids) was also carried out. For each patient one randomly identified control person was included (15 in one study, 11 in the other). RESULTS: Cirrhosis with either transplantation or death in infancy or early childhood occurred in six patients; slowly developing cirrhosis occurred in three patients. Two patients may be in the process of developing cirrhosis. Significantly increased ALP and GGT levels were found in patients with normal liver biochemistry in the preceding years when compared with the case control group. Additionally, albumin was found to be lower in older patients. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with that for other types of hereditary neonatal cholestasis, patients with LCS1 have a relatively good prognosis. More than 50% can expect a normal life span.