[Local treatment of ipsilateral breast cancer recurrences: comparison of alternative therapeutic options]. / Az azonos oldali emlorecidívák lokális kezelése: alternatív terápiás lehetoségek összehasonlító elemzése.

We compared the clinical outcomes of second breast conserving therapy (2ndBCT) versus salvage mastectomy (sMT) for the treatment of ipsilateral breast tumour recurrences (IBTR). 195 patients who presented with an IBTR after previous breast conserving treatment were salvaged either with re-excision and perioperative interstitial brachytherapy (n=39) or sMT (n=156). A total dose of 5×4.4Gy was delivered to the tumour bed, on 3 consecutive days. The median follow-up time was 59 and 56 months. During follow-up 4 (10.2%) and 28 (17.9%) second local recurrences occurred after 2ndBCT and sMT, respectively. There were no significant differences between treatments in 5-year oncological outcomes (local and regional recurrence-free survival, disease- and metastasis-free survival, cancer-specific and overall survival). After 2ndBCT, the rate of good to excellent cosmesis was 70%. 2ndBCT is a safe and feasible option for the management of IBTR, resulting similar 5-year oncological outcomes and better cosmetic results compared to sMT.

Quality of life and satisfaction of patients after oncoplastic or traditional breast-conserving surgery using the BREAST-Q (BCT module): a prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: The oncoplastic conservative surgery was developed as a natural evolution of traditional surgery, attempting to improve the therapeutic and aesthetic outcomes where tumor resection could be followed by not-adequate results. Our primary aim is to evaluate how patient satisfaction and quality-of-life after conservative oncoplastic surgery, using BREAST-Q (BCT Module), change pre- and post-operatively. The secondary aim is to compare patient-reported outcome after oncoplastic or traditional conservative surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 647 patients who underwent traditional conservative surgery or oncoplastic surgery from January 2020 to December 2022. Only 232 women (35.9%) completed the BREAST-Q questionnaire on a web-based platform, at the preoperative phase and 3 months after treatment. RESULTS: The average score of "Psychosocial well-being" and "Satisfaction with Breasts" 3 months after surgery showed a statistically significant improvement, while the average score for "Physical well-being: Chest" at 3 months showed a worsening compared to the baseline. "Sexual well-being" did not show statistically significant change. A significant difference between the post-operative outcome of oncoplastic surgery and traditional surgery was observed only for Physical well-being (better for traditional surgery). CONCLUSIONS: The study showed significant improvement in patient-reported outcomes 3 months after the surgery, except for physical discomfort that increases especially after oncoplastic surgery. Furthermore, our data, as well as many others, point to the appropriateness of using OCS where there is an effective indication, while the perspective of patients cannot find significant superiority over TCS in any of the areas analyzed.

Outcomes of DCIS treated with breast conserving surgery without radiotherapy on recurrence, survival, and health-related quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Sector resection for Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) allows wide excision without compromising breast shape. There are concerns that radiotherapy for some DCIS after sector resection is unnecessary and reduces patient satisfaction and quality of life without affecting survival. This study aimed to investigate whether women with DCIS managed with sector resection without radiotherapy had acceptable rates of recurrence and health-related quality of life outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective study of patients who underwent sector resection for DCIS without adjuvant radiotherapy from 1992 to 2021. Tumour size, grade, necrosis, margins, follow up and time to ipsilateral recurrence was recorded. Patients were posted a BREAST-Q to assess health-related quality of life. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-eight patients were treated for pure DCIS by two surgeons from 1992 to 2018. One hundred and sixteen patients underwent sector resection, 22 had mastectomy. Average age 61 years. Mean follow up 9.14 years. Recurrence rate after sector resection was 18.97%. 55% were DCIS. Annualized recurrence rate was 2.07%. There were no cancer-related deaths. BREAST-Q completion rate was 44%. Satisfaction with breasts, physical, psychosocial, and sexual well-being scores were significantly higher than normative Australian values and a mixed cohort of women who underwent breast conserving surgery with radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: DCIS can be safely managed with sector resection without radiotherapy and regular long-term follow up. This approach results in low annualized recurrence rates, high levels patient satisfaction and health-related quality of life and should be considered a safe alternative for patients with DCIS to minimize morbidity without affecting cancer survival.

Tumor-targeting semiconducting polymer nanoparticles: efficient adjuvant photothermal therapy using ultra-low laser power inhibits recurrences after breast-conserving surgery.

The need for adjuvant therapy to inhibit local recurrence after breast-conserving surgery with minimal side effects is great. Adjuvant photothermal therapy (aPTT) has the potential to replace radiotherapy and eliminates its inherent damage to healthy tissues. Herein, we functionalized semiconducting polymer nanoparticles (SPNs) with cRGD-peptide and silicon 2,3-naphthalocyanine bis(trihexylsilyloxide) (NIR775) to target breast cancer and perform aPTT under an ultra-low laser power (0.2 W cm-2) after breast-conserving surgery (BCS). The synthesized RGD-SPNNIR775 showed an excellent photothermal conversion efficiency and biocompatibility and was demonstrated to accumulate in tumors specifically. The BCS could be performed with confidence under the guidance of preoperative and postoperative fluorescence imaging. Notably, the aPTT completely inhibited the local recurrence after the BCS without compromising the cosmetic effect of the BCS. These results indicate the prospect of RGD-SPNNIR775 as a theranostic nanoplatform for efficient aPTT using an ultra-low laser power to control recurrence after BCS.

Physicians' Opinion on Intraoperative Radiotherapy as a Therapeutic De-Escalation Option in Older Women with Early Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) is a therapeutic de-escalation option in older women with low-risk early breast cancer (EBC). A qualitative study was implemented to describe EBC physicians' points of view on IORT as a de-escalation option. METHODS: Recorded face-to-face and telephone semi-structured interviews were conducted among diverse physicians from seven French comprehensive cancer centers. Interview transcripts were grouped as corpus to construct a typology. Thematic analysis was performed. RESULTS: Positions toward IORT were contrasted between the 16 participating physicians. Five fully supported IORT as a de-escalation option, four were not in favor, and seven had a more reserved or neutral opinion. Points of divergence concerned treatment efficacy, treatment duration, side effects and sequelae, psychological impact, compliance with adjuvant endocrine therapy, logistical constraints, financial cost, and availability of other techniques of partial breast irradiation. Physicians in favor of IORT emphasized direct benefits for the patient, and those against pointed the lack of specific guidelines, risk of lost opportunity in older women with long life expectancy, and challenges of shared decision making. CONCLUSIONS: Despite national policies to preserve cancer patients' quality of life and increase their participation in medical decision making, therapeutic de-escalation using IORT is not consensual among physicians. Further efforts are needed to promote patient-centered care.

Anthracycline could be essential for triple-negative breast cancer: A randomised phase II study by the Kanagawa Breast Oncology Group (KBOG) 1101.

BACKGROUND: It is important to determine whether anthracycline-containing regimens or taxane-containing regimens are more effective in individual patients. The present study compared the efficacy of six cycles of docetaxel and cyclophosphamide (TC6) with that of three cycles of 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel (FEC-D) in Japanese patients with hormone receptor (HR)-negative breast cancer (BC) to identify subtypes requiring anthracycline treatment. METHODS: The study included 103 patients with operable HR-negative BC. Of these patients 53 received FEC-D and 50 received TC6. The primary endpoint was pathological complete response (pCR). The secondary endpoints were safety, breast-conserving surgery, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). The predictive factors for each regimen were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 103 patients, 97 completed the study (FEC-D, 50 patients; TC6, 47 patients). The pCR rate was higher with FEC-D (36%) than with TC6 (25.5%); however, the difference was not significant (P = 0.265). TC6 was safer than FEC-D, as the adverse events with docetaxel in the FEC-D regimen were similar to those with the TC6 regimen. Among patients with basal BC, the pCR rate was significantly higher with FEC-D (42.9%) than with TC6 (13.6%; P = 0.033). Among patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the DFS and OS were significantly better with FEC-D than with TC6 (P = 0.016 and P = 0.034, respectively). CONCLUSION: TC6 was not as effective as FEC-D for treating HR-negative BC, as TC6 was not sufficient to treat TNBC, particularly the basal subtype. Our findings suggest that anthracyclines are better treatment options than taxanes for basal BC.

Percepção dos internos de uma faculdade de medicina sobre o câncer de mama e reconstrução mamária / Perception of breast cancer and breast reconstruction in medical school students

Introdução: O câncer de mama é o tipo mais comum entre as mulheres no mundo e no Brasil, depois do câncer de pele não melanoma. O objetivo é avaliar a percepção dos estudantes de medicina sobre o câncer de mama e reconstrução mamária. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo transversal piloto composto por alunos do 5º e 6º ano de curso de medicina, realizado de maio de 2016. Resultados: Foi questionado se há possibilidade de reconstrução mamária após a mastectomia, sendo que de forma unânime 100% foi sim. Para melhor caracterização, foi perguntado se a reconstrução pode ser feita no mesmo momento da mastectomia, 69 (57,5%) estudantes marcaram sim e 51 (42,5%) negaram. Em análise aos conhecimentos cirúrgicos, foi perguntado se os mesmos conhecem alguma técnica de reconstrução mamária, sendo que 49 (40,83%) responderam que sim e 71 (59,16%) negaram conhecer. Em relação ao encaminhamento à especialidade médica mais preparada para acompanhar e realizar a reconstrução mamária, 93 (77,5%) discentes elegeram a cirurgia plástica e 26 (21,66%) a mastologia. Quanto à possibilidade de reconstrução de mama em pacientes que farão radioterapia adjuvante, 66 (55%) responderam sim, 51 (42,5%) não e 3 (2,5%) não souberam responder. Quanto a esta possibilidade mesmo em pacientes com implantes de silicone, 59 (49,16%) responderam sim, 3 (2,5%) responderam não e 58 (48,33%) afirmaram não saber sobre o assunto. Conclusão: Observou-se que a Mastologia vem ganhando espaço na reconstrução de mama, inclusive no meio acadêmico, devido ao alto percentual de resposta de que a mesma seria mais preparada do que a Cirurgia Plástica para reconstrução mamária.

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in the world and in Brazil, after non-melanoma skin cancer. Our objective was to evaluate the medical students' perception of breast cancer and breast reconstruction. Methods: This is a cross-sectional pilot study composed of students from the fifth and sixth year of medical school, in May 2016. Results: We questioned whether there is a possibility of breast reconstruction after mastectomy, and the response was unanimous (100%). For a better characterization, we asked if the reconstruction could be done at the same time as the mastectomy, and 69 (57.5%) students said yes and 51 (42.5%) denied. In the analysis of surgical knowledge, we asked whether they knew any breast reconstruction technique, and 49 (40.83%) answered yes and 71 (59.16%) denied knowing. With regard to referral to a medical specialist who was better prepared to follow and perform breast reconstruction, 93 (77.5%) students chose plastic surgery and 26 (21.66%) chose mastology. Regarding the possibility of breast reconstruction in patients who need to undergo adjuvant radiotherapy, 66 (55%) answered yes, 51 (42.5%) did not answer, and three (2.5%) did not know how to respond. Regarding this possibility in patients with silicone implants, 59 (49.16%) answered yes, three (2.5%) answered no, and 58 (48.33%) said they did not know about the subject. Conclusion: We conclude that mastology has been gaining immense interest in the field of breast reconstruction, including in the academic world, based on the high percentage of respondents who stated that they are better prepared for this procedure than for plastic surgery for breast reconstruction.

Observation and analysis of clinical efficacy of breast-conserving therapy integrated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy on Breast Cancer.

To investigate the efficaciousness of breast-conserving therapy in connection with neoadjuvant chemotherapy on breast cancer. 68 patients, who were confirmed going down with breast cancer and hospitalized from June 2015 and June 2017, were sampled and divided into two groups using the random digit table, i.e. the observation group (n=34) and the control group (n=34). Patients in the observation group experienced breast-conserving therapy integrated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, but those in the control group received the radical resection of breast cancer. Patients' condition in surgery, incidence of post-surgery complications as well as patient survivals were compared and coded. In the observation group, surgical duration, intraoperative bleeding amount, length of stay in hospital and incidence rate of post-surgery complications were all lower than the patients with the similar conditions in the control group with evident distinctions in statistics (p<0.05). In the observation group, survival ratios of one-to-five-year living patients were evidently higher than those in the control group. The distinctions owned evident significance in calculations (p<0.05). In comparison of the recurrence ratio of disease and the rate of distant metastasis between the observation group (5.88% and 8.82%) and the control group (11.76% and 8.82%), differences had no statistical significance (p>0.05). Before treatment, compared with the score of life quality in the two groups, no evident distinction in statistical exists (p>0.05), however, after that, the life quality in the observation group evidently outweighs the quality in the control group, which shows the distinctions in statistics (p<0.05). Breast-conserving therapy in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy shows promising clinical value in ameliorating the life quality, decreasing the mortality rate and the incidence of adverse reaction, which is expected to be applied in clinical practices as a kind of safe and effective method.

Adjuvant Photothermal Therapy Inhibits Local Recurrences after Breast-Conserving Surgery with Little Skin Damage.

Adjuvant treatments following breast-conserving surgery (BCS) are essential to reduce the risk of local recurrences in patients with breast cancer. However, current adjuvant treatments are based on ionizing radiation, which brings radiation-induced damage and amplifies the risk of death. Here we explore the feasibility of using non-ionizing light to induce photothermal therapy as an adjuvant treatment to BCS. In an orthotopic breast cancer mice model, we demonstrate that adjuvant photothermal therapy (aPTT) decreases the incidence of local recurrences after BCS with no expense of cosmetic outcome. In comparison with conventional photothermal therapy, the technique used in aPTT provides more uniformly distributed light energy and less risk of skin burns and local recurrences. Overall, this work represents a departure from the traditional concept of using PTT as an alternative to surgery and reveals the potential of using PTT as an alternative to adjuvant radiation therapy, which is valuable especially for patients susceptible to radiation damage.

The "Yin and Yang" of Platelet-rich Plasma in Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy or Lumpectomy for Breast Cancer.

Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment for breast cancer, including complete or partial mastectomy and lumpectomy. Breast reconstruction has gained popularity mainly due to its tremendous impact on the psychological status of the patients. Autologous fat grafting is a well-established method used in cosmetic surgery; however, fat re-absoprtion, fat necrosis, calcifications and oil-cyst formation are some usually encountered complications limiting the efficacy of this approach. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has recently been postulated as a promising method for tissue regeneration since it contains high levels of diverse human growth factors. To date, preliminary results from clinical studies regarding the combination of PRP and fat grafting in breast reconstruction have shown ambiguous results, whereas preclinical studies are more favorable. However, concerns have been raised regarding the extent of cellular promotion induced by PRP application and the corresponding potential malignant transformation. The aim of our study was to present, analyze and critically evaluate the role of PRP in breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery in terms of efficacy and oncological safety highlighting the caution that needs to be taken in order to eliminate any chance of recurrence in patients who have theoretically undergone complete excision of the tumor burden.

No breast cancer subgroup can be spared postoperative radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery. Fifteen-year results from the Swedish Breast Cancer Group randomised trial, SweBCG 91 RT.

BACKGROUND: Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) followed by radiotherapy (RT) is an established treatment for women with T1-2N0 breast cancers. Since subgroups of patients have low ipsilateral breast tumour recurrence (IBTR) rates, it is important to study whether RT is necessary for all patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 1187 women with primary T1-2N0M0 breast cancer were randomised, after standardised sector resection, to postoperative whole breast RT or no local treatment. Adjuvant systemic therapy was offered to patients with stage II cancers. Patients were followed with clinical examinations and annual mammography for 10 years and thereafter referred to the Swedish mammography screening program. RESULTS: After 15 years of follow-up, a higher cumulative incidence of IBTR was observed in control patients, 23.9%, versus irradiated patients, 11.5%, P<0.001. Recurrence-free survival was inferior, 51.7% versus 60.4%, P=0.0013. The main effect of RT was seen during the first 5 years. However, overall survival was not significantly lower 68.4% versus 71.1%, P=0.68, nor was breast cancer-specific mortality significantly higher. CONCLUSIONS: RT after BCS significantly reduced the incidence of IBTR at 15 years of follow-up. We were unable to identify subgroups which could be spared RT. Breast cancer mortality was not significantly reduced after RT. Good predictive markers for radiation sensitivity and improved adjuvant systemic therapy are needed to omit RT after BCS.

Randomized trial of a physical activity intervention in women with metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Exercise interventions improve fitness, functional capacity, and quality of life in patients with early-stage breast cancer, but to the authors' knowledge there are few data regarding the feasibility or potential benefits of exercise in women with metastatic breast cancer. METHODS: Individuals with metastatic breast cancer were randomized 1:1 to a 16-week moderate-intensity exercise intervention or wait-list control group. Intervention goals included 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week. The baseline and 16-week evaluations included a modified Bruce Ramp treadmill test, 7-day Physical Activity Recall interview, and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ C-30) questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 101 participants were randomized (48 to the intervention group and 53 to the control group). The median age of the participants was 49 years, the median time since the diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer was 1.1 years, and approximately 42% of participants were undergoing chemotherapy at the time of enrollment. Study attrition was higher in the intervention arm (14 participants vs 8 participants; P = .15). Women randomized to the exercise intervention experienced a nonsignificant increase with regard to minutes of weekly exercise (62.4 minutes vs 46.0 minutes; P = .17) and physical functioning (EORTC QLQ C30: 4.79 vs 0.93 [P = .23] and Bruce Ramp Treadmill test: 0.61 minutes vs 0.37 minutes [P = .35]) compared with control participants. CONCLUSIONS: Participation in an exercise intervention did not appear to result in significant improvements in physical functioning in a heterogeneous group of women living with advanced breast cancer. Given the significant benefits of exercise in women with early-stage breast cancer, more work is needed to explore alternative interventions to determine whether exercise could help women with metastatic disease live more fully with fewer symptoms from disease and treatment.

The influence of simultaneous integrated boost, hypofractionation and oncoplastic surgery on cosmetic outcome and PROMs after breast conserving therapy.

INTRODUCTION: We retrospectively investigated the possible influence of a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB), hypofractionation and oncoplastic surgery on cosmetic outcome in 125 patients with stage I-II breast cancer treated with breast conserving therapy (BCT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The boost was given sequentially (55%) or by SIB (45%); fractionation was conventional (83%) or hypofractionated (17%); the surgical technique was a conventional lumpectomy (74%) or an oncoplastic technique (26%). We compared cosmetic results subjectively using a questionnaire independently completed by the patient and by the physician and objectively with the BCCT.core software. Independent-samples T-tests were used to compare outcome in different groups. Patients also completed the EORTC QLQ C30 and BR23. RESULTS: Univariate analyses indicated no significant differences of the cosmetic results (P ≤ 0.05) for the type of boost or fractionation. However, the conventional lumpectomy group scored significantly better than the oncoplastic group in the BCCT.core evaluation, without a significant difference in the subjective cosmetic evaluation. Quality of life outcome was in favour of SIB, hypofractionation and conventional surgery. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that the current RT techniques seem to be safe for cosmetic outcome and quality of life. Further investigation is needed to verify the possible negative influence of oncoplastic surgery on the cosmetic outcome and the quality of life as this technique is especially indicated for patients with an unfavourable tumour/breast volume ratio.

Preoperative Radioactive Seed Localization for Nonpalpable Breast Lesions: Technique, Pitfalls, and Solutions.

Iodine 125 ((125)I) radioactive seed localization has emerged as a reliable and safe alternative to wire localization for guidance during the surgical resection of nonpalpable breast lesions. The breast imager has a responsibility to be familiar with the general principles of this evolving technique, including its advantages and disadvantages as well as the technical differences involved in placement of seeds versus traditional wire localization. Although placement of (125)I seeds is conceptually similar to wire placement, there are additional technical considerations and safety measures that need to be addressed and implemented when radioactive seeds are used. We draw from our experience with more than 1000 cases of radioactive seed localization since inception of our program in 2009 to provide illustrative examples of not only the proper technique of radioactive seed localization, but also mishaps that may occur during this procedure, along with practical suggestions to prevent these problems. We examine some of the difficulties that we have encountered during radioactive seed localization at our institution, including bone wax mimicking the seed, the inadvertent deployment of seeds, the need for multiple seeds or supplemental wires, problematic seed locations, and difficulty in surgical retrieval of the seed. Recognizing the potential pitfalls of radioactive seed localization and understanding the appropriate guidelines and precautions for the safe, secure handling and placement of radioactive seeds is essential for a successful radioactive seed localization program.

Tailoring therapies--improving the management of early breast cancer: St Gallen International Expert Consensus on the Primary Therapy of Early Breast Cancer 2015.

The 14th St Gallen International Breast Cancer Conference (2015) reviewed substantial new evidence on locoregional and systemic therapies for early breast cancer. Further experience has supported the adequacy of tumor margins defined as 'no ink on invasive tumor or DCIS' and the safety of omitting axillary dissection in specific cohorts. Radiotherapy trials support irradiation of regional nodes in node-positive disease. Considering subdivisions within luminal disease, the Panel was more concerned with indications for the use of specific therapies, rather than surrogate identification of intrinsic subtypes as measured by multiparameter molecular tests. For the treatment of HER2-positive disease in patients with node-negative cancers up to 1 cm, the Panel endorsed a simplified regimen comprising paclitaxel and trastuzumab without anthracycline as adjuvant therapy. For premenopausal patients with endocrine responsive disease, the Panel endorsed the role of ovarian function suppression with either tamoxifen or exemestane for patients at higher risk. The Panel noted the value of an LHRH agonist given during chemotherapy for premenopausal women with ER-negative disease in protecting against premature ovarian failure and preserving fertility. The Panel noted increasing evidence for the prognostic value of commonly used multiparameter molecular markers, some of which also carried prognostic information for late relapse. The Panel noted that the results of such tests, where available, were frequently used to assist decisions about the inclusion of cytotoxic chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with luminal disease, but noted that threshold values had not been established for this purpose for any of these tests. Multiparameter molecular assays are expensive and therefore unavailable in much of the world. The majority of new breast cancer cases and breast cancer deaths now occur in less developed regions of the world. In these areas, less expensive pathology tests may provide valuable information. The Panel recommendations on treatment are not intended to apply to all patients, but rather to establish norms appropriate for the majority. Again, economic considerations may require that less expensive and only marginally less effective therapies may be necessary in less resourced areas. Panel recommendations do not imply unanimous agreement among Panel members. Indeed, very few of the 200 questions received 100% agreement from the Panel. In the text below, wording is intended to convey the strength of Panel support for each recommendation, while details of Panel voting on each question are available in supplementary Appendix S2, available at Annals of Oncology online.

Simultaneous breast and axillary recurrence in a patient with a history of breast cancer and ipsilateral upper extremity melanoma: challenges in diagnosis and management.

BACKGROUND: Nodal patterns of spread for breast cancer and melanoma have been extensively studied in the literature. The phenomenon of upper extremity melanoma and ipsilateral breast cancer has been previously reported. We describe a rare case of a simultaneous locoregional recurrence of both malignancies. CASE REPORT: A patient with a previous diagnosis of stage 1A melanoma of the left upper extremity at age 29 developed left breast invasive ductal carcinoma 1 year later. The patient underwent a wide local excision with negative margins for the melanoma and a partial mastectomy with axillary dissection followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy for her breast cancer. Five years later she was diagnosed with a dual recurrence while 36 weeks pregnant. CONCLUSIONS: Regular follow-up according to the NCCN guidelines is critical in diagnosing a recurrence of malignancy. Pathologic analysis is paramount in dictating management strategies in rare cases of dual recurrence.

Radioactive seed localization of nonpalpable breast lesions in an academic comprehensive cancer program community hospital setting.

Wire localized excision (WLE) has been a long-standing method for localization of nonpalpable breast lesions. Disadvantages of this method include difficulty locating the wire tip in relation to borders of the lesion, imprecise placement of the wire, and the need to place the wire shortly before scheduled surgery. These shortcomings may lead to a high positive margin rate requiring re-excision to obtain clear margins for breast cancer. Radioactive seed localized excision (RSLE) of nonpalpable breast lesions has been advocated as a safe and effective alternative to WLE. The primary endpoints of the study were to compare re-excision rates between WLE and RSLE of nonpalpable breast lesions and to determine if there were any differences in volume of tissue removed. One hundred three patients were included in a retrospective review of localized breast excisions done by a single surgeon. Forty-four patients underwent WLE between April 2007 and February 2009. Fifty-nine patients underwent RSLE between September 2009 and January 2012. Margins were considered to be clear if at least 1 mm of normal tissue was obtained from the circumferential periphery of the lesion in question. RSLE resulted in a re-excision rate of 17 versus 55 per cent re-excision rate for wire localization (P < 0.001). Excision volume was greater for patients having wire localization (P = 0.074). RSLE is an effective technique for excision of nonpalpable breast lesions in the community setting. This technique allows for accurate localization and appears to allow for smaller volume of tissue to be excised.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a reliable method for lymph node evaluation in neoadjuvant chemotherapy-treated patients with breast cancer.

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in patients with breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been debated by surgeons as a result of potential compromise of lymphatic drainage. Whether clinicopathologic variables traditionally associated with SLN positivity differ in patients who have been treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy has not been well studied. Patients diagnosed with breast carcinoma who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, definitive breast surgery, sentinel node biopsy (SNB), and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) were retrospectively identified over a 75-month period. Clinicopathologic parameters including age, clinical tumor and node stage, neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen, pathological tumor and node stage, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), SLN and non-SLN involvement, and extranodal extension were recorded. Ninety-seven patients met inclusion criteria. Ninety-eight per cent had successful SLN mapping. Eight patients with negative SLNs had positive ALND (false-negative rate, 8.3%). Clinicopathological variables associated with SLN status included clinical axillary status (P = 0.038), pathologic tumor size, and nodal status and LVI (P < 0.001). Extranodal extension was significantly associated with non-SLN status (P = 0.004). In patients achieving a pathologic complete response (PCR), SNB remained feasible and accurate (false-negative rate, 11.6%). Successful SLN mapping in patients who have undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy is highly accurate with a low false-negative rate even in patients who have a PCR.

[Breast reconstruction after skin-sparing mastectomy or nipple-sparing mastectomy for breast cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility, oncological safety, and aesthetic result of skin-spring mastectomy (SSM) or nipple-spring mastectomy (NSM) in breast reconstruction of implant (permanent gel or expander) for breast cancer patients who were not fit for the breast conserving surgery (BCS). METHODS: Between October 2005 and July 2011, 89 women with breast caner underwent SSM or NSM, with an average age of 42.4 years (range, 19-55 years) and an average disease duration of 5.7 months (range, 1-24 months). The pathological examination revealed invasive ductal carcinoma in 55 cases, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in 15 cases, invasive ductal carcinoma + DCIS in 8 cases, DCIS with infiltration in 10 cases, and occult breast cancer in 1 case. According to tumor staging criterion of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), 15 cases were rated as stage 0, 51 cases as stage I, 22 cases as stage II, and 1 case as unclear. Finally, 33 patients underwent SSM and 56 patients underwent NSM according to the location and diameter of tumor and the infiltration of tumor to nipple. Secondary breast reconstruction was performed with permanent gel replacement after axillary lymph node dissection in 9 patients with positive sentinel lymph node and 1 patient with occult breast cancer; immediate breast reconstruction was performed with permanent gel in the other patients. All the patients received the chemotherapy or/and radiotherapy according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guideline. RESULTS: Complications occurred in 5 patients undergoing breast reconstruction of permanent gel after NSM, including 1 case of haemorrhage, 2 cases of infection, and 2 cases of local skin necrosis. Primary healing of incision was obtained in the others. No nipple necrosis was observed in patients undergoing NSM. All the patients were followed up 14-88 months (median, 40 months). At 10 months after operation, the aesthetic results were excellent in 40 cases, good in 33 cases, fair in 14 cases, and poor in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 82%. No recurrence or metastasis was found during follow-up. CONCLUSION: The SSM or NSM is feasible and oncological safe for patients who are not fit for BCS, with satisfactory aesthetic result.

The role of oncoplastic breast surgery in the management of breast cancer treated with primary chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the benefit of Oncoplastic Breast Conserving Surgery (BCS) compared to standard BCS after primary CT, in terms of oncologic safety and cosmetic outcomes. BACKGROUND: The development of new drugs has led to greater use of primary chemotherapy (CT) for bulky breast cancer (BC) and has allowed wider indications for conservative surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified 259 patients consecutively treated with BCS for primary BC from January 2002 to November 2010. All patients had undergone Oncoplastic Breast Surgery (OBS) or standard BCS after primary CT. Mastectomy rates, and oncological and cosmetic outcomes were compared. RESULTS: A total of 45 OBS and 214 standard BCS were analyzed. The median tumor size was 40 mm in the two groups (p = 0.66). The median operative specimen volumes were larger in the OBS group than in the standard group (respectively, 180 cm3 and 98 cm3, p < 0.0001). Re-excision (9% vs. 2%) and mastectomy (24% vs. 18%) rates were similar (p = 0.22 and p = 0.30) in the standard BCS group and in the OBS group respectively. At a median follow-up of 46 months, local relapse (p = 0.23) and distant relapse (p = 0.35) rates were similar. CONCLUSION: OBS allows excision of larger volumes of residual tumor after primary CT. OBS outcomes results were similar to those of standard BCS. Oncoplastic Breast Conserving Surgery (BCS) after primary chemotherapy allows wider breast resection than standard BCS. Survival and relapse probabilities are similar in both groups.