Radial sclerosing lesions found on core needle biopsy: excision can be safely avoided.

AIMS: Radial sclerosing lesions (RSLs) are benign breast lesions composed of glandular and epithelial proliferations with stellate architecture and fibro-elastotic stroma, which can mimic invasive carcinoma on imaging. Surgical management following a core biopsy diagnosis of RSLs remains controversial. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively identified core biopsies with RSLs without atypia who underwent subsequent surgical excision between 2015 and 2021. All core biopsy slides were reviewed to confirm the diagnosis. Imaging was reviewed to determine radiological-pathological concordance. An upgrade was defined as invasive carcinoma or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in the excision. The final cohort consisted of 130 core biopsies from 124 women (median age = 52 years, range = 27-76). The imaging modality was mammogram in 52 (40%) cases, MRI in 52 (40%) and ultrasound in 26 (20%). One hundred and seven (82%) core biopsies were vacuum-assisted and 23 (18%) were ultrasound-guided without vacuum assistance. The median lesion size on imaging was 9 mm (range = 2-41). Overall, two (1%) cases were upgraded at excision, including one microinvasive lobular carcinoma and one 2 mm focus of invasive mammary carcinoma with associated DCIS. In both cases, the upgraded foci of carcinoma were not closely associated with the biopsy site and were considered incidental upgrades. CONCLUSIONS: This study adds to the body of literature supporting observation, rather than routine excision of radial sclerosing lesions without atypia.

Is Surgical Excision of Focal Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia Warranted? Experience at a Tertiary Care Center.

BACKGROUND: The core-needle biopsy (CNB) diagnosis of atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) generally mandates follow-up excision, but controversy exists on whether small foci of ADH require surgical management. This study evaluated the upgrade rate at excision of focal ADH (fADH), defined as 1 focus spanning ≤ 2 mm. METHODS: We retrospectively identified in-house CNBs with ADH as the highest-risk lesion obtained between January 2013 and December 2017. A radiologist assessed radiologic-pathologic concordance. All CNB slides were reviewed by two breast pathologists, and ADH was classified as fADH and nonfocal ADH based on extent. Only cases with follow-up excision were included. The slides of excision specimens with upgrade were reviewed. RESULTS: The final study cohort consisted of 208 radiologic-pathologic concordant CNBs, including 98 fADH and 110 nonfocal ADH. The imaging targets were calcifications (n = 157), a mass (n = 15), nonmass enhancement (n = 27), and mass enhancement (n = 9). Excision of fADH yielded seven (7%) upgrades (5 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), 2 invasive carcinoma) versus 24 (22%) upgrades (16 DCIS, 8 invasive carcinoma) at excision of nonfocal ADH (p = 0.01). Both invasive carcinomas found at excision of fADH were subcentimeter tubular carcinomas away from the biopsy site and deemed incidental. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show a significantly lower upgrade rate at excision of focal ADH than nonfocal ADH. This information can be valuable if nonsurgical management of patients with radiologic-pathologic concordant CNB diagnosis of focal ADH is being considered.

Does Breast Density Increase the Risk of Re-excision for Women with Breast Cancer Having Breast-Conservation Therapy?

BACKGROUND: Women with dense breasts may have less-accurate preoperative evaluation of extent of disease, potentially affecting the achievement of negative margins. The goal of this study is to examine the association between breast density and re-excision rates in women having breast-conserving surgery for invasive breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Women with stage I/II invasive breast cancer treated with breast-conserving surgery between 1/1/2014 and 10/31/2014 were included. Breast density was assessed by two radiologists. The association between breast density and re-excision was examined using logistic regression. RESULTS: Seven hundred and one women were included. Overall, 106 (15.1%) women had at least one re-excision. Younger age at diagnosis was associated with increased breast density (p < 0.001). On univariable analysis, increased breast density was associated with significantly increased odds of re-excision (odds ratio [OR] 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.83), as was multifocal disease, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive status, and extensive intraductal component (EIC) (all p < 0.05). On multivariable analysis, breast density remained significantly associated with increased odds of re-excision (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.00-1.86), as did multifocality and EIC. HER2 positive status was not significantly associated with re-excision on multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Women with dense breasts are more likely to need additional surgery (re-excision after breast-conserving surgery), but increased breast density did not adversely affect disease-free survival in our study. Our findings support the need for further study in developing techniques that can help decrease re-excisions for women with dense breasts who undergo breast-conserving surgery.

Quantitative in vivo proton MR spectroscopic assessment of lipid metabolism: Value for breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Breast magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1 H-MRS) has been largely based on choline metabolites; however, other relevant metabolites can be detected and monitored. PURPOSE: To investigate whether lipid metabolite concentrations detected with 1 H-MRS can be used for the noninvasive differentiation of benign and malignant breast tumors, differentiation among molecular breast cancer subtypes, and prediction of long-term survival outcomes. STUDY TYPE: Retrospective. SUBJECTS: In all, 168 women, aged ≥18 years. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI at 1.5 T: sagittal 3D spoiled gradient recalled sequence with fat saturation, flip angle = 10°, repetition time / echo time (TR/TE) = 7.4/4.2 msec, slice thickness = 3.0 mm, field of view (FOV) = 20 cm, and matrix size = 256 × 192. 1 H-MRS: PRESS with TR/TE = 2000/135 msec, water suppression, and 128 scan averages, in addition to 16 reference scans without water suppression. ASSESSMENT: MRS quantitative analysis of lipid resonances using the LCModel was performed. Histopathology was the reference standard. STATISTICAL TESTS: Categorical data were described using absolute numbers and percentages. For metric data, means (plus 95% confidence interval [CI]) and standard deviations as well as median, minimum, and maximum were calculated. Due to skewed data, the latter were more adequate; unpaired Mann-Whitney U-tests were performed to compare groups without and with Bonferroni correction. ROC analyses were also performed. RESULTS: There were 111 malignant and 57 benign lesions. Mean voxel size was 4.4 ± 4.6 cm3 . Six lipid metabolite peaks were quantified: L09, L13 + L16, L21 + L23, L28, L41 + L43, and L52 + L53. Malignant lesions showed lower L09, L21 + L23, and L52 + L53 than benign lesions (P = 0.022, 0.027, and 0.0006). Similar results were observed for Luminal A or Luminal A/B vs. other molecular subtypes. At follow-up, patients were split into two groups based on median values for the six peaks; recurrence-free survival was significantly different between groups for L09, L21 + L23, and L28 (P = 0.0173, 0.0024, and 0.0045). DATA CONCLUSION: Quantitative in vivo 1 H-MRS assessment of lipid metabolism may provide an additional noninvasive imaging biomarker to guide therapeutic decisions in breast cancer. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:239-249.

Advances in oncologic imaging: update on 5 common cancers.

Imaging has become a pivotal component throughout a patient's encounter with cancer, from initial disease detection and characterization through treatment response assessment and posttreatment follow-up. Recent progress in imaging technology has presented new opportunities for improving clinical care. This article provides updates on the latest approaches to imaging of 5 common cancers: breast, lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers, and lymphoma.

Positive predictive value of biopsy of palpable masses following mastectomy.

Determine the positive predictive value (PPV) of biopsy of palpable masses following mastectomy (MX). Determine if there are patient characteristics, tumor, or imaging features more predictive of cancer. IRB-approved retrospective review of 16 396 breast ultrasounds June 2008-December 2015 identified patients with MX presenting with palpable masses. Medical records and imaging studies were reviewed. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test. 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. In all, 117 patients presented with palpable masses on the MX side. 101/117 patients who had a palpable mass on physical examination had a true sonographic mass to correlate with the clinical findings. 91/101 (90%) underwent biopsy: 19/91 (21%, 95% CI; 13-31) biopsies were malignant. 72/91 (79%) were benign. All 19 cancers were on the original cancer side. Recurrences ranged from 0.4 to 4.5 cm maximum diameter, mean 1.3 cm. Prophylactic vs therapeutic mastectomy was very statistically significant (P = .01). The use of tamoxifen or an AI was also statistically significant (P = .04). Patient age (P = 1.0), radiation therapy (P = 1.05), chemotherapy (P = .2), immediate breast reconstruction (P = .2), or implant vs flap (P = .2) had no statistically significant association with finding cancer on biopsy. Lesion shape (irregular vs oval/round) was highly statistically significant (P = .0003) as was non-parallel orientation on ultrasound (P = .008). Circumscribed vs non-circumscribed margins was also statistically significant (P = .008). The PPV of biopsy of palpable masses on the side of MX was 21% (95% CI; 13-31). All recurrences were on the original cancer side and this was very statistically significant.

Is Routine Axillary Imaging Necessary in Clinically Node-Negative Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy?

BACKGROUND: The National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines recommend axillary imaging prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer patients who are clinically node negative (cN0) by physical examination. However, the benefit of this approach remains uncertain. The purpose of this study was to determine whether abnormal axillary imaging pre-NAC predicts nodal metastases post-NAC (ypN+) in cN0 patients. METHODS: cN0 patients undergoing NAC followed by axillary surgery were identified. Rates of ypN+ were compared among patients with abnormal pre-treatment axillary imaging vs. normal or no pre-treatment imaging using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: From May 2008 to March 2016, 402 eligible cN0 patients were identified. The median age of the patients was 49.5 years, and the median tumor size was 4 cm. Of these patients, 38% were estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-), 30% were HER2+ , and 32% were triple negative. All had pre-NAC mammograms, 40% axillary ultrasound, 83% MRI, and 51% PET. Abnormal nodes on imaging were seen in 208 patients (52%); 128 had pre-NAC node biopsy, and 75 were positive. Overall, 28% of the patients (n = 111) were ypN+ post-NAC. Although the incidence of ypN+ was significantly higher in patients with abnormal nodes on pre-NAC imaging (p = 0.001), 54% did not require axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) post-NAC. Among the patients with normal nodes on pre-NAC imaging, 20% were ypN+ post-NAC. CONCLUSIONS: Half of patients with abnormal nodes on pre-NAC imaging did not require ALND post-NAC, while 20% of those with normal pre-NAC nodes had disease post-NAC, indicating that in cN0 patients already selected for NAC, axillary imaging pre-NAC does not predict the need for axillary surgery post-NAC with sufficient accuracy to be clinically useful.

Benign vascular lesions of the breast diagnosed by core needle biopsy do not require excision.

AIMS: Surgical excision of all benign vascular lesions of the breast identified by core needle biopsy has been recommended in the past to rule out a more serious lesion. In this study we investigated the clinical, radiological and pathological findings in patients diagnosed with a benign vascular lesion at our institution to assess whether excision may be spared for lesions without atypia. METHODS AND RESULTS: We searched the electronic medical record for patients with a vascular lesion of the breast diagnosed between 2000 and 2015. The study population consisted of 84 patients, 83 females and one male. The index diagnoses included 76 benign vascular lesions, five vascular lesions with cytological atypia and three angiosarcomas. A radiologist reviewed all pre- and post-biopsy imaging studies; all cases had concordant radiological and pathological findings. Based on radiological and histological correlation, the vascular lesion accounted for the radiological target in 40 (48%) cases and was deemed an incidental finding in 44 (52%). Seven of 32 (22%) targeted and 10 of 44 (23%) incidental benign vascular lesions underwent surgical excision; there were no upgrades at excision. No recurrences or clinical events were observed in patients with a targeted or incidental benign vascular lesion with a median follow-up of 39 months and 40.6 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that benign vascular lesions diagnosed on core biopsy with concordant radiological and pathological findings do not warrant surgical excision.

Breast intraductal papillomas without atypia in radiologic-pathologic concordant core-needle biopsies: Rate of upgrade to carcinoma at excision.

BACKGROUND: The surgical management of mammary intraductal papilloma without atypia (IDP) identified at core-needle biopsy (CNB) is controversial. This study assessed the rate of upgrade to carcinoma at surgical excision (EXC). METHODS: This study identified women with a CNB diagnosis of intraductal papilloma without atypia or carcinoma at a cancer center between 2003 and 2013. Radiologic-pathologic concordance was assessed for all cases, and discordant cases were excluded. The radiologic and clinicopathologic features of patients with a CNB diagnosis of IDP were correlated with an upgrade to carcinoma at EXC. RESULTS: The study population consists of 189 women with 196 IDPs; 166 women (171 IDPs) underwent EXC. The upgrade rate was 2.3% (4 of 171). The upgraded lesions were 2 invasive lobular carcinomas and 2 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). One case of DCIS involved the residual IDP, whereas the other 3 carcinomas were ≥ 8 mm away. Twenty-four women (25 IDPs) did not undergo EXC and had stable imaging on follow-up (median, 23.5 months). CONCLUSIONS: The upgrade rate at EXC for IDPs diagnosed at CNB with radiologic-pathologic concordance was 2.3%. These findings suggest that observation is appropriate for patients with radiologic-pathologic concordant CNB yielding IDP, regardless of its size. Cancer 2016. © 2016 American Cancer Society. Cancer 2016;122:2819-2827. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

Cancelled stereotactic biopsy of calcifications not seen using the stereotactic technique: do we still need to biopsy?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of cancelled stereotactic biopsy due to non-visualisation of calcifications, and assess associated features and outcome data. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on 1,874 patients scheduled for stereotactic-guided breast biopsy from 2009 to 2011. Medical records and imaging studies were reviewed. RESULTS: Of 1,874 stereotactic biopsies, 76 (4 %) were cancelled because of non-visualisation of calcifications. Prompt histological confirmation was obtained in 42/76 (55 %). In 28/76 (37 %) follow-up mammography was performed, and 7/28 subsequently underwent biopsy. Of 27 without biopsy, 21 (78 %) had follow-up. Nine cancers (9/49, 18 %) were found: 6 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), 3 infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC). Of 54 patients with either biopsy or at least 2 years' follow-up, 9 (17 %) had cancer (95 % CI 8-29). Cancer was present in 7/42 (17 %, 95 % CI 7-31 %) lesions that had prompt histological confirmation (DCIS = 5, IDC = 2) and in 2/28 (7 %, 95 % CI 0.8-24 %) lesions referred for follow-up (DCIS = 1, IDC = 1). Neither calcification morphology (P = 0.2), patient age (P = 0.7), breast density (P = 1.0), personal history (P = 1.0) nor family history of breast cancer (P = 0.5) had a significant association with cancer. CONCLUSION: Calcifications not visualised on the stereotactic unit are not definitely benign and require surgical biopsy or follow-up. No patient or morphological features were predictive of cancer. KEY POINTS: • Half of cancelled stereotactic biopsies were due to non-visualisation of calcified foci. • This reflects the improved detection of calcifications by digital mammography. • Calcifications too faint for the stereotactic technique require alternative biopsy or follow-up • 17 % of patients with biopsy or at least 2 years' follow-up had cancer. • No patient/morphological features were found to aid selection for re-biopsy vs. follow-up.

MR imaging features of triple-negative breast cancers.

Triple-negative (TN) breast cancers, which are associated with a more aggressive clinical course and poorer prognosis, often present with benign imaging features on mammography and ultrasound. The purpose of this study was to compare the magnetic resonance imaging features of TN breast cancers with estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2) negative cancers. Retrospective review identified 140 patients with TN breast cancer who underwent a preoperative breast MRI between 2003 and 2008. Comparison was made to 181 patients with ER+/PR+/HER2- cancer. Breast MRIs were independently reviewed by two radiologists blinded to the pathology. Discrepancies were resolved by a third radiologist. TN cancers presented with a larger tumor size (p = 0.002), higher histologic grade (<0.001), and were more likely to be unifocal (p = 0.018) compared with ER+/PR+/HER2- tumors. MRI features associated with TN tumors included mass enhancement (p = 0.026), areas of intratumoral high T2 signal intensity (p < 0.001), lobulated shape (p < 0.001), rim enhancement (p < 0.001), and smooth margins (p = 0.005). Among the TN tumors with marked necrosis, 26% showed a large central acellular zone of necrosis.

Papilloma diagnosed at MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy: is surgical excision still warranted?

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to determine the frequency of cancer at surgery in breast lesions yielding papilloma at MRI-guided 9-gauge vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB) and to determine whether any features are associated with cancer upgrade. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this study, 1487 MRI-guided vacuum-assisted biopsies performed from January 2004 to March 2011 were reviewed. Lesions yielding papilloma were identified and classified as papilloma with or without atypia. Surgical findings were reviewed to determine the cancer rate. Statistical analysis was performed and 95% CIs were calculated. RESULTS: Papilloma was identified in 75 of the 1487 MRI-guided vacuum-assisted biopsies (5%). These 75 papillomas occurred in 73 women with a median age of 49 years (age range, 27-70 years). Of the 75 papillomas, 25 (33%) had atypia and 50 (67%) did not on core needle biopsy. Subsequent surgery of 67 of the 75 papillomas (89%) yielded ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in four (6%; 95% CI, 2-15%). Surgery yielded DCIS in two of 23 papillomas with atypia (9%; 95% CI, 1-28%) at MRI-guided VAB and in two of 44 papillomas without atypia (5%; 95% CI, 0.4-16%) at MRI-guided VAB; these cancer rates did not differ significantly (p=0.6). Postmenopausal status (p=0.04) and histologic size of less than 0.2 cm (p=0.04) had a significant association with the cancer upgrade rate. CONCLUSION: Papilloma with or without atypia was found in 5% of patients who underwent MRI-guided VAB during the study period. Surgery revealed cancer in 6%. DCIS was found at surgery in 9% of lesions yielding papilloma with atypia versus 5% of lesions yielding papilloma without atypia. For lesions yielding papilloma with or without atypia at MRI-guided VAB, surgical excision is warranted.

Cancellation of MR imaging-guided breast biopsy due to lesion nonvisualization: frequency and follow-up.

PURPOSE: To determine the rate of canceled magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-guided breast biopsies due to nonvisualization of the lesion and to assess associated features and outcome data for these cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With the approval of the institutional review board, a HIPAA-compliant retrospective review, in which the requirement for informed consent was waived, was performed for 907 patients scheduled for MR imaging-guided breast biopsy from 2004 to 2008. In 70 patients, MR imaging biopsy was canceled due to lesion nonvisualization. Medical records and imaging studies were reviewed to identify patient, parenchymal, lesion features and outcome data. Statistical analysis was performed with the Fisher exact test. The 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. RESULTS: Cancellation of MR-guided biopsy due to lesion nonvisualization occurred in 8% (70 of 907) of patients and in 8% (74 of 911) of lesions. Factors associated with a significantly higher cancellation rate included marked and moderate versus mild and minimal background parenchymal enhancement (38 of 316 [12%] vs 32 of 591 [5%], P = .001), extremely and heterogeneously dense versus scattered fibroglandular densities and fatty parenchymal volume (64 of 712 [9%] vs six of 195 [3%], P = .006), and lesions 1 cm or less in size (52 of 520 [10%] vs 22 of 391 [6%], P = .02).The rate of cancellation per year was highest in the first year, with a decrease in subsequent years (14 of 102 [14%] vs 56 of 805 [7%], P = .025). A significantly lower rate was found in women with synchronous breast cancer (nine of 240 [4%] vs 61 of 667 [9%], P = .007), and a significantly higher rate was found in women with a history of cancer (35 of 315 [11%] vs 35 of 592 [6%], P = .01). Among 58 women who had MR imaging follow-up, no cancers were identified. Among three women who underwent mastectomy after cancellation, one had ductal carcinoma in situ in the same quadrant as the MR-depicted lesion. The cancer detection rate among 61 women who underwent either MR imaging or pathologic follow-up was 2% (one of 61) (95% CI: 0.4%, 9%). CONCLUSION: MR imaging-guided breast biopsy was canceled due to lesion nonvisualization in 8% of the patients. Although the cancer detection rate among the lesions for which biopsy was canceled is low (95% CI: 0%, 9%), short-term follow-up MR imaging is prudent.

Diagnostic usefulness of water-to-fat ratio and choline concentration in malignant and benign breast lesions and normal breast parenchyma: an in vivo (1) H MRS study.

PURPOSE: To compare total choline concentrations ([Cho]) and water-to-fat (W/F) ratios of subtypes of malignant lesions, benign lesions, and normal breast parenchyma and determine their usefulness in breast cancer diagnosis. Reference standard was histology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this HIPPA compliant study, proton MRS was performed on 93 patients with suspicious lesions (>1 cm) who underwent MRI-guided interventional procedures, and on 27 prospectively accrued women enrolled for screening MRI. (W/F) and [Cho] values were calculated using MRS data. RESULTS: Among 88 MRS-evaluable histologically-confirmed lesions, 40 invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC); 10 invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC); 4 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS); 3 invasive mammary carcinoma (IMC); 31 benign. No significant difference observed in (W/F) between benign lesions and normal breast tissue. The area under curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for discriminating the malignant group from the benign group were 0.97, 0.72, and 0.99 using [Cho], (W/F) and their combination as biomarkers, respectively. (W/F) performs significantly (P < 0.0001;AUC = 0.96) better than [Cho] (AUC = 0.52) in differentiating IDC and ILC lesions. CONCLUSION: Although [Cho] and (W/F) are good biomarkers for differentiating malignancy, [Cho] is a better marker. Combining both can further improve diagnostic accuracy. IDC and ILC lesions have similar [Cho] levels but are discriminated using (W/F) values.

Background parenchymal enhancement on baseline screening breast MRI: impact on biopsy rate and short-interval follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: Background parenchymal enhancement on breast MRI refers to normal enhancement of the patient's fibroglandular tissue. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of background parenchymal enhancement on short-interval follow-up, biopsy, and cancer detection rate on baseline screening MRI in a high-risk group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred fifty baseline high-risk screening MRI examinations were reviewed. For each, the background parenchymal enhancement pattern was recorded (minimal, ≤ 25%; mild, 26-50%; moderate, 51-75%; and marked, > 75%), as were BI-RADS category, biopsy rate, and final pathology result. Results were compared for each enhancement category. RESULTS: Of the 250 MRI examinations, 24.8% showed minimal enhancement; 34%, mild; 24%, moderate; and 17.2%, marked enhancement. Women with minimal enhancement had a significantly higher number of BI-RADS categories 1 and 2 examinations (64.5%) than women with mild (38.8%), moderate (40%), or marked (25.6%) enhancement. The BI-RADS category 3 rate was 43.6% overall and was significantly lower for women with minimal enhancement (27.4% vs 47.1% for women with mild, 45.0% for women with moderate, and 58.1% for women with marked enhancement). At follow-up, 86.2% of the BI-RADS 3 lesions were converted to BI-RADS category 1 or 2 and 13.8% were converted to BI-RADS 4, with a malignancy rate of 0.9% for lesions undergoing short-interval follow-up. There was no significant difference in biopsy rate or cancer detection rate among enhancement categories. CONCLUSION: Mild, moderate, and marked background parenchymal enhancement is associated with a significantly lower rate of BI-RADS categories 1 and 2 assessments and a significantly higher rate of BI-RADS category 3 assessments than minimal enhancement. There was no significant difference in biopsy rate or cancer detection rate among the enhancement categories.

Breast MRI screening of women with a personal history of breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to determine the cancer detection and biopsy rate among women who have breast MRI screening solely on the basis of a personal history of breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective review of 1,699 breast MRI examinations performed from 1999 to 2001 yielded 144 women with prior breast cancer but no family history who commenced breast MRI screening during that time. Minimal breast cancer was defined as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or node-negative invasive breast cancer < 1 cm in size. RESULTS: Of 144 women, 44 (31% [95% CI, 15-29%]) underwent biopsies prompted by MRI examination. Biopsies revealed malignancies in 17 women (12% [95% CI, 7-18%]) and benign findings only in 27 women (19% [95% CI, 13-26%]). Of the 17 women in whom cancer was detected, seven also had benign biopsy results. In total, 18 malignancies were found. One woman had two metachronous cancers. MRI screening resulted in a total of 61 biopsies, with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 39% (95% CI, 27-53%). The malignancies found included 17 carcinomas and one myxoid liposarcoma. Of the 17 cancers, 12 (71%) were invasive, five (29%) were DCIS, and 10 (59%) were minimal breast cancers. Of 17 cancers, 10 were detected by MRI only. The 10 cancers detected by MRI only, versus seven cancers later found by other means, were more likely to be DCIS (4/10 [40%] vs 1/7 [14%]; p = 0.25) or minimal breast cancers (7/10 [70%] vs 3/7 [43%]; p = 0.26). CONCLUSION: We found that breast MRI screening of women with only a personal history of breast cancer was clinically valuable finding malignancies in 12%, with a reasonable biopsy rate (PPV, 39%).

Flat Epithelial Atypia in Breast Core Needle Biopsies With Radiologic-Pathologic Concordance: Is Excision Necessary?

Flat epithelial atypia (FEA) is an alteration of terminal duct lobular units by a proliferation of ductal epithelium with low-grade atypia. No consensus exists on whether the diagnosis of FEA in core needle biopsy (CNB) requires excision (EXC). We retrospectively identified all in-house CNBs obtained between January 2012 and July 2018 with FEA. We reviewed all CNB slides and assessed radiologic-pathologic concordance. An upgrade was defined as invasive carcinoma (IC) and/or ductal carcinoma in situ in the EXC. The EXC slides of all upgraded cases were rereviewed. Out of ∼15,700 consecutive CNBs in the study period, 106 CNBs from 106 patients yielded FEA alone or with classic lobular neoplasia (LN). We excluded 52 CNBs (40 patients with prior/concurrent carcinoma and 12 without EXC). After rereview, we reclassified 14 cases (2 marked nuclear atypia, 10 focal atypical ductal hyperplasia, 2 benign). The final FEA study cohort consisted of 40 CNBs from 40 women. The CNB targeted mammographic calcifications in 36 (90%) cases, magnetic resonance imaging nonmass enhancement in 3 (8%), and 1 (2%) sonographic mass. All CNBs were deemed radiologic-pathologic concordant. FEA was present alone in 34 CNBs and with LN in 6. EXC yielded 2 low-grade IC, each spanning <2 mm, identified in tissue sections without biopsy site changes. The remaining 38 cases had no upgrade. Classic LN did not affect the upgrade. The upgrade rate of FEA was 5%; both minute, low-grade "incidental" IC. We conclude that nonsurgical management may be considered in patients without prior/concurrent carcinoma and radiologic-pathologic concordant CNB diagnosis of FEA.

Imaging of late complications from mantle field radiation in lymphoma patients.

Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the most curable cancers because of its sensitivity to both radiation and several chemotherapy agents. Radical radiotherapy alone provided curative therapy for patients who had Hodgkin lymphoma as early as six decades ago. Yet, the radiation field included normal organs, such as breast tissue, thyroid, and coronary arteries, which were at risk for long-term complications. Dedicated imaging approaches have been developed to evaluate late radiation effects on these structures.

Cultural immersion through ethnography: the lived experience and group process.

A baccalaureate nursing class studying community/public health is a rich setting in which to initiate change in ethnocentric perspectives and foster an understanding of diverse cultures. This teaching strategy requires students to randomly select one of seven ethnographies to read, and then to write an analysis based on required guidelines. The results of the ethnographic analyses show that students immerse themselves within the culture of their respective texts. Ultimately, in-class learning groups are formed for each ethnography, and participants discuss their respective analyses. After exploring their commonalities and differences, students present the results to the entire class. This activity affords everyone a multicultural experience by sharing the different ethnographies and each student's perspective. This critical thinking activity serves to awaken one's ethnocentricity and paves the way to insightful changes and beliefs about diverse cultures.