Upper outer boundaries of the axillary dissection. Result of the SENTIBRAS protocol: Multicentric protocol using axillary reverse mapping in breast cancer patients requiring axillary dissection.

BACKGROUND: Two thirds of node-positive breast cancer patients have limited pN1 disease and could benefit from a less extensive axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). METHODS: 172 breast cancers patients requiring an ALND were prospectively enrolled in the Sentibras Protocol of Axillary Reverse Mapping (ARM). Radioisotope was injected in the ipsilateral hand the day before surgery. ALND was standard. Removed lymph nodes were classified into non radioactive nodes and radioactive nodes (ARM nodes). Among ARM nodes, nodes located in the upper outer part of the axilla, above the second intercostal brachial nerve and lateral to the lateral thoracic vein were identified as "zone D ARM nodes". The main objective was: feasibility of identification of the zone D ARM nodes. Secondary objectives were: metastatic involvement and lymphedema rate. RESULTS: 100% of patients had ARM nodes identified. The "zone D ARM nodes" were identified in 92% of cases. The rate of metastatic nodes was 60% in the all cohort, 31% in ARM nodes and 9% in zone D ARM nodes. Among those, metastatic rate was 6% in patients undergoing ALND for a positive sentinel node biopsy, 6% in case of primary ALND versus 14% after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (p < 0.05). After 34 months of median follow up, 27% of interviewed patients had a lymphedema. CONCLUSION: The ARM technique reliably identifies the "zone D ARM nodes". These nodes can also easily be identified using knowledge of axillary anatomy. In selected patients, a selective ALND sparing the zone D ARM nodes could be performed.

[Sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer using magnetic tracer: preliminary study]. / Technique d'identification du ganglion sentinelle dans le cancer du sein par traceur magnétique : étude préliminaire.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of the magnetic technique for sentinel node biopsy (SNB) in breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 10 consecutives patients with breast cancer scheduled for SNB, who were clinically node negative, were recruited. SNB was undertaken after injection of both magnetic and radio-isotopic tracers. RESULTS: One or more SN were identified among 10 patients (identification rate of 100%). The median number of GS taken was 1.7 (range 1-3). In total, 17 GS were taken. SN were radioactive and ferromagnetic (82.3%), 3 were only radioactive and none was only ferromagnetic. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The magnetic technique is feasible, but cannot be used alone due to technical constraints.

Prognostic factors in 401 elderly women with metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Elderly patients with metastatic breast cancer have a prognosis and outcome that may be dependent on a host of factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 401 female breast cancer patients who developed metastatic disease after the age of 70 years in order to define potential prognostic factors for specific survival at the time of first recurrence. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 60 months from the time of recurrence, the median specific survival was 21.0 months (95% CI 17.0-23.0). In multivariate analysis we demonstrated that negative hormonal receptor status (p = 0.002), presence of positive lymph nodes at initial cancer diagnosis (hazard ratio, HR = 1.37; 95% CI 1.07-1.75; p = 0.01), site of metastasis (p < 10(-4)) and metastasis-free interval (HR = 0.99; 95% CI 0.95-0.99; p = 0.008) constituted unfavorable independent prognostic factors able to predict specific survival from the time of metastatic occurrence. Age at initial diagnosis, Scarff-Bloom Richardson grade and adjuvant treatments were significant only in univariate analysis. CONCLUSION: These survival prognostic factors associated with the use of a specific geriatric questionnaire to assess frailty may assist physicians in evaluating the patient's survival potential and choose a tailored treatment to this cancer population.

["V" axillary incision for the management of tumors of upper outer quadrant and axillary tail of the breast: retrospective study and technical description]. / Incision en "V" axillaire dans la prise en charge des tumeurs du quadrant supéro-externe et du prolongement axillaire du sein: étude rétrospective et description technique.

INTRODUCTION: Tumors of the upper outer quadrant of the breast represent the most common location of breast malignant tumors. Although the choice of surgical approach should be dictated primarily by an imperative of oncological safety, esthetic and practical considerations of the surgeon as well as the esthetic demands of patients have become increasingly important with the development of breast conservative surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, we reviewed 30 patients (mean age: 62.3 years) who were operated for a tumor of the upper outer quadrant (50 %) or the axillary tail (50 %) of the breast and who received a "V" axillary incision between 2008 and 2012. The incision draws a "V" that comprises a horizontal incision in an axilla fold associated with a vertical arcuate incision in a Langer line of the breast. The number and type of postoperative complications were collected. Patients were asked about the quality of their scar, position of the areola and breast shape was notified during consultations control. RESULTS: The mean follow-up of patients was 32.7 months. No postoperative complications were observed. A percentage of 86.6 % of patients rated their scar result as excellent. We found no areolar malposition and no morphological deformation of the breast. The surgeons who performed this technique were very pleased with the wide exposure and the uniqueness of this incision fully respecting the architecture of the breast. CONCLUSION: "V" axillary incision is a useful and easily reproducible technical option for the management of tumors of the upper outer quadrant and the axillary tail of the breast.

Intraoperative radiological margin assessment in breast-conserving surgery.

UNLABELLED: A prospective study was lead in order to analyze the accuracy of an X-ray device settled in the operating room for margin assessment, when performing breast-conserving surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and seventy patients were included. All lesions were visible on the preoperative mammograms. An intraoperative X-ray of the lumpectomy specimen was systematically performed for margins assessment. Final histological data were collected and the accuracy of intraoperative specimen radiography (IOSR) for margin assessment was analyzed. RESULTS: IOSR allowed an evaluation of margins status in 155 cases (91.2%). After final histological examination, the positive margins rate would have been 6.5% if margin assessment had relied only on IOSR. CONCLUSION: Margin assessment with a two-dimensional X-ray device would have allowed the achievement of negative margins in 93.5% of the cases. Moreover, this procedure allows important time-saving and could have a substantial economical impact.

[Mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction using a prosthesis and lower dermal flap: description of five cases]. / Mastectomie avec reconstruction immédiate par prothèse et lambeau inférieur dermique : à propos de cinq cas.

INTRODUCTION: When performing mastectomy involving immediate reconstruction with prosthesis, it is required to obtain a complete cover of the implant. However, this is hardly ever possible for patients having a significant breast volume, despite the use of the skin-reducing technique. Using the lower dermal flap makes it possible to fully cover the implant for these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We will describe five cases of patients on whom skin-reducing mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with prosthesis and lower dermal flap were performed. Preoperative drawings were made following the so-called "Saint-Louis" pattern. During surgery, the future skin flap representing the skin cover of lower breast quadrants was de-epidermised. Mastectomy was then performed via an incision at the upper limit of the future flap. Then, a retro-pectoral pocket was created by lifting the pectoralis major muscle. The implant was introduced into this pocket and covered up at its lower part by the dermal flap, the upper edge of which was sutured to the lower edge of the pectoralis major muscle. The implant was thereby fully covered. Finally, the skin was closed with inverted T-scars. RESULTS: Postoperative effects were minor. Two patients suffered from skin pain at the junction between the vertical and horizontal scars of the inverted T. These injuries were treated via healing by secondary intention. We have not observed any infection. Cosmetic results assessed by the patients and surgical team were considered as satisfactory. CONCLUSION: Mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using a prosthesis and lower dermal flap makes it possible to fully cover the implant in patients who require the skin-reducing technique. This technique seems to minimise the risk of major complications and generates satisfactory cosmetic results.

[Functional impairment and its impact on sporting activities after latissimus dorsi flap breast reconstruction]. / Séquelles fonctionnelles et impact sur la pratique sportive de la reconstruction mammaire par lambeau de grand dorsal.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The latissimus dorsi flap is commonly used for breast reconstruction. Donor site morbidity is the major side effect of this surgery. However, if the impact of the latissimus dorsi muscle removal on daily living activities has already been studied, few data are available about its consequences on sporting activities. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Our retrospective monocentric study reviewed 75 consecutive female patients who underwent latissimus dorsi muscle transfer for breast reconstruction with a mean follow-up of 32.4 months. Patients had to answer a questionnaire per phone about their sporting, daily living and working activities before and after surgery. If they felt any changes after surgery, the type of limitation was detailed (pain, strength, endurance). RESULTS: We showed a reduction in sporting activities for 43% patients practising a sport using the upper limb compared to 19% for them using the lower limb (P<0.05%). Eighty-three percent of the patients felt restricted for at less one activity of daily living. 5.2% had to adapt their working conditions after surgery. CONCLUSION: The reduction in sporting activities using the upper limb after surgery suggests a negative impact of the surgery. However, other factors than the latissimus dorsi muscle removal might contribute to this reduction.

Cost comparison of axillary sentinel lymph node detection and axillary lymphadenectomy in early breast cancer. A national study based on a prospective multi-institutional series of 985 patients 'on behalf of the Group of Surgeons from the French Unicancer Federation'.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to assess the global cost of the sentinel lymph node detection [axillary sentinel lymph node detection (ASLND)] compared with standard axillary lymphadenectomy [axillary lymph node dissection (ALND)] for early breast cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective, multi-institutional, observational, cost comparative analysis. Cost calculations were realized with the micro-costing method from the diagnosis until 1 month after the last surgery. RESULTS: Eight hundred and thirty nine patients were included in the ASLND group and 146 in the ALND group. The cost generated for a patient with an ASLND, with one preoperative scintigraphy, a combined method for sentinel node detection, an intraoperative pathological analysis without lymphadenectomy, was lower than the cost generated for a patient with lymphadenectomy [€ 2947 (σ = 580) versus € 3331 (σ = 902); P = 0.0001]. CONCLUSION: ASLND, involving expensive techniques, was finally less expensive than ALND. The length of hospital stay was the cost driver of these procedures. The current observational study points the heterogeneous practices for this validated and largely diffused technique. Several technical choices have an impact on the cost of ASLND, as intraoperative analysis allowing to reduce rehospitalization rate for secondary lymphadenectomy or preoperative scintigraphy, suggesting possible savings on hospital resources.

MRI for the size assessment of pure ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): a prospective study of 33 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether MRI assesses the size of ductal carcinomas in situ (DCIS) more accurately than mammography, using the histopathological dimension of the surgical specimen as the reference measurement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-center prospective study conducted from March 2007 to July 2008 at the Antoine-Lacassagne Cancer Treatment Center (Nice, France) included 33 patients with a histologically proven DCIS by needle biopsy, who all underwent clinical examination, mammography, and MRI interpreted by an experienced radiologist. All patients underwent surgery at our institution. The greatest dimensions of the DCIS determined by the two imaging modalities were compared with the histopathological dimension ascertained on the surgical specimen. The study was approved by the local Ethical Research Committee and was authorized by the French National Health Agency (AFSSAPS). RESULTS: The mean age of the 33 patients was 59.7 years (± 10.3). Three patients had a palpable mass at clinical breast examination; 82% underwent conservative surgical therapy rather than radical breast surgery (mastectomy); 6% required repeat surgery. MRI detected 97% of the lesions. Non-mass-like enhancement was noted for 78% of the patients. In over 50% of the cases, distribution of the DCIS was ductal or segmental and the kinetic enhancement curve was persistent. Lesion size was correctly estimated (± 5 mm), under-estimated (<5mm), or over-estimated (>5mm), respectively, by MRI in 60%, 19% and 21% of cases and by mammography in 38%, 31% and 31% (p = 0.05). Mean lesion size was 25.6mm at histopathology, 28.1mm at MRI, and 27.2mm on mammography (nonsignificant difference). The correlation coefficient between histopathological measurement and MRI was 0.831 versus 0.674 between histopathology and mammography. The correlation coefficient increased with the nuclear grade of the DCIS on mammography; this coefficient also increased as the mammographic breast density decreased. CONCLUSION: MRI appears to assess the size of DCIS better than mammography by limiting the number of under- and over-estimations compared to histopathology findings.

[Second conservative radiosurgical treatment for ipsilateral breast cancer recurrence]. / Second traitement conservateur radiochirurgical dans les récidives locales du cancer du sein.

PURPOSE: Currently, radical mastectomy represents the gold standard for ipsilateral breast cancer recurrence. However, we already showed that a second conservative treatment was feasible combining lumpectomy plus low-dose rate interstitial brachytherapy. In this study, we reported the preliminary results of a second conservative treatment using a high-dose rate brachytherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From June 2005 to July 2009, 42 patients presenting with an ipsilateral breast cancer recurrence underwent a second conservative treatment. Plastic tubes were implanted intra-operatively at the time of the lumpectomy. After a post-implant CT scan, a total dose of 34 Gy in 10 fractions over 5 consecutive days was delivered through an ambulatory procedure. The toxicity evaluation used the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v3.0. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 21 months (6-50 months), median age at the time of the local recurrence was 65 years (30-85 years). The median delay between the primary and the recurrence was 11 years (1-35 years). The location of the recurrence was in the tumor bed for 22 patients (52.4%), in the same quadrant for 14 patients (33.3%) and unknown for six patients (14.3%). The median tumor size of the recurrence was 12 mm (2-30 mm). The median number of plastic tubes and plans were nine (5-12) and two (1-3) respectively. The median CTV was 68 cm(3) (31.2-146 cm(3)). The rate of second local control was 97%. Twenty-two patients (60%) experienced complications. The most frequent side effect consisted in cutaneous and sub-cutaneous fibrosis (72% of all the observed complications). CONCLUSION: A second conservative treatment for ipsilateral breast cancer recurrence using high-dose rate brachytherapy appears feasible leading to encouraging results in terms of second local control with an acceptable toxicity. Considering that a non-inferiority randomized trial comparing mastectomy versus second conservative treatment could be difficult to perform, what proof level will be necessary to achieve in order to change the medical procedures?

[Accelerated partial breast irradiation using interstitial high dose rate brachytherapy: preliminary clinical and dosimetric results after 61 patients]. / Irradiation insterstitielle partielle et accélérée du sein de haut débit de dose: résultats préliminaires cliniques et dosimétriques sur 61 patientes.

PURPOSE: Among all the accelerated and partial breast irradiation (APBI) techniques, low then high dose rate, interstitial brachytherapy (HDIB) was the first to be used in this field. This study presents the preliminary clinical and dosimetric results of the APBI using HDIB, performed in Antoine Lacassagne Cancer Center of Nice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From June 2004 to March 2008, 61 patients (37 primary tumors and 24 second conservative treatments after local recurrence) presenting with T1-2 pN0 non-lobular invasive breast carcinoma, underwent lumpectomy with sentinel lymph node dissection and intraoperative tube placement for HDIB. Dose distribution analysis, using dose-volume histograms, was achieved based on a postoperative CT scan. A comparative dosimetric study was performed between optimized (O) and non-optimized (NO) dose distribution. Then, based on conformal index calculation, a novel index was proposed taking into account not only the conformity but also the homogeneity of HDIB implant. An analysis of dose gradient impact on HDIB biological equivalence dose was also conducted. Statistical analysis used T test confirmed by Wilcoxon test for cohort including less than 30 patients. RESULTS: The comparative dosimetric analysis between O and NO dose distributions shown that conformity indexes (conformal index, conformal number, and D90%) were significantly increased after optimization. Improving conformity leads to increasing hyperdosage volumes (V150% and V200%). A new index named conformity and homogeneity index (CHI) including V150% values, modified the conformal index. A total dose of 34 Gy, delivered through HDIB in 10 fractions over five days was biologically equivalent to 41.93 Gy assuming alpha/beta = 4 Gy and 75.76 Gy if the dose gradient was considered in the calculation. CONCLUSIONS: HDIB is considered as one of the best IPAS technique. HDIB allows dose distribution optimization, skin spearing and accurate clinical target volume definition. Furthermore, HDIB dose gradient could play a key role for breast cancer local control.