Should patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer and one or two positive sentinel nodes undergo axillary dissection to determine candidacy for adjuvant abemaciclib?

BACKGROUND: The monarchE trial demonstrated improved outcomes with the use of adjuvant abemaciclib in patients with high-risk hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/HER2-) breast cancer defined as ≥4 positive lymph nodes (+LNs) or one to three +LNs with one or more additional high-risk features (HRFs). The proportion of patients with one or two positive sentinel lymph nodes (+SLNs) without HRFs who had ≥4 +LNs at the time of completion axillary lymph node dissection (cALND), and who therefore qualified for receipt of abemaciclib, was investigated. METHODS: Females with pathologically node-positive nonmetastatic HR+/HER2- breast cancer stratified by the number of +SLNs and +LNs and the presence of one or more HRFs were identified from the National Cancer Database (2018-2019). The proportion of patients meeting the criteria for abemaciclib both before and after ALND was assessed. RESULTS: Of the 22,048 patients identified, 1578 patients underwent upfront surgery, had one or two +SLNs without HRFs, and went on to cALND. Only 213 (13%) of these patients had ≥4 +LNs; thus, cALND performed solely to determine abemaciclib candidacy would have constituted surgical overtreatment in 1365 patients (87%). When stratified by the number of +SLNs, only 10% of those with one +SLN and 24% of those with two +SLNs had ≥4 +LNs after cALND, which meets the criteria for abemaciclib. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with one +SLN without HRFs are unlikely to have ≥4 +LNs and should not be subjected to the morbidity of ALND in order to inform candidacy for abemaciclib. An individualized multidisciplinary discussion should be undertaken about the risk:benefit ratio of ALND and abemaciclib for those with two +SLNs.

Immediate Breast Reconstruction Using the Autologous Dermal Flap.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the development of breast-conserving surgery in breast cancer treatment, there still remain indications for total mastectomy. Since mastectomy has a significant negative impact on the patients' quality of life, breast reconstruction is increasingly popular. However, for patients with large ptotic breasts who do not choose tissue-based reconstruction techniques and prefer implant-based breast reconstruction, there is no single-stage breast reconstruction technique other than the classic technique using Acellular Dermal Matrix (ADM). METHODS: This study presents a novel technique for Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy (NSM) and Immediate Breast reconstruction (IBR) in 11 operations (in seven patients) whose treatment decision-making was based on NCCN guidelines. In this technique, the implant/tissue expander is covered by the pectoral muscle in the upper part and an autologous dermal flap in the lower part, replacing an ADM. The dermal flap is created from the de-epithelialized lower mastectomy flap in these large ptotic breasts. Maintaining the nipple-areola complex (NAC) is possible by re-implanting a free nipple split-thickness graft from the NAC of the ipsilateral breast prepared at the beginning of the operation. RESULTS: All seven patients had large ptotic breasts ranging from C cup to double D in size and grade 2 and higher breast ptosis. The mean BMI of the patients was 28 (range: 26-33). No major complications occurred postoperatively. There were three minor complications, all managed conservatively. Surgical indications were risk reduction surgery in three patients with BRCA mutations and therapeutic in the remaining patients (three multifocal invasive ductal carcinomas and one diffused ductal carcinoma in situ). None of the patients had a previous reduction mammoplasty as preparation for NSM, and all the patients underwent a single operation. No breast tissue remained under the NAC, which is ideal with the NSM technique. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed technique is excellent for implant-based IBR in patients with large ptotic breasts. It eliminates the use of ADM mesh and reduces the cost and postoperative complication rate associated with ADM. Furthermore, using a free nipple graft technique can eliminate the need for a preparatory mastopexy. This technique can also theoretically reduce the risk of recurrence or new primary breast cancer as there are no remaining ducts beneath the nipple-areola complex.

Isolated psoas abscess caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis: A rare case report.

Psoas tuberculosis abscess is very rarely detected primarily without an adjacent vertebral cold abscess. Early diagnosis prevents unnecessary operations and life-threatening complications.

Does ultrasound evaluation of the axilla increase the rate of axillary lymph node dissection in early stage clinically node negative breast cancer patients?

BACKGROUND: Management and axillary staging of breast cancer has become less invasive and more conservative, over the decades. Considering Z011, axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) can be avoided in T1-2 N0-1 breast cancers with one or two positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs), if they are candidates for breast conserving surgery and radiotherapy. The aim of this study was to recognize if pre-operative axillary US evaluation in early-stage breast cancer could lead to more ALND in post Z011 era. METHOD: 463 breast cancer patients were evaluated. 368 early-stage breast cancer patients (T1-2 N0) were included. We did not perform axillary US in early stage clinically node negative patients; however, 97 patients had axillary US prior to our visit. If axillary US could detect more than two suspicious LNs, US guided biopsy was performed. The remaining clinically node negative patients underwent upfront SLNB. ALND was performed if more than two SLNs were metastatic, or US-guided ALN biopsy proved metastatic involvement. RESULTS: 97 patients had axillary US evaluation before the surgery. 67 patients (69.2%) did not have any suspicious US detected axillary LNs, 17 patients (17.5%) had one, 7 patients (7.2%) had two, and 6 patients (6.2%) had more than two suspicious LNs according to their axillary US evaluation. Those with more than two suspicious LNs underwent ALN US-guided biopsy. Metastatic involvement of the LNs was proved in all of them and they underwent upfront ALND. ALND revealed more than 2 metastatic LNs in 2/6 patients (33.3%). 91 patients who were evaluated by axillary US, had less than two US detected suspicious LNs and underwent SLNB. Amongst 24 patients with one or two US detected suspicious LNs, 1/24 patient had more than two positive SLNs and underwent ALND. In this group 15.6% underwent ALND and 5.2% of them were unnecessary according to the recent guidelines. Axillary US had a false positive rate of 36.6%. The sensitivity of axillary US in distinguishing patients with more than two suspicious LNs in clinically node negative patients was 25%. In the second group (without pre-operative axillary US evaluation), SLNB was performed. 204/272 patients (75%) did not have LN metastasis. 54/272 patients (19.9%) had one or two metastatic SLNs and according to Z011, ALND was omitted. 5.1% had more than two metastatic SLNs and underwent ALND. CONCLUSION: US evaluation of the axilla in early stage, clinically node negative breast cancer patients, is not sensitive enough to recognize more than two metastatic ALNs. It leads to more unnecessary ALND. Despite the small number of patients in this study, these results question the rationale of axillary US guided biopsy in low burden (less than two) suspicious LNs. looking for an imaging modality with a higher sensitivity in detecting the Burdon of axillary metastatic involvement is mandatory.

Evaluation of the indication of BRCA1/2 genetic tests in Iranian women and acceptance rate of risk-reducing surgeries in BRCA mutation carriers.

BACKGROUND: A higher risk for breast and ovarian cancer has been reported in BRCA carriers and prophylactic surgeries are proposed to reduce this risk. This retrospective cohort study has evaluated the indication of BRCA1/2 genetic tests in Iranian women and the rate of women's acceptance of prophylactic surgeries recommended by the surgeon. METHODS: Medical records of 147 high-risk women according to NCCN clinical practice guidelines who referred for BRCA mutations testing were assessed. Individual information, indications for BRCA1/2 genetic testing and their results, physician recommendations, and type of accepted surgery were registered. To evaluate the current status of women an active visit follow-up every six months was conducted. RESULTS: The mean age of women was 43.40 ± 10.94 and the median follow-up time was 1.92 years. Genetic test results showed 49(33.3%) women were positive for either BRCA1/2 mutations. Although the occurrence of breast cancer younger than 40 was the most common indication for genetic tests (26.5%), positive breast cancer history in first-degree relatives and two relatives younger than 50 was the most common indications with positive results. The rate of acceptance of prophylactic mastectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was (14.3% and 34.7%) in BRCA mutation carriers. CONCLUSION: If the onset of breast cancer at a young age (less than 40) will be the only indication for a BRCA analysis, the rate of a positive result (12.8%) is very low. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the age limit for genetic testing in our country. Prophylactic mastectomy acceptance is very low in BRCA1/2 carriers in our centers.

An Enteric Fistula to a Hip Fusion Mass, 30 Years After the Arthrodesis: A Case Report.

CASE: In this report, we describe a case of delayed enteric fistula to the hip fusion mass, 30 years after the hip fusion surgery with confusing symptoms at presentation. CONCLUSION: Fistula formation between bowel and the hip joint after a hip surgery is rare. Enteroarticular fistula can be fatal because of sepsis. The enteric fistula to the hip joint diagnosis may not always be straight forward, and it should be kept in mind as a probable differential diagnosis in many unrelated scenarios. Complete physical examination, preoperative sampling, paying attention to the intermittency of secretions during starvation, and timely consult with general surgeons can help.

Mastitis, Breast Abscess, and Granulomatous Mastitis.

Breastfeeding is immunoprotective and World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about six months with continuation of breastfeeding for one year or longer as mutually desired by mother and infant. But the target for duration of exclusive breastfeeding has not been reached in a significant number of women. It may be due to inflammatory breast disease such as milk stasis or lactational mastitis.In this chapter we discuss the most common complications of breastfeeding including milk stasis, mastitis, and breast abscess. Also idiopathic granulomatous mastitis, a less common condition, is discussed due to its confusing characteristics and not universally-accepted treatment strategies .Breastfeeding mastitis is inflammation of the breast that can be infectious or non-infectious. With proper diagnosis and treatment of this condition, more severe complications like breast abscess could be avoided, so that breastfeeding could be continued in some circumstances.

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis: Management and predictors of recurrence in 474 patients.

Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis (IGM) is an uncommon inflammatory disease of the breast, with similar presentations as breast cancer and a relatively high recurrence rate. We reviewed the demographics, clinical presentations, and treatment modalities of a large cohort of patients in Iran. Most of the patients had history of pregnancy and breastfeeding. The most common clinical finding was pain and a palpable mass, respectively. Most of the patients received medical treatment, and about half of the patients had surgery. The recurrence rate was 24.8%, and breast skin lesions were associated with a significantly higher odds of recurrence.

Comparison of Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy on Weight Loss, Weight Regain, and Remission of Comorbidities: A 5 Years of Follow-up Study.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the amount of weight loss and weight regain and also remission rate of obesity-related comorbidities including diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), and dyslipidemia in patients who underwent LRYGB or LSG during 5 years of follow-up. METHODS: A total of 120 patients who underwent LRYGB or LSG from 2011 to 2013 were enrolled and followed-up for 5 years. Changes in weight, body mass index (BMI), percent weight loss (%WL), and percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) were recorded. RESULT: %WL and %EWL were similar between two procedures at 1 year following operation. In patients who underwent LSG, %WL and %EWL were 24.6 ± 1.3% and 61.9 ± 3.5%, respectively, and in LRYGB were 30.4 ± 1.3% and 79.4 ± 3.6%, respectively, 5 years after surgery. Weight regain was 32.0% in LSG and 9.3% in LRYGB after 5 years. The remission rate of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia was 70%, 54%, and 100%, respectively, after 5 years of surgery. CONCLUSION: Comparing the 5-year success rate of these two techniques, LRYGB seems to be superior to LSG, with lower weight regain and higher weight loss. The short- and long-term effects of two procedures on remission of comorbidities were comparable.

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis: Looking for the most effective therapy with the least side effects according to the severity of the disease in 374 patients in Iran.

The goal of this study is to compare the response rate and the recurrence rate of available therapeutic modalities in the treatment of Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis (IGM). 374 patients with pathologically confirmed IGM, were included. They were subdivided into three levels of severity. Close observation had the best response rate with the lowest recurrence rate in mild to moderate cases. Severe cases were mostly treated by prednisolone or underwent surgery. The outcome of prednisolone use in severe cases was comparable to NSAIDs. Overall 9% were resistant to treatment and surgical intervention is still an option among them.

Prediction of mortality in pediatric burn injuries: R-baux score to be applied in children (pediatrics-baux score).

OBJECTIVE: R-Baux score has obtained an acceptable validity and accuracy in predicting burn-related mortality. However, its usage and efficacy among pediatric burn patients has not been well documented. The aim of this study was to employ Pediatrics-Baux (P-Buax) score as modified version of R-Baux score in these patients to determine how it could be applicable in this population. METHODS: Through a prospective study, 870 pediatric burn patients were enrolled. P-Baux and R-Baux scores were calculated for each patient and they were categorized to different groups according to these scores. Mortality and further death probability were measured for each subject and then analyzed by logistic regression model to reveal how they change in relation with age in pediatric burn patients. FINDINGS: R-Baux score for 95% probability of death revealed a mean of 73 among patients of this study. Also P-Baux score was measured in these patients with inhalation injury which showed to be 55 for 95% probability of death. Results showed that age had a positive prognostic value in contrast to the negative prognostic value of Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) and inhalation injury. CONCLUSION: Our analysis showed that in children under the age of 15 years, age has a positive prognostic value while TBSA and inhalation injuries had negative prognostic values in relation to mortality. Hence, in contrast to the adult population, burn injury related mortality may be predicted by modified R-Baux score as (TBSA - age + [18×R]) which could be named as P-Baux score.