Breast-conserving surgery with the geometric compensation/split reduction technique. Indications, oncologic safety and cosmesis. A cohort series and systematic review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: The Geometric Compensation Technique (GCT) and the Split Reduction Technique (SRT) enables breast conserving surgery (BCS) in selected patients with breast cancer initially candidates to mastectomy. METHODS: Observational study of patients with breast cancer who underwent GCT consecutively treated. Evaluated retrospectively: indications, clinical characteristics, surgical features and recurrences. Cosmesis were evaluated prospectively by the BCCT.core software, Harris/Harvard and Garbay scales. Descriptive statistics were performed, chi-square test was used to compare aesthetic outcomes; Kappa and Weighted Kappa test was used to assess agreement between the postoperative evaluations; Kaplan-Meier model for follow-up and recurrence. A systematic review was carried out using PRISMA methodology. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were evaluated, 26 (72.2%) with medium/large breasts with or without ptosis, seven (19.4%) with small breasts with or without ptosis, a profile undergoing GCT not previously identified in the literature. The mean tumor clinical size was 3.65 ± 1.59 cm. 34 (94.4%) patients underwent GCT. Mean follow-up time was 36.6 ± 16.8 months, with no local recurrences. According to BCCT.core, the postoperative aesthetic was good in 17 (51.5%) patients and 11 (33.3%) was reasonable. In the systematic review, 3.584 articles were evaluated, 20 articles were selected, 243 patients undergoing GCT were found, with several indications for BCS instead of mastectomy, with high rates of free margins, low recurrence and good aesthetic outcomes. CONCLUSION: GCT, an oncologically safe and aesthetically satisfactory option, has been extended to patients with small and medium breasts with ptosis, large tumors to breast volume or in unfavorable resection sites, initially candidates for mastectomy.

Modified External Oblique Myocutaneous Flap for Repair of Postmastectomy Defects in Locally Advanced Breast Tumors: A Cohort Series Associated with a Systematic Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND: Locally advanced breast tumors (LABT) are situations of difficult resolution in clinical practice. External oblique myocutaneous flap (EOMF) is an option, but there are few studies in the literature on its use. METHODS: This was a retrospective, cohort institutional study of patients with LABT who were undergoing mastectomy combined with the use of modified-EOMF (M-EOMF). Preoperative indications and conditions, factors associated with surgery, time to radiotherapy, local recurrence, and survival were assessed. A systematic review of the literature also was performed to evaluate the use of EOMF. RESULTS: Over the 10-year period, 17 patients underwent M-EOMF closure. The mean duration of surgery was 251 min, and extensive skin area was resected (mean 468 ± 260 cm2). Four patients developed local recurrence. The actuarial survival at 36 months was 48.3%. Using PRISMA statement, among 115 articles evaluated from 3 databases, 8 articles were selected, in which 146 patients underwent EOMF. EOMF are associated with low postoperative complications with 8.9% skin necrosis. The M-EOMF allowed the resection of larger areas than other flaps described in the literature but is associated with skin necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: M-EOMF has the advantages of not requiring a change in the patient's position for the closure of large areas. It is thus an acceptable option for chest wall reconstruction in tumors at the limit of resectability.

Breast-conserving treatment in oncoplastic times: indications, cosmesis, and quality of life

Breast-conserving treatment was established as an oncologically safe procedure for breast cancer. However, the cosmetic outcomes of breast-conserving treatments are often unsatisfactory. In this scenario, oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery incorporated plastic surgery concepts and techniques into the oncological treatment in order to ensure better cosmesis, thus increasing the indications for breast-conserving treatment. At the same time, oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery is usually presented as a generic term, which should be evaluated taking many aspects into account: indication, patient selection, the surgery itself, cosmetic quality, and quality of life ­ data that are still scarce in the literature.

VRAM flap for locally advanced breast cancer

The authors presented a case of a patient with locally advanced breast cancer, with mammary and axillary localization, initially considered non-resectable, with good response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Due to the location of the lesion and the need for extensive resection, radical mastectomy was performed, associated with reconstruction with myocutaneous flap of the vertical rectus abdominis muscle. Different therapeutic options, the reasons that determine this choice, and local long-term control were discussed.

Digital photography in skin cancer screening by mobile units in remote areas of Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is one of the most common neoplasms in the world. Despite the low mortality rates, NMSC can still cause severe sequelae when diagnosed at advanced stages. Malignant melanoma, the third most common type of skin cancer, has more aggressive behavior and a worse prognosis. Teledermatology provides a new tool for monitoring skin cancer, especially in countries with a large area and unequal population distribution. This study sought to evaluate the performance of digital photography in skin cancer diagnosis in remote areas of Brazil. METHODS: A physician in a Mobile Prevention Unit (MPU) took four hundred sixteen digital images of suspicious lesions between April 2010 and July 2011. All of the photographs were electronically sent to two oncologists at Barretos Cancer Hospital who blindly evaluated the images and provided a diagnosis (benign or malignant). The absolute agreement rates between the diagnoses made by direct visual inspection (by the MPU physician) and through the use of digital imaging (by the two oncologists) were calculated. The oncologists' accuracy in predicting skin cancer using digital imaging was assessed by means of overall accuracy (correct classification rate), sensitivity, specificity and predictive value (positive and negative). A skin biopsy was considered the gold standard. RESULTS: Oncologist #1 classified 59 lesions as benign with the digital images, while oncologist #2 classified 27 lesions as benign using the same images. The absolute agreement rates with direct visual inspection were 85.8% for oncologist #1 (95% CI: 77.1-95.2) and 93.5% for oncologist #2 (95% CI: 84.5-100.0). The overall accuracy of the two oncologists did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Given the high sensitivity and PPV, Teledermatology seems to be a suitable tool for skin cancer screening by MPU in remote areas of Brazil.

The impact of breast cancer screening among younger women in the Barretos Region, Brazil.

AIM: To verify the impact of breast cancer screening in women aged 40-49 years in one region of Brazil. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, targeted to asymptomatic women aged 40-69 years who had breast cancer screening mammography performed between January 2003 and December 2007. Logistic regression was used to estimate the risk of breast cancer by age groups (40-49, 50-59, 60-69 years). RESULTS: Of the 27,133 screened women, 51.9% (14,082) were aged between 40-49 years. The odds ratio (OR) of breast cancer among the 45-49 year age cohort was not significantly different from that of 60 to 69-year-old women (OR=0.64; 95% Confidence Interval 0.39 to 1.03). CONCLUSION: The risk of breast cancer among women aged 45 to 49 years is equivalent to that of women aged 60 to 69 years, indicating that breast cancer screening in this region of Brazil should start at the age of 45 years or immediately thereafter.

Modified radical mastectomy: a pilot clinical trial comparing the use of conventional electric scalpel and harmonic scalpel.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the rates of local postoperative complications among women undergoing modified radical mastectomy with an electric scalpel (ES) or a harmonic scalpel (HS). It is thought that HS use has less postoperative complications, mainly seroma formation. METHODS: This study was a prospective non-randomised clinical trial (NCT01391988) among consecutive patients, performed in parallel. Patients underwent modified radical mastectomy using an HS or ES. We analysed the following operative variables: time, blood loss and seroma volume drainage. Postoperative complications, including seroma, flap necrosis, haematoma and infection were evaluated on the 7th and 14th days. RESULTS: Forty-six patients underwent a MRM with ES and 49 with HS; no differences were observed between the groups. The rate of local complications was 29% in the HS group and 52% in the ES group (p = 0.024). The rates of seroma (16.3% versus 28.3%; p = 0.161), necrosis (4.1% vs. 21.7%; p = 0.013; OR = 0.15), haematoma (2.0% vs. 8.7%; p = 0.195) and infection (2.0% vs. 6.5%; p = 0.351) were lower in the HS group. Adding the findings of all comparative studies using HSs in MRM to the seroma rates in the current study, the seroma rate, expressed as a categorical variable, did not decrease with HS. Seroma was present in 60/219 cases using an HS and in 69/239 cases utilising an ES (p = 0.72). Based on a multivariate analysis, HS decreased the risk of skin necrosis (p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: HSs do not decrease the seroma rate. However, this method may be useful in skin sparing mastectomy because it decreases skin flap necrosis.

Mammography-based screening program: preliminary results from a first 2-year round in a Brazilian region using mobile and fixed units.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide. The use of mobile mammography units to offer screening to women living in remote areas is a rational strategy to increase the number of women examined. This study aimed to evaluate results from the first 2 years of a government-organized mammography screening program implemented with a mobile unit (MU) and a fixed unit (FU) in a rural county in Brazil. The program offered breast cancer screening to women living in Barretos and the surrounding area. METHODS: Based on epidemiologic data, 54 238 women, aged 40 to 69 years, were eligible for breast cancer screening. The study included women examined from April 1, 2003 to March 31, 2005. The chi-square test and Bonferroni correction analyses were used to evaluate the frequencies of tumors and the importance of clinical parameters and tumor characteristics. Significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Overall, 17 964 women underwent mammography. This represented 33.1% of eligible women in the area. A mean of 18.6 and 26.3 women per day were examined in the FU and MU, respectively. Seventy six patients were diagnosed with breast cancer (41 (54%) in the MU). This represented 4.2 cases of breast cancer per 1000 examinations. The number of cancers detected was significantly higher in women aged 60 to 69 years than in those aged 50 to 59 years (p < 0.001) or 40 to 49 years (p < 0.001). No difference was observed between women aged 40 to 49 years and those aged 50 to 59 years (p = 0.164). The proportion of tumors in the early (EC 0 and EC I) and advanced (CS III and CS IV) stages of development were 43.4% and 15.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results indicate that this mammography screening program is feasible for implementation in a rural Brazilian territory and favor program continuation.

Necrotizing soft tissue infection of the breast: case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI) is characterized by progressive infectious gangrene of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Its treatment involves intensive care, broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, and full debridement. METHODS: We present two cases of NSTI of the breast, adding these cases to the 14 described in the literature, reviewing the characteristics and evolution of all cases. CASE REPORT: On the fourth day after mastectomy, a 59-year-old woman with ulcerated breast cancer developed Type I NSTI caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which had a favorable evolution after debridement and broad-spectrum antibiotics. The second patient was a 57-year-old woman submitted to a mastectomy and axillary dissection, who had recurrent seromas. On the 32nd post-operative day, after a seroma puncture, she developed Type II NSTI caused by ß-hemolytic streptococci. She developed sepsis and died on the tenth day after debridement, intensive care, and broad-spectrum antibiotics. The cases are the first description of breast NSTI after mammary seroma aspiration and the first report of this condition caused by P. aeruginosa. CONCLUSION: Necrotizing soft tissue infection is rare in breast tissue. It frequently is of Type II, occurring mainly after procedures in patients with breast cancer. The surgeon's participation in controlling the focus of the infection is of fundamental importance, and just as important are broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy and support measures, such as maintenance of volume, correction of electrolytic disorders, and treatment of sepsis and septic shock. Once the infection has been brought under control, skin grafting or soft tissue flaps can be considered. The mortality rate in breast NSTI is 18.7%, all deaths being in patients with the fulminant Type II form. Surgical oncologists need to be alert to the possibility of this rare condition.

Biópsia do linfonodo sentinela para o câncer de mama com anestesia local / Sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer under local anesthesia

Introdução: A técnica da biópsia do linfonodo sentinela (BLS) e considerada padrão-ouro como método preditor do comprometimento axilar para o câncer de mama. Entretanto, a avaliação perioperatória do linfonodo sentinela tem desvantagens. Tentando minimizar as desvantagens, alguns serviços começaram a realizar a pesquisa do linfonodo sentinela sob anestesia local. O objetivo principal deste trabalho prospectivo e demonstrar nossa experiência na pesquisa do linfonodo sentinela, realizada sob anestesia local, e demonstrar a viabilidade deste procedimento. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo prospectivo que tem como alvo as pacientes matriculadas na Fundação Pio XII - Hospital de Câncer de Barretos, as quais são portadoras de carcinoma da mama. As pacientes foram submetidas à biópsia do linfonodo sentinela sob anestesia local, no período de janeiro a novembro de 2009, conforme protocolo estabelecido. Resultados: No período de janeiro a dezembro de 2009, foram realizados 41 procedimentos da pesquisa de linfonodo sentinela sob anestesia local. Durante o procedimento sob anestesia local, a média dissecada foi de 2,4 (0-5) linfonodos. Em quatro casos, o resultado anatomopatológico dos linfonodos ressecados foi positivo; houve um caso para macrometástases e três restantes para micrometástases. Em todos os pacientes, o procedimento foi realizado sem intercorrências, utilizando-se de doses de anestésicos muito inferiores aos seus níveis tóxicos. Todos os pacientes evoluíram sem qualquer tipo de complicação intra ou pós-operatória. Conclusão: A pesquisa do linfonodo sentinela sob anestesia local e um procedimento factível que traz pouco desconforto para o paciente, devendo ser indicado sempre que possível. Apresenta inúmeras vantagens, comparando-se com a técnica sob anestesia geral.

Introduction: The technique of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SIB) is the gold standard method to predict the axilar status for breast cancer. However, the intraoperative evaluation of the sentinel lymph node has disadvantages. Some services, attempting to minimize these disadvantages, have begun to carry out the sentinel lymph node biopsy under local anesthesia. The aim of this prospective study is to demonstrate our experience in the sentinel lymph node biopsy, which was carried out under local anesthesia, and this procedure's feasibility. Methods: This is a prospective study that targets the patients enrolled in the Hospital de Câncer de Barretos, suffering from breast cancer. The patients underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy under local anesthesia from January to November, 2009, according to the established protocol. Results: From January to December, 2009, 41 research procedures were performed of the sentinel lymph node under local anesthesia. During the procedure under local anesthesia, the dissected average was 2.4 (0-5) lymph nodes. In four cases, the result of the resected pathological lymph nodes was positive; in one case for macrometastases; and the remaining three for micrometastases. In all patients, the procedure was performed uneventfully, using doses of anesthetic below their toxic levels. All patients survived without any complications intra- or postoperatively. Conclusion: The sentinel lymph node biopsy under local anesthesia is a feasible procedure that brings little discomfort to the patient, and should be indicated whenever possible. It has many advantages, when comparing with the technique under general anesthesia.

A oncloplastia e o tempo de treinamento do cirurgião / Oncoplastic surgery and breast surgeon training

A cirurgia oncopIástica se tornou uma realidade em nosso meio, porém muitos mastologistas necessitam de habilitação nesse contexto. Atualmente, questiona-se quais profissionais podem realizar a oncoplastia e quando poderão realizar esse procedimento, sendo considerada a necessidade de um treinamento mínimo. Objetivo: Avaliar a taxa de realização de cirurgias oncoplásticas e a relação entre o tempo de treinamento do cirurgião em oncoplastia. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo das 2.129 pacientes submetidas a cirurgia mamária no Serviço de Mastologia de Hospital de Câncer de Barretos, no período de Janeiro de 2006 a Junho de 2008. Todos os procedimentos cirúrgicos foram realizados por cirurgiões oncológicos ou mastologistas. O treinamento em oncoplastia dos profissionais variou de seis meses (cirurgião A) a dez anos (E), com mediana de três anos, sendo três profissionais com três anos de experiencia (B e C); porem, destes, um apresentou treinamento exclusivo em oncoplastia por um ano (D). Procurou-se avaliar o percentual de cirurgias oncoplásticas realizadas no serviço, bem como o risco relativo (RR) do cirurgião como fator de risco para indicação da cirurgia oncoplástica. Resultados: Das cirurgias realizadas, 275 (12,9%) foram catalogadas como cirurgias oncoplásticas. Avaliando os semestres, a taxa de cirurgias oncoplásticas variou de 10,9 a 15%. Em cirurgiões com ênfase exclusiva em cirurgia oncológica, não se observou a realização de cirurgia oncoplástica. Nos cirurgiões com treinamento em oncoplastia, a taxa de realização desse procedimento variou de 2,2 a 33,3%. As frequências das cirurgias oncoplásticas foram, para os cirurgiões A, B, C, D e E, respectivamente, 2,2, 12,2, 12,2, 17,5 e 33,3%. A indicação foi proporcional ao tempo de treinamento (p < 0,001). Considerando o risco de realização do procedimento, tendo como base o cirurgião de menor treinamento (A), observou-se para o cirurgião B um RR 12,3 (IC: 5,2-28,9); para o cirurgião C um RR de 12,5...

Introduction: Oncoplastic surgery became a reality, but many breast specialists need to be able in this context. Objective: To assess the rate of oncoplastic surgeries and the relationship between the breast surgeon training time. Methods: A retrospective study of 2,129 patients undergoing breast surgery at the Department of Mastology of Hospital de Cancer de Barretos (SP), from January, 2006 to June, 2008. All surgical procedures were performed by surgeons or breast cancer specialists. The oncoplastic surgeons training time ranged from six months (surgeon A) to ten years (E), with a median of three years; three professionals had three years of experience (B and C). The surgeon (D) had an exclusive training in oncoplastic by one year. This study evaluated the percentage of oncoplastic surgeries performed in the service, and the relative risk (RR) of the surgeon as a risk factor for oncoplastic surgical indication. Results: Of the surgeries performed, 275 (12.9%) were listed as oncoplastic surgeries. Assessing each six months, the rate of oncoplastic surgeries ranged from 10.9 to 15%. The oncoplastic procedure rate by surgeons with training ranged from 2.2 to 33.3%. The frequencies of oncoplastic procedures by surgeons A, B, C, D and E, respectively are 2.2, 12.2, 12.2, 115 and 33.3%. The statement was proportional to the training time (p < 0.001). Considering the risk of the procedure, based on the surgeon's training under “A”, RR 12.3 was observed for the surgeon B (CI: 5,2 -28,9); RR 12.5 for the surgeon C (C:. 5,3-29,4); RR 18.6 for the surgeon D (CI: 7,6-45,4); and RR of 41.1 for the surgeon E (CI: 119 -94.4) - P < 0.001. Conclusions: The breast surgeon training time influenced the indication of oncoplastic procedures. Oncoplastic training centers should be encouraged.

Physiotherapeutic stimulation: Early prevention of lymphedema following axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer treatment.

The aim of this study was to confirm the effectiveness of early physiotherapeutic stimulation for lymphatic flow progression in patients with breast cancer undergoing axillary dissection. This was a randomized experimental study on 22 patients who underwent lymphoscintigraphy in their arms on two different occasions, firstly without stimulation and secondly after randomization into two groups: without physiotherapeutic stimulation (WOPS; n=10) and with physiotherapeutic stimulation (WPS; n=12). The lymphoscintigraphy scan was performed with (99m)Tc-phytate administered into the second interdigital space of the hand, ipsilaterally to the dissected axilla, in three phases: dynamic, static, and delayed whole body imaging. Physiotherapeutic stimulation was carried out using Földi's technique. In both groups, images from the two examinations of each patient were compared. Flow progression was considered positive when, on the second examination, the radiopharmaceutical reached areas more distant from the injection site. Statistical analysis was used to evaluate frequencies, percentages and central trend measurements, and non-parametric tests were conducted. Descriptive analysis showed that the WPS and WOPS groups were similar in terms of mean age, weight, height, body mass index and number of lymph nodes removed. There were statistically significant associations between physiotherapeutic stimulation and radiopharmaceutical progression at all three phases of the study (p<0.0001). Early physiotherapeutic stimulation in breast cancer patients undergoing radical axillary dissection is effective, and can therefore be indicated as a preventive measure against lymphedema.

Carcinoma epidermoide de mama / Squamous cell carcinoma of the breast

Foram investigados cinco casos de carcinoma espinocelular (CEC) da mama e um tumor raro, e foram descritos menos de 150 casos na literatura médica. Foram analisadas as características clínicas, anatomopatológicas e terapêuticas das pacientes portadoras de CEC da mama, atendidas no Hospital de Câncer de Barretos. Quatro pacientes chegaram ao hospital com tumores volumosos e localmente avançados (pT4b), sendo submetidas a mastectomia e esvaziamento axilar, e, ao contrário da literatura, todas apresentavam metástase axilar. A radioterapia foi realizada em todas as pacientes, e a quimioterapia com antracíclicos foi realizada em três pacientes. Os receptores de estrogênio, progesterona e c-erb B2 foram negativos. Todas as pacientes encontram-se vivas e sem doença em um período de seguimento mediano de 55,6 meses; fato superior ao observado para o carcinoma ductal. Esses casos vêm a contribuir para melhor conhecimento da biologia desse raro tumor.

The authors report five cases of breast squamous cell carcinoma, a very rare tumor, whose there were described lower than 150 cases in medical literature. We analyze the clinical, pathologic and therapeutic aspects of breast squamous cell carcinoma. Pour patients had large and locally advanced tumors (PT4b), and they were submitted to mastectomy and axillary dissection; whose were noted axillary metastases, uncommon fact. Radiotherapy was done in all patients, and three patients received antraciclic chemotherapy. The receptors of estrogen, progesterone and c-erb B2 were negative. The patients are live without disease in a median period of 55,6 months which is superior to invasive ductal carcinoma. This report of a case represents a contribution to better knowledge of biology of this rare tumor.

Carcinoma epidermóide de mama / Squamous cell carcinoma of the breast

Os autores analisaram quatro casos de carcinoma espinocelular da mama, um tumor raro, no qual foram descritos menos de cem casos na literatura médica. Analisaram-se as características clínicas, anatomopatológicas, terapêuticas das pacientes portadoras de carcinoma espinocelular da mama atendidas no Hospital de Câncer de Barretos. Todas as pacientes chegaram ao hospital com tumores volumosos e localmente avançados (pT4b). Os receptores de estrogênio, progesterona e c-erb B2 foram negativos. Todas as pacientes se submeteram a mastectomia e esvaziamento axilar e, ao contrário do que diz a literatura, todas apresentavam metástase axilar. Radioterapia foi realizada em todas as pacientes e quimioterapia com antracíclicos foi realizada em três pacientes. As pacientes encontram-se vivas e sem doença num período de seguimento mediano de 14,8 meses. Esses casos vêm a contribuir para melhor conhecimento da biologia desse raro tumor.

The authors report four cases of breast squamous cell carcinoma, a very rare tumor, whose with less than one hundred cases in described medical literature. We analyse the clinical, pathologic and therapeutic aspects of breast squamous cell carcinoma. All four patients had large e locally advanced tumors (pT4b). The receptors of estrogen, progesterone and c-erb B2 were negative. All patients were submitted to mastectomy and axillary dissection; whose were noted axillary metastases, uncommon fact. Radiotherapy was done in all patients, and three patients received antraciclic chemotherapy. The patients are alive without disease in a median period of 14,8 months. These cases represent a contribution to better knowledge of the biology of this rare tumor.