Beyond invasive biopsies: using VASARI MRI features to predict grade and molecular parameters in gliomas.

BACKGROUND: Gliomas present a significant economic burden and patient management challenge. The 2021 WHO classification incorporates molecular parameters, which guide treatment decisions. However, acquiring these molecular data involves invasive biopsies, prompting a need for non-invasive diagnostic methods. This study aims to assess the potential of Visually AcceSAble Rembrandt Images (VASARI) MRI features to predict glioma characteristics such as grade, IDH mutation, and MGMT methylation status. METHODS: This study enrolled 107 glioma patients treated between 2017 and 2022, meeting specific criteria including the absence of prior chemotherapy/radiation therapy, and the presence of molecular and MRI data. Images were assessed using the 27 VASARI MRI features by two blinded radiologists. Pathological and molecular assessments were conducted according to WHO 2021 CNS Tumor classification. Cross-validation Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (CV-LASSO) logistic regression was applied for statistical analysis to identify significant VASARI features in determining glioma grade, IDH mutation, and MGMT methylation status. RESULTS: The study demonstrated substantial observer agreement in VASARI feature evaluation (inter- and intra-observer κ = 0.714 - 0.831 and 0.910, respectively). Patient imaging characteristics varied significantly with glioma grade, IDH mutation, and MGMT methylation. A predictive model was established using VASARI features for glioma grade prediction, exhibiting an AUC of 0.995 (95% CI = 0.986 - 0.998), 100% sensitivity, and 92.86% specificity. IDH mutation status was predicted with AUC 0.930 (95% CI = 0.882 - 0.977), and improved slightly to 0.933 with 'age-at-diagnosis' added. A model predicting MGMT methylation had a satisfactory performance (AUC 0.757, 95% CI = 0.645 - 0.868), improving to 0.791 when 'age-at-diagnosis' was added. CONCLUSIONS: The T1/FLAIR ratio, enhancement quality, hemorrhage, and proportion enhancing predict glioma grade with excellent accuracy. The proportion enhancing, thickness of enhancing margin, and T1/FLAIR ratio are significant predictors for IDH mutation status. Lastly, MGMT methylation is related to the longest diameter of the lesion, edema crossing the midline, and the proportion of the non-enhancing lesion. VASARI MRI features offer non-invasive and accurate predictive models for glioma grade, IDH mutation, and MGMT methylation status, enhancing glioma patient management.

Comparing the performance of three modalities of breast cancer screening within a combined programme targeting at-risk women in Indonesia: An implementation study.

ABSTRACTAlthough mammography is the gold standard for breast cancer screening, the World Health Organization recommends clinical breast examination (CBE) as the preferred early detection method in countries with limited resources. However, its effectiveness as a 'stand-alone' screening modality compared with other techniques remains unclear. Therefore, we evaluated a risk-based opportunistic breast cancer screening programme using three modalities. Between June and December 2018, we conducted a cross-sectional study in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, of women aged >40 years with at least one risk factor for breast cancer. Subjects underwent CBE, mammography, and ultrasonography. We calculated the proportion of breast lesions detected through each modality and compared their mass size. A total of 503 eligible subjects were screened. Five cases of potential malignant lesions were detected; pathological tests conducted for 4 of them confirmed breast cancer diagnoses. A combined assessment of mammography and ultrasonography examinations revealed 343 breast lesions (68.2%), whereas CBE screening detected only 76 breast lesions (15.1%). The mean lesion sizes detected by mammography or ultrasonography, but not through CBE, were significantly smaller (p-values of 0.037 and 0.007 for mammography and ultrasonography, respectively). In conclusion, mammography and ultrasonography produced higher detection rates for benign and malignant breast lesions compared with CBE.

Early Detection of Breast Cancer in Indonesia: Barriers Identified in a Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: The lack of early detection in breast cancer management has been identified as the primary factor contributing to the high mortality rate. The introduction of BPJS Kesehatan, Indonesia's national health insurance, was intended to ensure the provision of adequate health services for breast cancer patients. This study aimed to investigate the current state of health services in Indonesia concerning the early detection of breast cancer, following the implementation of BPJS Kesehatan introduction. METHODS: The study was conducted in 2017 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Subjects were recruited using a purposive sampling technique with maximum variation. The sample comprised breast cancer patients, health care professionals (HCPs), and healthy women from the general population with no history of breast cancer. The subjects' experiences and knowledge of health services regarding the early detection of breast cancer were investigated through in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was used to synthesize the results from interviews with 25 participants. RESULT: This study identified several issues that hinder the timely detection of breast cancer. The lack of both screening and diagnostic procedures emerged as a prominent obstacle in breast cancer management. The study identified the following barriers: (1) limited community knowledge about early detection; (2). lack of urgency among patients to seek medical treatment; (3) limited access to health facilities; and (4) inconsistent adherence among health care professionals to guidelines for both screening and diagnostic procedures. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed multiple factors contributing to the delay in breast cancer detection in Indonesia, leading to suboptimal management of the disease. It is crucial for the government to prioritize the improvement of enabling factors across all levels of care for early detection. These factors include initiatives to increase public awareness, improve access to health services, strengthen the referral system, and enhance health facilities.

International Interobserver Variability of Breast Density Assessment.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine variability in visually assessed mammographic breast density categorization among radiologists practicing in Indonesia, the Netherlands, South Africa, and the United States. METHODS: Two hundred consecutive 2-D full-field digital screening mammograms obtained from September to December 2017 were selected and retrospectively reviewed from four global locations, for a total of 800 mammograms. Three breast radiologists in each location (team) provided consensus density assessments of all 800 mammograms using BI-RADS® density categorization. Interreader agreement was compared using Gwet's AC2 with quadratic weighting across all four density categories and Gwet's AC1 for binary comparison of combined not dense versus dense categories. Variability of distribution among teams was calculated using the Stuart-Maxwell test of marginal homogeneity across all four categories and using the McNemar test for not dense versus dense categories. To compare readers from a particular country on their own 200 mammograms versus the other three teams, density distribution was calculated using conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: For all 800 mammograms, interreader weighted agreement for distribution among four density categories was 0.86 (Gwet's AC2 with quadratic weighting; 95% confidence interval, 0.85-0.88), and for not dense versus dense categories, it was 0.66 (Gwet's AC1; 95% confidence interval, 0.63-0.70). Density distribution across four density categories was significantly different when teams were compared with one another and one team versus the other three teams combined (P < .001). Overall, all readers placed the largest number of mammograms in the scattered and heterogeneous categories. CONCLUSIONS: Although reader teams from four different global locations had almost perfect interreader agreement in BI-RADS density categorization, variability in density distribution across four categories remained statistically significant.

A Giant Compressive Mesenteric Lipoblastoma Initially Suspected to Be Abdominal Malignancy: A Report of a Rare Case in a Nine-Month-Old Infant.

Lipoblastoma is a rare benign soft tissue neoplasm rising from embryonic white adipose tissue known as lipoblast that keeps proliferating during the postnatal period. Although lipoblastomas are benign, they often grow rapidly. Most lipoblastomas are asymptomatic at presentation; they can present as a growing painless palpable mass and progressive symptoms of various organ compression depending on localization. A giant mesenteric lipoblastoma is a rare case with only a few cases reported. An infant with large intraabdominal masses may present preoperative diagnostic difficulties. Differential diagnoses are broad and may include sarcomas, germ-cell tumors, lipomas, lymphomas, hepatoblastomas, Wilm's tumors, and neuroblastomas. Thorough clinical, radiological, and pathological investigations are ultimately required to obtain a definitive diagnosis. Regardless of location, the treatment of choice for lipoblastoma is complete surgical resection. All patients should be followed up for a minimum of five years We report a rare case of a giant compressive mesenteric lipoblastoma that was initially suspected as abdominal malignancy in a nine-month-old infant. As physicians, we must always consider the underlying cause as well as the malignant or benign nature of a growing mass to treat the patient appropriately.

Fatty Liver in Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer and Its Impact on Patient's Survival.

PURPOSE: Long-term estrogen inhibition may cause fatty liver disease (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; NAFLD) among other adverse conditions such as osteoporosis, climacteric symptoms, thromboembolism, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of NAFLD among breast cancer patients ranges from 2.3%-45.2%. This study aimed to determine the risk factors for newly developed NAFLD among breast cancer patients after hormonal treatment and whether it influences survival outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective study investigated hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative (HR+/HER2-), nonmetastatic breast cancer patients diagnosed between January 2010 and December 2018. All patients received adjuvant hormonal treatment for at least 6 months. Clinical data on metabolic profile indicators such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, serum cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), diabetes, and presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) were collected. In total, 160 eligible patients with complete covariate data and survival follow-up were included. RESULTS: NAFLD was diagnosed in 35% of patients. There were significant associations of being overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²), waist circumference > 80 cm, triglycerides ≥ 150 mg/dL, HDL-C ≤ 50 mg/dL, LDL-C < 150 mg/dL, and presence of MetS with the development of NAFLD. However, unlike other factors, MetS and HDL-C were not independently associated with NAFLD. Patients with breast cancer who developed NAFLD had longer disease-free survival (DFS). The median DFS was not reached in the NAFLD group, whereas it was 59.3 (45.6-73.0) months in the non-NAFLD group. No worsening of overall survival was observed in patients with breast cancer and NAFLD. CONCLUSION: The development of NAFLD during treatment in patients with HR+/HER2- breast cancer was associated with several independent risk factors: being overweight, waist circumference, triglycerides, and LDL-C. Interestingly, breast cancer patients with NAFLD during treatment had longer DFS than those without NAFLD.

Metabolic comorbidities and the association with risks of recurrent metastatic disease in breast cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and other metabolic comorbidities affect over 10% of patients with breast cancer and are closely related with adverse outcomes. Although metabolic comorbidities among breast cancer patients in low- and middle-income countries are suggested to be lower, only a few studies are currently available. Effective management of metabolic comorbidities in cancer patients has been associated with better outcomes. METHODS: Non-metastatic breast cancer patients (N = 1081) treated in our department (2014-2018) were monitored for the presence of high Body Mass Index (BMI), diabetes or glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension and the development of recurrent metastatic diseases during a median follow-up of 3.9 years. RESULTS: Glucose intolerance, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and BMI ≥ 27.7 kg/m2 considered at risk for metabolic comorbidities were found in 26.5, 42.6, 27.7, and 23.3% of breast cancer patients, respectively. Diabetes or glucose intolerance and having both glucose intolerance and dyslipidemia were associated with the risk of recurrent metastatic disease (OR = 1.442, 95%CI = 1.071-1.943, p = 0.016 and OR = 1.495, 95%CI = 1.090-2.049, p = 0.010; respectively). Having three or more metabolic comorbidities was significantly associated with the risk of recurrent metastatic disease (OR = 1.647, 95%CI = 1.139-2.382, p = 0.008) compared to patients without any comorbidity. The metabolic comorbidities were distributed unevenly among breast cancer subtypes. A significant association with recurrent metastatic disease was found in the Luminal B-like subtype. In post-menopausal patients, having more than three comorbidities was associated with a higher risk of recurrent metastatic disease compared to those without any comorbidity (OR = 2.000, 95%CI = 1.035-3.067, p = 0.001). The risks of having three or more metabolic comorbidities were significantly higher in breast cancer survivors who were obese, lived in an urban area, and received hormonal therapy of aromatase inhibitors. CONCLUSION: Metabolic comorbidities were frequently found in breast cancer patients and were associated with higher risks to develop recurrent metastatic disease, particularly in post-menopausal women. Subsequent larger studies are needed to better understand the association of metabolic comorbidities with patients' quality of life and prognosis, and to explore the potential combination of clinical intervention and lifestyle modification in breast cancer survivors to treat as well as reduce their impact.

Concurrent manifestations of Horner's syndrome and esophageal metastasis of breast cancer: case report of a young woman after a period of non-adherence to treatment: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal involvement and Horner's syndrome are rare manifestations of breast cancer distant metastases that can pose a significant challenge in diagnosis and treatment. In addition to the more aggressive behavior of breast cancer diagnosed in young women, non-adherence to treatment is associated with increased risk of distant metastasis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 36-year-old Javanese woman presented to our institution with dysphagia, hoarseness, and frequent hiccups. In the 6 weeks prior to the current admission, the patient also reported tingling in the neck and shoulder, anhidrosis in the left hemifacial region, and drooping of the upper left eyelid. She was previously managed as tuberculoid laryngitis. Plain X-rays showed burst fractures of the cervical vertebrae and slight pleural effusion. Laryngoscopy revealed bowing of the vocal cords and liquid residue in the vallecula that was reduced upon chin tuck. Esophageal metastasis was confirmed with endoscopy showing thickening of the wall and positive cytology swab with ductal malignant cells. The patient had a history of breast cancer with a period of loss to follow-up of 4 years. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians should consider potential distant metastasis of breast cancer to the esophagus and sympathetic nervous system of the neck particularly in a high-risk woman with presentation of dysphagia and manifestations of Horner's syndrome.

Knowledge and Acceptance Towards Mammography as Breast Cancer Screening Tool Among Yogyakarta Women and Health Care Providers (Mammography Screening in Indonesia).

Annual mammography remains the gold standard of asymptomatic breast cancer screening for women starting at the age of 40. However, Indonesia has not designated mammography as its national screening program. To help policymakers decide whether mammography should be introduced into a national program, it is important to comprehensively understand the knowledge and acceptance of both consumers and providers. A total of 25 subjects including a range of women and health care professionals (HCPs) in Yogyakarta Province were recruited using purposive, maximum variation sampling and then interviewed in-depth. The interviews were recorded and all data were taken and transcribed from the audio recording, which were subsequently translated to English and analyzed thematically. Almost all of Yogyakarta women had heard about the term of mammography. However, only few of them have let themselves be screened, mainly because of their perceived lack of urgency to screen for asymptomatic breast cancer. Another important reason was the high cost of mammography. Meanwhile, several HCPs believed that breast cancer has not been a priority for the government and hence the government limited mammography screening's access and excluded it from the national insurance coverage. Most women in Yogyakarta have a good understanding about breast cancer screening, but their acceptance of mammography as a breast cancer screening tool is significantly influenced by high cost, limited access, and lack of urgency.

Remarkable response to pericardial window procedure and weekly docetaxel treatment in a metastatic breast cancer patient with pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade.

Metastatic breast cancer may present as a pericardial effusion that can progress to a life-threatening cardiac tamponade. Pericardial window followed by initial chemotherapy needs to be immediately applied in order to achieve a favorable outcome.

Advanced lesions of synchronous bilateral mammary Paget's disease: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Mammary Paget's disease is an eczematous eruption on the nipple and areola with underlying breast malignancy. It is often misinterpreted as chronic dermatitis or psoriasis causing a delayed diagnosis. Synchronous bilateral mammary Paget's disease is exceptionally rare and an advanced case with underlying invasive carcinoma might require long-term treatment and follow-up that could affect a patient's physical, psychological, and social aspects of well-being. CASE PRESENTATION: A 54-year-old Javanese woman presented in our clinic with a 2-year history of itching and chronic eczema in both areolae. Bilateral nipple retraction and retro-areolar palpable lumps were observed during the first presentation. Breast ultrasound revealed hypoechoic lesions in her left and right breasts. Mammograms showed an irregular hyperdense lesion and multiple microcalcifications. Histopathology from biopsy and bilateral mastectomy demonstrated infiltration of large Paget's cells in the epidermis of the areola with underlying lesions of invasive ductal carcinoma, diagnosed solid type with high nuclear grade and negative expression of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor, with positive expression of human epidermal growth receptor-2(HER2) and Ki-67 (45%). CONCLUSIONS: In a patient with suspicious chronic inflammation of the nipple and areolae, prompt biopsy should be performed to avoid a delayed diagnosis of any malignant breast lesion.

Risk factors of distant metastasis after surgery among different breast cancer subtypes: a hospital-based study in Indonesia.

BACKGROUND: More than one third of breast cancer patients including those that are diagnosed in early stages will develop distant metastasis. Patterns of distant metastasis and the associated risks according to the molecular subtypes are not completely revealed particularly in populations of patients with delayed diagnosis and advanced stages. METHODS: Breast cancer patients (n = 1304) admitted to our institute (2014-2017) were evaluated to identify the metastatic patterns and the associated risks. Metastatic breast cancers at diagnosis were found in 245 patients (18.7%), and 1059 patients were then grouped into non-metastatic and metastatic groups after a median follow-up of 3.8 years. RESULTS: Infiltration of the tumor to the skin and chest wall prevailed as the most powerful predictor for distant metastasis (OR 2.115, 95% CI 1.544-2.898) particularly in the luminal A-like subtype (OR 2.685, 95% CI 1.649-4.371). Nodal involvement was also significantly associated with the risk of distant metastasis (OR 1.855, 95% CI 1.319-2.611), and the risk was higher in the Luminal A-like subtype (OR 2.572, 95% CI 1.547-4.278). Luminal A-like subtype had a significant higher risk of bone metastasis (OR 1.601, 95% CI 1.106-2.358). In respect to treatment, a combination of anthracyclines and taxanes-based chemotherapy was significantly associated with lower distant organ spread in comparison with anthracycline-based chemotherapy (OR 0.510, 95% CI 0.355-0.766) and the effect was stronger in Luminal A-like subtype (OR 0.417, 95% CI 0.226-0.769). Classification into Luminal and non-Luminal subtypes revealed significant higher risks of bone metastasis in the Luminal subtype (OR 1.793, 95% CI 1.209-2.660) and pulmonary metastasis in non-Luminal breast cancer (OR 1.445, 95% CI 1.003-2.083). CONCLUSION: In addition to guiding the treatment plan, a comprehensive analysis of clinicopathological variables including the molecular subtypes could assist in the determination of distant metastasis risks of breast cancer patients. Our study offers new perspectives concerning the risks of distant metastasis in breast cancer subtypes in order to plan intensive surveillance or escalation of treatment particularly in a setting where patients are predominantly diagnosed in late stages.

Aggressive behavior of Her-2 positive colloid breast carcinoma: A case report in a metastatic breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Colloid breast carcinoma is a rare form of invasive ductal cancer characterized by large amount of mucous deposition. It is considered as an indolent cancer that usually affects older women. Colloid breast carcinoma generally expresses estrogen and progesterone receptors but negative for Her-2. Recommended surgery and adjuvant treatment of colloid breast carcinoma is not well-established. PRESENTED CASE: A 46 years-old woman presented as an aggressive colloid breast carcinoma showing skin ulceration, enlargement of multiple axillary lymph nodes and a metastasis in the pleura at diagnosis. The primary tumor showed strong positive expression of estrogen, progesterone as well as Her-2 receptors. The patient was treated with 6 cycles of paclitaxel and carboplatin followed by mastectomy, radiotherapy, and hormonal therapy. Patient tolerated the treatment course and showed improvement both in the locoregional control and pleural metastasis. DISCUSSION: Colloid breast carcinoma with aggressive clinical course is rarely found. Nodal involvement as a sign of poor prognosis in colloid breast carcinoma ranges only between 12 and 19%. Therefore, axillary node clearance is usually excluded during the surgery of colloid breast carcinomas. However, in the presence of high-risk characteristics, mastectomy involving axillary lymph node dissection is still contentious. In patients with Her-2 overexpression, treatment using anti-Her2 (trastuzumab) is also still disputed in colloid breast carcinoma because of the higher resistance rates. CONCLUSION: Although clinically aggressive colloid breast carcinoma is rare, thorough clinical assessment and immediate treatment initiation will be beneficial for patients with high risk of relapse and metastatic spread.

An emergency case of small bowel obstruction due to multiple gallstones in a limited resource setting.

INTRODUCTION: Gallstone ileus is an uncommon intestinal obstruction caused by impaction of gallstones passing through the cholecysto-intestinal fistula. Diagnosis of gallstone ileus remains a major challenge because the symptoms and signs are unspecific and the recommended laboratory examinations are not always available particularly in limited health resource settings including in Indonesia. In addition, treatment of choice is still debatable involving enterolithotomy only with or without additional cholecystectomy and fistula repair in one or two-stage surgery. PRESENTED CASE: A 49 years old overweight Javanese woman presented in the emergency room with nausea, frequent vomiting, abdominal distension, and absence of defecation in the past 3 days before admission. Previous abdominal surgery and history of biliary disease were not reported during anamnesis. Plain abdominal X-rays revealed small bowel obstruction. Upon emergency laparotomy, the mechanical bowel obstruction was caused by multiple gallstones in the terminal ileum. DISCUSSION: Although the incidence of gallstone ileus is 5% of all intestinal obstruction cases, the mortality rate is around 25%. Diagnosis is often difficult and half of the cases are diagnosed intraoperatively. Surgical management is still controversial involving enterolithotomy with or without cholecystectomy and fistula repair in one or two stage procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Although the incidence is rare, elaborating thorough anamnesis, physical and basic laboratory examinations in gastrointestinal obstruction should consider gallstone ileus as a potential differential diagnosis particularly in a patient with any risk factors of the biliary disease. Enterolithotomy only might be acceptable for any emergency case due to the equivalent clinical outcomes and relatively low complications.

Impressive Response to Capecitabine in a Patient with Obstructive Jaundice due to Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic breast cancer with obstructive jaundice due to para-aortic lymph node enlargement is an unusual case that poses a therapeutic challenge in determining a chemotherapy regimen. CASE REPORT: A 61-year-old woman presented with triple-negative left invasive ductal breast carcinoma with liver and pulmonary metastases. After receiving gemcitabine and carboplatin as the 4th-line treatment, chemotherapy was postponed due to an increased bilirubin level. Abdominal imaging revealed para-aortic lymph node metastases compressing the distal common hepatic duct. The patient then received capecitabine along with ursodeoxycholic acid. This relieved her jaundice after 8 cycles of chemotherapy, and radiologic evaluation revealed a complete resolution of the obstructive jaundice. CONCLUSION: This finding emphasizes the success of capecitabine regimen as a salvage therapy in a metastatic breast cancer patient with hyperbilirubinemia and opens up the possibility of optimizing systemic chemotherapy for metastatic obstructive jaundice in the setting of limited facility resources.

Pathological profiles and clinical management challenges of breast cancer emerging in young women in Indonesia: a hospital-based study.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer diagnosed at a young age is often associated with aggressive biology, advanced stage, and unfavorable prognosis. The median age of breast cancer diagnosis in Indonesia is younger (48 vs. 68 years-old in Europe) with a relatively higher proportion of patients younger than 40 years old. Although prognosis and outcome of young breast cancer are well studied in developed nations, research evaluating biological characteristics, delivered treatment, and clinical outcomes is very limited in Indonesia. METHODS: We analyzed all breast cancer patients who underwent surgery at Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Indonesia, in 2012-2017. Details of pathology profiles, treatment administrated, and outcomes, as well as reproductive factors among patients younger than 40 years old, were collected and analyzed. Kaplan-Meier curve was used to assess conditional survival based on baseline characteristics. RESULTS: From the total of 1259 breast cancer patients (median age 51 years), 144 (11.4%) were younger than 40 years old (median age 37 years). Of these young patients, 19 (13.2%) were bilateral and 92 (64%) were diagnosed in advanced stages (stages IIIA-C and IV). Median tumor diameter was 5.5 cm and nodal infiltration was present in 73%. Distant metastasis was found in 16% at the time of diagnosis. Moderate and poor differentiation of tumor were 20.8 and 78.5%, respectively, and lymphovascular invasion was found in 90.3%. Around 40% were hormone receptor-positive, 30.6% human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive, and 38.2% triple negative. Patients underwent radical surgery in 121 cases (84%) and breast conserving surgery in 7 cases (4.9%). Adjuvant chemotherapy was administrated in 68% and hormonal therapy in 34%. Progression-free survival was significantly shorter in patients with advanced stage, skin and chest wall involvement (T4), positive lymph node infiltration, positive hormonal receptor, and triple negative subtype (log-rank Mantel-Cox tests, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We found a high frequency of young breast cancer with biologically more aggressive tumors, late diagnosis, frequent relapse, and poor prognosis. Further actions to improve clinical management and meet psychosocial needs in young breast cancer patients are warranted.

"Sarcopenia and intramuscular fat deposition are associated with poor survival in Indonesian patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective study".

BACKGROUND: A large-scale Japanese study showed that low skeletal muscle index (SMI) and intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition are associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) survival. Here, we evaluated the effects of SMI and IMF on the survival of Indonesian HCC patients, whose characteristics differ from those of Japanese patients. METHODS: SMI and mean muscle attenuation (MA) were evaluated using computed tomography images of the third lumbar vertebra (L3) in a prospective cohort of 100 Indonesian HCC patients. Clinical, laboratory and body composition data were analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression model to investigate which factors are associated with prognosis. RESULTS: Of 100 patients, 31 were diagnosed with sarcopenia (L3 SMI value ≤36.2 cm2/m2 for men and ≤ 29.6 cm2/m2 for women), and 65 had IMF deposition (MA value ≤44.4 HU for men and ≤ 39.3 HU for women). These groups had shorter median survival than the reference groups (both P < 0.0001). In multivariable analysis, sarcopenia (hazard ratio [HR], 1.921; P = 0.016), IMF deposition (HR, 3.580; P < 0.001), Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stages C and D (HR: 2.396, P < 0.01 and HR: 6.131, P < 0.01, respectively), Japan Integrated Staging (JIS) score 4 (HR: 2.067, P = 0.020), and male gender (HR: 3.211, P < 0.001) were independently associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia and IMF deposition showed superior value in combination with BCLC stage and JIS score for predicting the survival of Indonesian HCC patients. Increased awareness and strategies to prevent or reverse these factors might improve patient outcomes. (Electric word counts: 249).