Breast cancer in Brazil: Screening program and surgical approach.

BACKGROUND: Screening mammography for breast cancer (BC) is a current strategy that reduces the mortality of BC by up to 30 %. Although mastectomy has been an important component of treatment for decades, conservative surgery (lumpectomy) has become the gold-standard approach for most cases, yet it depends on early detection of the BC. METHODS: This was an epidemiological study performed through DATASUS (2010-2018). We evaluated the temporal trend of screening mammograms, deaths from BC, and surgical procedures at national, regional and state levels. Statistical analysis was performed on VassarStat®-Website for Statistical Computation (Vassar College, New York, USA) and the R-software (R Foundation, v.4.0.3). RESULTS: During 2010-2018 there were 67,392 oncological mastectomies and 48,567 lumpectomies in Brazil's health system. Mastectomies decreased in the Northeast (-3.67 % ± 0.43 per year) and in Bahia state (-3.58 % ± 0.24 per year). Lumpectomies increased in Brazil (median 2.19 (-9.6 to 20.96)), the Northeast (median -12.07 (-25.8 to 9.43)) and Bahia (median 0.16 (-29.1 to 1.9)). Also, screening mammograms increased in Brazil (3.29 % ± 0.43), the Northeast (6.36 % ± 0.49) and Bahia (5.51 % ± 0.31), with 35,317,728 exams during this period. Deaths from BC increased annually in Brazil (+4.13 % ± 0.86), the Northeast (+4.76 % ± 1.45) and Bahia (+5.65 % ± 0.83). CONCLUSION: The number of mammograms related to the screening program increased in the years 2010-2018 in Brazil. Furthermore, we identified an increase in lumpectomies as opposed to mastectomies, and this approach is associated with a reduction in hospitalization days by almost a half, which in turn might result in a cost decrease and probably an earlier return to work.

Estudio transversal: Manejo quirúrgico de Cáncer de Mama en el Hospital José Carrasco Arteaga, Enero 2017- Enero 2018 / Cross-Sectional Study: Surgical Management of Patients with Breast Cancer in José Carrasco Arteaga Hospital January 2017 ­ January 2018

INTRODUCCIÓN: El cáncer de mama ocupa el primer lugar dentro de la patología maligna que afectan a la mujer a nivel mundial, representando el 16% de los cánceres femeninos. El manejo quirúrgico del cáncer de mama ha evolucionado a lo largo de los años, disminuyendo la morbimortalidad y mejorando la calidad de vida de las pacientes. El objetivo del presente estudio es analizar el abordaje quirúrgico de las pacientes tratadas en la unidad de Cirugía Oncológica del Hospital de Especialidades José Carrasco Arteaga. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional transversal para determinar la prevalencia de las cirugías de cáncer de mama realizadas en la Unidad de Cirugía Oncológica del Hospital de Especialidades José Carrasco Arteaga. Se incluyeron variables como edad, diagnóstico, tipo histológico, etapa, localización, tipo de cirugía y márgenes. Se analizaron los datos con estadística descriptiva utilizando el paquete estadístico SPSS versión V24.0. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 66 pacientes en el estudio. Los porcentajes de cirugías conservadoras y mastectomías fueron 56.06% versus 43.94% respectivamente. El tipo histológico más frecuente fue el ductal infiltrante (75.74%). Del total de pacientes diagnosticados con cáncer de mama el 46.97% fue en etapa clínica IIB; el cuadrante superior externo estuvo afectado en el 72.7% de pacientes y el lado más frecuentemente con tumor fue el izquierdo en el 50%. CONCLUSIONES: El cáncer de mama es diagnosticado con mayor frecuencia en mujeres posmenopáusicas, el tipo histológico más frecuente es el carcinoma ductal infiltrante, el porcentaje de cirugías conservadoras es mayor a las mastectomíasra de Unidad Técnica de Anatomía Patológica, Hospital de Especialidades José Carrasco Arteaga, Cuenca ­ Ecuador(AU)

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer ranks first among cancers that affect women worldwide, representing 16% of female cancers. The surgical approach to breast cancer has undergone changes over the years, reducing morbidity and mortality and improving life quality for these patients. The purpose of this study is to analyze the surgical approach in patients treated in the Oncologic Surgery unit of José Carrasco Arteaga Hospital. METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study to analyze the prevalence of breast cancer surgeries performed in the Oncologic Surgery Unit of José Carrasco Arteaga Hospital. Variables such as age, diagnosis, histological type, stage, location, type of surgical procedure and surgical margins were included. All the data was analyzed with descriptive statistics using SPSS version 24.0. RESULTS: 66 patients were included in the study. The percentages of conservative surgeries and mastectomies were 56.06% versus 43.94% respectively. The most frequent histological type was infiltrating ductal carcinoma (75.74%). Of the total of patients diagnosed with breast cancer, 46.97% were in clinical stage IIB; the upper external quadrant was affected in 72.7% of patients and the most frequent location was the left side (50%). CONCLUSIONS: Breast cancer occurs most frequently in postmenopausal women, the most frequent histological type is infiltrating ductal carcinoma, and the percentage of conservative surgeries is greater than mastectomies.(AU)

Return to work after breast cancer diagnosis: An observational prospective study in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: In North America and Europe, return-to-work (RTW) rates vary among breast cancer (BC) survivors, from 24% to 66% and from 53% to 82% at 6 and 36 months after diagnosis, respectively. To date, there is a lack of data on RTW rates after BC diagnosis in Latin America. Therefore, the primary objectives of this study were to define RTW rates at 12 and 24 months after BC diagnosis and to identify the factors associated with RTW in this population. METHODS: In total, 125 employed women from a single institution with newly diagnosed BC were interviewed by telephone at 6, 12, and 24 months after diagnosis. Those who had inoperable or metastatic disease were excluded. RESULTS: Overall, RTW rates were 30.3% and 60.4% at 12 and 24 months after BC diagnosis, respectively. Most women reported that they received support from their employer, but only 29.1% reported having been offered work adjustments. In multivariate analysis, the factors associated with positive RTW outcomes included higher household income (odds ratio [OR], 17.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.33-94.75; P = .001), breast-conserving surgery (OR, 9.77; 95% CI, 2.03-47.05; P = .004), and work adjustments (OR, 37.62; 95% CI, 2.03-47.05; P = .004). The factors associated with negative RTW outcomes included adjuvant endocrine therapy (OR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.02-0.74; P = .023), and depression diagnosed after BC (OR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.01-0.63; P = .017). CONCLUSIONS: RTW rates in the current study were lower than those observed in developed countries but similar to the rates among low-income Americans. Workplace adjustments, higher income, breast-conserving surgery, endocrine therapy, and depression after BC played an important role in the RTW decision.

Percepção dos internos de uma faculdade de medicina sobre o câncer de mama e reconstrução mamária / Perception of breast cancer and breast reconstruction in medical school students

Introdução: O câncer de mama é o tipo mais comum entre as mulheres no mundo e no Brasil, depois do câncer de pele não melanoma. O objetivo é avaliar a percepção dos estudantes de medicina sobre o câncer de mama e reconstrução mamária. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo transversal piloto composto por alunos do 5º e 6º ano de curso de medicina, realizado de maio de 2016. Resultados: Foi questionado se há possibilidade de reconstrução mamária após a mastectomia, sendo que de forma unânime 100% foi sim. Para melhor caracterização, foi perguntado se a reconstrução pode ser feita no mesmo momento da mastectomia, 69 (57,5%) estudantes marcaram sim e 51 (42,5%) negaram. Em análise aos conhecimentos cirúrgicos, foi perguntado se os mesmos conhecem alguma técnica de reconstrução mamária, sendo que 49 (40,83%) responderam que sim e 71 (59,16%) negaram conhecer. Em relação ao encaminhamento à especialidade médica mais preparada para acompanhar e realizar a reconstrução mamária, 93 (77,5%) discentes elegeram a cirurgia plástica e 26 (21,66%) a mastologia. Quanto à possibilidade de reconstrução de mama em pacientes que farão radioterapia adjuvante, 66 (55%) responderam sim, 51 (42,5%) não e 3 (2,5%) não souberam responder. Quanto a esta possibilidade mesmo em pacientes com implantes de silicone, 59 (49,16%) responderam sim, 3 (2,5%) responderam não e 58 (48,33%) afirmaram não saber sobre o assunto. Conclusão: Observou-se que a Mastologia vem ganhando espaço na reconstrução de mama, inclusive no meio acadêmico, devido ao alto percentual de resposta de que a mesma seria mais preparada do que a Cirurgia Plástica para reconstrução mamária.

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in the world and in Brazil, after non-melanoma skin cancer. Our objective was to evaluate the medical students' perception of breast cancer and breast reconstruction. Methods: This is a cross-sectional pilot study composed of students from the fifth and sixth year of medical school, in May 2016. Results: We questioned whether there is a possibility of breast reconstruction after mastectomy, and the response was unanimous (100%). For a better characterization, we asked if the reconstruction could be done at the same time as the mastectomy, and 69 (57.5%) students said yes and 51 (42.5%) denied. In the analysis of surgical knowledge, we asked whether they knew any breast reconstruction technique, and 49 (40.83%) answered yes and 71 (59.16%) denied knowing. With regard to referral to a medical specialist who was better prepared to follow and perform breast reconstruction, 93 (77.5%) students chose plastic surgery and 26 (21.66%) chose mastology. Regarding the possibility of breast reconstruction in patients who need to undergo adjuvant radiotherapy, 66 (55%) answered yes, 51 (42.5%) did not answer, and three (2.5%) did not know how to respond. Regarding this possibility in patients with silicone implants, 59 (49.16%) answered yes, three (2.5%) answered no, and 58 (48.33%) said they did not know about the subject. Conclusion: We conclude that mastology has been gaining immense interest in the field of breast reconstruction, including in the academic world, based on the high percentage of respondents who stated that they are better prepared for this procedure than for plastic surgery for breast reconstruction.

Real world patterns of care in HER2-overexpressing breast cancer: Results of a survey of TEACH clinical trial investigators in 2011.

BACKGROUND: HER2-overexpressing breast cancer (BC) is common among young patients and poses a public health burden. Adjuvant anti-HER2/neu therapy with trastuzumab reduces the risk of recurrence and improves survival. METHODS: A web-based survey was sent to 386 physicians of the "TEACH" trial in 2011 to determine access to HER2/neu testing and treatment patterns for HER2-overexpressing BC. RESULTS: There were 151 responders (39%) from 28 countries. Ninety-seven percent reported HER2/neu expression is routinely measured in their institutions by immunohistochemistry (85%), FISH (80%) and other methods (16%). Twenty percent of responders from Asia reported that the test was not routinely available. Forty-eight percent of participants reported instances when adjuvant HER2-directed therapy was recommended to a patient who eventually did not receive it. Reasons for not receiving trastuzumab was cost (73%, p < 0.0001) in low- and middle-income countries and co-morbidities in high-income countries (43%, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: This survey reflects the availability of HER2/neu testing and anti-HER2/neu therapy among physicians who participated in TEACH. A high proportion of women with HER2-overexpressing BC may not receive standard adjuvant therapy due to unavailability of the test and cost of therapy. Despite having some limitations, such as a possible selection bias of participating physicians, variable definitions of access to healthcare among respondents, and changes in trastuzumab availability since 2011, our results demonstrate that access to care and region of practice impact the implementation of cancer treatments.

Changes in mastectomy rates at a Brazilian public hospital over 20 years (1989 to 2008).

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Recently, breast-conserving surgery (BCS) has been replacing mastectomy for breast cancer treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in mastectomy and BCS rates and the factors relating to these shifts. DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective study in a Brazilian public hospital. METHODS: Pathological records from female patients who underwent surgery for breast cancer at Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (HC-UFMG), between 1989 and 2008 were reviewed. The mastectomy and BCS rates were calculated. The chi-square test was used to assess factors associated with type of surgical treatment and to compare trends in treatment type over the years. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: From 1989 to 2008, 2050 breast cancer surgical specimens were received in our service, corresponding to 1973 patients; 1324 (64.6%) of them were from mastectomy and 726 (35.4%) from BCS. A shift from mastectomy towards BCS was observed (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, earlier year of surgery (P < 0.001), larger tumor size (P < 0.001), having at least one positive axillary lymph node (P < 0.001) and patients' age greater than 68 years (P = 0.007) were predictors of mastectomy. CONCLUSIONS: There was a shift from mastectomy towards BCS in our institution over the years. This may reflect consolidation of BCS (plus radiotherapy) as an equivalent treatment to mastectomy in terms of survival and a shift to earlier diagnosis for the disease.

Carcinoma no invasor de la mama / Non invasive breast carcinoma

Se analiza en forma retrospectiva una serie de 1.240 mujeres tratadas por cáncer de mama entre 1974 y 1992, de las cuales 54 tuvieron 55 carcinomas estrictamente no invasores, 7 fueron carcinomas lobulillares no invasores (CLIS), 46 carcinomas intraductales (CID), y 2 carcinomas ductobulillares no invasores. La edad media fue de 51,9 años (r19-77 años). La mamografía fue responsable del primer diagnóstico en 27 casos (49//), y los hallazgos clínicos en 28 (51//). Cuatro de las enfermas con CLIS fueron tratadas con simple tumorectomia sin disección axilar, 2 con mastectomía, 1 con adenomastectomía subcutánea.Los carcinomas intradustales fueron tratados en 24 con mastectomia, 1 con adenomastectomía subcutánea y 21 con tumorectomía, 15 de ellos con vaciamiento axilar. Once de 21 pacientes con tratamiento conservador recibieron radioterapia postoperatoria. Sólo 2 pacientes con carcinoma intraductal desarrollaron recidivas locales de forma infiltrante. La media de seguimiento fue de 221 meses (r 7-551 meses). La supervivencia global actuarial a 10 años fue del 90,9//. Nuestra conducta actual para el CLIS es la simple resección; para el carcinoma intraductal en las formas hitoslógicas no comedocianas y en los casos de tamaño reducido es el tratamiento conservados seguido de irradiación, sin vaciamiento axilar, que reservamos para los tumores grandes de tipo comedo

Recidivas locorregionales del tratamiento conservador del cáncer de mama / Local and regional recurrence of conservative treatment of breast cancer

Se analiza en forma retrospectiva una serie consecutiva de 128 pacientes con cáncer de mama TIS, TO, T1 yT2 hasta 3 cm con NO tratadas con tumorectomía amplia, vaciamiento axilar y radioterapia postoperatoria entre los años 1981 y 1990. Con una media de seguimiento de 54 meses (r=16-137), recidivaron 23 pacientes y fallecieron 9. Las recidivas fueron locales en 14, regionales en 1, y a distancia en 8. Cinco pacientes con recidivas locales tuvieron metástasis. Las recidivas locorregionales fueron más frecuentes en premenopáusicas (p=0.009). La mayoría de las recidivas locales (85%), aparecieron en la zona de la cicatriz primaria. El salvataje local fue posible en 2/15 pacientes. La supervivencia global actuarial fue del 91.9%y la supervivencia libre de enfermedad actuarial del 81.5%. La posibilidad de permanecer libre de metástasis para los pacientes con recidivas locales disminuyó significativamente (p=0.008)