Integrated Augmented and Virtual Reality Technologies for Realistic Fire Drill Training.

In this article, we propose a novel fire drill training system designed specifically to integrate augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies into a single head-mounted display device to provide realistic as well as safe and diverse experiences. Applying hybrid AR/VR technologies in fire drill training may be beneficial because they can overcome limitations such as space-time constraints, risk factors, training costs, and difficulties in real environments. The proposed system can improve training effectiveness by transforming arbitrary real spaces into real-time, realistic virtual fire situations, and by interacting with tangible training props. Moreover, the system can create intelligent and realistic fire effects in AR by estimating not only the object type but also its physical properties. Our user studies demonstrated the potential of integrated AR/VR for improving training and education.

21-gene expression assay and clinical outcomes of premenopausal patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

The prognostic role of the recurrence score (RS) based on the 21-gene expression assay in premenopausal women is not well delineated, and we investigated the association of outcomes and the RS in premenopausal patients who had 21-gene expression assay at Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, between June 2005 and July 2018. Invasive breast cancer-free survival (IBCFS) by STEEP version 2.0 was compared according to the RS and clinical risk factors. A total of 554 patients were included in our study and 116 patients (20.9%) had age <40 years, 238 patients (43.0%) had luminal B subtype (Ki67 ≥ 20%), and 83 patients (15.0%) had RS >25. All patients received adjuvant tamoxifen ± chemotherapy. Overall, patients with RS >25 showed trend toward worse IBCFS from multivariable analysis (adjusted HR 1.89 [95% CI: 0.95-3.73], P = .069). When comparing outcomes according to age and luminal subtypes, patients with luminal B subtype and age <40 years (n = 60) showed significantly worse outcomes compared to the others (luminal A or luminal B + age ≥40 years, n = 494; adjusted HR 2.95 [95% CI: 1.49-5.82], log-rank P < .001). Among patients with luminal B subtype and age <40 years, there was no significant association observed between IBCFS and the RS (log-rank P = .51). In conclusion, while RS >25 showed association with poor outcomes in premenopausal women, it may have less prognostic significance among those with luminal B subtype and age <40 years.

Mastectomy with Reconstruction Including Robotic Endoscopic Surgery (MARRES): a prospective cohort study of the Korea Robot-Endoscopy Minimal Access Breast Surgery Study Group (KoREa-BSG) and Korean Breast Cancer Study Group (KBCSG).

BACKGROUND: Robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy (RNSM) has emerged as a new treatment option for breast cancer and risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM) for women who have a high risk of pathogenic variants. Even though several studies have reported that RNSM is a feasible procedure, some argue that it should only be performed by specialized surgeons, and data on oncologic outcomes and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are limited. Recently, the United States Food and Drug Administration and several surgeons warned that robotic breast surgery should be performed only by specialized surgeons and recommended that the benefits, risks, and alternatives of all available treatment options be discussed with patients so they can make informed treatment decisions. The Korea Robot-Endoscopy Minimal Access Breast Surgery Study Group (KoREa-BSG) has been established to evaluate, standardize, and teach this state-of-the-art procedure. We have designed a multicenter prospective cohort study entitled Mastectomy with Reconstruction Including Robot Endoscopic Surgery (MARRES) to report surgical, PRO, and oncologic outcomes. METHODS: MARRES is a multi-institution cohort study prospectively collecting data from patients undergoing mastectomy and reconstruction. The patient inclusion criteria are adult women older than 19 with breast cancer or a high risk of breast cancer (patients with BRCA1/2, TP53, PALB2 mutations, etc.), who have scheduled therapeutic or RRM and want immediate reconstruction. Surgical outcomes, including pre- and postoperative photos, oncologic outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and PRO, are collected. The primary endpoints are postoperative complication rates within 30 postoperative days and the Clavien-Dindo grade of postoperative complications within 180 postoperative days. The secondary endpoints are 5-year postoperative recurrence-free survival and cancer incidence rate (for those who underwent RRM), patient satisfaction with reconstruction expectations preoperative (baseline) and results within 6 to 12 postoperative months, surgeon satisfaction with postoperative results in 6 postoperative months, and cost-effectiveness of the definitive surgery. Patient recruitment will be completed in April 2025, and the target number of enrolled patients is 2000. DISCUSSION: This study will provide evidence about the surgical outcomes, oncologic outcomes, and patient satisfaction with RNSM and endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM), compared with conventional NSM. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT04585074. Registered April 8, 2020.

Improvement of semantic segmentation through transfer learning of multi-class regions with convolutional neural networks on supine and prone breast MRI images.

Semantic segmentation of breast and surrounding tissues in supine and prone breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is required for various kinds of computer-assisted diagnoses for surgical applications. Variability of breast shape in supine and prone poses along with various MRI artifacts makes it difficult to determine robust breast and surrounding tissue segmentation. Therefore, we evaluated semantic segmentation with transfer learning of convolutional neural networks to create robust breast segmentation in supine breast MRI without considering supine or prone positions. Total 29 patients with T1-weighted contrast-enhanced images were collected at Asan Medical Center and two types of breast MRI were performed in the prone position and the supine position. The four classes, including lungs and heart, muscles and bones, parenchyma with cancer, and skin and fat, were manually drawn by an expert. Semantic segmentation on breast MRI scans with supine, prone, transferred from prone to supine, and pooled supine and prone MRI were trained and compared using 2D U-Net, 3D U-Net, 2D nnU-Net and 3D nnU-Net. The best performance was 2D models with transfer learning. Our results showed excellent performance and could be used for clinical purposes such as breast registration and computer-aided diagnosis.

Unsupervised anomaly detection with generative adversarial networks in mammography.

Breast cancer is a common cancer among women, and screening mammography is the primary tool for diagnosing this condition. Recent advancements in deep-learning technologies have triggered the implementation of research studies via mammography. Semi-supervised or unsupervised methods are often used to overcome the limitations of supervised learning, such as manpower and time, for labeling in clinical situations where abnormal data are significantly lacking. Accordingly, we proposed a generative model that uses a state-of-the-art generative network (StyleGAN2) to create high-quality synthetic mammographic images and an anomaly detection method to detect breast cancer on mammograms in unsupervised methods. The generation model was trained via only normal mammograms and breast cancer classification was performed via anomaly detection using 50 breast cancer and 50 normal mammograms that did not overlap with the dataset for generative model learning. Our generative model has shown comparable fidelity to real images, and the anomaly detection method via this generative model showed high sensitivity, demonstrating its potential for breast cancer screening. This method could differentiate between normal and cancer-positive mammogram and help overcome the weakness of current supervised methods.

Domestic medical travel from non-Seoul regions to Seoul for initial breast cancer treatment: a nationwide cohort study.

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the trend of domestic medical travel from non-Seoul areas to Seoul for initial breast cancer treatment, and identify factors associated with medical travel in breast cancer patients. Methods: A nationwide retrospective cohort study was performed using the Health Insurance Review and Assessment data of South Korea. Patients were classified according to the regions in which they underwent breast biopsy (Seoul vs. metropolitan cities vs. other regions). Frequencies of biopsy, diagnosis, treatment, and domestic medical travel were analyzed according to regions, and factors associated with medical travel were investigated. Results: A total of 150,709 breast cancer survivors who were diagnosed between January 2010 and December 2017 were included. The total rate of medical travel from non-Seoul regions to Seoul had increased from 14.2% (1,161 of 8,150) in 2010 to 19.8% (2,762 of 13,964) in 2017. Approximately a quarter of patients from other regions traveled to Seoul, and over 40% of patients from Chungbuk, Gyeongbuk, and Jeju regions traveled to Seoul for initial treatment in 2017. The difference in the annual frequencies of upfront surgery between Seoul and non-Seoul regions increased over time. Younger age and regions other than metropolitan cities were significantly related to medical travel. Patients covered by medical aid or past medical histories were significantly less likely to travel to Seoul for initial breast cancer treatment. Conclusion: Medical travel to Seoul for upfront breast cancer surgery is increasing. Policies for appropriate healthcare delivery need to be established in the near future.

Breast Cancer Recurrence after Smooth versus Textured Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction: A Matched Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of reports on breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma have recently raised concerns about the potential influence of breast implants on carcinogenicity, particularly implants with a textured surface. The authors compared the recurrence outcomes between smooth and textured implant reconstructions for breast cancer. METHODS: All patients who underwent immediate direct-to-implant-based breast reconstruction for primary breast cancer between January of 2010 and December of 2016 were reviewed. A total of 590 patients were included. After propensity score 1:2 matching, 138 patients were included in the smooth implant group and 276 patients in the textured implant group. Locoregional recurrence-free survival, disease-free survival, and distant metastasis-free survival rates were compared between the groups. RESULTS: After matching, the median follow-up periods were 62 months and 66 months for the smooth and textured groups, respectively. The authors observed no significant differences between the smooth and textured implant groups in terms of locoregional recurrence (10.9 percent versus 11.6 percent; p = 0.827), distant metastasis (3.6 percent versus 4.0 percent; p = 0.547), or first recurrence (12.3 percent versus 13.4 percent; p = 0.757) rates. No significant differences were observed between the groups in 5-year locoregional recurrence-free survival (89.5 percent versus 89.4 percent; p = 0.840), disease-free survival (87.7 percent versus 88.1 percent; p = 0.794), or distant metastasis-free survival (98.8 percent versus 96.8 percent; p = 0.741) rates. CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences were observed between the smooth and textured implant groups in this matched cohort analysis of recurrence outcomes in patients with primary breast cancer who underwent immediate direct-to-implant reconstruction. Further larger scale investigations are necessary to validate the authors' results. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Impact of Local Breast Cancer Recurrence on Reconstructed Breast in Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy with Immediate Reconstruction.

The impact of locally recurrent breast cancer on reconstructed breasts remains largely unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the incidence of reconstruction loss due to local recurrence in patients who underwent nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction for breast cancer and to identify potential recurrence-associated risk factors for loss of index reconstruction. The records of 1,696 patients who underwent nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction between March 2003 and December 2016 at a single institution were reviewed. Among them, 128 patients with local breast cancer recurrence as the first event were analyzed. The primary outcome was loss of reconstruction due to local breast cancer recurrence. Reconstruction loss was classified as partial flap loss with breast distortion, complete flap loss, or implant loss during salvage treatment of local recurrence. Reconstruction loss occurred in 21 of the 128 patients (16%). Reconstruction loss rates were 20% for autologous and 9.5% for implant-based reconstruction (P = 0.204). Multivariate analysis showed that recurrent tumor size > 2.0 cm and multifocal recurrence were independent factors associated with an increased risk of reconstruction loss. Moreover, age ≥ 50 years at the time of recurrence diagnosis, recurrent tumor size > 2.0 cm, and multifocal recurrence were independently associated with complete flap/implant loss in the multivariate analysis. The incidence of reconstruction loss due to local breast cancer recurrence after nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction was low in this study. Age ≥ 50 years at recurrence diagnosis and the extent of local recurrence independently affected reconstruction loss. To detect recurrence early, careful follow-up through regular ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging at the reconstruction site is important.

The patterns and spatial locations of local recurrence in breast cancer with implant-based reconstruction after mastectomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) recently defined delineation guidelines for the clinical target volume for postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) after immediate implant-based reconstruction for early-stage breast cancer. We analyzed the three-dimensional location and pattern of local recurrence in accordance with the reconstruction type and ESTRO-target volume. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study involved patients who had undergone mastectomy with implant reconstruction between 2010 and 2019 and who had local recurrence as the first event. For mapping analysis, one subpectoral and one prepectoral implant patient were selected. All recurrence lesions were contoured and mapped in a representative case. RESULTS: A total of 1327 patients with breast cancer who underwent mastectomy and implant-based breast reconstruction were identified; 51 were enrolled with a total of 65 lesions. In subpectoral implant patients, 93% of recurrences were located in the ESTRO-target volume. No recurrence occurred in the implant pocket, but 7% of the recurrent tumors developed in the pectoralis major and deep thoracic muscle. In prepectoral implant patients, all recurrent tumors occurred within the ESTRO-target volume. CONCLUSION: The ESTRO-target volume in PMRT after reconstruction encompassed most local recurrences in patients who underwent mastectomy with immediate implant reconstruction. Our results support the application of the ESTRO Advisory Committee for Radiation Oncology Practice consensus guideline for target volume of PMRT after immediate implant-based reconstruction for early-stage breast cancer.

A Propensity Score-matched Analysis of Long-term Oncologic Outcomes After Nipple-sparing Versus Conventional Mastectomy for Locally Advanced Breast Cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the long-term oncologic outcomes of nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) with those of conventional mastectomy (CM) in patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: NSM has been increasingly implemented in patients with breast cancer. However, oncologic efficacy of NSM in patients with LABC has not been sufficiently demonstrated. METHODS: The study group comprised 850 patients with clinical stage IIB to IIIC breast cancer who underwent NACT followed by either NSM and immediate breast reconstruction or CM alone. After propensity score-matching, 418 patients were included in the analysis. Local recurrence-free survival, disease-free survival (DFS), distant metastasis-free survival, and overall survival (OS) rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using log-rank tests between the NSM and CM groups. RESULTS: After matching, the mean follow-up period was 70 ± 25 months for the NSM group and 74 ± 27 months for the CM group ( P = 0.181). There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of 6-year local recurrence-free survival (91.6% vs. 95.8%; P = 0.239), DFS (70.5% vs. 73.4%; P = 0.583), distant metastasis-free survival (79.8% vs. 77.4%; P = 0.320), or OS (87.6% vs. 84.8%; P = 0.465) rates. Additionally, we identified 30 patients in the NSM group who initially presented with tumor extension in the subareolar area; the nipple-areola complex was successfully preserved after NACT, and no recurrence at the nipple was observed in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: In this matched control study, we demonstrated comparable long-term oncologic outcomes between NSM with immediate reconstruction and CM alone after NACT for LABC. In patients who had tumors extending to the subareolar area before NACT, NSM can be tried if tumor involvement of the nipple-areola complex appears resolved on imaging studies after chemotherapy.

Robot-assisted Nipple-sparing Mastectomy With Immediate Breast Reconstruction: An initial Experience of the Korea Robot-endoscopy Minimal Access Breast Surgery Study Group (KoREa-BSG).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to present the results of early experience of robot-assisted nipple sparing mastectomy (RANSM). BACKGROUND: RANSM improves cosmetic outcomes over conventional nipple-sparing mastectomy. However, data on the feasibility and safety of the RANSM are limited. METHODS: Patients who underwent RANSM with immediate breast reconstruction as part of the Korea Robot-endoscopy Minimal Access Breast Surgery Study Group (KoREa-BSG) from November 2016 to January 2020 were enrolled. clinicopathologic characteristics, perioperative complications, and operation time were collected. RESULTS: Overall, 73 women underwent 82 RANSM procedures conducted by 11 breast surgeons at 8 institutions. The median patient age was 45.5 years old (20-66 years), and 52 (63.4%) patients were premenopausal. Invasive breast cancer was noted in 55 cases (40 cases were stage i, 11 cases were stage ii, and 4 cases were stage iii, respectively) and ductal carcinoma in-situ was recorded in 20 cases. Of those, 3 patients with BRCA1/2 mutation carriers underwent contralateral risk-reducing RANSM. The median length of hospitalization was 12.0 days (5.0-24.0 days). The incision location was the mid-axillary line and the median incision length was 50.0 mm (30.0-60.0 mm). Median total operation time, median total mastectomy time, and median reconstruction time was 307.0 minutes (163.0-796.0 minutes), 189.5 minutes (97.5-325.0 minutes), and 119.5 minutes (45.0-689.0 minutes). Only 2 cases (2.5%) required reoperation. Nipple ischemia was found in 9 cases (10.9%) but only 1 case (1.2%) required nipple excision given that 8 cases (9.7%) resolved spontaneously. Skin ischemia was observed in 5 cases (6.1%) and only 2 (2.4%) cases needed skin excision whereas 3 cases (3.6%) resolved spontaneously. There was no conversion to open surgery orcases of mortality. The mean time for mastectomy among surgeons who performed more than 10 cases was 182.3 minutes (± 53.7, minutes) and 195.4 minutes (± 50.4, minutes). CONCLUSION: This was the first report of RANSM conducted in the KoREa-BSG. RANSM is technically feasible and acceptable with a short learning curve. Further prospective research to evaluate surgical and oncologic outcomes is needed.

Oncologic outcomes of immediate breast reconstruction in young women with breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Oncologic safety of postmastectomy breast reconstruction in young women with breast cancer is not well-defined, especially in the setting of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). We retrospectively compared the oncologic outcomes following nipple-sparing (NSM)/skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) with immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) and conventional mastectomy (CM) alone in young breast cancer patients after NACT. METHODS: A total of 1266 women with primary breast cancer who underwent NACT followed by total mastectomy with or without IBR were reviewed. Of these, only young patients (age ≤ 40 years at diagnosis) were included in the outcome analysis (n = 375). After propensity score-matching by clinical T and N stage, molecular subtype, response to NACT, and adjuvant radiotherapy status, 228 patients were 1:1 matched, comprising balanced IBR group (with NSM/SSM) and CM-alone group. RESULTS: The 5-year locoregional recurrence-free, disease-free, distant metastasis (DM)-free, and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) rates for the entire cohort of young patients were 83.4%, 65.3%, 71.7%, and 85.4%, respectively. Locoregional recurrence rates between the matched groups were similar (14% vs. 15.8%; p = 0.710); however, IBR group had significantly lower DM rate (27.2% vs. 40.4%; p = 0.036) and breast cancer mortality (14.9% vs. 27.2%; p = 0.023) than CM-alone group. IBR group showed significantly improved 5-year DM-free survival (74.1% vs. 62.6%; p = 0.043) and BCSS (89.1% vs. 77.6%; p = 0.048) rates than CM-alone group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that IBR with NSM/SSM does not negatively affect long-term oncologic outcomes compared to CM alone in young women with breast cancer receiving NACT.

Breast cancer outcomes following immediate breast reconstruction with implants versus autologous flaps: a propensity score-matched study.

PURPOSE: A large proportion of patients with breast cancer who had mastectomy had undergone breast reconstruction with implants or autologous flaps. However, only a few studies have compared the breast cancer outcomes between the implant-based reconstruction (IBR) and autologous flap reconstruction (AFR). In this study, we retrospectively compared the local recurrence rates, distant metastasis rates, and survival outcomes between immediate IBR and AFR. METHODS: A total of 1530 patients with primary breast cancer who underwent IBR or AFR with nipple-/skin-sparing mastectomy were included. Patients who underwent neoadjuvant systemic therapy were excluded from the study. After propensity score matching by age at diagnosis, T stage, N stage, molecular subtype, mastectomy type, adjuvant radiotherapy status, and follow-up period, 938 patients were 1:1 matched, comprising the well-balanced IBR and AFR groups. Locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS), disease-free survival (DFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) were compared between the matched groups. RESULTS: After matching, the median follow-up periods were 68 months and 71 months for the IBR and AFR groups, respectively. No significant differences were observed between the IBR and AFR groups regarding the local recurrence (7.2% vs. 5.1%; P = 0.175), regional recurrence (2.1% vs. 1.5%; P = 0.463), or distant metastasis (3.2% vs. 3.2%; P = 1.000) rates. Moreover, no significant difference was observed between the IBR and AFR groups in the LRRFS (hazard ratio, 0.691; 95% CI, 0.433-1.102; P = 0.118), DFS (hazard ratio, 0.709; 95% CI, 0.468-1.076; P = 0.104), DMFS (hazard ratio, 1.006; 95% CI, 0.491-2.059; P = 0.987), or BCSS (hazard ratio, 0.445; 95% CI, 0.111-1.786; P = 0.659). CONCLUSION: In this propensity score-matched analysis of oncologic outcomes in patients with primary breast cancer who underwent immediate breast reconstruction with nipple-/skin-sparing mastectomy, no significant differences were observed between the IBR and AFR groups.

Factors Predicting Locoregional Recurrence After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Nipple-Sparing/Skin-Sparing Mastectomy With Immediate Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Few data are available on the risk factors of locoregional recurrence (LRR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) in breast cancer. Herein, we evaluated the factors predicting LRR in a large series of patients who underwent either nipple- (NSM) or skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) with IBR after NACT. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 609 breast cancer patients who underwent NACT and NSM/SSM with IBR between February 2010 and June 2017. Factors associated with an increased risk of LRR were analyzed by univariate (chi-square or Fisher's exact test) and multivariate (Cox proportional hazard regression model) analyses. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 63 months, LRR as the first event occurred in 73 patients, and the 5-year cumulative LRR rate was 10.8%. Multivariate analysis revealed post-NACT Ki67 ≥ 10% [hazard ratio (HR), 2.208; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.295-3.765; P = 0.004], high tumor grade (HR, 1.738; 95% CI, 1.038-2.908; P = 0.035), and presence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (HR, 1.725; 95% CI, 1.039-2.864; P = 0.035) as independently associated with increased LRR risk. The 10-year LRR rate was 8.5% for patients with none of the three associated risk factors, 11.6% with one factor, 25.1% with two factors, and 33.7% with all three factors (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Post-NACT Ki67 ≥ 10%, high tumor grade, and presence of LVI are independently associated with an increased risk of developing LRR after NACT and NSM/SSM with IBR. Future prospective trials are warranted to decrease the risk of LRR in patients with associated risk factors.

Effectiveness of a 6-Month 22.5-mg Leuprolide Acetate Depot Formulation With Tamoxifen for Postoperative Premenopausal Estrogen Suppression in Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: In patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/premenopausal breast cancer, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogs (LHRHas) are used as standard endocrine treatment. Based on previous clinical studies, 1-month formulations are recommended in most breast cancer treatment guidelines, but long-acting formulations facilitate reductions in side effects and patient discomfort caused by frequent administration. However, few efficacy studies have been conducted on 6-month formulations. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of 6-month formulations of LHRHas. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted from January 2018 to December 2019 and involved premenopausal patients with HR+ breast cancer administered 6-month LHRHas as adjuvant treatment after surgery, and those previously administered chemotherapy or other LHRHa types were excluded. Patients' estradiol (E2) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were measured before surgery, and their E2 levels were also measured at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months at periodic postsurgical examinations. RESULTS: A total of 228 patients were included, and the median patient age was 44 (range, 25-54) years. The mean serum E2 and FSH levels before surgery were 69.7 (range, 4-683) pg/mL and 7.3 (range, 0.4-88.9) mIU/mL, respectively, whereas the mean serum E2 level monitored at intervals during the 6-month LHRHa administration was 5.5 (range, 4.0-52) pg/mL. No women menstruated during the follow-up period after the LHRHas administration, and the E2 levels were less than 30 pg/mL in all patients except one. CONCLUSIONS: The 6-month LHRHa formulation adequately suppressed ovarian function in premenopausal patients with HR+ breast cancer. This indicates that long-acting LHRHas can be effectively used for patient convenience and that there is high compliance with long-term use.

Case Report: A 3D-Printed Surgical Guide for Breast-Conserving Surgery After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: A challenging problem for patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is the accuracy of preoperative tumor localization. After chemotherapy, the original tumor is likely to shrink or scatter dramatically or even show complete remission. For breast-conserving surgery, the development of a guidance device to accurately estimate the resection area is imperative. CASE PRESENTATION: We produced a three-dimensional (3D)-printed breast surgical guide (BSG) based on prone and supine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This device was tested on a patient who underwent breast-conserving surgery after NACT. Both ultrasonography and MRI revealed that the tumor shrank substantially after NACT. Identifying the target tumor area using pre-NACT MRI was feasible, and the tumor was safely removed with clear resection margins. CONCLUSION: The BSG has several advantages over conventional methods for tumor localization after NACT. In particular, the BSG provided precise quantitative MRI information about the tumor area.