Long-term clinical outcomes of preoperative brachytherapy in early-stage cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The treatment of early-stage cervical cancer (CC) is primarily based on surgery. Adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy can be necessary in presence of risk factors for relapse (tumor size, deep stromal invasion, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), positive margins, parametrial or lymph node involvement), increasing the risk of treatment toxicity. Preoperative brachytherapy can reduce tumor extension before surgery, potentially limiting the need for adjuvant radiotherapy. This study reports long-term clinical outcomes on efficacy and toxicity of preoperative pulse-dose-rate (PDR) brachytherapy in early-stage CC. METHODS: All patients treated at Institut Curie between 2007 and 2022 for early-stage CC by preoperative brachytherapy were included. A PDR technique was used. Patients underwent hysterectomy associated with nodal staging following brachytherapy. RESULTS: 73 patients were included. The median time from brachytherapy to surgery was 45 days [range: 25-78 days]. With a median follow-up of 51 months [range: 4-185], we reported 3 local (4 %), 1 locoregional (1 %) and 8 metastatic (11 %) relapses. At 10 years, OS was 84.1 % [95 % CI: 70.0-100], DFS 84.3 % [95 % CI:74.6-95.3] and LRFS 92.8 % [95 % CI:84.8-100]. Persistence of a tumor residue, observed in 32 patients (44 %), was a significant risk factor for metastatic relapse (p = 0.02) and was associated with the largest tumor size before brachytherapy (p = 0.04). Five patients (7 %) experienced grade 3 toxicity. One patient (1 %) developed grade 4 toxicity. Ten patients (14 %) received adjuvant radiotherapy, increasing the risk of lymphedema (HR 1.31, 95 % CI [1.11-1.54]; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: PDR preoperative brachytherapy for early-stage cervical cancer provides high long-term tumor control rates with low toxicity.

What is the impact of neoadjuvant chemoradiation on outcomes in gastro-intestinal cancer?

Multimodal therapeutic strategies combining chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery have been shown to be feasible and to have a positive impact on outcomes by decreasing the risk of locoregional recurrence and often by increasing overall survival. The advantages of neoadjuvant chemo(radio)therapy include optimal tumor control combined with better tolerance and compliance to treatment while also increasing the number of candidates for surgery. Whereas indications for neoadjuvant therapy are increasing, its impact on surgical treatment and postoperative outcomes are not well-known. Surgeons frequently believe that chemo(radio)therapy may amplify intraoperative difficulties, thereby increasing postoperative morbidity and mortality. The aim of this review was to report the state of the art regarding: (i) the role of chemo(radio)therapy; (ii) its impact on surgical indications and modalities; and (iii) its impact on postoperative outcomes for the most frequently encountered gastro-intestinal cancers, i.e. esophageal, rectal, pancreatic, and anal canal cancer.

Toxicity and early clinical outcomes in cervical cancer following extended field helical tomotherapy to para-aortic lymph nodes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate toxicity and early disease outcome among patients treated for cervical cancer with extended-field helical tomotherapy to the para-aortic nodes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight patients (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics [FIGO] stage IB2-IVA) from four institutions received extended-field helical tomotherapy and were retrospectively evaluated. All had nodal disease. Para-aortic lymph nodes were involved in 31 patients. Patients were assessed for toxicity using version 4 of the National Cancer Institute's common terminology criteria for adverse events. Survival curves were plotted using Kaplan-Meier estimates. RESULTS: All patients underwent radiation to the tumor region (median dose: 45Gy; range: 44-66Gy), pelvic lymph nodes and para-aortic lymph nodes (median dose: 45Gy; range: 44-60Gy). The median dose to positive lymph nodes was 55Gy (range: 45-65Gy). All received platinum-based chemotherapy (31 concurrently). The median follow-up was 15months. Acute toxicity events observed included one patient with grade 5 febrile neutropenia, 11 patients (29%) with grade 3 hematologic complications. Grades 3-4 gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicities occurred in six (16%) and four (11%) patients, respectively. Three patients had grade 3 pelvic pain (8%). The 6- and 18-month overall survival rates were 94.7 and 63.9%, respectively. The 18-month locoregional control, disease-free survival, and late grade 3 toxicity rates were 60.2, 43.3 and 7.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Extended-field helical tomotherapy was associated with low rates of acute gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicities with early survival and locoregional control similar to other published series.

Clinico-pathology and prognosis of endometrial cancer in patients previously treated for breast cancer, with or without tamoxifen: a comparative study in 363 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinic-pathologic variables and the prognosis of endometrial cancer in patients with and without previous breast cancer, with and without Tamoxifen. METHODS: We analyzed patients treated for an endometrial carcinoma from 1994 to 2004: patients without breast cancer (group 1), patients with a previous breast cancer without tamoxifen (group 2) and patients treated for breast cancer with tamoxifen (group 3). Survival rates were calculated according to Kaplan-Meier method and compared using a Log rank test, multivariate analysis was performed with a Cox regression model. RESULTS: 363 patients were analyzed. 80 patients had a previous history of breast cancer (43 received tamoxifen). Although it was not statistically significant, more carcinosarcomas were observed in patients in group 3 than patients in groups 1 and 2 (11.7% versus 4.2% and 5.4% respectively, p = 0.17).) Median follow-up was 87 months [2-185]. 5-year overall survival rate was respectively in groups 1, 2 and 3: 82%, 73.2%, and 61% (p = 0.0006). 5-year local relapse-free survival rate was respectively: 95.9%, 93.1% and 82.5% (p = 0.02). In multivariate analysis, factors affecting overall survival rate were: age ≥65 ans (HR 3.62, p < 0.0001), FIGO stage (HR 3.33 p < 0.0001 for locally advanced stage versus early stage, HR 8.87 p = 0.03 for distant extension versus early stage), and group 3 (HR 2.83 p < 0.001 versus group 1). CONCLUSION: Patients with endometrial cancer previously treated for breast cancer show a worse prognostic, particularly if they reveived tamoxifen.

[Impact of dynamic IMRT and tomotherapy in pelvic cancers: a prospective dosimetric study with 51 patients]. / Apport de la RCMI rotationnelle et de la tomothérapie hélicoïdale dans les cancers pelviens : étude dosimétrique prospective sur 51 patients.

PURPOSE: To compare the dosimetric results of different techniques of dynamic intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in patients treated for a pelvic cancer with nodal irradiation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data of 51 patients included prospectively in the Artpelvis study were analyzed. Thirty-six patients were treated for a high-risk prostate cancer (13 with helical tomotherapy, and 23 with Rapid'Arc(®)) and 15 patients were treated for a localized anal cancer (nine with helical tomotherapy and six with Rapid'Arc(®)). Plan quality was assessed according to several different dosimetric indexes of coverage of planning target volume and sparing of organs at risk. RESULTS: Although some dosimetric differences were statistically significant, helical tomotherapy and Rapid'Arc provided very similar and highly conformal plans. Regarding organs at risk, Rapid'Arc(®) provided better pelvic bone sparing with a lower non-tumoral integral dose. CONCLUSION: In pelvis cancer with nodal irradiation, Rapid'Arc and helical tomotherapy provided very similar plans. The clinical evaluation of Artpelvis study will verify this equivalence hypothesis.

Evaluation and impact of residual disease in locally advanced cervical cancer after concurrent chemoradiation therapy: results of a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnosis and impact of residual disease (RD) after concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CRT) in locally advanced cervical cancer (FIGO IB2-IVA). METHODS: This retrospective multicenter study included 159 patients who were treated with completion surgery after CRT between 2006 and 2012. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed 4-6 weeks after CRT and compared to pathological evidence of residual disease. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted and univariate/multivariate analyses were performed to assess the association between RD and the outcome. RESULTS: Residual disease was present in 45.3% of the patients and detected by MRI in 57.1%. The MRI had a 29.2% false positive rate and an 11.1% false negative rate. The overall survival (OS) rates at 3 and 5 years were 78.6% (CI 95% [71%-86.9%]) and 76.5% (CI 95% [68.2%-85.7%]), respectively. The disease free survival (DFS) rates at 3 and 5 years were 73.4% (CI 95% [65.6%-82%]) and 71.1% (CI 95% [62.7%-80.1%]), respectively. RD greater than 10 mm decreased DFS (HR = 4.84, p = 0.03), whereas RD between 1 and 10 mm (HR = 0.31, p = 0.58) and less than 1 mm (HR = 0.37, p = 0.54) had no impact on DFS. The OS was not changed by RD. DISCUSSION: The MRI accuracy value is not sufficient to select patients who might benefit from completion surgery. Residual disease over 10 mm decreased DFS but did not impact OS.

Outcome in early cervical cancer following pre-operative low dose rate brachytherapy: a ten-year follow up of 257 patients treated at a single institution.

OBJECTIVE: To report the outcome of preoperative low dose rate uterovaginal brachytherapy (LDR-UVBT) followed by radical surgery in the treatment of early cervical carcinoma. METHODS: 257 patients treated at Institut Curie from 1985 to 2008 for cervical carcinoma less than 4cm (FIGO stages Ib1, IIA and IIB) were studied. Patients received preoperative LDR-UVBT followed by hysterectomy Piver II type, with pelvic lymph nodes dissection (PLND). Predictive factors for pathological response to brachytherapy were analyzed with logistic regression, as well as survival rates. RESULTS: 44% of patients had residual tumor, 4.3% of patients had parametrial invasion and 17.9% of patients had lymph node involvement. Predictive factors for an incomplete pathological response were: initial clinical tumor size 20mm (OR 2.1), pN1 (OR 2.77), glandular carcinoma (OR 2.51) and lymphovascular invasion (OR 4.35). 7.4% and 2.7% of patients had respectively grade 2 and grade 3 post-therapeutic late complications. Median follow up was 122 months [1-282]. Five-year actuarial overall survival and disease free survival were respectively 83% CI [78.3-87.5] and 80.9% CI [76.3-85.7]. In multivariate analysis, factors affecting significantly the overall survival and disease free survival rates were: lymph node involvement (RR 4.53 and 8.96 respectively), parametrial involvement (RR 5.69 and 5.62 respectively), smoking (RR 3.07 and 2.63 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative LDR-UVBT results in good disease control with a low complications rate. Its accuracy could be improved by a better selection of patients. Lymph nodes and parametrial evaluation remains a challenging issue that should be achieved with imaging and minimal invasive surgery.

[Preoperative concomitant radiochemotherapy in bulky carcinoma of the cervix: Institut Curie experience]. / Chimioradiothérapie concomitante préopératoire dans les carcinomes du col utérin de stades IB2 à IIB : expérience de l'institut Curie.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the treatment results of patients (pts) with Figo stage IB2, IIA, IIB cervical carcinoma (CC) treated with preoperative radiochemotherapy, followed by extended radical hysterectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 148 women treated at the Institut Curie for operable Figo Stage IB2 to IIB, biopsy proved CC. Among them, 70 pts, median age 46 years, were treated using the same regimen associating primary radiocisplatinum based chemotherapy, intracavitary LDR brachytherapy, followed by extended radical hysterectomy. Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to draw survival curves. Comparisons of survival distribution were assessed by the log-rank test. RESULTS: Complete histological local-regional response was obtained in 56% of the pts (n=39). Residual macroscopic or microscopic disease in the cervix was observed in 28 pts (40%). All but one had in situ microscopic residual CC. Lateral residual disease in the parametria was also present in nine pts, all with residual CC. Pelvic lymph nodes were free from microscopic disease in 56 pts (80%). Eight of 55 (11%) radiological N0 patients had microscopic nodal involvement, as compared to 6/15 (40%) radiological N1 (p=0.03). Seventeen pts (25%) had residual cervix disease but negative nodes. After median follow-up of 40 months (range, 8-141), 38/70 patients (54.1%) are still alive and free of disease, six (8.6%) alive with disease, and 11 (15.8%) patients were lost for follow-up but free of disease. CONCLUSION: The treatment of locally advanced CC needs a new multidisciplinary diagnostic and treatment approach using new therapeutic arms to improve the survival and treatment tolerance among women presenting this disease.

Abdominoperineal resection for anal cancer.

PURPOSE: Following initial radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for the treatment of anal cancer, patients who present with either persistent or locally recurrent disease are treated by abdominoperineal resection. The aim of this retrospective study was to review the long-term survival and prognostic factors after such surgery in a single institution. METHODS: Over a 34-year period (1969-2003), 422 patients with nonmetastatic anal cancer were treated with a curative intent. Of these, 83 (median age 61 years; 74 women) underwent abdominoperineal resection. RESULTS: Forty-one patients underwent abdominoperineal resection for persistent disease and 42 for locally recurrent disease. Postoperative mortality was 4.8 percent and morbidity was 35 percent with 18 percent having perineal wound infections. Median follow-up was 104 months (range, 3-299). The 3-year and 5-year actuarial survival was 62.8 and 56.5 percent respectively. Using univariate analysis, patients below 55 years, females, T1-2 tumors, N0-N1 lymphadenopathy and the absence of locally advanced tumor were associated with significantly improved survival. Surgery, whether for persistent or locally recurrent disease, did not affect the 5-year survival rate. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominoperineal resection for nonmetastatic anal cancer is associated with a high morbidity rate but may result in long-term survival regardless of the indication.

Anal canal cancer treatment: practical limitations of routine prescription of concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

This study is an analysis of the criteria considered when prescribing concomitant chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as a routine treatment for patients with anal canal cancer, and related complications. Between 1990 and 1996, 67 patients were treated at Institut Curie for invasive, nonmetastatic cancer of the anal canal. Median age was 65 years (range, 35-90 years). TNM stage distribution was as follows: seven T1, 17 T2, 27 T3, 16 T4, and 22 N+ patients. A total of 29 patients (i.e., five T1/T2, and 24 T3/T4) received concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Radiotherapy volumes and dose and prescribed dose for chemotherapy were not statistically different from one group of patients to another. Only 55% of T3/T4 patients underwent standard chemoradiation treatment for anal canal cancer. Age was the one of main factor in determining if the patient would undergo concomitant chemotherapy or not. For the T3/T4 patients, concomitant chemotherapy was prescribed to 69% of patients <55 years, 90% of patients between 56 and 64 years, 45% of patients between 65 and 75 years, and 20% of patients over 75 years (P<0.02). Overall survival at 4 years was 66%. The 4 years overall survival rate of T3/T4 patients, who underwent concomitant chemotherapy, was 72%, and that of T3/T4 patient who did not, was 34% (P<0.04). The patients who did not undergo chemotherapy were significantly older. The difference in cause-specific survival rates (72 vs 48%) was not significant. Relapse-free interval without local recurrence at 4 years was 70%. Relapse-free interval of T3/T4 patients was 78% with chemotherapy and 60% without chemotherapy (p=NS). Rates of treatment discontinuation and early toxicity were not statistically different. Late complications occurred in 33 patients, eight of whom had grade 2/3 tumours. At 2 years, complications occurred in 39% of patients who had undergone concomitant chemotherapy, and in 20% of patients who had not (p<0.02). Differences in grade 2/3 complications were not significant. In conclusion, although radiotherapy with concomitant chemotherapy is considered the current 'gold-standard' treatment for anal canal cancer, in our daily experience, only 55% of our T3/T4 patients have undergone this treatment. The remainder did not undergo chemotherapy mainly because they were deemed too old. In this series, no increase in local control and cause-specific survival was observed in patients who received concomitant chemotherapy; this may be due to the small number of patients included in the series. The increased rate of late complications observed in patients who received the combined treatment, however, provides evidence that this treatment should be restricted to younger patients without comorbidity and therefore justifies our position. Perhaps reduction of doses of chemotherapy must be discussed for older patients.

Medullary breast carcinoma: prognostic implications of p53 expression.

Medullary breast carcinoma (MBC) is a rare pathological type of breast cancer. The rate of p53 protein accumulation is higher in MBC than in common invasive ductal carcinoma. Whether this particular feature of MBC influences the outcome after treatment is unknown. We retrospectively analyzed the characteristics, treatment and outcome of 71 patients with MBC treated between 1981 and 1996. The median age was 51 years (range 27-81) and the median clinical tumor size was 25 mm (range 0-70 mm). Breast-conserving treatment was offered when possible: 55 patients had undergone a tumorectomy and radiotherapy while 16 patients had undergone a mastectomy. p53 protein accumulation was determined by immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded tumor specimens from 58/71 samples available for this study. The median follow-up for the 56 survivors was 113 months (range 30-241). The 10-year survival and metastasis-free survival rates were 81% and 81.4%, respectively. The local recurrence rate was 16.4%. The two factors predicting outcome were pathological axillary node involvement in the 60 patients who underwent axillary dissection and adjuvant chemotherapy. p53 accumulation was found in 33/58 patients (57%). p53 status was not predictive of survival nor of distant or local recurrences. We confirm that medullary breast carcinoma has a favorable prognosis despite its aggressive pathological features. p53 protein accumulation, found in the majority of MBCs, was not related to outcome.

[Chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced cancers of the uterine neck. Retrospective study of 92 patients treated at the Institute Curie between 1986 and 1998]]. / Chimioradiothérapie dans les cancers du col utérin localement évolués. Etude rétrospective de 92 patientes traitées à l'institut Curie de 1986 à 1998.

PURPOSE: The prognosis of locally advanced cervix cancers is poor with metastatic and local recurrence risks. Recent publications reported that concurrent chemotherapy and pelvic radiation increased local control compared to radiotherapy alone. Chemotherapy could also decrease metastatic recurrences. We report 92 cases of patients with locally advanced cervix cancer treated between 1986 and 1998 at the Institut Curie. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Concurrent chemoradiation was exclusive in 51 cases and added to surgery in 41 cases. Chemotherapy with 5FU-Cisplatin-Mitomycin C-Vindesin (protocol A) was performed for 43% of patients and 57% of them received 5FU-Cisplatin alone (protocol B). RESULTS: Median follow-up was 64 months (6-149 months). Five-year disease-free survival rate was 47% and local control rate was 70%. Disease-free survival was correlated with therapeutic response. After exclusive chemoradiation, the good responsive patients had a better DFS (54% vs 26%, p = 0.018). In the surgery group, those patients with sterilized lymph nodes and tumours had also a higher DFS (76% vs 47%, p = 0.036). Toxicity was higher with protocol A. CONCLUSION: From our study, it appears that local control of advanced cervix cancers is better with combined chemoradiotherapy but disease-free survival stays low according to the metastatic evolution. Metastasis without local recurrence remained frequent in our study. 5FU-CDDP chemotherapy has a lower toxicity and is as effective as 5FU-CDDP-Mitomycin C-Vindesin protocol, in association with radiotherapy.

Phytoestrogens after breast cancer.

The current extension of the indications for adjuvant chemotherapy, which predisposes to early menopause, and the media coverage of the benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have led patients with a history of breast cancer to seek treatments for estrogen deprivation. In breast cancer survivors, most physicians avoid HRT because of concern regarding the potential promotion of growth of occult malignant cells by estrogens, due to the estrogen dependence of breast cancer. Soy phytoestrogens are being promoted as the 'natural alternative' to HRT and have been available without restrictions for several years as nutritional supplements. In this paper, data on the complex mammary effects of phytoestrogens in epidemiological studies, in in vitro studies, as well as in in vivo studies on animal carcinogenesis are reviewed. The potential benefits and risks of phytoestrogens are analyzed, and the prescription of phytoestrogens to postmenopausal women after breast cancer and the coprescription with the anti-estrogen tamoxifen are discussed. The absence of controlled trials and technical checking of extraction and titration in these preparations on 'free sale' raise a new problem in terms of public health and justify close reasoning and a cautious attitude of physicians, as well as straight information given to women, especially after breast cancer.

Mammographically detected ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast treated with breast-conserving surgery and definitive breast irradiation: long-term outcome and prognostic significance of patient age and margin status.

PURPOSE: This study was performed to determine the long-term outcome for women with mammographically detected ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS; intraductal carcinoma) of the breast treated with breast-conserving surgery followed by definitive breast irradiation. METHODS AND MATERIALS: An analysis was performed of 422 mammographically detected intraductal breast carcinomas in 418 women from 11 institutions in North America and Europe. All patients were treated with breast-conserving surgery followed by definitive breast irradiation. The median follow-up time was 9.4 years (mean, 9.4 years; range, 0.1-19.8 years). RESULTS: The 15-year overall survival rate was 92%, and the 15-year cause-specific survival rate was 98%. The 15-year rate of freedom from distant metastases was 94%. There were 48 local failures in the treated breast, and the 15-year rate of any local failure was 16%. The median time to local failure was 5.0 years (mean, 5.7 years; range, 1.0-15.2 years). Patient age at the time of treatment and final pathology margin status from the primary tumor excision were both significantly associated with local failure. The 10-year rate of local failure was 31% for patient age < or = 39 years, 13% for age 40-49 years, 8% for age 50-59 years, and 6% for age > or = 60 years (p = 0.0001). The 10-year rate of local failure was 24% when the margins of resection were positive, 9% when the margins of resection were negative, 7% when the margins of resection were close, and 12% when the margins of resection were unknown (p = 0.030). Patient age < or = 39 years and positive margins of resection were both independently associated with an increased risk of local failure (p = 0.0006 and p = 0.023, respectively) in the multivariable Cox regression model. CONCLUSIONS: The 15-year results from the present study demonstrated high rates of overall survival, cause-specific survival, and freedom from distant metastases following the treatment of mammographically detected ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast using breast-conserving surgery and definitive breast irradiation. Younger age and positive margins of resection were both independently associated with an increased risk of local failure. The 15-year results in the present study serve as an important benchmark for comparison with other treatment modalities. These results support the use of breast-conserving surgery and definitive breast irradiation for the treatment of appropriately selected patients with mammographically detected ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast.

Breast cancer occurred after treatment for Hodgkin's disease: analysis of 133 cases.

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical and histological characteristics of breast cancer (BC) occurring after Hodgkin's disease (HD) and give possible therapies and prevention methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective multicentric analysis, 117 women and two men treated for HD subsequently developed 133 BCs. The median age at diagnosis of HD was 24 years. The HD stages were stage I in 25 cases (21%), stage II in 70 cases (59%), stage III in 13 cases (11%), stage IV in six cases (5%) and not specified in five cases (4%). Radiotherapy (RT) was used alone in 74 patients (63%) and combined modalities with chemotherapy (CT) was used in 43 patients (37%). RESULTS: BC occurred after a median interval of 16 years. TNM classification (UICC, 1978) showed 15 T0 (11.3%), 44 T1 (33.1%), 36 T2 (27.1%), nine T3 (6.7%), 15 T4 (11.3%) and 14 Tx (10.5%). Ductal infiltrating carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) represented 81.2 and 11.3% of the cases, respectively. Among the infiltrating carcinoma, the axillary involvement rate was 50%. Seventy-four tumours were treated by mastectomy without (67) or with (ten) RT. Forty-four tumours had lumpectomy without (12) or with (32) RT. Another four received RT alone, and one CT alone. Sixteen patients (12%) developed isolated local recurrence. Thirty-nine patients (31.7%) developed metastases and 34 died; 38 are in complete remission whereas five died of intercurrent disease. The 5-year disease-specific survival rate was 65.1%. The 5-year disease-specific survival rates for the pN0, pN1-3 and pN>3 groups were 91, 66 and 15%, respectively (P<0.0001), and 100, 88, and 64% for the TIS, T1 and T2. For the T3 and T4, the survival rates decreased sharply to 32 and 23%, respectively. These secondary BC are of two types: a large number of aggressive tumours with a very unfavourable prognosis (especially in the case of pN>3 and/or T3T4), and many tumours with a 'slow spreading' such as DCIS and microinvasive lesions. These lesions developed especially in patients treated exclusively by RT. CONCLUSIONS: The young women and girls treated for HD should be carefully monitored in the long-term by clinical examination, mammography and ultrasonography. We suggest that a baseline mammography is performed 5-8 years after supradiaphragmatic irradiation (complete mantle or involved field) in patients who were treated before 30 years of age. Subsequent mammographies should be performed every 2 years or each year, depending on the characteristics of the breast tissue (e.g. density) and especially in the case of an association with other BC risk factors. This screening seems of importance due to excellent prognosis in our T(1S)T(1) groups, and the possibility of offering these young women a conservative treatment.

Salvage treatment for local recurrence after breast-conserving surgery and radiation as initial treatment for mammographically detected ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the outcome of salvage treatment for local recurrence after breast-conserving surgery and radiation as initial treatment for mammographically detected ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS; intraductal carcinoma) of the breast. METHODS: An analysis was performed of 42 patients with local only first failure (n = 41) or local-regional only first failure (n = 1) after breast-conserving surgery and radiation treatment had been given for DCIS of the breast. Surgical treatment at the time of local recurrence included mastectomy (n = 37; 88%) or excision (n = 5; 12%). Adjuvant systemic therapy at the time of local recurrence was chemotherapy (n = 3; 7%), tamoxifen (n = 8; 19%), both (n = 1; 2%), none (n = 29; 69%), or unknown (n = 1; 2%). The median interval from the time of initial treatment to local recurrence was 4.8 years (range = 1.0-15.2 yrs). The median follow-up after salvage treatment was 4.5 years (range = 0.2-12.8 yrs). RESULTS: At the time of the local recurrence, 22 patients (52%) had invasive ductal carcinoma, 18 patients (43%) had DCIS, 1 patient (2%) had invasive lobular carcinoma, and 1 patient (2%) had angiosarcoma. After salvage treatment, the rate of overall survival and the rate of cause specific survival for all 42 patients were 92% at both 5- and 8-years after treatment. The rate of freedom from distant metastases was 89% at 5 and 8 years. Favorable prognostic factors after salvage treatment were DCIS as the histology of the local recurrence and mammography only as the method of detection of the local recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The results of salvage treatment in the current study demonstrated that local recurrences were salvaged with high rates of survival and freedom from distant metastases. These results support the use of breast-conserving surgery and radiation for initial management of DCIS of the breast.

[Role of adjuvant therapy in uterine sarcoma: experience of the Curie Institute]. / Intérêt des traitements adjuvants dans les sarcomes utérins: expérience de l'institut Curie.

PURPOSE: Uterine sarcoma is a rare disease and survival is poor. From 1975 to 1995, 73 uterine sarcomas were treated at the Curie Institute, and we analysed prognostics factors of survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-one patients underwent primary surgery, in most cases a radical non conservative surgery and a lymphadenectomy. Every patient had an irradiation (external beam irradiation and/or brachytherapy), and 24 patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. We observed that youngest patients had more leiomyosarcomas and low histologic grade tumours. Median survival was 42 months, and 5-years survival and local control were 36 and 68% respectively. Pelvic recurrences were most often before 2 years. This series demonstrates the impact of adjuvant irradiation on local control. This impact was stronger if the tumour had a high histologic grade (p < 0.01). However, irradiation, as well as chemotherapy, had no impact on the survival. CONCLUSION: The study confirmed that irradiation enable a better local control. However modalities of radiation therapy (brachytherapy and/or external beam radiotherapy, dose, volume), are still controversed.

[Leukemia and pre-leukemic conditions occurring after treatment of breast cancer]. / Leucémies et états préleucémiques survenus après traitement d'un cancer du sein.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical and prognostic features of leukemias and preleukemic states, whatever the mode of development, observed in patients after treatment of breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective multicentric analysis was made of 121 patients treated for breast cancer and who later developed leukemia or a preleukemic state. Initially, 44 patients had undergone mastectomy, 72 had conservative surgery and 119 had locoregional irradiation. At least one chemotherapy session was performed in 90 patients and 48 had received tamoxifen. The risk of relapse of breast cancer was high, moderate or low for 44, 46 and 24 patients respectively (data not available for 7 patients). RESULTS: By class, the hematology diseases found were: myelodysplasia (n = 9), refractory anemia with blast excess (n = 7), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 6), acute myoblastic leukemia (n = 93 including a majority of type 2 and type 4). For acute myeloblastic leukemia, mean delay to onset was 65 and 37 months respectively without and after chemotherapy. The prognosis of these cases of leukemia and preleukemic states was poor with an overall death rate of 86%. CONCLUSION: In light of the recent development of indications for adjuvant chemotherapy even for subgroups of patients at moderate risk, it is important to more precisely assess the absolute benefit in terms of survival compared with the risk of severe complications, particular secondary leukemia. In the future, a systematic registry and a case-control study are required.