An Innovative Scoring System to Select the Optimal Surgery in Breast Cancer after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: The selection of surgery post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is difficult and based on surgeons' expertise. The aim of this study was to create a post-NEoadjuvant Score System (pNESSy) to choose surgery, optimizing oncological and aesthetical outcomes. METHODS: Patients (stage I-III) underwent surgery post-NACT (breast-conserving surgery (BCS), oncoplastic surgery (OPS), and conservative mastectomy (CMR) were included. Data selected were BRCA mutation, ptosis, breast volume, radiological response, MRI, and mammography pre- and post-NACT prediction of excised breast area. pNESSy was created using the association between these data and surgery. Area under the curve (AUC) was assessed. Patients were divided into groups according to correspondence (G1) or discrepancy (G2) between score and surgery; oncological and aesthetic outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 255 patients were included (118 BCS, 49 OPS, 88 CMR). pNESSy between 6.896-8.724 was predictive for BCS, 8.725-9.375 for OPS, and 9.376-14.245 for CMR; AUC was, respectively, 0.835, 0.766, and 0.825. G1 presented a lower incidence of involved margins (5-14.7%; p = 0.010), a better locoregional disease-free survival (98.8-88.9%; p < 0.001) and a better overall survival (96.1-86.5%; p = 0.017), and a better satisfaction with breasts (39.8-27.5%; p = 0.017) and physical wellbeing (93.5-73.6%; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: A score system based on clinical and radiological features was created to select the optimal surgery post-NACT and improve oncological and aesthetic outcomes.

Conservative Surgery in cT4 Breast Cancer: Single-Center Experience in the Neoadjuvant Setting.

BACKGROUND: The diffusion of screening programs has resulted in a decrease of cT4 breast cancer diagnosis. The standard care for cT4 was neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NA), surgery, and locoregional or adjuvant systemic therapies. NA allows two outcomes: 1. improve survival rates, and 2. de-escalation of surgery. This de-escalation has allowed the introduction of conservative breast surgery (CBS). We evaluate the possibility of submitting cT4 patients to CBS instead of radical breast surgery (RBS) by assessing the risk of locoregional disease-free survival, (LR-DFS) distant disease-free survival (DDFS), and overall survival (OS). METHODS: This monocentric, retrospective study evaluated cT4 patients submitted to NA and surgery between January 2014 and July 2021. The study population included patients undergoing CBS or RBS without immediate reconstruction. Survival curves were obtained using the Kaplan-Meyer method and compared using a Log Rank test. RESULTS: At a follow-up of 43.7 months, LR-DFS was 70% and 75.9%, respectively, in CBS and RBS (p = 0.420). DDFS was 67.8% and 29.7%, respectively, (p = 0.122). OS was 69.8% and 59.8%, respectively, (p = 0.311). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with major or complete response to NA, CBS can be considered a safe alternative to RBS in the treatment of cT4a-d stage. In patients with poor response to NA, RBS remained the best surgical choice.

Oncoplastic Breast Surgery versus Conservative Mastectomy in the Management of Large Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS): Surgical, Oncological, and Patient-Reported Outcomes.

Oncoplastic level II breast-conserving surgery (OPS2) allows for wider excisions than standard breast-conserving surgery, but the literature on this technique in the treatment of DCIS is scarce. This study compares OPS2 to conservative mastectomy (CM) in patients undergoing surgery for large DCIS. The clinical, radiological, surgical, and post-operative data of 147 patients who underwent either CM or OPS2 for large DCIS between 2007 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. The surgical, oncological, and patient-reported outcomes (PRO) were analyzed and compared between the two groups. The surgical outcomes were similar, in terms of margin involvement (p = 0.211), complication rate (p = 0.827), and re-excision rate (p = 1). The rate of additional surgery for cosmetic optimization was significantly lower in the OPS2 group: only 1 (1.8%) patient required surgical adjustments versus 24 (26.4%) patients in the CM group (p < 0.001). The mean hospital stay was lower in the OPS2 group (p < 0.001). The oncological outcomes did not differ between the two groups (p = 0.662). The PRO analysis showed better outcomes in the OPS2 group, which achieved statistical significance in the sexual well-being module (p = 0.015). Skin sensitivity loss was also significantly lower in the OPS2 group (p < 0.001). When feasible, OPS2 should be considered in the treatment of large DCIS, as it is safe and shows high levels of patient satisfaction.

Multidisciplinary management of mammary Paget's disease: recommendations to optimize oncological and aesthetic outcomes.

We read with interest the article of Francesca Maria Plutino entitled "A peculiar case of Paget's disease of the breast" and would like to make some considerations about this particular topic 1. Mammary Paget's Disease (MPD) or Paget's disease of the breast is an uncommon pathology which accounts for less than 5% of breast cancers 1-3. MPD occurs with alterations of the nipple-areolar complex (NAC) such as redness, eczema, bleeding ulceration and usually itching 1-3. In the era of personalized care, a careful multidisciplinary management is mandatory to optimize the results and minimize the risk of overtreatment 4; an adequate knowledge of the MPD, surgical skills and use of appropriate adjuvant therapies allow to reduce the risk of local recurrence and improve the aesthetic outcomes and patient's quality of life; however, a successful work can be more easily achieved thanks to the repetitive performance of some standardized tasks, such as 5: - an accurate radiological preoperative assessment with mammography and ultrasonography is important to identify associated glandular lesions; an underlying breast carcinoma (in situ and/or invasive) may be present up to about 80% to 90% of MPD although often without an evident breast mass or mammographic abnormality (2,5); therefore, all patients with MPD should also perform a magnetic resonance imaging to detect possible underlying occult breast carcinoma and define the true extent of disease 5,6; - a pathological diagnosis should be early established by nipple scrape cytology when a MPD is clinically suspected; full-thickness punch or wedge biopsy of the NAC may be necessary to accurately diagnose MPD; the histological examination must detect malignant intraepithelial carcinoma cells, also known as "Paget cells", in the epidermis of the NAC 2,3; a needle biopsy is also required for any suspicious glandular lesion identified by imaging and associated with MPD 5; - a multidisciplinary "Surgery Board" is mandatory to select the more adequate local treatment for the patient: breast-conserving surgery (BCS) followed by radiotherapy (RT) is the optimal local treatment when a NAC resection and wide local excision of any underlying cancer allows to achieve tumour-free margins and appropriate aesthetic outcomes 4,5,7; the oncoplastic techniques with the remodelling of breast tissue and placement of clips within the excision cavity as a landmark to guide adjuvant RT should always be used in BCS in order to optimize oncological and cosmetic results 5,8,9,10. Instead, skin-sparing mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction is indicated for MPD associated to multicentric or extensive carcinoma, inadequate margins after BCS, contraindications to adjuvant RT and patient preference 5,8. Staging and surgical treatment of the axilla in MPD is based on the possible presence of underlying cancer; sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLB) is not necessary when BCS is used to treat pure MPD or MPD associate with ductal carcinoma in situ; SLB must be performed when MPD is associated with underlying invasive cancer and treated with breast-conserving surgery; SLB is always recommended when a mastectomy is performed in order to avoid complete axillary lymph node dissection in case an invasive component is revealed at final pathology of the gland (mastectomy precludes subsequent use of SLB) 5,7,8; - a multidisciplinary "Tumor Board" is crucial to choose the adjuvant treatment; whole breast radiation should be always performed after BCS and a radiation boost should be considered for the site of the resected NAC and any associated resected cancer site 2,4,5; adjuvant systemic therapies in patients with MPD should be based on biological features and the stage of the underlying cancer; no data are available to support the use of endocrine therapy in the MPD without an associated DCIS or invasive carcinoma 5. In conclusion, a dedicated multidisciplinary pathway with meticulous repetitive performance of some specific tasks could help to perform a successful work while optimizing oncological and aesthetic outcomes in patients with MPD.

Innovations in the Integrated Management of Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer is commonly acknowledged as an international priority in healthcare [...].

Level II Oncoplastic Surgery as an Alternative Option to Mastectomy with Immediate Breast Reconstruction in the Neoadjuvant Setting: A Multidisciplinary Single Center Experience.

Oncoplastic surgery level II techniques (OPSII) are used in patients with operable breast cancer. There is no evidence regarding their safety and efficacy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). The aim of this study was to compare the oncological and aesthetic outcomes of this technique compared with those observed in mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction (MIBR), in post-NAC patients undergoing surgery between January 2016 and March 2021. Local disease-free survival (L-DFS), regional disease-free survival (R-DFS), distant disease-free survival (D-DFS), and overall survival (OS) were compared; the aesthetic results and quality of life (QoL) were evaluated using BREAST-Q. A total of 297 patients were included, 87 of whom underwent OPSII and 210 of whom underwent MIBR. After a median follow-up of 39.5 months, local recurrence had occurred in 3 patients in the OPSII group (3.4%), and in 13 patients in the MIBR group (6.1%) (p = 0.408). The three-year L-DFS rates were 95.1% for OPSII and 96.2% for MIBR (p = 0.286). The three-year R-DFS rates were 100% and 96.4%, respectively (p = 0.559). The three-year D-DFS rate were 90.7% and 89.7% (p = 0.849). The three-year OS rates were 95.7% and 95% (p = 0.394). BREAST-Q highlighted significant advantages in physical well-being for OPSII. No difference was shown for satisfaction with breasts (p = 0.656) or psychosocial well-being (p = 0.444). OPSII is safe and effective after NAC. It allows oncological and aesthetic outcomes with a high QoL, and is a safe alternative for locally advanced tumors which are partial responders to NAC.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer: An Advanced Personalized Multidisciplinary Prehabilitation Model (APMP-M) to Optimize Outcomes.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is increasingly being employed in the management of breast cancer patients. Efforts and resources have been devoted over the years to the search for an optimal strategy that can improve outcomes in the neoadjuvant setting. Today, a multidisciplinary approach with the application of evidence-based medicine is considered the gold standard for the improvement of oncological results and patient satisfaction. However, several clinical complications and psychological issues due to various factors can arise during neoadjuvant therapy and undermine outcomes. To ensure that health care needs are adequately addressed, clinicians must consider that women with breast cancer have a high risk of developing "unmet needs" during treatment, and often require a clinical intervention or additional care resources to limit possible complications and psychological issues that can occur during neoadjuvant treatment. This work describes a multidisciplinary model developed at "Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli" (FPG) in Rome in an effort to optimize treatment, ease the application of evidence-based medicine, and improve patient quality of life in the neoadjuvant setting. In developing our model, our main goal was to adequately meet patient needs while preventing high levels of distress.

Myofibroblastoma of the breast: two case reports and literature review.

Myofibroblastoma (MFB) is a relatively rare tumor of the breast parenchyma, which belongs to the family of the 'benign stromal tumor of the breast'. Two cases of MFB of the breast are described. Radiological imaging is nonspecific in MFB, and pathological examination of needle biopsy or surgically resected specimen is necessary for the diagnosis. Surgery is recommended and considered curative without additional treatment; however, patients should be followed-up.

Conventional CT versus Dedicated CT Angiography in DIEP Flap Planning: A Feasibility Study.

The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is used with increasing frequency in post-mastectomy breast reconstruction. Preoperative mapping with CT angiography (CTa) is crucial in reducing surgical complications and optimizing surgical techniques. Our study's goal was to investigate the accuracy of conventional CT (cCT), performed during disease staging, compared to CTa in preoperative DIEP flap planning. In this retrospective, single-center study, we enrolled patients scheduled for mastectomy and DIEP flap breast reconstruction, subjected to cCT within 24 months after CTa. We included 35 patients in the study. cCT accuracy was 95% (CI 0.80-0.98) in assessing the three largest perforators, 100% (CI 0.89-100) in assessing the dominant perforator, 93% (CI 0.71-0.94) in assessing the perforator intramuscular course, and 90.6% (CI 0.79-0.98) in assessing superficial venous communications. Superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) caliber was recognized in 90% of cases (CI 0.84-0.99), with an excellent assessment of superficial inferior epigastric vein (SIEV) integrity (96% of cases, CI 0.84-0.99), and a lower accuracy in the evaluation of deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEA) branching type (85% of cases, CI 0.69-0.93). The mean X-ray dose spared would have been 788 ± 255 mGy/cm. Our study shows that cCT is as accurate as CTa in DIEP flap surgery planning.

Immediate Prosthetic Breast Reconstruction after Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy: Traditional Subpectoral Technique versus Direct-to-Implant Prepectoral Reconstruction without Acellular Dermal Matrix.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of immediate prosthetic breast reconstruction (IPBR) using traditional submuscular (SM) positioning of implants versus prepectoral (PP) positioning of micropolyurethane-foam-coated implants (microthane) without further coverage. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of breast cancer patients treated by nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) and IPBR in our institution during the two-year period from January 2018 to December 2019. Patients were divided into two groups based on the plane of implant placement: SM versus PP. RESULTS: 177 patients who received IPBR after NSM were included in the study; implants were positioned in a SM plane in 95 patients and in a PP plane in 82 patients. The two cohorts were similar for mean age (44 years and 47 years in the SM and PP groups, respectively) and follow-up (20 months and 16 months, respectively). The mean operative time was 70 min shorter in the PP group. No significant differences were observed in length of hospital stay or overall major complication rates. Statistically significant advantages were observed in the PP group in terms of aesthetic results, chronic pain, shoulder dysfunction, and skin sensibility (p < 0.05), as well as a trend of better outcomes for sports activity and sexual/relationship life. Cost analysis revealed that PP-IPBR was also economically advantageous over SM-IPBR. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary experience seems to confirm that PP positioning of a polyurethane-coated implant is a safe, reliable and effective method to perform IPBR after NSM.

Image-Guided Localization Techniques for Surgical Excision of Non-Palpable Breast Lesions: An Overview of Current Literature and Our Experience with Preoperative Skin Tattoo.

Breast conserving surgery has become the standard of care and is more commonly performed than mastectomy for early stage breast cancer, with recent studies showing equivalent survival and lower morbidity. Accurate preoperative lesion localization is mandatory to obtain adequate oncological and cosmetic results. Image guidance assures the precision requested for this purpose. This review provides a summary of all techniques currently available, ranging from the classic wire positioning to the newer magnetic seed localization. We describe the procedures and equipment necessary for each method, outlining the advantages and disadvantages, with a focus on the cost-effective preoperative skin tattoo technique performed at our centre. Breast surgeons and radiologists have to consider ongoing technological developments in order to assess the best localization method for each individual patient and clinical setting.

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in pseudomyxoma peritonei of appendiceal origin: result of a single centre study.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare condition characterized by the intraperitoneal accumulation of mucus derived mostly by appendiceal mucinous neoplasm. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) can offer a favourable overall survival. In this study, we report a single-institute outcomes following CRS and HIPEC in patients with this condition. This is a review of prospectively collected data from 32 patients (11 men and 21 women) affected by PMP of appendiceal origin who underwent CRS and HIPEC from 2008 to 2016 in our Surgical Unit of General and Esophagogastric Surgery. The median age of the patients was 53 years (range 25-77 years). After CRS, all patients underwent HIPEC (mytomicin C 3.3 mg/m2/L and cisplatin 25 mg/m2/L at 41 °C for 60 min) with closed abdomen technique. The median (range) follow-up time for surviving patients was 43 (18-119) months. The median peritoneal cancer index (PCI) was 17. Complete cytoreductive surgery (CC0) was achieved in in 22 patients (69%). The majority of patients (88%) had grade I-II complications, 3 (9%) had grade III complications, and 1 (3%) patient had a grade IV complication. There were no perioperative mortalities. The median hospital stay was 9.5 (range 9-24) days. One year and 5-year overall survival (OS) were 90% and 58%, respectively. Regardless of histotype, disease-free survival was 95% at 1 year and 46% at 5 years. CRS in combination with HIPEC is a feasible treatment strategy and can achieve a satisfactory outcome in patients with PMP of appendiceal origin.

Antegrade Sclerotherapy to Treat All Types of Varicoceles in the Pediatric Population: Experience of a Single Center.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze our experience with antegrade sclerotherapy for the treatment of Coolsaet types I, II, and III varicoceles in a pediatric and adolescent population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2005 and 2015, 73 patients who underwent antegrade sclerotherapy were retrospectively evaluated. Patient age, side, clinical and Doppler ultrasound grade, and anatomical variations were collected. Varicoceles were grouped following Coolsaet's classification: all types were sclerosed. Follow-up consisted in clinical examination 3 and 6 months following surgery and testicular Doppler ultrasound 6 and 12 months following surgery. Patients were then telephonically interviewed. Success was defined as varicocele resolution or reduction to a grade not requiring surgery. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 14.7 years and mean operating time was 50.8 minutes. Based on phlebographic imaging and following Coolsaet's classification, we identified 57 (78.1%) type I, 3 (4.1%) type II, and 13 (17.8%) type III varicoceles. No intraoperative complications were observed. Three patients (4.1%) presented a short-term complication in the form of pampiniform plexus thrombosis; 1 patient also developed wound dehiscence: all complications occurred in Coolsaet type I varicoceles and during surgeon learning curve. No hydrocele occurred. Out of 59 patients with a satisfactory follow-up (range: 14 months-10 years), 2 recurrences occurred, the success rate thus being 96.6%. CONCLUSION: Tauber's antegrade sclerotherapy is a simple and feasible technique, effective in treating all kinds of varicocele with low complication, recurrence, and persistence rates. Phlebography reveals frequent venous anatomical variations, allows grouping of varicoceles into Coolsaet types, and enables performing of sclerosis safely in all 3 kinds.