Exploration of Point-of-Care Ultrasonography for Silicone Breast Implant Rupture Detection and Classification.

Background and Objectives: The surge in breast-related surgeries in Korea underscores the critical need for an accurate early diagnosis of silicone breast implant-related issues. Complications such as BIA-ALCL and BIA-SCC add complexity to breast health concerns, necessitating vigilant monitoring. Despite advancements, discrepancies persist between ultrasonographic and pathologic classifications of silicone implant ruptures, highlighting a need for enhanced diagnostic tools. This study explores the reliability of ultrasonography in diagnosing silicone breast implant ruptures and determining the extent of silicone migration, specifically with a focus on guiding potential capsulectomy based on pathology. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive review of medical records encompassing 5557 breast implants across 2790 patients who underwent ultrasound-assisted examinations was conducted. Among the screened implants, 8.9% (249 cases) were diagnosed with silicone breast implant rupture through ultrasonography. Subsequently, 89 women underwent revisional surgery, involving capsulectomy. The pathological analysis of 111 periprosthetic capsules from these cases aimed to assess the extent of silicone migration, and the findings were juxtaposed with the existing ultrasonographic rupture classification. Results: The diagnostic agreement between preoperative sonography and postoperative findings reached 100% for silicone breast implant ruptures. All eighty prosthetic capsules exhibiting a snowstorm sign in ultrasonography demonstrated silicone migration to capsules upon pathologic findings. Conclusions: High-resolution ultrasonography emerged as a valuable and reliable imaging modality for diagnosing silicone breast implant ruptures, with a notable ability to ascertain the extent of free silicone migration to capsules. This diagnostic precision is pivotal in informing decisions about potential capsulectomy during revisional surgery. The study advocates for an update to the current binary ultrasonographic classification, suggesting a more nuanced categorization into three types (subcapsular, intracapsular, and extracapsular) based on pathology.

Breast Pseudoaneurysm in a Woman after Core Biopsy: Intravascular Glue Embolization.

Core needle biopsy of breast masses is a common procedure for tissue diagnosis of breast lesions. The incidence of complications is low, with pseudoaneurysm (PA) after core biopsy has been described in the literature, and the subsequent need for surgical management. Ultrasonography is the most common modality used for not only diagnosis but also treatment of a PA. Color Doppler images show a heterogeneous echoic lesion with whirling flow inside of the lesion. We describe a patient whose breast PA that developed after core needle biopsy was successfully treated with sonographically-guided intravascular glue embolization.

Predictive biological factors for late survival in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.

The human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) enriched subtype of breast cancer is associated with early recurrence, mostly within 5 years. However, anti-HER2 therapies have improved outcomes and their benefits persist in the long term. This study aimed to determine predictive factors for late survival in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. We analyzed 20,672 patients with HER2-positive stage I-III breast cancer. The patients were divided into two groups based on a follow-up period of 60 months. The multivariate analysis of factors associated with poor overall survival included old age, advanced pathologic tumor size stage (pT), advanced pathologic regional lymph node stage (pN), high histological grade, presence of lymphatic and vascular invasion, and HR-negative status within 60 months. In the breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) of the > 60 months follow-up group, the hazard ratios (HRa) based on pN-negative were 3.038, 3.722, and 4.877 in pN1 (p = 0.001), pN2 (p < 0.001), and pN3 (p < 0.001), respectively. Only pT4 level was statistically significant in the pT group (HRa, 4.528; p = 0.007). Age (HRa, 1.045, p < 0.001) and hormone receptor-positive status (HRa, 1.705, p = 0.022) were also associated to worse BCSS. Although lymphatic invasion was not significantly associated with BCSS, there was a tendency toward a relationship (p = 0.079) with worse BCSS. In HER2-positive breast cancer patients, node status had a more significant relationship with long-term prognosis than T stage. Patients with HER2-positive breast cancer who have T4 or node-positive should be considered for clinical observation and education beyond 5 years.

Comparison of Diagnostic Performance and Confidence between Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography Scan and Non-Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography Plus Abdomen Ultrasound for Hepatic Metastasis in Patients with Breast Cancer.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the performance between noncontrast-enhanced computed tomography (NECT) plus abdominal ultrasound (US) (NECT + US) with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) for the detection of hepatic metastasis in breast cancer patient with postsurgical follow-up. Methods: A total of 1470 patients without already diagnosed hepatic metastasis were included. All patients underwent US and multiphase CECT including the NECT. Independent reviewers analyzed images obtained in four settings, namely, abdominal US, NECT, NECT + US, and CECT and recorded liver metastases using a 5-grade scale of diagnostic confidence. Sensitivity, specificity (diagnostic performance), and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC, diagnostic confidence) were calculated. Interoperator agreement was calculated using the kappa test. Results: Reference standards revealed no metastases in 1108/1470 patients, and metastasis was detected in 362/1470 patients. Abdominal US (P < 0.01) and NECT (P = 0.01) significantly differed from CECT, but NECT + US did not significantly differ from CECT in terms of sensitivity (P = 0.09), specificity (P = 0.5), and AUC (P = 0.43). After an additional review of abdominal US, readers changed the diagnostic confidence scores of 106 metastatic lesions diagnosed using NECT. Interobserver agreements were good or very good in all four settings. Additional review of abdominal US with NECT allowed a change in the therapeutic plan of 108 patients. Conclusion: Abdominal US + NECT showed better diagnostic performance for the detection of hepatic metastases than did NECT alone; its diagnostic performance and confidence were similar to those of CECT.

Relationship Between Breast and Axillary Pathologic Complete Response According to Clinical Nodal Stage: A Nationwide Study From Korean Breast Cancer Society.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the relationship between breast pathologic complete response (BpCR) and axillary pathologic complete response (ApCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) according to nodal burden at presentation. As the indications for NACT have expanded, clinicians have started clinical trials for the omission of surgery from the treatment plan in patients with excellent responses to NACT. However, the appropriate indications for axillary surgery omission after excellent NACT response remain unclear. METHODS: Data were collected from patients in the Korean Breast Cancer Society Registry who underwent NACT followed by surgery between 2010 and 2020. We analyzed pathologic axillary nodal positivity after NACT according to BpCR stratified by tumor subtype in patients with cT1-3/N0-2 disease at diagnosis. RESULTS: A total of 6,597 patients were identified. Regarding cT stage, 528 (9.5%), 3,778 (67.8%), and 1,268 (22.7%) patients had cT1, cT2, and cT3 disease, respectively. Regarding cN stage, 1,539 (27.7%), 2,976 (53.6%), and 1,036 (18.7%) patients had cN0, cN1, and cN2 disease, respectively. BpCR occurred in 21.6% (n = 1,427) of patients, while ApCR and pathologic complete response (ypCR) occurred in 59.7% (n = 3,929) and ypCR 19.4% (n = 1,285) of patients, respectively. The distribution of biologic subtypes included 2,329 (39.3%) patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative disease, 1,122 (18.9%) with HR-positive/HER2-positive disease, 405 (6.8%) with HR-negative/HER2-positive disease, and 2,072 (35.0%) with triple-negative breast cancer . Among the patients with BpCR, 89.6% (1,122/1,252) had ApCR. Of those with cN0 disease, most (99.0%, 301/304) showed ApCR. Among patients with cN1-2 disease, 86.6% (821/948) had ApCR. CONCLUSION: BpCR was highly correlated with ApCR after NACT. In patients with cN0 and BpCR, the risk of missing axillary nodal metastasis was low after NACT. Further research on axillary surgery omission in patients with cN0 disease is needed.

The efficacy of oxidized regenerated cellulose (SurgiGuard®) in breast cancer patients who undergo total mastectomy with node surgery: A prospective randomized study in 94 patients.

BACKGROUND: Seromas frequently develop in patients who undergo total mastectomy with node surgery. We aimed to prospectively explore whether use of oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC, SurgiGuard®) affects seroma formation after total mastectomy with node surgery (sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) or axillary lymph node dissection (ALND)). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety four breast cancer patients were enrolled in the study who underwent total mastectomy with ALND or SLNB. The patients were randomized into two groups, one treated with ORC plus closed suction drainage and the other with closed suction drainage alone. RESULTS: Mean drainage volume was slightly lower in the ORC group on postoperative day 1 (123 ± 54 vs 143 ± 104 ml), but was slightly higher at all other time points; however, these differences were not significant. Mean total drainage volume in patients treated with ORC plus drainage did not differ from that of patients treated with drainage alone (1134 ± 507 ml vs 1033 ± 643 ml, P = 0.486). CONCLUSIONS: Use of ORC (SurgiGuard®) did not significantly alter the risk of seroma formation.

Clinical significance of HER2-low expression in early breast cancer: a nationwide study from the Korean Breast Cancer Society.

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing interest in HER2-low breast cancer with promising data from clinical trials using novel anti-HER2 antibody-drug conjugates. We explored the differences in clinicopathological characteristics and survival outcomes between HER2-low and HER2-IHC 0 breast cancer. METHODS: Using nationwide data from the Korean Breast Cancer Registry between 2006 and 2011, 30,491 patients with stages I to III breast cancer were included in the analysis: 9,506 (31.2%) in the HER2-low group and 20,985 (68.8%) in the HER2-IHC 0 group. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression survival analysis were used to compare breast cancer-specific survival between the two groups. RESULTS: HER2-low breast cancer was more frequent in patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer than in those with triple-negative breast cancer. In patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, HER2-low breast cancer was associated with fewer T4 tumors, higher histological grade, and a negative lymphatic invasion. In patients with triple-negative breast cancer, HER2-low breast cancer was associated with a high lymph node ratio and positive lymphatic invasion. HER2-low breast cancer was significantly associated with a lower Ki-67 labeling index. No significant difference was observed in overall survival between the two groups. HER2-low breast cancer showed significantly better breast cancer-specific survival than HER2-IHC 0 breast cancer, regardless of the hormone receptor status. In multivariate analysis, the impact of low HER2 expression on breast cancer-specific survival was significant only in triple-negative breast cancer (HRs, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.49-0.93; P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the biology and clinical impact of low HER2 expression can differ according to the hormone receptor status and support the need for further investigation on the understanding of the biology of HER2-low breast cancer.

Subsequent pregnancy and long-term safety after breast cancer: a retrospective analysis of Korean health insurance data.

PURPOSE: Long-term safety of pregnancy after breast cancer (BC) remains controversial, especially with respect to BC biological subtypes. METHODS: We analyzed a population-based retrospective cohort with BC from 2002 to 2017. Patient-level 1:1 matching was performed between pregnant and nonpregnant women. The study population was categorized into 6 biological subtypes based on the combination of prescribed therapies. Subanalyses were performed considering the time to pregnancy after BC diagnosis, systemic therapy, and pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: We identified 544 matched women with BC, who were assigned to the pregnant (cases, n = 272) or nonpregnant group (controls, n = 272) of similar characteristics, adjusted for guaranteed bias. These patients were followed up for 10 years, or disease and mortality occurrence after the diagnosis of BC. Survival estimates were calculated. The actuarial 10-year overall survival (OS) rates were 97.4% and 91.9% for pregnant and nonpregnant patients, respectively. The pregnant group showed significantly better OS (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.12-0.68; P = 0.005) and did not have a significantly inferior disease-free survival (aHR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.61-1.99; P = 0.760). CONCLUSION: Consistent outcomes were observed in every subgroup analysis. Our observational data provides reassuring evidence on the long-term safety of pregnancy in young patients with BC regardless of the BC biological subtype.

A critical review of abdominopelvic computed tomography for the detection of asymptomatic metastasis in new and recurrent breast cancers.

AIM: Abdominopelvic computed tomography (APCT) is a commonly used staging investigation to detect asymptomatic metastasis in breast cancer including early breast cancer (EBC). This study aimed to assess the usefulness of APCT in breast cancers at each clinical stage. METHODS: Patients with new or recurrent invasive breast cancer between January 2009 and December 2014 were included in the study. All staging APCT results were reviewed to evaluate its yield and false positive rate (FPR) and how many investigations are needed to confirm indeterminate results. Odds ratios (ORs) for positive APCT results were calculated for possible risk factors for asymptomatic metastasis. RESULTS: Sixty-five asymptomatic metastases were detected from 1002 APCTs, giving an overall yield of 6.5%. The overall false-positive rate was 14.9 % due to 149 indeterminate findings that were found not to be metastases after further investigations or observation. Whereas the APCTs have a low yield of 3.1% in EBC, but advanced breast cancer and recurrent breast cancer have a high incidence of asymptomatic metastases (13.8% and 16.3%, respectively). The most common cause of indeterminate findings was small liver nodules, including liver cysts and liver hemangiomas. Human epidermal growth factor receptor2 (HER2) status and tumor stage are most significant predictors for positive results of staging APCT scans with high ORs (3.9 and 3.7, respectively). CONCLUSION: Staging APCT is associated with a high incidence of FPRs and low yield, especially among EBCs. It is desirable to choose this investigation more selectively according to HER2 status and tumor stage.

Response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy based on pathologic complete response in very young patients with ER-positive breast cancer: a large, multicenter, observational study.

BACKGROUND: In estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer (BC), young age is associated with poor prognosis. While very young patients respond better to chemotherapy, chemotherapy is less effective in ER-positive tumors than in ER-negative tumors. The authors tried to evaluate chemotherapy response of very young patients with ER-positive BC by pathologic complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy excluding the effect of endocrine treatment to the extent possible. METHODS: We collected individual patient data from 1992 to 2013 from the Korean Breast Cancer Society (KBCS). Total 1048 ER-positive and 797 ER-negative patients aged < 50 years who had been treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy were included for analysis. We compared pCR rate between patients aged < 35 years with ER-positive tumors and the other groups. RESULTS: The proportion of patients aged < 35 years was 14.0% of patients with ER-positive BC in this cohort of under 50 years old, and 16.8% of patients with ER-negative BC in this cohort of under 50 years old. Although most characteristics of tumors according to age were comparable, tumors with high Ki-67 expression were more common in patients aged < 35 years than in patients aged 35-49 years in both ER-positive and -negative group (P = 0.001). Breast conservation rates were not significantly different according to age (44.2% vs. 46.8% in ER-positive group, 55.2% vs. 48.0% in ER-negative group). pCR rate was not different according to age in ER-positive group (P = 0.71) but significantly better in patients aged < 35 years in ER-negative group (P = 0.009). After adjusting for confounding variables, young patients maintained the higher probability of pCR than older patients in ER-negative tumors. However, pCR rate did not differ according to age in ER-positive tumors. In multivariate analysis, young age (< 35 years) was correlated with poor overall survival (P = 0.003, HR = 1.98) and there was only one event in a few patients achieved pCR in ER-positive group. CONCLUSIONS: Chemotherapy response based on pCR was not better in young patients (< 35 years) with ER-positive BC than in older premenopausal patients with non-metastatic ER-positive BC. Young age cannot be a predictive factor of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in ER-positive BC. Different biological characteristics such as high proliferative index should be considered. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered.

Clinical Outcomes Following Letrozole Treatment according to Estrogen Receptor Expression in Postmenopausal Women: LETTER Study (KBCSG-006).

PURPOSE: In this trial, we investigated the efficacy and safety of adjuvant letrozole for hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer. Here, we report the clinical outcome in postmenopausal women with HR-positive breast cancer treated with adjuvant letrozole according to estrogen receptor (ER) expression levels. METHODS: In this multi-institutional, open-label, observational study, postmenopausal patients with HR-positive breast cancer received adjuvant letrozole (2.5 mg/daily) for 5 years unless they experienced disease progression or unacceptable toxicity or withdrew their consent. The patients were stratified into the following 3 groups according to ER expression levels using a modified Allred score (AS): low, intermediate, and high (AS 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8, respectively). ER expression was centrally reviewed. The primary objective was the 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate. RESULTS: Between April 25, 2010, and February 5, 2014, 440 patients were enrolled. With a median follow-up of 62.0 months, the 5-year DFS rate in all patients was 94.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 91.8-96.6). The 5-year DFS and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates did not differ according to ER expression; the 5-year DFS rates were 94.3% and 94.1%in the low-to-intermediate and high expression groups, respectively (p = 0.6), and the corresponding 5-year RFS rates were 95.7% and 95.4%, respectively (p = 0.7). Furthermore, 25 patients discontinued letrozole because of drug toxicity. CONCLUSION: Treatment with adjuvant letrozole showed very favorable treatment outcomes and good tolerability among Korean postmenopausal women with ER-positive breast cancer, independent of ER expression. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01069211.

Clinical significance of HER2 status in T1bN0 breast cancer: a nationwide study from the Korean Breast Cancer Society.

PURPOSE: The prognosis of patients with node-negative T1b tumors according to human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status is not known. This group of patients has not been studied in the available randomized trials. The objective of this study was to evaluate the survival of patients in a monoethnic group diagnosed with T1b lymph node-negative breast cancer depending on HER2 status. METHODS: We analyzed 3110 patients with T1bN0M0 breast cancer whose data were deposited into the Korean Breast Cancer Society Registry database between 2000 and 2009. Overall survival (OS) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) were compared according to HER2 status. RESULTS: Among all patients, 494 (15.9%) had HER2-positive breast cancer. At a mean follow-up of 93 months, 108 deaths and 86 breast cancer-specific deaths were noted among all patients. There was no significant difference in OS between the HER2-negative and HER2-positive groups (p = 0.103). The same result was observed for BCSS. However, in the subgroup of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive women, HER2-negative patients had a better BCSS prognosis than HER2-positive patients (p = 0.025). Multivariate analysis also indicated a significant difference in BCSS in the ER-positive subgroup (HR 2.60; 95% CI 1.15-5.87; p = 0.021). CONCLUSION: This study analyzed a large nationwide and monoethnic cohort and found a significant difference only in BCSS in the ER-positive subgroup according to HER2 status. Anti-HER2 therapy may be considered in HER2-positive and ER-positive patients with small, node-negative breast cancer.

Diagnostic accuracy of non-contrast abdominopelvic computed tomography scans in follow-up of breast cancer patients.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of follow-up with non-enhanced CT (NECT) in patients with breast cancer. METHODS: The present retrospective study included 1396 patients with breast cancer. Group A included patients with no metastasis to evaluate the diagnostic performance of NECT in detecting newly developed metastasis. Group B included patients with known hepatic metastasis to evaluate the accuracy of NECT for the assessment of hepatic metastasis. RESULTS: Group A included 895 patients (mean age 52.8 years). Among them, 145 patients had 160 metastases. The per-patient sensitivities for diagnosing newly developed metastasis were 68.3 and 53.8% according to the two reviewers, while the per-lesion sensitivities were 89.4 and 85.0%. Sensitivities for bone metastasis were 98.9 and 95.9%, while sensitivities for hepatic metastasis were 73.7 and 68.4%. In group B, the accuracy of hepatic metastasis response evaluation according to the RECIST criteria was 70.8% for reviewer 1 and 63.8% for reviewer 2. CONCLUSIONS: NECT showed inadequate diagnostic performance in detecting newly developed metastasis and in evaluating the response of hepatic metastasis. However, NECT can be utilized as a follow-up modality in patients with decreased renal function or hypersensitivity to iodinated contrast media. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: The risk of side effects of contrast media should be considered as important when NECT can be utilized as a follow-up modality in decreased renal function patients.

Opportunistic use of chest CT for screening osteoporosis and predicting the risk of incidental fracture in breast cancer patients: A retrospective longitudinal study.

This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic performance of chest computed tomography (CT) for opportunistic screening and longitudinal follow-up of osteoporosis in breast cancer patients, compared to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The association between L1 vertebral attenuation on chest CT and incidental fracture was also evaluated. We retrospectively reviewed 414 consecutive breast cancer patients who underwent both non-enhanced chest CT and DXA within a 3-month interval and had at least two DXA and two chest CT examinations over more than 1 year. The attenuation value of the L1 trabecular bone was measured on an axial CT image and compared to the corresponding DXA T-score. The diagnostic performance of L1 vertebral attenuation on CT for osteoporosis was calculated at different thresholds (90 HU, 100 HU, 110 HU), and the correlation between L1 vertebral attenuation values and DXA T-scores was statistically analyzed. Overall fracture-free survival was estimated and compared with the threshold of 90 HU on CT and -2.5 T-score on DXA. Of 414 patients (median age, 53.0 years), 88 (21.3%) had either vertebral or non-vertebral fractures. The median follow-up duration between initial and final DXA was 902.9 days. There was a moderate correlation between L1 vertebral attenuation value and DXA T-score (ρ = 0.684, CI 0.653-0.712). Fracture-free survival was significantly lower in patients with attenuation values ≤90 HU on CT and T-scores ≤-2.5 on DXA (P < .001). Multivariate analysis revealed that attenuation values ≤90 HU on CT (P < .001), T-scores ≤-2.5 on DXA (P = .003), and age ≥65 years (P = .03) were independent significant prognostic factors associated with overall fracture-free survival. The sensitivities and specificities of L1 attenuation value were 54.9% and 85.8% at 90-HU threshold, 74.0% and78.4% at 100-HU threshold, and 83.9% and 70.1% at 110-HU threshold, respectively. In conclusion, CT can be used for predicting osteoporosis and discriminating incidental fracture risk in breast cancer patients.

The Emerging Crisis of Stakeholders in Implant-based Augmentation Mammaplasty in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Korea is no longer safe from the risk of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL); the first reported case was a Korean woman in her 40s who had a 7-year-history of receiving an implant-based augmentation mammaplasty using a textured implant. We conducted this study to discuss the emerging crisis of stakeholders in implant-based augmentation mammaplasty and to propose a multi-disciplinary approach to early detection of its complications. METHODS: We analyzed medical examination data that was collected from patients who visited us between August 12 and September 27, 2019. We evaluated a total of 114 women (n = 114) in the current study. They were evaluated for whether they were in healthy condition. Moreover, their baseline characteristics were also examined; these included age, gender, height (cm), weight (kg), duration since surgery (years), possession of a breast implant card, the site of surgical incision, side of symptoms and reasons for outpatient visit. Furthermore, the patients were also evaluated for their subjective awareness of the manufacturer, surface and shape of the breast implant. Potential complications include malrotation, folding, seroma, capsule thickening, upside-down rotation, rupture, capsule mass and breast mass. RESULTS: A majority of the patients had a past history of receiving textured implants. The corresponding percentage was 78.95% (90/114) and 85.09% (97/114) based on their subjective awareness of a breast implant and sonographic findings, respectively. That is, it was slightly increased with the use of a breast ultrasound. CONCLUSION: Here, we propose the following approaches. First, patient data should be prospectively collected. By tracking outcomes and complications of an implant-based augmentation mammaplasty, both high-quality care and patient safety can be ensured. Second, stakeholders in implant-based augmentation mammaplasty should collaborate with customers and regulatory authorities. Third, surgeons should consider applying imaging modalities for early detection of postoperative complications.

Inframammary Fold Incision Can Reduce Skin Flap Necrosis in Immediate Breast Reconstruction With Implant and Conjoined Fascial Flap.

BACKGROUND: Immediate breast reconstruction with implant (IBRI) can produce good aesthetic results after nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM). Various surgical incisions can be used for NSM. The purpose of this study is to compare outcomes of using an IBRI with dual-coverage fascial flap after NSM with an inframammary fold (IMF) or a radial (Rd) incision. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 88 women who underwent IBRI with dual-coverage fascial flap from March 2015 to June 2018. Inframammary fold incision was used in 19 patients (22 breasts) and Rd incision in 69 patients (75 breasts). In the dual-coverage method, acellular dermal matrix covered the inferomedial quadrant of the breast, and conjoined fascial flap covered the remaining inferolateral quadrant. Patient-reported satisfaction was assessed using the Breast-Q questionnaire, and plastic surgeons assessed aesthetic postoperative scores. RESULTS: Complications and reoperation rates of 2 incisions were as follows: skin flap necrosis rate showed significant difference between 2 groups (IMF, 0.0% [0/22]; Rd, 16.0% [12/75]; P < 0.05). The other complication rates, hematoma, seroma, infection, capsular contracture, and total reoperations showed no significant difference. Postoperative Breast-Q scores were higher in the IMF group (331.9 ± 10.1) than in the Rd group (311.4 ± 11.0; P < 0.05), indicating higher satisfactory rate in the IMF group than in the Rd group. Surgeon-reported scores for breast symmetry, contour, and scar appearance were also higher in the IMF group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Immediate breast reconstruction with implant with dual-coverage fascial flap after NSM with IMF incision was associated with a lower rate of postoperative skin flap necrosis and improved patient satisfaction, compared with Rd incision. Inframammary fold incisions were associated with improved scar and breast appearance.

A N0 Predicting Model for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Omission in Early Breast Cancer Upstaged From Ductal Carcinoma in Situ.

BACKGROUND: A prediction model with high sensitivity for the detection of negative axillary involvement can reduce additional axillary surgery in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) upstaged to invasive cancer while saving patients with pure DCIS from unnecessary axillary surgeries. Using a nationwide database, we developed and validated a scoring system for guidance in selective sentinel lymph node biopsy omission. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 41,895 patients with clinically node-negative breast cancer from the Korean Breast Cancer Registry were included. The study cohort was randomly divided for the development and validation of the prediction model. Missing data were filled in using multiple imputation. Factors that were significantly associated with axillary lymph node (ALN) metastasis in > 50% of datasets were included in the final prediction model. RESULTS: The frequency of ALN metastasis in the total cohort was 24.5%. After multivariable logistic regression analysis, variables that were associated with ALN metastasis were palpability, multifocality, location, size, histologic type, grade, lymphovascular invasion, hormone receptor expression, and Ki-67 level. A scoring system was developed using these factors. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the scoring system was 0.750 in both training and validating sets. The cutoff value for performing sentinel lymph node biopsy was determined as a score of 4 to obtain prediction sensitivity higher than 95%. CONCLUSIONS: A scoring system to predict the probability of ALN metastasis was developed and validated. The application of this system in the clinic may reduce unnecessary axillary surgeries in patients with DCIS and minimize additional axillary surgery for upstaged patients with invasive cancer.

Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma: An institutional experience.

Purpose: The incidence of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) is extremely low among thyroid cancers and there is no standardized treatment guideline for it. In this study, we have analyzed PDTC patients and reviewed their clinicopathological features. Methods: Data of PDTC patients from our institution are collected through the electronic medical database. We analyzed them by several parameters such as basic demographics, presenting symptom, preoperative cytology results, associated pathology, surgical results, surgery type, and distant metastasis. Results: We collected 23 cases in our institution. Apart from two patients who were transferred to another hospital upon diagnosis, all 21 operated cases are analyzed. The parameters we studied were age, sex, presenting symptoms, distant metastasis and pathological features such as tumor size, associated pathology, predominant pattern and so on. We also provided descriptive analyses according to the type of presentation and treatment; patients with distant metastasis, juvenile cancer, and concurrent hyperthyroidism. Furthermore, we provided different cases in which the initial surgical plans differed. Conclusion: We present 21 cases of PDTC patients and clarify their clinicopathological features. Despite some limitations, this study may shed light for future research regarding treatment of PDTC patients.

Five-Year Overall Survival of Interval Breast Cancers is Better than Non- Interval Cancers from Korean Breast Cancer Registry.

Objective: Interval breast cancer (IC) is a limitation of breast cancer screening. We investigated data from a large scaled breast cancer dataset of patients with breast cancer who underwent breast cancer screening in order to recapitulate the overall survival (OS) of patients with ICs compared to those with non-ICs. Methods: A total of 27,141 patients in the Korean breast cancer registry with breast cancer who had ever participated in biannual national breast cancer screening programs between 2009 and 2013 were enrolled. We compared the social, pregnancy-associated, and pathologic characteristics between the IC and non-IC groups and identified the significant prognostic factors for OS. Results: The proportion of ICs was 1.3% (370/27,141) in this study population. ICs were correlated with age 45-55 years at diagnosis, higher levels of education, early menopause (<50 years), hormone replacement therapy, specific provinces (Kangwon, Kyungnam, Jeju, and Dae-jeon), and family history of breast cancer. Low-to-intermediate nuclear grade, early stage (stage 0-I), and low Ki-67 level were also correlated with IC proportion. Non-ICs were associated with an increased risk of five-year mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 7.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.85-29.66; p = 0.005) compared to ICs. Lymph node metastasis, residence (Kyung-nam province), low education status, high histologic grade, and asymptomatic cancers increased the HR of five-year OS. Conclusion: ICs occurred unequally in specific province and relatively high-educated women in Korea. They were also diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer with a favorable recurrence risk, and their outcome was better than those of patients with other breast cancers in breast cancer screening.