RESUMO
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Locoregional control in breast cancer is a fundamental part of treatment and determinant for survival outcomes. It has been reported that most locoregional recurrence (LRR) events occur in the first 5 years after treatment. However, LRR continue to occur after this timeline, with unclear risk factors and unknown survival impact. METHODS: Retrospective singe-centered cohort of patients treated for primary breast cancer, between January 2002 and December 2004. Primary outcome was LRR; secondary outcomes were overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and predictive factors for LRR. RESULTS: This analysis included 1001 patients, of which 959 (95%) had invasive carcinoma. A mastectomy was performed in 501 (50%) and 500 (50%) had breast conservative surgery (BCS). Median follow-up time was 197 [Inter-quartile range (IQR) 96-211] months. Global LRR rate was 7.6%, with median time to recurrence of 45 [IQR 21-91] months. There was no difference in LRR rate after mastectomy vs BCS, adjusted to tumor stage (p > 0.05). The 10-year OS and DFS rates were 68.4 and 77.8%, respectively. Factors associated with LRR were metastatic axillary lymph nodes and high histologic grade (p < 0.05). Estrogen-negative (ER) tumors had higher LRR rates than ER-positive tumors in the first 5 years (p < 0.05); but no difference was observed with longer follow-up (p > 0.05). LRR was associated with OS (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Global LRR in this cohort was 7.6% (with over 16 years of follow-up). LRR associates with decreased OS. Time to LRR varies significantly with tumor biology, supporting differentiation of follow-up regimens.
RESUMO
Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) is a surgical technique that enables the administration of high-dose chemotherapy while minimizing serious systemic side effects. The clinical value and indications are well established for skin and soft tissue tumors on limbs. For skin tumors, this technique is mainly indicated for melanoma with in-transit metastasis. For soft tissue tumors--sarcoma and osteosarcoma--it is useful as a palliative technique to reduce the tumoral mass. Limb perfusion can also be an option in other tumors, such as advanced stage squamous cell carcinoma or Merkel cell carcinoma. We present a case report of a 68-year-old man with Merkel cell carcinoma on the right tibiotarsical region, with in-transit metastasis throughout the whole lower limb. Regional chemotherapy involving ILP with melphalan and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) was performed in order to avoid amputation; the primary tumor was not excised. A steady regression of the disease was observed, with complete resolution of all visible in-transit metastases at the 45th day post-perfusion. However, systemic metastasis leading to fatal outcome occurred 4 months later. Although there was no change in the patient's prognosis, ILP was able to avoid limb amputation as it controlled local-regional disease and produced complete regional remission. The addition of TNFalpha to melphalan in ILP appears to produce greater efficacy in the treatment of patients with bulky tumors or a large number of in-transit metastases.