Radiofrequency ablation as a substitute for surgery in elderly patients with nonresected breast cancer: pilot study with long-term outcomes.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy and tolerance of ultrasonography (US)-guided percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation with endocrine therapy in elderly patients with breast cancer who decline or are not candidates for surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Internal ethics committee approval was obtained, and patients gave informed written consent. Women older than 70 years with breast carcinoma, who had undergone neoadjuvant endocrine therapy within the past 6 months, underwent US-guided RF ablation while under local anesthesia and sedation. Only tumors measuring 3 cm or smaller and situated at least 1 cm from the skin, nipple, and chest wall were selected. Multitine electrodes were used. Endocrine therapy was continued for a total of 5 years, and breast irradiation was not performed. Clinical follow-up included US, mammography, and dynamic contrast material-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging every 2 months for 6 months and then every 6 months until 5 years. Primary end points were RF ablation efficacy at 1 year on the basis of DCE MR imaging follow-up and procedural tolerance. The secondary end point was delayed local efficacy at the end of endocrine therapy (5 years) on the basis of DCE MR imaging follow-up. RESULTS: Twenty-one women were treated from December 2004 to April 2010 (median age, 79 years; age range, 70-88 years). Efficacy was demonstrated at 1 year, with only one patient presenting with a local relapse. No general complications were noted. Skin burn occurred in four patients, with spontaneous healing after a maximum of 2 months. Ten patients were followed up for 5 years, with three additional patients presenting with cancer recurrence outside the ablation zone at 30, 48, and 60 months-including two with lobular carcinoma. Four patients died during the full follow-up, two of breast cancer-related causes and two of unrelated causes. CONCLUSION: RF ablation in elderly patients with nonresected breast cancer is well tolerated and efficient at 1-year follow-up. The technique is not recommended for lobular carcinoma.

[Patients' information in percutaneous core breast biopsy]. / Le don d'information dans les prélèvements percutanés mammaires: savoir le dire, savoir le faire.

Information takes a large part of patient's perceptions of the procedure. If the information is adapted, patients tolerate the procedure well. We point out indications and explain the different types of procedure. For infraclinical masses, sonographically guided automated core needle biopsy removes samples. Sonographically guided vacuum-assisted large-core biopsy is only used for diagnosis generally on second purpose for masses. Stereotaxic vacuum-assisted large-core biopsy is used for microcalcifications (needle 8 or 11 gauge). Haematoma and bleeding are rare (< 4%), but care is necessary to avoid complications. Information is executed before the procedure and a booklet is giving to the women. This information has to be adapted because lot of informations could increase patient's anxiety if they don't want more informations and "not enough information" could also increase anxiety if they want more informations. The practitioner, by hearing, his formation and his experience, is able to adapt informations.