HER2-positivity rates in breast cancer: no variation over time when clinicopathological features and testing are stable.

HER2 status is essential for breast cancer subtyping and for systemic treatment decisions as patients with HER2-positive tumours can benefit from anti-HER2 targeted therapies. However, few data are available on the current HER2-positive breast cancers rate and its evolution across years. Using data from the Côte d'Or breast cancer registry, we identified, between 1998 and 2011, 3220 women with invasive breast cancer diagnosed in the same laboratory which carries out regular internal quality controls and participates in multiannual international quality control programmes. Throughout the studied period of time, despite an increase of annual breast cancer cases, HER2 positivity rate remained stable (13.1%; P = 0.495), as did the proportion of tumours with positive hormone receptor status (P = 0.467) and the proportion of SBR grade II/III tumours (P = 0.747). Other characteristics, less strongly associated with HER2-positive status, showed either no annual variation (nodal and metastatic status, tumour size) or an annual positive trend (mean age, lobular carcinomas) or an annual negative trend (ductal carcinomas). These data reveal that in a population with stable clinical and pathological characteristics, and with the use of standardised assays, HER2 positivity rate remains stable over time. These results also emphasise that current HER2 positivity rate is lower than initially reported.

Stage IV breast cancer: a population-based study about prognostic factors according to HER2 and HR status.

We aim to describe trends in net survival (NS) and to assess the prognostic factors among women with de novo metastatic breast cancer (MBC) according to human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and hormone receptor (HR) status. Data on women suffering from de novo MBC and diagnosed from 1998 to 2009 were provided by the Côte-d'Or breast cancer registry. NS was described using the Pohar Perme estimator and prognostic factors were investigated in a generalised linear model. We identified 232 patients (mean age = 64.7). Median NS was 29.2 months, 1- and 5-year NS were 76% and 26% respectively. The survival trend in patients with HER2-positive tumours who did not receive trastuzumab was similar to that in women with triple-negative tumours. A higher relative excess risk of death by cancer was observed for high-grade tumours [RER, relative excess rates = 1.76 (95% CI, confidence intervals: 1.17-2.62) for Scarff Bloom Richardson grade 3 vs. 1 + 2], while a lower risk was observed for luminal tumours [RER = 0.49 (95% CI: 0.27-0.89)] and HER2-positive tumours treated with trastuzumab [RER = 0.28 (95% CI: 0.14-0.59)], both compared with triple-negative tumours. Surgery of the primary tumour was associated with better survival [RER = 0.43 (95% CI: 0.28-0.68)]. With half of the women dead before 29 months, stage IV breast cancer still has a bleak outlook. Progress should continue with new target therapies for both HR and HER2 receptors.

[Benign proliferative breast disease with and without atypia]. / Prise en charge des proliférations épithéliales du sein avec et sans atypies : hyperplasie canalaire atypique, métaplasie cylindrique avec atypie, néoplasies lobulaires, proliférations épithéliales sans atypie, mastopathie fibrokystique, adénose, cicatrices radiaires, mucocèles, lésions prolifératives apocrines : recommandations pour la pratique clinique.

In the last few years, diagnostics of high-risk breast lesions (atypical ductal hyperplasia [ADH], flat epithelial atypia [FEA], lobular neoplasia: atypical lobular hyperplasia [ALH], lobular carcinoma in situ [LCIS], radial scar [RS], usual ductal hyperplasia [UDH], adenosis, sclerosing adenosis [SA], papillary breast lesions, mucocele-like lesion [MLL]) have increased with the growing number of breast percutaneous biopsies. The management of these lesions is highly conditioned by the enlarged risk of breast cancer combined with either an increased probability of finding cancer after surgery, either a possible malignant transformation (in situ or invasive cancer), or an increased probability of developing cancer on the long range. An overview of the literature reports grade C recommendations concerning the management and follow-up of these lesions: in case of ADH, FEA, ALH, LCIS, RS, MLL with atypia, diagnosed on percutaneous biopsies: surgical excision is recommended; in case of a diagnostic based on vacuum-assisted core biopsy with complete disappearance of radiological signal for FEA or RS without atypia: surgical abstention is a valid alternative approved by multidisciplinary meeting. In case of ALH (incidental finding) associated with benign lesion responsible of radiological signal: abstention may be proposed; in case of UDH, adenosis, MLL without atypia, diagnosed on percutaneous biopsies: the concordance of radiology and histopathology findings must be ensured. No data is available to recommend surgery; in case of non-in sano resection for ADH, FEA, ALH, LCIS (except pleomorphic type), RS, MLL: surgery does not seem to be necessary; in case of previous ADH, ALH, LCIS: a specific follow-up is recommended in accordance with HAS's recommendations. In case of FEA and RS or MLL combined with atypia, little data are yet available to differ the management from others lesions with atypia; in case of UDH, usual sclerosing adenosis, RS without atypia, fibro cystic disease: no specific follow-up is recommended in agreement with HAS's recommendations.

[Benign breast tumors: Recommendations of Collège National des Gynécologues Obstétriciens Français (CNGOF)--Short text]. / Tumeurs bénignes du sein: recommandations pour la pratique clinique du Collège national des gynécologues et obstétriciens français (CNGOF)--Texte court.

Breast sonography is required with mammogram to explore clinical breast mass (grade B), colored unipore breast nipple discharge (grade C), or mastitis (grade C). Bi-RADS system is recommended to describe and classify breast-imaging abnormalities. For breast abscess, a percutaneous biopsy is recommended in case of mass or persistent symptoms (grade C). For mastodynia, when breast imaging is normal, no MRI neither breast biopsy is recommended (grade C). Percutaneous biopsy is recommended for BI-RADS 4-5 mass (grade B). For persistent erythematous breast nipple or atypical eczema lesion, a nipple biopsy is recommended (grade C). For distortion and asymmetry, a vacuum core needle biopsy is recommended because of the risk of underestimation by simple core needle biopsy (grade C). For BI-RADS 4-5 microcalcifications without ultrasound signal, a vacuum core needle biopsy of at least 11 gauges is recommended (grade B); in the absence of microcalcifications on radiograph carrots, additional samples are recommended (grade B). For atypical ductal hyperplasia, atypical lobular hyperplasia, lobular carcinoma in situ, flat epithelial with atypia, radial scar, mucocele with atypia, surgical excision is commonly recommended (grade C). Expectant management is feasible after multidisciplinary concertation. For these lesions, when excision is not in sano, no new excision is recommended except for pleomorphic or with necrosis CLIS (grade C). For grade 1 phyllode tumour, in sano surgical resection is recommended; for grade 2 phyllode, 10-mm margins are recommended (grade C). For breast papillary without atypia, complete disappearance of the radiologic signal is recommended (grade C). For breast papillary with atypia, complete surgical excision is recommended (grade C).