Breast-conserving Surgery Group Research Articles

Abstract PO4-08-04: Comparison of Outcomes and Prognosis between BRCA Pathogenic Variant Carriers Undergoing Breast-Conserving Surgery versus Mastectomy for Breast Cancer

Abstract Introduction: While outcomes are similar following breast-conserving surgery (BCS) or mastectomy among patients with sporadic breast cancer, data are still controversial for germline BRCA pathogenic variant carriers. We previously compared outcome following BCS between BRCA pathogenic variant carriers and non-carriers, and reported higher ipsilateral breast recurrence and comparable prognosis in the carriers. The purpose of this current study was to compare outcomes among BRCA pathogenic variant carriers undergoing BCS versus mastectomy in long-term follow-up period. Methods: Women with a BRCA pathogenic variant and a stage 0-III breast cancer who underwent definitive surgery from 1987–2021 were retrospectively identified from institutional database. Factors including clinicopathologic information and treatment characteristics were identified. Subsequent local recurrence, regional recurrence, distant recurrence, contralateral breast cancer (CBC), breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS), and overall survival (OS) rates were compared between BCS and mastectomy using Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. The chi-square test and t-test were used to compare patient characteristics between the two groups. Results: A total of 232 BRCA mutation carriers with 257 cancers including 25 patients with synchronous bilateral breast cancer were identified. Surgical treatment included BCS for 82 cancers and mastectomy for 175 cancers including nipple-sparing mastectomy for 51 cancers. Patient age at surgery and cancer stage did not statistically differ between BCS and mastectomy groups. Comparing to patients choosing mastectomy, patients who underwent BCS were less likely to be aware of their genetic status before surgery and were more likely to receive radiation therapy (p < 0.001). Contralateral risk reducing mastectomy was performed in 22.5% (18/80) in the BCS group and 48.7% (74/152) in the mastectomy group (p < 0.001) concurrently or at any time after the first definitive surgery. Risk reducing salpingo-oophorectomy was performed in 40% (32/80) in the BCS group and 49% (75/152) in the mastectomy group (p = 0.17). At 7.5 years median follow-up, local recurrence rate was statistically higher in the BCS group than in the mastectomy group (20.0% in BSC vs. 4.6% in mastectomy, p = 0.043). In patients who underwent nipple-sparing mastectomy, 4.0% (2/51) had local subcutaneous recurrence and no nipple-areolar recurrence was observed. Median duration from the first definitive surgery to ipsilateral local recurrence was 10.0 years in the BCS group and 2.3 years in the mastectomy group. Regional lymph node recurrence (11.2% in BCS vs. 6.4% in mastectomy, p = 0.62), distant recurrence (13.7% vs. 9.2%, p = 0.84), CBC (15.0% vs. 8.6%, p = 0.70), BCSS (88.8% vs. 94.1%, p = 0.65) and OS (87.5% vs. 94.1%, p = 0.49) rates did not statistically differ between two groups. Conclusions: With 7.5 years median follow-up, higher local recurrence rate was observed in BCS than in mastectomy among BRCA pathogenic variant carriers. Our results found no statistical difference between BCS and mastectomy in regional recurrence, distant recurrence, CBC, and prognosis, indicating relatively higher risk in BCS. While BCS could be an option for BRCA pathogenic variant carriers willing to continue high-risk breast surveillance, shared decision making should be carefully performed based on the long-term local recurrence risk. Citation Format: Kumiko Kida, Junko Takei, Misato Suzuki, Megumi Okawa, Sakurako Kazama, Sakiko Kondo, Michiko Yamanaka, Atsushi Yoshida. Comparison of Outcomes and Prognosis between BRCA Pathogenic Variant Carriers Undergoing Breast-Conserving Surgery versus Mastectomy for Breast Cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO4-08-04.

Abstract PO4-23-07: Impact of distance between tumor and nipple on locoregional recurrence in breast cancer

Abstract Introduction: Mastectomy is usually recommended for centrally located tumors due to the risk of nipple invasion. While it is well known that there is no significant difference in survival outcomes according to tumor location, central tumors have a higher likelihood of main lactiferous duct invasion, which can result in the migration of tumor cells to the periphery. Therefore, we conducted an investigation specifically focusing on locoregional recurrence (LRR) rates based on the tumor-to-nipple distance (TND). Method: We retrospectively collected the data of patients who underwent breast cancer surgery between 2004-2018 from two institutions. Patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy were excluded. TND information was obtained from preoperative MRI records. Results: A total of 9,014 patients were included in the study, and the median tumor-to-nipple distance (TND) was 3.4 (0.0-15.0) cm. For all patients, the restricted cubic spline curve analysis showed that the hazard risk of LRR increased with shorter TND. The pattern was more pronounced in the breast-conserving surgery (BCS) group, whereas the mastectomy group showed a relatively constant risk regardless of TND. Thus, we conducted survival analysis for 5,455 patients who underwent BCS. We set the cutoff for TND as 2.5cm as it showed the lowest p-value for LRR rate. Compared to those with TND >2.5cm, patients with TND≤2.5cm showed significantly lower LRR (HR,1.83;95%CI,[1.37-2.46],p< 0.001) and distant metastasis(DM) (HR,1.53;95%CI,[1.16-2.02],p=0.002) rates. Overall survival was not different between two groups (p=0.405). Cox-regression analysis revealed that TND still impacts LRR (HR,1.52;95%CI,[1.11-2.09],p=0.010) but not DM. Importantly, TND still remained significant factor affecting LRR when analyzed as continuous variable (HR,1.04; 95%CI,[1.02-1.06],p< 0.001). The prognostic impact of TND was particularly evident in patients with high mammographic density. Discussion: BCS can be performed for centrally located tumors, as it offers considerable oncologic safety compared to mastectomy. However, for patients who have a fear of recurrence and are reluctant to undergo re-operation, mastectomy would be a good choice. Citation Format: Jong-Ho Cheun, Eunhye Kang, Hong-Kyu Kim, Han-Byoel Lee, Hyeong-Gon Moon, Wonshik Han, Ki-Tae Hwang. Impact of distance between tumor and nipple on locoregional recurrence in breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO4-23-07.

Locoregional recurrence and survival of breast-conserving surgery compared to mastectomy following neoadjuvant chemotherapy in operable breast cancer.

The risk of locoregional recurrence (LRR) and the long-term prognosis of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) are still controversial. This study aimed to evaluate oncological outcomes for patients undergoing BCS after NAC and determine LRR and survival predictors. This study was a retrospective cohort study of patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) who received NAC and underwent BCS or mastectomy from June 2011 to November 2020. LRR, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were compared in patients undergoing BCS or mastectomy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine LRR, DFS, and OS predictors. A total of 585 patients were included, of whom 106 (18.1%) underwent BCS and 479 (81.9%) underwent a mastectomy. The LRR rate was 11.3% in the BCS group and 16.3% in the mastectomy group, revealing no significant difference(p = 0.200). In patients who underwent BCS, clinical lymph node status, histological grade and pathological complete response (pCR) were independent factors to predict LRR. There was no significant difference in DFS and OS between the BCS and the mastectomy groups. Multivariable analysis showed that lymph node status, histological grade, molecular subtypes, pCR and Miller&Payne (M&P) classification were independent predictors of DFS. Lymph node status, molecular subtypes and pCR were independent predictors of OS. BCS or mastectomy was not an independent predictor of DFS or OS. Compared with mastectomy, BCS after NAC may not increase the risk of local recurrence or mortality, BCS can be performed in selected patients with small tumor size and good response to NAC.

De-Escalation Surgery in cT3-4 Breast Cancer Patients after Neoadjuvant Therapy: Predictors of Breast Conservation and Comparison of Long-Term Oncological Outcomes with Mastectomy.

Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) has become increasingly employed for the treatment of cT3-4 breast cancer (BC), enabling breast-conserving surgery (BCS) in cases traditionally considered for mastectomy. This study aims to identify predictors for breast conservation post-NAT and to evaluate whether BCS influences long-term oncological outcomes. We retrospectively analyzed data from patients with cT3-4 BC who received NAT at the Breast Unit of IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy, from October 2009 to April 2020. Surgical outcomes and long-term oncological results, such as disease-free survival (DFS), distant DFS (DDFS), overall survival (OS), and BC-specific survival (BCSS), were compared between the BCS and mastectomy groups. Among 114 patients analyzed, 37 (32.5%) underwent BCS, and 77 (67.5%) had a mastectomy. The key predictors for opting for BCS included absence of vascular invasion, reduced tumor size post-NAT, and achieving ypT0 status. No significant differences in DFS, DDFS, OS, and BCSS were observed between the two surgical groups (log-ranks, p = 0.520, p = 0.789, p = 0.216, p = 0.559, respectively). BCS after NAT is a feasible and safe option for patients with cT3-4 BC, without adversely affecting long-term oncological outcomes. Identifying predictors of breast conservation can guide surgical decision-making, ensuring that patients receive optimal treatment.

The impact of breast‐conserving surgery and modified radical mastectomy on postoperative wound complications in patients with early breast cancer

AbstractIn recent years, breast conservation surgery (BCS) and modified radical mastectomy (MRM) have been widely used in the treatment of early‐stage breast cancer. However, the effects of complications from these two surgical methods are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of BCS and MRM on postoperative wound complications in patients with early breast cancer. Eighty‐eight patients with early breast cancer were randomly divided into BCS group (n = 46) and MRM group (n = 42). The occurrence of postoperative wound complications was compared between the two groups. The results showed that BCS patients had significantly lower intraoperative surgical times, blood losses, incision lengths, drainage volumes, drainage times and lengths of hospital stays than their MRM counterparts (p < 0.05). The overall incidence of postoperative wound complications in the BCS group was significantly lower than that in the MRM group at 1 month after surgery, but the difference was not statistically significant (p < 0.001). The rate of excellent breast cosmetic outcome was significantly higher in the BCS group than in the MRM group (p < 0.001). Compared to MRM, BCS has a lower incidence of intraoperative and postoperative wound complications, better cosmetic outcomes and higher clinical value in the treatment of early‐stage breast cancer.

Abstract A086: Retrospective study on postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy in primary malignant angiosarcoma of the breast patients following mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery using SEER database

Abstract Primary Angiosarcoma of the breast (PAOB) is one of the rarest types of breast tumors, representing less than 0.2% of all breast tumors. These tumors are also associated with a poor prognosis. Mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery (BCS) are considered the best therapeutic techniques in patients with (PAOB). However, there is a debate about the need for postoperative radiotherapy (RT). PAOB is a rare tumor, therefore best management techniques are based only on expert opinion and clinical experience, which are scarce. The aim of this paper is to study the effectiveness of postoperative radiotherapy (RT) for PAOB over a long period. Patients with primary angiosarcoma of the breast (PAOB), who underwent a mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery (BCS), were identified through the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2000 to 2020. Descriptive analyses were conducted to evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients with PAOB.Age, ethnicity, year of diagnosis, grade, tumor extent, lymph node (LN) metastasis and Postoperative radiotherapy (RT) were incorporated.Cancer-specific survival (CSS) was calculated using the Kaplan Meier and compared using the log rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regressions were performed to evaluate the prognostic power of factors on (CSS). A total of 542 women with primary angiosarcoma of the breast (PAOB) were included in this study. Most women (82.8%) underwent mastectomy, while (17.2%) underwent breast conserving surgery (BCS). Postoperative radiotherapy (RT) was performed on 102 women (18.8%), with 27 (29.0%) in the BCS group and 75 (16.7%) in the mastectomy group.Postoperative radiotherapy (RT) was more likely to be performed in women with adverse risk factors, such as a larger tumor size in the mastectomy group and a higher tumor grade in both groups.Lymph node (LN) metastasis was rarely found in PAOB, only 11 patients had positive lymph node (LN) metastasis. Among those, 9 patients underwent mastectomy, and 2 patients underwent BCS. Additionally, lymph node involvement increased the chance of postoperative RT in the mastectomy group. In both groups, the need for postoperative radiotherapy (RT) increased as the tumor size became more than (3cm).However, this pattern was less obvious in the BCS group.In multivariate analysis, there weren’t any significant prognostic factors impact on Cancer-specific survival (CSS) in the mastectomy group, also, postoperative radiotherapy RT had no impact (P = 0.656).In the BCS group,age, tumor size and lymph node (LN) metastasis were significant predictive factors on Cancer-specific survival (CSS),meanwhile postoperative radiotherapy (RT) had no effect on (CSS) (P = 0.152). PAOB patients with more adverse prognostic factors received postoperative radiotherapy (RT).There was no statistically significant difference in CSS between radiotherapy (RT) group and non-(RT) group,regardless of whether the procedure is a mastectomy or a breast-conserving surgery (BCS).Further trials are needed to reach more accurate evaluations. Citation Format: Ramez M. Odat, Ismail A. Ibrahim, Mohamed Ahmed Ali, Sara A. Haddadin, Bashar M. Al Zoubi, Mohamed Nezar Abohalawa, Alexander Leeper. Retrospective study on postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy in primary malignant angiosarcoma of the breast patients following mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery using SEER database [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Advances in Breast Cancer Research; 2023 Oct 19-22; San Diego, California. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(3 Suppl_1):Abstract nr A086.

Clinical outcomes and patient-reported outcomes after oncoplastic breast surgery in breast cancer patients: A matched cohort study.

Surgery is the recommended treatment for breast cancer, the most common cancer in women in Taiwan and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Although breast-conserving surgery (BCS) has good prognosis, in some cases, BCS may cause more significant deformities and interfere with the patient's psychosocial well-being. Oncoplastic breast surgery (OBS) is the treatment option in these cases. This study aimed to determine the outcomes of OBS and BCS regardless of clinical and patient-reported esthetic outcomes. Between 2015 and 2020, 50 patients who underwent OBS at our hospital after complete treatment were enrolled. With 1:2 matched ratios, 100 patients were enrolled in the BCS control group. Clinical outcomes were analyzed. The BREAST-Q questionnaire was then assessed 6 months after the completion of treatment for subjective patient-reported outcomes. Due to the matching process, no difference was noted between the two groups in terms of demographic data such as age, comorbidities, or tumor characteristics. There were no significant differences in the local recurrence rate, disease-free survival, overall survival, positive margin rate, rewide excision rate, conversion to mastectomy rate, or complication rate (major or minor) between both groups. However, the OBS group showed higher satisfaction with breasts in the BREAST-Q questionnaire ( p < 0.001). The mean follow-up time was 38.77 ± 14.70 months in the BCS group and 29.59 ± 14.06 months in the OBS group. OBS seems to be a safe and feasible surgery in breast cancer patients because clinical outcomes are compatible with BCS. Moreover, the OBS group had better patient-reported outcomes in terms of satisfaction.

Breast surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with lobular carcinoma: surgical and oncologic outcome.

Breast cancer patients with invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) have an increased risk of positive margins after surgery and often show little response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). We aimed to investigate surgical outcomes in patients with ILC treated with NAC. In this retrospective cohort study, all breast cancer patients with ILC treated with NAC who underwent surgery at the Netherlands Cancer Institute from 2010 to 2019 were selected. Patients with mixed type ILC in pre-NAC biopsies were excluded if the lobular component was not confirmed in the surgical specimen. Main outcomes were tumor-positive margins and re-excision rate. Associations between baseline characteristics and tumor-positive margins were assessed, as were complications, locoregional recurrence rate (LRR), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS). We included 191 patients. After NAC, 107 (56%) patients had breast conserving surgery (BCS) and 84 (44%) patients underwent mastectomy. Tumor-positive margins were observed in 67 (35%) patients. Fifty five (51%) had BCS and 12 (14%) underwent mastectomy (p value < 0.001). Re-excision was performed in 35 (33%) patients with BCS and in 4 (5%) patients with mastectomy. Definitive surgery was mastectomy in 107 (56%) patients and BCS in 84 (44%) patients. Tumor-positive margins were associated with cT ≥ 3 status (OR 4.62, 95% CI 1.26-16.98, p value 0.021) in the BCS group. Five-year LRR (4.7%), RFS (81%), and OS (93%) were not affected by type of surgery after NAC. Although 33% of ILC breast cancer patients undergoing BCS after NAC required re-excision for positive resection margins, it is considered safe given that five-year RFS remained excellent and LRR and OS did not differ by extent of surgery.

The oncological safety and long-term cosmetic effect of free dermal fat graft with epidermis removal for breast defect repair in breast conserving surgery

BackgroundFree dermal fat grafts (FDFG) are used for immediate breast defect repair in breast-conserving surgery (BCS), and have achieved satisfactory immediate postoperative cosmetic effects (Sawai et al., 2004) [1]. However, the oncologic safety and long-term cosmetic outcomes of these surgical procedures remain unknown. Therefore, t，in this study, we aim to investigate the oncological safety and long-term cosmetic outcomes of FDFG in patients with breast cancer. MethodsThis matched retrospective case-control study included patients with non-special types of breast cancer who underwent FDFG for breast defect repair after BCS or BCS alone at two breast cancer research centers in Guangxi Province, China, from January 2016 to December 2019. The patients were divided into either the FDFG or BCS group. Control cases were screened using propensity score matching, and survival analysis and cosmetic evaluations were performed. ResultsA total of 442 patients with breast cancer were included in the study. After 1:4 propensity score matching, 53 and 212 patients were included in the FDFG and BCS groups, respectively. The median follow-up time was 49.9 (9.0–76.0) months. The rate of local recurrence in the FDFG group (9.4 %) was significantly higher than that in the BCS group (1.9 %; p < 0.05). The total cosmetic evaluation score was significantly higher in the BCS group 18 months after surgery than in the FDFG group (p < 0.05). ConclusionsIn this retrospective study, FDFG was significantly associated with an increased risk of local recurrence. Further prospective studies are required to confirm these results. No significant difference in long-term cosmetic effects were observed for FDFG than for BCS alone for immediate breast defect repair.

Survival Outcomes Based on Axillary Surgery in Ductal Carcinoma In Situ: A Nationwide Study From the Korean Breast Cancer Society.

In total mastectomy (TM), sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is recommended but can be omitted for breast-conserving surgery (BCS) in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). However, concerns regarding SLNB-related complications and their impact on quality of life exist. Consequently, further research is required to evaluate the role of axillary surgeries, including SLNB, in the treatment of TM. We aimed to explore the clinicopathological factors and outcomes associated with axillary surgery in patients with a final diagnosis of pure DCIS who underwent BCS or TM. We retrospectively analyzed large-scale data from the Korean Breast Cancer Society registration database, highlighting on patients diagnosed with pure DCIS who underwent surgery and were categorized into two groups: BCS and TM. Patients were further categorized into surgery and non-surgery groups according to their axillary surgery status. The analysis compared clinicopathological factors and outcomes according to axillary surgery status between the BCS and TM groups. Among 18,196 patients who underwent surgery for DCIS between 1981 and 2022, 11,872 underwent BCS and 6,324 underwent TM. Both groups leaned towards axillary surgery more frequently for large tumors. In the BCS group, clinical lymph node status was associated with axillary surgery (odds ratio, 11.101; p = 0.003). However, in the TM group, no significant differences in these factors were observed. Survival rates did not vary between groups according to axillary surgery performance. The decision to perform axillary surgery in patients with a final diagnosis of pure DCIS does not affect the prognosis, regardless of the breast surgical method. Furthermore, regardless of the breast surgical method, axillary surgery, including SLNB, should be considered for high-risk patients, such as those with large tumors. This may reduce unnecessary axillary surgery and enhance the patients' quality of life.

Breast-conserving surgery and mastectomy towards quality of life: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is still the most frequent cancer among women. Surgery for BC frequently starts with either a mastectomy or a breast-conserving surgery (BCS). There is still controversy regarding better QoL between them. This study purposed to evaluate the BCS and mastectomy towards QoL in systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: This review was conducted following the 2020 PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search was conducted on electronic databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Springer Link, and Google Scholar). Data extraction and study quality assessment were done using the PICOS strategy and NOS checklist. The mean difference parameter was used to determine differences in group quality scores. The accepted significant p-value is &lt;0.05. Results: 12 studies involving 5311 BC patients undergoing either BCS (n=3254) or mastectomy (n=2057) were obtained. Most of the study designs used a prospective cohort design. There was no significant difference of QoL between BCS and mastectomy group in the breast satisfaction domain (MD 5.96; 95%CI -1.70 – 13.62; p=0.13; heterogeneity, I2=99%; p&lt;0.001), psychosocial well-being domain (MD -0.45; 95%CI -10.27 – 9.37; p=0.93; heterogeneity, I2=94%; p&lt;0.001), and physical well-being domain (MD 3.07; 95%CI -2.05 – 0.20; p=0.24; heterogeneity, I2=98%; p&lt;0.001). However, there was a significant difference in the sexual well-being domain (MD 5.06; 95%CI 0.89 – 9.24; p=0.02; heterogeneity, I2=100%; p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Patients who had BCS have similar QoL but higher sexual well-being compared to patients who had mastectomy.

Breast conserving surgery versus mastectomy: the effect of surgery on quality of life in breast cancer survivors in Malaysia

BackgroundIn the competitive health care environment, patient satisfaction and quality of life (QoL) have become the subject of interest to evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic interventions as we experience improved breast cancer survival in modern times. The knowledge of the long-term effects of surgery on the QoL in breast cancer patients is currently limited in the Asian setting. The purpose of this longitudinal study is to evaluate the QoL of early-stage breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery (BCS).MethodsIn this prospective cohort study, the QoL of 208 patients who underwent mastectomy and the BCS treatment were assessed, using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered at the baseline, 6 and 12 months following diagnosis. One-way ANCOVA was used for statistical analysis.ResultsA total of 208 female survivors of Stage 0–II breast cancer were included, among them 47.1% underwent BCS and 52.9% underwent mastectomy. Older (63.3%), Chinese women (63.6%), and patients with primary education (71.7%) were more likely to undergo mastectomy. At baseline, no significant differences were observed for QoL in both treatment groups. At 6 months, patients who underwent BCS had better social functioning scales( P = 0.006) and worse symptom scales for dyspnoea (P = 0.031), compared to mastectomy patients. One year after diagnosis, the role functioning score of the mastectomy group was significantly higher than the BCS group, specifically among patients who had undergone chemotherapy (P = 0.034).ConclusionPatients who underwent BCS had better social functioning and worse dyspnoea symptoms compared to patients undergoing mastectomy at six months. During one year, there were only significant improvements in the role functioning among the mastectomy groups compared to the BCS groups. After further stratification, only mastectomy patients who received chemotherapy exhibited improved role functioning compared to patients those who did not undergo chemotherapy. Providing social and physical support postoperatively and monitoring patients for cancer worry, or other symptoms in the long-term survivorship period would be important to ensure optimal QoL.

Cardiac protective techniques in left breast radiotherapy: rapid selection criteria for routine clinical decision making

ObjectiveIn left breast radiotherapy (RT) desired heart doses may be achieved without heart-sparing RT techniques in some patients. We aimed to examine the existence of predictive factors and cutoff points to determine which patients are the main candidates for heart-sparing RT techniques.Material and methodDosimetric data for left breast cancer was examined. RT plans were made at conventional doses to the breast and peripheral lymph nodes. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 22.0 (SPSS Inc., IBM Corp., Armonk, NY).Result114 cases were evaluated by ROC (Receiver operating characteristic) analysis in the breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and mastectomy groups. While only left lung volume (AUC: 0.74, 95% CI 0.61–0.87, p = 0.002) was significant in BCS cases, in cases with mastectomy, left lung volume (AUC: 0.81, 95% CI 0.69–0.94, p = 0.002) and lung/heart volume ratio (AUC: 0.83, 95% CI 0.70–0.96, p = 0.001) had a significant relationship with the relevance of heart doses. The cutoff point of 1.92 was selected for the lung/heart volume ratio for the mastectomized patients. Moreover, the cutoff point 1154 cc and 1208 cc was determined for the left lung volume for the BCS and mastectomized patients, respectively.ConclusionVarious cutoff points in left breast RT can be used to predict whether RT plans will meet QUANTEC (Quantitative Analysis of Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic) heart dose limits. Evaluating only these few cutoff points before planning makes it possible to eliminate 70% of patients with BCS and 40% of patients with mastectomy from respiratory-controlled methods, which require time and effort. Patients with lung volume and lung/heart volume ratio smaller than the cutoff values can be considered primary candidates for heart-sparing techniques.

Outcomes of oncoplastic breast surgery compared to breast-conserving surgery in breast cancer patients in a developing country: a retrospective cohort study.

Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) with adjuvant radiotherapy remains the standard of care for early breast cancers in Pakistan. We sought to compare the outcomes of BCS with oncoplastic surgery (OPS), a relatively infrequent approach to breast cancer treatment in the country. This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital and Ziauddin Hospital in Karachi. Patients who had biopsy-proven Stage-I to III breast cancer and underwent either OPS or BCS between August 1, 2016, and December 31, 2021, were identified and followed for 30 days. Data were collected by reviewing patient files and electronic records. A total of 481 patients were included in the study, where 204 (42.4%) underwent BCS and 277 (57.6%) underwent OPS. Mean tumor volume (146.8 vs. 90.4 cm3), and postoperative complications (2.2 % vs. 0%) were higher in OPS while the frequency of positive margins was greater in the BCS group (15.7 % vs. 2.2 %). There were no significant differences in the histologic type of tumor between the two groups. OPS is a valid alternative approach to breast cancer treatment that can be offered to women with early stage, locally advanced, multifocal or tumors at complex locations owing to the reduced occurrence of positive margins and thus lowered re-excision rates.

Optimal surgical procedure for treating early-stage adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast

To explore the superiority of breast conservation surgery (BCS) to mastectomy in treating early-stage adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast (BACC). Patients with surgically treated stage I/II BACC were enrolled between 2000 and 2019 in the SEER database; they were divided into the BCS and mastectomy groups. Overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were compared between the two groups, and Cox hazard regression models were used to determine the independent predictors. Of the 583 patients in the study, 386 were included in the BCS group. The 10-year OS rates for the BCS and mastectomy groups were 78% (95% CI: 74–82%) and 76% (95% CI: 70–82%), respectively, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.968). The 10-year DSS rates for the BCS and mastectomy groups were 95% (95% CI: 93–97%) and 89% (95% CI: 85–93%), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.002). Pathological examination of regional lymph nodes and adjuvant treatment were not associated with improved OS or DSS, but age, disease grade, and lymph node metastasis were independent prognostic factors. For stage I/II BACC, BCS can achieve more satisfactory 10-year OS and DSS than mastectomy.

Quality of life and cost-effectiveness of different breast cancer surgery procedures: a Markov decision tree-based approach in the framework of Predictive, Preventive, and Personalized Medicine.

Breast cancer is a complex disease with heterogeneous outcomes that may benefit from the implementation of Predictive, Preventive, and Personalized Medicine (PPPM/3PM) strategies. In this study, we aimed to explore the potential of PPPM approaches by investigating the 10-year trends in quality of life (QOL) and the cost-effectiveness of different types of surgeries for patients with breast cancer. This prospective cohort study recruited 144 patients undergoing breast conserving surgery (BCS), 199 undergoing modified radical mastectomy (MRM), and 44 undergoing total mastectomy with transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap (TRAMF) from three medical centers in Taiwan between June 2007 and June 2010. All patients exhibited a significant decrease in most QOL dimension scores from before surgery to 6months postoperatively (p < 0.05); however, from postoperative year 1 to 2, improvement in most QOL dimension scores was significantly better in the TRAMF group than in the BCS and MRM groups (p < 0.05). At 2, 5, and 10years after surgery, the patients' QOL remained stable. In the Markov decision tree model, the TRAMF group had higher total direct medical costs than the MRM and BCS groups (US$ 32,426, US$ 29,487, and US$ 28,561, respectively) and higher average QALYs gained (7.771, 6.773, and 7.385, respectively), with an incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) of US$ 2,944.39 and US$ 10,013.86 per QALY gained. TRAMF appeared cost effective compared with BCS and MRM, and it has been proved with considerable QOL improvements in the framework of PPPM. Future studies should continue to explore the potential of PPPM approaches in breast cancer care. By incorporating predictive models, personalized treatment plans, and preventive strategies into routine clinical practice, we can further optimize patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs associated with breast cancer treatment. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13167-023-00326-4.

Comparison of breast-conserving surgery without radiotherapy and mastectomy in the treatment of elderly patients with early breast cancer: A PSM and SEER database study.

At present, there is no research on which surgical method can lead to a better prognosis in elderly patients with early breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to establish a nomogram to predict the survival outcome of elderly patients with early breast cancer and to compare the prognosis of the breast-conserving surgery (BCS) group who did not receive postoperative radiotherapy and the mastectomy group through risk stratification. This study included patients with early breast cancer aged ≥70 years from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (n = 20,520). The group was randomly divided into a development cohort (n = 14,363) and a validation cohort (n = 6157) according to a ratio of 7:3. Risk factors affecting overall survival (OS) and breast-cancer-specific survival (BCSS) were analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression. Present results were obtained by constructing nomograms and risk stratifications. Nomograms were evaluated by the concordance index and calibration curve. Kaplan-Meier curves were established based on BCSS and analyzed using the log-rank test. Multivariate Cox regression results showed that age, race, pathological grade, T and N stages, and progesterone receptor (PR) status were independent risk factors for OS and BCSS in the BCS group and mastectomy group. Subsequently, they were incorporated into nomograms to predict 3- and 5-year OS and BCSS in patients after BCS and mastectomy. The concordance index was between 0.704 and 0.832, and the nomograms also showed good calibration. The results of risk stratification showed that there was no survival difference between the BCS group and the mastectomy group in the low-risk and high-risk groups. In the middle-risk group, BCS improved the BCSS of patients to a certain extent. This study constructed a well-performing nomogram and risk stratification model to assess the survival benefit of BCS without postoperative radiotherapy in elderly patients with early breast cancer. The results of the study can help clinicians analyze the prognosis of patients and the benefits of surgical methods individually.

Impact of distance between tumor and nipple on survival outcomes in breast cancer.

e12579 Background: Mastectomy is usually recommended surgical procedure for centrally located tumors regarding the increased risk of nipple invasion. Despite no difference in survival outcomes based on tumor locations, central tumor may have a higher chance of main lactiferous duct invasion, leading to tumor cell can migration to periphery of the breast. In this study, we investigated the relationship between locoregional recurrence (LRR) and the tumor-to-nipple distance (TND). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients who underwent breast cancer surgery between 2004 and 2018 at two institutions. Patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy were excluded. TND was measured using preoperative MRI records. Results: A total of 9,014 patients were included, and median TND was 3.4 (0.0-15.0)cm. A restricted cubic spline curve showed that the hazard risk of LRR increased with shorter TND for all patients. While the risk of LRR appeared to apparently increase in the breast-conserving surgery (BCS) group, the mastectomy group showed the constant pattern. Thus, we conducted survival analysis for 5,455 patients who underwent BCS. We set the TND cutoff at 2.5 cm, which showed the lowest p-value for LRR rate. Compared to those with TND &gt; 2.5cm, patients with TND≤2.5cm had significantly lower rates of LRR (HR,1.83; 95%CI,[1.37-2.46], p &lt; 0.001) and distant metastasis (DM) (HR,1.53; 95%CI,[1.16-2.02], p = 0.002). However, overall survival was not different between the two groups (p = 0.405). Cox-regression analysis showed that TND still had a significant impact on LRR (HR,1.52; 95%CI,[1.11-2.09], p = 0.010) but not on DM. Importantly, TND still remained significant factor affecting LRR when analyzed as continuous variable (HR,1.04; 95%CI,[1.02-1.06], p &lt; 0.001). The prognostic impact of shorter TND was more evident in patients with high mammographic density. Conclusions: BCS can be considered a safe option for central tumors, but mastectomy could be a better choice for patients who are concerned about recurrence or unwilling to undergo additional surgeries.

Oncologic safety of breast conservation following NACT in women with locally advanced breast cancer.

Breast conservation surgery (BCS) is the accepted standard of treatment for early breast cancer, with evidence from randomized controlled and population-based studies. The oncological outcome of BCS in locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) is mainly available from retrospective series with a small sample size and a shorter follow-up duration. A retrospective observational study of 411 non-metastatic LABC patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by surgery from 2011 to 2016. We retrieved the data from a prospectively maintained database and electronic medical records. Survival data were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 25 and STATA 14. 146/411 (35.5%) women had BCS with a margin positivity rate of 3.42%. With a median follow-up of 64 months (IQR 61, 66), the local relapse rate was 8.9% in BCS and 8.3% after mastectomy. The estimated 5-year locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), distant disease-free survival (DDFS) and overall survival (OS) rates of BCS were 86.9%, 63.9%, 71% and 79.3%, and 90.1%, 57.9%, 58.3% and 71.5% in the mastectomy group. On univariate analysis, BCS showed superior survival outcomes compared to mastectomy (unadjusted HR (95% CI) for RFS: 0.70 (0.50-1), DDFS: 0.57 (0.39-0.84), OS: 0.58 (0.36-0.93)). After adjusting for age, cT stage, cN stage, poorer chemotherapy response (ypT0/is, N0) and radiotherapy, BCS and mastectomy groups were found comparable in terms of LRFS (HR: 1.1, 0.53-2.3), DDFS (HR: 0.67, 0.45-1.01), RFS (HR: 0.80, 0.55-1.17) and OS (HR: 0.69, 0.41-1.14). BCS is technically feasible in LABC patients. LABC patients who respond well to NACT can be offered BCS without compromising survival outcomes.

GATA-3 expression in breast cancer is related to intratumoral M2 macrophage infiltration and tumor differentiation.

Accumulating evidence indicates that tumor-associated macrophages promote tumor progression and that high macrophage infiltration is correlated with advanced tumor stages and poor prognosis in breast cancer. GATA binding protein 3 (GATA-3) is a differentiation marker related to differentiated states in breast cancer. In this study, we explore how the extent of MI relates to GATA-3 expression, hormonal status, and the differentiation grade of breast cancer. To examine breast cancer in early development, we selected 83 patients that were treated with radical breast-conserving surgery (R0), without lymph node metastases (N0) or distant metastases (M0), with and without postoperative radiotherapy. Immunostaining of M2-macrophage-specific antigen CD163 was used to detect tumor-associated macrophages, and macrophage infiltration was estimated semi-quantitatively into no/low, moderate, and high infiltration. The macrophage infiltration was compared to GATA-3, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), and Ki-67 expression in cancer cells. GATA-3 expression is associated with ER and PR expression but inversely correlated to macrophage infiltration and Nottingham histologic grade. High macrophage infiltration in advanced tumor grade was associated with low GATA-3 expression. The disease-free survival is inversely related to Nottingham histologic grade in patients having tumors with no/low macrophage infiltration, a difference that is not found in patients with moderate/high macrophage infiltration. These findings indicate that macrophage infiltration might impact the differentiation, malignant behavior, and prognosis of breast cancer, regardless of the morphological and hormonal states of the cancer cells in the primary tumor.