Evaluation of Breast Fat by Preoperative Mammography, Histology, and Thermal Extraction of Surgical Specimens

Abstract: The fat contained in the breasts of 33 unselected patients submitted to breast-reduction procedures was studied by three methods: preoperative mammography, histological examination of samples from the surgical specimens, and thermal fat extraction from these specimens. The 3 methods showed that the majority of the patients have more than half of their breast tissues constituted by fat. Thermal extraction produced the most accurate data, as the results could be measured instead of evaluated grossly. It showed a mean amount of 48% of breast fat with extreme variations from 2% to 78%. It also revealed major variations among patients of the same age and aspect. These variations were not detectable by clinical examination, and hardly predicted by mammography. The microscopical study showed that the whitish parts of the breast, which surgeons consider as “fibroglandular” tissue, do not contain more epithelial components than the fatty parts. These observations, like those on breast fat, are new. Their consequences, as concerns lactation, evolution of the breast with time, breast-surgery techniques, and surgical complications, have yet to be evaluated.     

Breast self-examination: knowledge,attitudes, and practices among female health care workers in Tehran,Iran

A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the knowledge of breast cancer, attitudes toward breast self-examination (BSE), and practice of BSE among a sample of female health care workers in Tehran, Iran. Using a purposed questionnaire, a total of 410 women from seven health centers completed the questionnaire. The mean age of the respondents was 32.9 years (SD = 9.5), most (58%) were married, and family history of breast cancer was reported by 11%. Seventy-five percent of the women knew about breast cancer prevalence, but only 27% knew that breast pain is not a symptom of breast cancer. Although 73% of women did know that contact with a relative with breast cancer could not lead to development of breast cancer, the respondents' knowledge of risk factors of breast cancer was not satisfactory. With regard to women's attitudes toward BSE, the majority believed that it is not difficult and time consuming or troublesome (63% and 72%, respectively). Sixty-three percent of the respondents claimed that they know how to examine their breasts, but only 6% performed BSE monthly. The practice of BSE was significantly associated with age ( p = 0.01), the level of education ( p < 0.0001), personal history of breast problems ( p < 0.0001), and knowledge of how to examine the breasts ( p < 0.0001). The study findings suggest that the knowledge and behaviors of female health care workers concerning breast cancer is relatively poor and it needs to be improved. Considering the role that health care workers may play in communicating health behaviors to the general public, planning health education interventions for this group of females is essential.     

Breast density,MR imaging biomarkers,and breast cancer risk

Mammographic breast density and various breast MRI features are imaging biomarkers that can predict a woman's future risk of breast cancer. While mammographic density (MD) has been established as an independent risk factor for the development of breast cancer, MD assessment methods need to be accurate and reproducible for widespread clinical use in stratifying patients based on their risk. In addition, a number of breast MRI biomarkers using contrast‐enhanced and noncontrast‐enhanced techniques are also being investigated as risk predictors. The validation and standardization of these breast MRI biomarkers will be necessary for population‐based clinical implementation of patient risk stratification, as well. This review provides an update on MD assessment methods, breast MRI biomarkers, and their ability to predict breast cancer risk.     

Socioeconomic Factors, not Ethnicity, Predict Breast Self-Examination

Abstract: The American Cancer Society has recommended monthly breast self-examinations (BSEs) to aid in the early detection of breast cancer. Compliance with BSE recommendations has been shown to be decreased in certain ethnic groups. This investigation evaluates relevant variables involved in BSE compliance in an urban breast cancer screening center. A survey over a 1-year period (June 1996–June 1997) was given to all patients on their initial visit to the Breast Health Center at Tulane University Medical Center. Demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with the compliance of BSE were explored. The overall rate of BSE was relatively high at 80%. There was no difference between ethnic groups in rates of BSE (Caucasians 21% versus African Americans 20%). Statistically significant variables associated with BSE noncompliance were high school education (did not complete high school 16% versus completed high school 33%; p < 0.0004), employment status (employed 16% versus unemployed 31%; p < 0.0004), and marital status (married 15% versus single/divorced 22%; p < 0.05). While the majority of women in our study practiced BSE and ethnicity did not predict BSE, several socioeconomic factors were predictive of BSE compliance. Efforts to increase community outreach to lower socioeconomic patients as well as efforts to ensure proficient BSE techniques by patients may help detect early breast cancer.     

A rare presentation of bilateral,synchronous male breast cancer

Rarity of male breast cancer limits available clinical research and data for management guidance and screening guidelines for patients at high risk. Here, we report on a patient with bilateral, synchronous male breast cancer with discussion of risk factors and need for possible screening.     

160例健康体检女性对乳腺癌及乳腺自检相关知识、行为、需求的调查分析

目的:通过对健康体检女性关于乳腺癌及乳腺自检相关知识、行为、需求的调查分析,了解我国乳腺癌早期发现的现状和影响因素,从而开展促进乳腺癌早期发现的健康教育.方法:对2011年来院体检的年龄在20～80岁的160例健康体检女性进行问卷调查,调查内容包括一般情况:年龄、民族、文化程度、职业、城乡分布、经济状况;乳腺癌危险因素评估:月经史、生育史、哺乳史和既往乳腺病史及家族史、雌激素服用史、放射线暴露史;乳腺癌基本知识知晓度、乳腺自检相关知识、个人饮食习惯、信念行为方式、健康教育需求等.结果:①所调查女性年龄在22～76岁,大专及以上学历占90.4％,城市职业女性占92.2％.②对乳腺癌发病危险的评估:既往有乳腺病史占49.0％,乳腺癌病史占1.3％,乳腺癌家族史占11.2％,雌激素药物或激素替代治疗占7.20％,服用过避孕药物占16.9％,长期暴露于放射线下占25.6％.③对乳腺癌基本知识的知晓度:通过对乳腺癌38个基本知识的问卷,有71.6％的女性对相关的基本知识有所了解,还有2.6％的女性对一些基本知识知之甚少.④乳腺自检的相关知识:通过5个乳腺自我检查相关知识的调查发现,有60.7％的女性知道和了解一些乳腺的自检知识,还有5.50％的女性对乳腺自检知识一无所知.⑤个人信念行为方式:93.1％的女性很在乎乳腺自检,但他们缺乏专业知识指导;有27.1％的女性从未做过乳腺检查.⑥健康教育需求:有26.0％的女性从电视、报纸、社区宣传海报、广播新闻媒体及互联网上获得有关乳腺自检信息的,4.4％的女性没有任何渠道获得信息.结论:城市健康职业女性对乳腺癌及乳腺自检相关知识认知率占60.7％,有93.1％的女性有渴望掌握乳腺自检知识的意识和行为信念,但只有26.0％的女性女性能通过电视、报纸、社区宣传海报、广播新闻媒体及互联网上获得有关乳腺自检的信息,乳腺健康知识普及和宣教的需求范围之广、比率极高.     

An analysis of immediate postmastectomy breast reconstruction frequency using the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database

Mastectomy is used to treat one third of the nearly 180,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States annually. In this study, we use population-level data from multiple years of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, End Results (SEER) database to further define patient, tumor, and geographic characteristics associated with immediate and early-delayed breast reconstruction. Population level de-identified data for the years 1998 to 2002 were extracted from the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) SEER cancer database. All female patients who were treated with mastectomy for a diagnosis of ductal and/or lobular breast cancer (including Paget disease) were included. The primary end point of interest was odds of reconstruction. Multivariate analysis was performed to control for patient demographic and oncologic characteristics. A total of 52,249 patients met the inclusion criteria. Reconstruction was performed in 8,446 patients (16.2%). Odds of reconstruction varied by region from 0.60 (Seattle) to 2.81 (Atlanta). African Americans were noted to have a significantly lower likelihood of reconstruction when compared with Caucasian patients (OR 0.60 versus 1.00). Patients living in nonmetropolitan regions were also significantly less likely to undergo reconstruction. Receipt of radiation therapy was also negatively correlated with likelihood of reconstruction. In this multicenter, multiyear analysis of factors associated with immediate or early-delayed reconstruction after mastectomy, we demonstrate that younger age, white race, metropolitan locale, and lower stage disease were all independently associated with higher likelihood of reconstruction. This information provides insight into breast reconstruction utilization and will help guide future studies to understand how these factors affect patient and physician decision-making.     

Single dose systemic acetaminophen to improve patient reported quality of recovery after ambulatory segmental mastectomy: A prospective,randomized, double‐blinded,placebo controlled,clinical trial

Few systemic drug interventions are efficacious to improve patient reported quality of recovery after ambulatory surgery. We aimed to evaluate whether a single dose systemic acetaminophen improve quality of recovery in female patients undergoing ambulatory breast surgery. We hypothesized that patients receiving a single dose systemic acetaminophen at the end of the surgical procedure would have a better global quality of postsurgical recovery compared to the ones receiving saline. The study was a prospective randomized double blinded, placebo controlled, clinical trial. Healthy female subjects were randomized to receive 1 g single dose systemic acetaminophen at the end of the surgery or the same volume of saline. The primary outcome was the Quality of Recovery 40 (QOR‐40) questionnaire at 24 hours after surgery. Other data collected included opioid consumption and pain scores. Data were analyzed using group t tests and the Wilcoxon exact test. The association between opioid consumption and quality of recovery was evaluated using Spearman rho. P < .05 was used to reject the null hypothesis for the primary outcome. Seventy subjects were randomized and sixty‐five completed the study. Patients' baseline characteristics and surgical factors were similar between the study groups. There was a clinically significant difference in the global QoR‐40 scores between the acetaminophen and the saline groups, median (IQR) of 189 (183 to 194) and 183 (175 to 190), respectively, P = .01. In addition, there was an inverse relationship (Spearman's rho= ‐0.33) between oral opioid consumption at home (oral morphine equivalents) and 24 hour postoperative quality of recovery, P = .007. A single dose of systemic acetaminophen improves patient reported quality of recovery after ambulatory breast surgery. The use of systemic acetaminophen is an efficacious strategy to improve patient perceived quality of postsurgical recovery and analgesic outcomes after hospital discharge for ambulatory breast surgery.     

Presentation, treatment, and outcome of local recurrence after skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction

Background: The local recurrence (LR) rate with skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) and immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) has been reported as comparable to the LR rate after conventional mastectomy. However, limited data are available on the prognostic significance and management of LR following SSM. Methods: A prospective database maintained at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center identified 437 SSMs performed for 372 invasive T1/T2 breast cancers between 1986 and 1993. Results: Twenty-three LRs were identified, with a LR rate of 6.2% (23/372). Twenty-two of these (96%) presented as palpable skin-flap masses. The median time to recurrence was 25 months (range, 3 to 98 months). Fourteen patients were treated with a combination of surgery and systemic therapy. Resection of the reconstructed breast was performed in only three patients. Complete local control of the recurrent disease was achieved in 17 patients (74%). Nine patients (39%) developed distant metastatic disease. At a median follow-up of 26 months, 14 of 23 patients (61%) are alive without evidence of disease, and 7 (30%) have died from breast cancer. Conclusions: Because LR rate with SSM is low and likelihood of local control and survival is high, SSM and IBR is an acceptable treatment option for early stage breast cancer.     

Breast-cancer related lymphedema: a review of procedure-specific incidence rates, clinical assessment AIDS, treatment paradigms, and risk reduction

With improved outcomes following treatment of breast cancer, chronic toxicities including breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL), gain increased significance with limited evidence-based guidelines present. This review attempts to summarize data addressing these concerns and provides recommendations based on currently published data. Substantial differences exist in rates of BCRL reported in the literature ranging from less than 5% to 65% based on locoregional therapy. Based on recent data, early diagnosis of BCRL appears critical and requires careful attention to patient risk factors and the use of newer diagnostic tools. Initial treatment with decongestive lymphatic therapy/compressive stockings can provide significant improvement in patient symptoms and volume reduction of edematous extremities. At this time, consensus recommendations for disease classification, diagnostic testing and treatment are still lacking. Awareness of the frequency of this toxicity is now important as more accurate clinical aids have become accessible to diagnose the condition at an earlier stage allowing timely intervention providing the opportunity for treatment strategies to be more effective.     

Diagnosis, treatment, and management of breast cancer in previously augmented women

Augmentation mammaplasty is rapidly becoming one of the most frequently performed cosmetic surgeries. However, as the augmented patient population ages, major concerns associated with the screening, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer are being realized. Although current evidence convincingly indicates that breast implants do not play a role in inducing localized or systemic disease, particularly breast cancer, recent studies have shown implants not only reduce the sensitivity of mammography, but interfere with mammographic detection, possibly leading to delayed breast cancer diagnosis. In addition, the risk for local recurrence, as well as unfavorable cosmetic results, breast fibrosis, and capsular contracture following radiation therapy as part of breast-conserving therapy in previously augmented patients are of great concern. Given the overall lack of treatment consensus, paucity of literature, and increasing number of augmented breast cancer patients, we provide a retrospective review of the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of 12 augmented patients from 1998 to 2004 who developed breast cancer. Eight of 12 augmented patients presented with a palpable mass on physical examination, which prompted further mammographic evaluation. Abnormalities in the remaining four individuals were detected on routine mammographic screening. Pathology staging results were available for all 12 patients. Breast-conserving therapy was used to treat six patients and adequate negative pathologic margins were obtained in all patients. The remaining six patients were treated with mastectomy due to multifocal disease, inadequate margins, or proximity to the implant capsule. Thus far, one patient has had local recurrence and one patient has had distant recurrence after initial surgery. No evidence of local or systemic recurrence, infection, contracture, poor cosmetic outcome, or other complications has been detected in the remaining 10 patients as of the most recent follow-up. Based on this small cohort of augmented women, the presence of implants led to an increased proportion of palpable tumors, in spite of routine screening mammography. Consistent with other studies, although our results suggest a tendency toward delayed diagnosis in augmented women relative to age-matched controls, this did not appear to influence the overall prognosis.     

Postoperative complications in combined gynecologic,plastic, and breast surgery: An analysis from National Surgical Quality Improvement Program

Patients undergoing the addition of a contralateral prophylactic mastectomy with unilateral breast cancer have an increased and potentially doubled post‐operative complication rate. One documented detriment from post‐operative complications is the potential delay in initiating adjuvant therapy. To determine if the addition of a gynecologic and/or plastic reconstructive procedure to breast surgery results in an increased risk of postoperative complications and re‐admissions, we evaluated outcomes in patients undergoing single vs multi‐site surgery in a large national surgical database. We utilized the National Surgery Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database to identify patients who underwent breast surgery between 2011 and 2015. We extracted patients who underwent prophylactic oophorectomy with or without hysterectomy as a comparison group. Chi square analysis was used to assess postoperative outcomes including complications, readmission, and reoperation. All statistics were performed in SPSS v. 24. During the study timeframe, 77 030 patients had a solitary or combined breast surgical procedure and a second cohort of 124 patients underwent gynecologic surgery. Breast cancer patients who did not have a simultaneous reconstruction or gynecologic procedure were older with more comorbidities. Patients undergoing coordinated procedures had a significantly longer length of stay, higher complication, readmission, and reoperation rates (P < 0.001 for all) as compared with patients who underwent single site surgery. Patients with surgery for breast cancer, either with a plastic or gynecologic procedure, have greater postoperative complications. Higher complication rates for those with coordinated operations may lead to delays in adjuvant therapy and discussions regarding the indications for simultaneous surgery are recommended.     

Impact of Oncoplastic Breast Surgery on Rate of Complications,Time to Adjuvant Treatment,and Risk of Recurrence

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to compare the risk of complications and recurrence between oncoplastic and conventional breast surgery.MethodsThis is a retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of 436 patients with stage I–III breast cancer who underwent surgery at the University Hospital of Basel between 2011 and 2018.ResultsThe nipple/skin-sparing mastectomy (NSM/SSM) group showed significantly more delayed wound healing (32.7 vs. 5.8%, p < 0.001) and skin necrosis (13.9 vs. 1.9%, p = 0.020) compared to conventional mastectomy (CM), which corresponded to significantly higher odds of short-term complications (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.02–5.35, p = 0.044). The incidence rate of long-term morbidity in oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery (OBCS) was significantly higher compared to conventional breast-conserving surgery (CBCS; 25.5 vs. 11.3 per 100 patient years [PY], p < 0.001), in particular concerning chronic pain (13.3 vs. 6.6, p = 0.011) and lymphedema (4.1 vs. 0.4, p = 0.003). Seroma as a long-term morbidity occurred more often in the CM group compared to the NSM/SSM group (5.8 vs. 0.5 per 100 PY, p = 0.004). Patients received adjuvant treatment earlier after CM compared to NSM/SSM (HR 1.83, 95% CI 1.05–3.19, p = 0.034). There were no significant differences in the incidence of positive margins nor in the odds of recurrence after OBCS versus CBCS and after NSM/SSM versus CM.ConclusionsEven though the present study confirmed expected differences in complications and morbidity, it suggested that oncoplastic surgery is oncologically safe. Patients undergoing NSM/SSM should be followed closely to allow early detection and treatment of frequently associated complications and ensure timely start of adjuvant therapy.     

Breast Conservation Therapy: Role, Techniques, and Controversies—A Personal Approach

Abstract: Within this generation, the management of breast cancer has evolved from a single operation, mastectomy, to the use of radiation following wide local excision and axillary lymphadenectomy for selected patients. Both treatment options are appropriate in some patients, but there remain patients for whom mastectomy is the preferable treatment. Conversely, there are patients for whom radiation offers a better alternative. This article attempts to define criteria for treatment selection.
Patients with the following tumor characteristics are better treated by mastectomy than radiation: (a) diffuse malignant calcifications within the breast; (b) multicentric cancer; (c) large cancers with respect to the size of the breast; and (d) more than one tumor in the same breast. Other patients may be best suited for radiation therapy, such as those with inner-quadrant lesions close to the underlying pectoralis major muscle, or those patients with eccentrically located tumors, such that the mastectomy incision might be compromised by this location. Clear surgical margins are desirable at the local excision site. Axillary dissection generally includes levels I and II nodes, but there are occasions when a lesser dissection, even none, may be appropriate.
The treatment of women with breast cancer requires exquisite surgical judgment to balance the desire to retain the breast with the scientific principles that will minimize the chances of local recurrence.     

The evaluation of national time trends,quality of care,and factors affecting the use of minimally invasive breast biopsy and open biopsy for diagnosis of breast lesions

Background

Minimally invasive breast biopsy is a recommended biopsy method for suspicious lesions. This study examines national trends and factors associated with the use of open breast biopsy (OBB).

Methods

The national inpatient sample database was used to examine trends and factors associated with the use of OBB. Factors associated with OBB were evaluated using chi-square test for univariate analysis and logistic regression for multivariate analysis.

Results

OBB rate was 34%. Patients below 50 years of age had OBB rates of 47%, while those above 50 had OBB rates of 29.1% (P < .001). Higher OBB rates were observed in Asian (39.8%) and Hispanic (40.6%) women compared with white women (34.1%, P < .001). Private insurance patients were more likely to have OBB compared with Medicaid/Medicare patients (40.9% vs 30.6%, P < .001). About 1.2% of women who underwent OBB required multiple biopsies for diagnosis compared with .5% for minimally invasive breast biopsy (P < .001).

Conclusions

OBB is still performed in one third of women despite higher morbidity and less accuracy. Factors associated with higher OBB rate included younger age; Asian ethnicity; private insurance; small, rural, and nonteaching hospitals.