Fifteen-year series of skin-sparing mastectomy for stage 0 to 2 breast cancer

BACKGROUND: In 1989, skin-sparing mastectomy started at a number of breast centers in the United States because of an increasing demand for immediate reconstruction and a desire for better cosmetic outcomes. METHODS: To ensure the safety of this new approach, we have reviewed the personal series of a single surgeon using a standardized skin-sparing technique during 1989 to 2004. RESULTS: Skin-sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction was performed on 225 patients, and standard mastectomy was performed on 1,022 patients. The age distribution was 8 years younger on average in the reconstructed group. The average follow-up for each group was 49 months. The local recurrence for each group was 1.7% and 1.5% (P > .80). The regional recurrence was 3.8% and 3.9% (P > .80). The average time to local recurrence was similar in each group (33.1 and 32.6 months, P > .80). CONCLUSIONS: A skin-sparing mastectomy does not change the local, regional, or systemic risk to breast cancer patients.     

Regional variation in breast cancer treatment throughout the United States

BACKGROUND: It has been proposed that initial treatment for breast cancer varies greatly across the United States. However, one question that has not been answered completely is whether or not geographic location itself is an independent variable with regard to treatment. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons National Cancer Database Benchmark Reports (NCDB) were used to examine initial breast cancer treatment performed throughout the United States during the study period 1999-2003. These data were then stratified with regard to geographic region in accordance with the US Census Bureau classifications. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant relationship between geographic region and initial treatment of breast cancer. Although there were statistically significant relationships between race and geographic region and stage and geographic region, when the data were controlled for stage and race, the regional differences persisted. Stage-for-stage and within each racial cohort, the geographic differences in treatment were still statistically significant. DISCUSSION: This review suggests that geographic location within the United States is an independent variable with regard to breast cancer treatment.     

中国乳腺癌术后假体乳房重建补片材料应用现状

假体为基础的乳房重建（IBBR）可以减少或避免自体组织乳房重建手术供区的损伤和瘢痕,近十年来逐渐成为了乳腺癌术后主要的乳房重建方式,同时随着材料学的进步和乳腺外科的发展,补片材料辅助技术已经广泛应用于IBBR手术。特别是对于需要植入较大假体的病例,借助人工材料联合胸肌,起到“延伸”肌肉组织、无张力覆盖假体的作用,使重建乳房下皱襞更为饱满、自然,进一步降低手术创伤的同时也增加了重建乳房的美学效果。近期在国内进行的补片材料应用情况调查显示：我国区域经济发达状况和患者的经济条件是选择乳房重建和人工补片应用的主要因素。此外,由于中国女性乳房的形态特点不同于欧美女性,对于乳房体积较小的假体乳房重建,较少应用人工补片,因此,国内重建补片材料的应用更具个体化和区域性。     

Immediate breast reconstruction with expander in pregnant breast cancer patients

BackgroundBreast reconstruction after mastectomy is currently considered an essential component in managing breast cancer patients, particularly those diagnosed at a young age. However, no studies have been published on the feasibility of immediate breast reconstruction in patients diagnosed and operated during the course of gestation.MethodWe retrospectively identified all breast cancer patients who were subjected to mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction during pregnancy at the European Institute of Oncology between 2002 and 2012. Patient demographics, gestational age at surgery, tumor stage, adjuvant treatment, details of the surgical procedures, surgical outcomes and fetal outcomes were analyzed.ResultsA total of 78 patients with breast cancer diagnosed during pregnancy were subjected to a surgical procedure during the course of gestation. Twenty-two patients had mastectomy; of whom 13 were subjected to immediate breast reconstruction. Twelve out of 13 patients had a two-stage procedure with tissue expander insertion. Median gestational age at surgery was 16 weeks. No major surgical complications were encountered. Only one patient elected to have an abortion, otherwise, no spontaneous abortions or pregnancy complications were reported. Median gestational age at delivery was 35 weeks (range: 32–40 weeks). No major congenital malformations were reported. At a median follow-up of 32 months, all patients are alive with no long-term surgical complications.ConclusionsThis is the first study of immediate breast reconstruction in pregnant breast cancer patients. Tissue expander insertion appears to ensure a short operative time, and does not seem to be associated with considerable morbidity to the patient or the fetus. Hence, it could be considered in the multidisciplinary management of women diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy.     

Recent trends and predictors in immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy in the United States

Introduction

Immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy has increased in frequency during the past decade, but the socioeconomic and patient factors have yet to be fully identified.

Methods

Data were analyzed from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1999 to 2003 using International Classification of Disease-9 codes to identify patients undergoing immediate breast reconstruction. Regression analyses were used to examine predictive variables for immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy.

Results

Between 1999 and 2003, 469,832 patients underwent mastectomy. Immediate breast reconstruction occurred in 110,878 patients, yielding a 5-year average rate of 23.6% (range of 22.2% to 25.3%). Independent predictors of immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy include private insurance, hospital in an urban location, teaching hospital, white race, hospital region in the south, age between the 3rd and 6th decades, and low number of comorbidities.

Conclusions

Immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy is still not commonly performed in the United States. Socioeconomic and geographic factors play a significant role in whether patients undergo immediate reconstruction.     

“Three-dimensional evaluation of breast volume changes following autologous free flap breast reconstruction over six months”

ObjectivesTo date, little is known about postoperative changes in breast volume after autologous breast reconstruction. The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate breast volume changes following autologous free flap reconstruction and the factors affecting flap volume.Materials and methodsPatients who underwent deep inferior epigastric perforator, superficial inferior epigastric artery and profunda artery perforator flaps between December 2016 and January 2019 were included. Exclusion criteria were breast complications requiring surgical debridement, and the absence of at least two suitable three-dimensional images postoperatively. Three-dimensional stereophotogrammetry volume measurements were performed at the time of standard surgical check-ups. Changes in breast volume were modeled using a quartic polynomial curve function in a nested mixed effects model.Results136 breasts in 101 patients were included. An average decrease of predicted breast volume was found from 637.8 cc (95%-CI [624.4, 651.1]) at two weeks to 566.6 cc (95%-CI [535.1, 598.0]) after three and 567.6 cc (95%-CI [515.9, 617.6]) after six months postoperatively. Reconstruction timing and first postoperatively measured breast volume showed a statistically significant difference in initial reconstructed breast volume and in the shape of the relationship between time and breast volume, whereas autologous technique and BMI only showed a statistically significant difference in initial reconstructed volume and mastectomy indication in the shape of the relationship.ConclusionThe final overall flap volume decreased to 88.9% of its original volume after six months. Gaining more insight into the factors influencing flap volume is of crucial importance to facilitate predictable surgical outcomes.     

乳腺癌切除术后乳房重建并发症风险预测模型研究进展

乳腺癌是中国女性最常见的恶性肿瘤且发病率持续上升。为改善乳房切除患者生活质量,乳房重建已成为当今乳腺癌外科治疗的重要组成部分。乳房重建并发症的防控对确保后续治疗顺利进行及重建成功率至关重要。并发症风险预测模型可量化个体患者行不同乳房重建术的并发症风险,辅助临床医生完善手术方案选择、围手术期风险干预等决策,优化患者结局。笔者从模型构建、评价、验证等方面对乳腺癌切除术后不同乳房重建术并发症风险预测模型进行综述,旨在为乳腺癌患者乳房重建并发症风险的评估和防控提供参考。     

Variations in the breast reconstruction rate in France: A nationwide study of 19,466 patients based on the French medico-administrative database

BackgroundAccess to breast reconstruction (BR) surgery after a mastectomy remains limited, with a large degree of national and international variation despite its known psychological benefits and impact on quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors influencing breast reconstruction in France where cancer-related healthcare costs are fully reimbursed.MethodsAll primary mastectomies for breast carcinoma performed in 2012 and linked BR surgeries from 2012 to December 2015 were extracted from the French medico-administrative database. A three-level logistic regression analysis was performed to model the probability of breast reconstruction according to patient, hospital and administrative region characteristics.ResultsAmong the 19,466 women who had a mastectomy in 2012, 5328 (27.4%) had breast reconstruction. Multivariate analysis showed that the BR rate was lower in patients living in an area with an unfavourable socioeconomic level (p < .001), in low volume hospitals (p < .001), and in public hospitals (18.6%) compared to private hospitals (25.9%), university hospitals (29.8%), and cancer centres (35.0%) (p < .001). BR rate was significantly lower in patients older than 65 compared to those younger (7.5% versus 42.1%, p < .001). The impact of age was even greater in public hospitals than in other centres (interaction test, p = .001). We also observed significant heterogeneity in the BR rate across regions, which could be partially explained by differences in the plastic surgeon density.ConclusionsBreast reconstruction rate heterogeneity could be attributed to women choice. However, our study suggests that unequal access to high-quality procedures also plays a role, particularly for older breast cancer women.     

A comparison of patient-centered economic and clinical outcomes of post-mastectomy breast reconstruction between obese and non-obese patients

BackgroundThe objectives of this study were to compare, by patient obesity status, the contemporary utilization patterns of different reconstruction surgery types, understand postoperative complication profiles in the community setting, and analyze the financial impact on health care payers and patients.MethodsUsing data from the MarketScan Health Risk Assessment Database and Commercial Claims and Encounters Database, we identified breast cancer patients who received breast reconstruction surgery following mastectomy between 2009 and 2012. The Cochran-Armitage test was used to evaluate the utilization pattern of breast reconstruction surgery. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to estimate the association between obesity status and infectious, wound, and perfusion complications within one year of surgery. A generalized linear model was used to compare total, complication-related, and out-of-pocket costs.ResultsThe rate of TE/implant-based reconstruction increased significantly for non-obese patients but not for obese patients during the years analyzed, whereas autologous reconstruction decreased for both patient groups. Obesity was associated with higher odds of infectious, wound, and perfusion complications after TE/implant-based reconstruction, and higher odds of perfusion complications after autologous reconstruction. The adjusted total healthcare costs and out-of-pocket costs were similar for obese and non-obese patients for either type of breast reconstruction surgery.ConclusionsA greater likelihood of one-year complications arose from TE/implant-based vs autologous reconstruction surgery in obese patients. Given that out-of-pocket costs were independent of the type of reconstruction, greater emphasis should be placed on conveying the surgery-related complications to obese patients to aid in patient-based decision making with their plastic surgeons and oncologists.     

Immediate breast reconstruction for stage III breast cancer using transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap

Background: The management of stage III breast cancer is challenging; it often includes multimodal treatment with systemic therapy and/or radiation therapy and surgery. Immediate breast reconstruction has not traditionally been performed in these patients. We review the results of immediate transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap in 21 patients treated for stage III breast cancer. Methods: Data have been collected retrospectively on 21 patients diagnosed with stage III breast cancer between 1987 and 1994. All patients had mastectomy and immediate TRAM reconstruction. Thirteen patients received primary systemic therapy, 10 patients received postoperative consolidation radiotherapy to the operative site, and 3 patients received preoperative radiation. Results: Mean follow-up for the group was 26 months. Two patients died with disseminated disease: neither of them developed local disease recurrence in the operative site; 82% of the patients followed for at least two years are free of disease. Sixty-two percent of the patients received preoperative chemotherapy, the remaining patients received postoperative multiagent chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Two of the patients received autologous bone marrow transplants after their adjuvant therapy. Ten patients had postoperative radiotherapy for consolidation; three patients received preoperative radiation. Conclusions: Immediate TRAM reconstruction for stage III breast cancer is not associated with a delay in adjuvant therapy or an increased risk of local relapse. It facilitates wide resection of involved skin without skin grafting. Radiation therapy can be delivered to the reconstructed breast when indicated without difficulty. Breast reconstruction facilitates surgical resection of stage III breast cancer with primary closure and should be considered if the patient desires immediate breast reconstruction.Results of this study were presented at the 48th Annual Cancer Symposium of The Society of Surgical Oncology, Boston, Massachusetts, March 23–26, 1995.     

Bilateral nipple-sparing mastectomy and breast reconstruction in BRCA1 mutation-positive simultaneous bilateral breast cancer: A case study

BackgroundMutation-positive patients who develop unilateral breast cancer require different treatments, such as prophylactic mastectomy of the contralateral breast, from those used for other breast cancer patients. If a mutation is found before surgery, it is necessary to consider a surgical procedure that includes reconstruction. For BRCA mutation-positive patients, a suitable treatment must be selected. In Japan, a test for BRCA mutation has been covered by health insurance since 2020, making it possible to preoperatively test patients who are suspected of being positive. We report a case of simultaneous bilateral breast cancer that was found to be BRCA mutation-positive preoperatively and underwent bilateral subcutaneous mastectomy and breast reconstruction.Case presentationA 57-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital after a breast cancer screening revealed a mass in the left breast. She had a family history of breast cancer, including her sister, aunt, and cousin. She was suspected of being malignant with a mass on both sides of her breast on imaging. She underwent needle biopsy and was diagnosed as having bilateral invasive ductal carcinoma, for which she was placed on preoperative chemotherapy. Due to the strong family history of bilateral breast cancer, the patient was recommended to undergo a BRCA gene-mutation test and she consented. The result was positive for BRCA1 mutation. Although it was judged that bilateral breast-conserving surgery was sufficiently possible, bilateral subcutaneous mastectomy and breast reconstruction were performed based on BRCA mutation-positive status.DiscussionPerforming a preoperative BRCA test may change the surgical procedure.BRCA tests are beneficial to patients, but the timing of the tests is important. Care must be taken not to force the patient.ConclusionsKnowing whether the patient is BRCA mutation-positive is extremely important for selecting surgical procedures and treatment methods. BRCA testing should be recommended for patients who are strongly suspected of being positive, but the decision should be the patient’s. It is therefore necessary to provide accurate information and engage in a dialogue with the patient, but the medical staff should not pressure the patient to have the test.     

保留乳头乳晕皮下腺体切除加假体联合补片乳房一期重建与保乳整形手术治疗乳腺癌比较的单中心回顾性研究

背景与目的 中国女性乳腺癌发病年龄早,保乳手术和乳腺切除术后乳房重建是避免乳腺癌患者失去乳房的合理选择。近年来保乳整形术式的推广使得小乳房患者保乳术后仍能维持较好外形。使用假体联合钛网补片（TiLoop Bra）的乳房重建技术相对简单,便于推广,也能在乳房全切后较好重塑乳房外形。本研究通过回顾性分析评估两种方法在手术效果与满足患者术后美观需求方面的优劣,以期为临床决策提供参考。方法 回顾性分析2019年1月—2021年10月在中南大学湘雅医院乳腺外科接受以上两种手术的早期乳腺癌患者资料,其中接受保乳整形手术（保乳组）与保留乳头乳晕皮下腺体切除加假体联合补片一期乳房重建手术（乳房重建组）的患者各40例。收集患者的基本临床病理特征信息,两组的手术时间、术后留置引流管时间、术后住院时间、住院费用以及手术相关并发症等信息,使用Breast-Q量表评估患者术后满意度。结果 保乳组在手术时间、术后留置引流管时间、术后住院时间以及住院费用上均明显优于乳房重建组（均P<0.001）。乳房重建组乳头麻木的发生率明显高于保乳组（P<0.001）;乳房重建组发生皮瓣坏死4例,保乳组无皮瓣坏死发生,但差异无统计学意义（P=0.079）;两组间血肿、切口感染、脂肪坏死和组织挛缩的发生率差异均无统计学意义（均P>0.05）。两组患者的心理健康、身体健康、性健康及对乳房外形的满意度差异均无统计学意义（均P>0.05）。结论 两种手术方式的美学效果相似。皮瓣坏死为假体联合补片一期乳房重建中的严重并发症,背阔肌肌皮瓣覆盖创面可作为补救治疗手段。满足保乳手术适应证的患者,应优先考虑保乳整形的手术方式;存在保乳手术禁忌证的患者,但有乳房外形要求的,合理评估后实施保留乳头乳晕腺体切除加假体联合补片一期乳房重建也是一个可选方案。     

Factors predictive of immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy for invasive breast cancer in Australia

PurposeTo investigate person, cancer and treatment determinants of immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) in Australia.MethodsBi-variable and multi-variable analyses of the Quality Audit database.ResultsOf 12,707 invasive cancers treated by mastectomy circa 1998–2010, 8% had IBR. This proportion increased over time and reduced from 29% in women below 30 years to approximately 1% in those aged 70 years or more. Multiple regression indicated that other IBR predictors included: high socio-economic status; private health insurance; being asymptomatic; a metropolitan rather than inner regional treatment centre; higher surgeon case load; small tumour size; negative nodal status, positive progesterone receptor status; more cancer foci; multiple affected breast quadrants; synchronous bilateral cancer; not having neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, adjuvant radiotherapy or adjuvant hormone therapy; and receiving ovarian ablation.ConclusionsVariations in access to specialty services and other possible causes of variations in IBR rates need further investigation.     

Bariatric surgery in patients with breast and endometrial cancer in California: population-based prevalence and survival

BackgroundThe number of bariatric surgeries performed in the United States has increased substantially since the 1990’s. However, the prevalence and prognostic impact of bariatric surgery, or weight loss surgery (WLS), among patients with cancer are not known.ObjectivesWe investigated the population-based prevalence of WLS in women with breast or endometrial cancer and conducted exploratory analysis to examine whether postdiagnosis WLS is associated with survival.SettingAdministrative statewide database.MethodsWLS records for women with nonmetastasized breast (n = 395,146) or endometrial (n = 69,859) cancer were identified from the 1991–2014 California Cancer Registry data linked with the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development database. Characteristics of the patients were examined according to history of WLS. Using body mass index data available since 2011, a retrospective cohort of patients with breast or endometrial cancer and obesity (n = 12,540) was established and followed until 2017 (5% lost to follow-up). Multivariable cause-specific Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the associations between postdiagnostic WLS and time to death.ResultsWLS records were identified for 2844 (.7%) patients with breast cancer and 1140 (1.6%) patients with endometrial cancer; about half of the surgeries were performed after cancer diagnosis. Postdiagnosis WLS was performed in ～1% of patients with obesity and was associated with a decreased hazard for death (cause-specific hazard ratio = .37; 95% confidence interval = .014–.99; P = .049), adjusting for age, stage, co-morbidity, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.ConclusionAbout 2000 patients with breast or endometrial cancer in California underwent post-diagnosis WLS between 1991 and 2014. Our data support survival benefits of WLS after breast and endometrial cancer diagnosis.     

Feasibility of postmastectomy radiation therapy after TRAM flap breast reconstruction

Background: Postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) has been shown to decrease locoregional failure rates in high-risk breast cancer patients following modified radical mastectomy. However, there had not been a study evaluating the effect of PORT in patients after transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap breast reconstruction. Therefore, we evaluated flap viability, cosmetic results, and locoregional recurrence in patients who underwent TRAM flap reconstruction and PORT. Methods: The charts of patients who had undergone modified radical mastectomy with TRAM flap reconstruction and PORT at our institution were reviewed. Patients were examined in the clinic and interviewed by telephone to evaluate their perceptions of the cosmetic result. Results: PORT was delivered to 19 patients with TRAM flaps (3 pedicled and 16 free flaps) between 1988 and 1994. There were no TRAM flap losses as a result of either surgical or radiotherapy complications. Two patients developed fat necrosis, one with a pedicled and one with a free TRAM flap. Patients with pedicled TRAM flaps noted more volume loss in the breast after radiation therapy. Eighty-four percent of patients felt their overall cosmetic result was excellent or good; only one patient reported a poor cosmetic result. Local control was achieved in three of the four patients who received PORT for local recurrence. There was only one local recurrence among the 14 patients who received PORT because they were at high risk of local recurrence. Conclusions: These results suggest that PORT can be given safely to high-risk patients following TRAM flap breast reconstruction with excellent cosmetic results and good locoregional control.     

A standard mastectomy should not be the only recommended breast surgical treatment for non-metastatic inflammatory breast cancer: A large population-based study in the Surveillance,Epidemiology, and End Results database 18

BackgroundStandard mastectomy has long been the recommended breast surgical treatment for non-metastatic inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). The objective of this population-based study was to evaluate the significance of various breast surgical treatments for this highly aggressive subtype.MethodsThe Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program registry was searched to identify women with non-metastatic IBC receiving standard treatment including breast surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy diagnosed between 1998 and 2013. Comparisons of the proportions of various breast surgery procedures over the years were performed using Pearson's chi-square test. Breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier product limit method and compared across groups using the log-rank statistic. Cox models were then fitted to compare the association between various breast surgical procedures and BCSS or OS after adjusting for patient and tumor characteristics.ResultsA total of 3374 cases were identified. Over the years, the proportion of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM), breast reconstruction and both were increasing. The proportion of implant-based reconstruction was also increasing with no difference in survival compared with other types of reconstruction. There was no statistically significant difference in BCSS or OS among various breast surgery treatments, such as breast conserving surgery, CPM, breast reconstruction and standard unilateral mastectomy.ConclusionsBreast surgery is of great significance to the clinical outcome of IBC. Standard mastectomy should not be the only recommended breast surgical treatment.     

Clinical proteomics and breast cancer

BackgroundBreast cancer is a heterogeneous disease. Yet, many molecular players and mechanisms behind the complexity of its clinical behaviour remain unknown, and advances in biomedical research are expected to unravel novel molecular discoveries in breast and other cancers. Clinical proteomics is currently experiencing rapid advances in technology that promise new means to improve breast cancer early diagnosis, stratification, and treatment response.MethodsWe reviewed recent literature adopting clinical proteomics in breast cancer research.FindingsThis review highlights the principles, advantages, limitations, discoveries and future prospects of recent clinical proteomics discovery efforts in breast cancer research.ConclusionNumerous proteomic studies of breast cancer have been accomplished aiming to aid the development of personalised therapies, increase understanding of post treatment relapse, and help improve prediction of patient prognosis. This has led to the possible identification of profiles refining breast cancer subtypes and the discovery of novel biomarkers pointing towards diagnostic and prognostic potential.     

Risk of recurrence after treatment of early breast cancer with skin-sparing mastectomy

Background: Skin-sparing mastectomy, combined with immediate breast reconstruction, has become increasingly popular. However, there are no published long-term data to support its oncologic safety. Our purpose was to evaluate the long-term oncologic risk of skin-sparing mastectomy. Methods: The records of all patients who had undergone treatment of T1 or T2 breast cancer by mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction, and who were followed for at least 5 years or developed recurrence of disease before that time were reviewed. Local and distant recurrence rates observed in patients treated by skin-sparing mastectomy were compared with those in patients treated by conventional, non-skin-sparing mastectomy. Results: A total of 104 patients were treated with skin-sparing mastectomies. In that group, 6.7% developed local recurrences, 12.5% developed distant metastases, 88.5% remained free of disease, and 7.7% died of their disease. Among the 27 patients who did not have skin-sparing mastectomies, 7.4% had local recurrences, 25.9% had distant metastases, 74.1% remained free of disease, and 18.5% died of disease. These recurrence rates are similar to those reported elsewhere after treatment with conventional mastectomy and without reconstruction. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that skin-sparing mastectomy does not significantly increase the risk of local or systemic disease recurrence in patients with early breast cancer.