Positive or close margins in breast conserving surgery: Is re-excision always necessary?

Background

More than half of re-excision specimens after breast conserving surgery (BCS) are found to be free of residual tumor at definitive histology. The aim of this study was to identify clinicopathological factors along with intrinsic subtypes of the tumor (luminal A, luminal B, HER2-overexpressing, triple-negative) associated with residual tumor in re-excision or mastectomy specimen.

Methods

Two hundred forty-eight patients with initial BCS, who underwent one or more re-excisions or mastectomy because of close or positive margins were reviewed.

Results

Residual cancer was found in 50% of re-excision(s) or mastectomy specimens. Patients with multifocality (vs unifocality; OR = 5.2; 95% CI, 2.6–10.4) or positive nodes (vs negative nodes; OR = 2.5; 95% CI, 1.4–4.4), or positive margins (vs close margins; OR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.0–2.9) were more likely to have residual tumor in re-excision or mastectomy specimen compared to others.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that further surgery is often indicated in patients with node positive or multifocal cancers or positive margins after BCS since residual disease cannot be ruled out. Re-excision or mastectomy could be omitted in patients with close margins with favorable factors such unifocal tumor or node negative disease.     

Breast-Conserving Surgeries With and Without Cavity Shave Margins Have Different Re-excision Rates and Associated Overall Cost: Institutional and Patient-Driven Decisions for Its Utilization

BackgroundReducing the rate of margin positivity and reoperations remains a paramount goal in breast-conserving surgery (BCS). This study assesses the effectiveness of standard partial mastectomy with cavity shave margins (CSM) compared with partial mastectomy with selective margin resection (SPM), with regard to outcomes of the initial surgeries, re-excisions, and overall costs.Patients and MethodsThis is a retrospective review of 122 eligible breast cancer patients who underwent BCS at one institution. The CSM and SPM groups each included 61 patients, matched for presurgical diagnoses and clinical stage. Data including margin status, rates and reason for re-excision, associated operation times, and costs were analyzed.ResultsPatients undergoing CSM had less than half the rate of positive margins (PMs) (10% vs. 23%; P = .03) and re-excisions (8% vs. 23%; P = .02) compared with SPM. In the former group, the margin involvement was focal, and re-excisions were performed almost exclusively for PMs. For SPM, the majority (92%) of PMs were on the main lumpectomy specimen rather than the selective margins, and re-excisions included, in addition to PMs, extensive or multifocal negative but close margins. Reduced breast tissue volumes were removed with CSM, particularly for patients undergoing a single surgery (47 vs. 165 cm³; P < .001). The initial surgery with CSM is on average 27% more costly than that for SPM (P < .001), due to the increased pathology costs which are partially offset by the increased re-excision rates in SPM.ConclusionCircumferential cavity shaving, associated with consistent lower PMs, tissue volumes excised, and re-excision rates, is appropriate for routine implementation as a method offering superior surgical outcomes.     

Separate cavity margins excision as a complement to conservative breast cancer surgery

Background

Positive lumpectomy margins (LM) usually mandate re-excision. However, approximately half of these patients have no residual tumour in the re-excision specimen. The aim of this study was to investigate if separate cavity margin (CM) excision can safely reduce the need of re-operation.

Methods

Rate of re-operation for margin involvement and incidence of residual tumour in the re-excision specimen were retrospectively evaluated in 237 patients (group A) who underwent lumpectomy alone, and in 271 patients (group B) treated by lumpectomy and CM excision. Patients with positive LM (group A) or CM (group B) underwent re-excision.

Results

In the group A, 50/237 patients (21.1%) had LM+ and underwent re-excision. In the group B, 74/271 patients (27.3%) had LM+, but tumour was found within the CM specimen in 46 patients (17.0%), 24 LM+ and 22 LM−, and reached the CM cut edge in only 15 (5.5%), who finally underwent re-excision. Residual tumour was found in the re-excision specimen in 28/50 patients (56.0%) of the group A and in 7/15 patients (46.7%) of the group B.

Conclusions

Separate CM excision strongly decreases the rate of re-operation for involved margin. However, the finding of various combinations of LM and CM status and the evidence that CM excision does not improve the positive predictive value of margin involvement suggest prudent conclusions. Only long term follow up of patients treated according to the CM status can exclude that the reduced rate of re-operations allowed by this procedure would expose to an increased risk of local recurrence.     

Re-excision after unplanned excision of soft tissue sarcomas: Long-term results

BackgroundUnplanned excisions of soft tissue sarcomas are still not infrequent events with patients presenting to referral Centers after having received an inadequate surgical treatment. In literature, both the wait-and-see policy and the “aggressive” management with a re-excision have been advocated. The purposes of this study were to analyze the incidence of detectable residual tumor in surgical specimens following a re-excision and to verify the long-term results of patients treated with a re-excision after previous unplanned excision.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated 131 patients affected by localized soft tissue sarcoma (95 high grade; 36 low grade) of the limbs or the superficial trunk treated at our Institution, from 2000 to 2013, with a re-excision after a previous unplanned inadequate excision. Site, size, depth, histotype, grade, adjuvant therapies, time from unplanned surgery to re-excision were recorded and evaluated in association with clinical results. We specifically evaluated the disease-specific survival, local recurrence free survival, distant metastases free survival and the event free survival.ResultsMean follow-up for living patients was 10.9 years (median 11.2 years), with a follow-up ranging from 14 to 227 months. 34% of patients underwent a re-excision within the first 2 months after unplanned surgery, while 66% of patients at more than 2 months. Residual detectable tumor cells were found on histological examination in 54% of re-excisions. A wide margin was obtained in 123 cases, a persisting positive margin in 8 patients.Disease-specific survival was 93.5%, 91.6% and 89.6% at 5, 10 and 15 years for whole series and 90.9%, 88.2% and 85.7% for high grade tumors. Event-free survival in patients affected by high grade tumors rated 75.0% at 5 years, 72.4% at 10 years and 72.4% at 15 years. Local recurrence free survival in high grade tumors was 87.6%, 86.2% and 86.2% at 5, 10 and 15 years.The grade of the tumor (high grade) and the initial dimension of the tumor (≥5 cm) were associated with worst survival. High grade tumor impacted negatively also on local recurrence free survival and event free survival. Instead, the initial size of the tumor significantly affected the event free survival but not the local recurrence free survival. No significant differences of outcome were found analyzing tumor depth, time interval to re-excision, presence of residual tumor or margins.ConclusionBased on our results and literature findings, we believe that surgeons should offer a re-excision procedure in those patients presenting with an inadequate excision of a high grade soft-tissue tumor, in particular with tumors larger than 5 cm before excision. Indeed, if an adequate second treatment is performed with surgery ± radiotherapy, the long-term results of patients receiving a re-excision after unplanned excision of a high grade soft tissue sarcoma seem to be comparable to the results generally reported for wide primary excisions. More debatable is whether to perform a re-excision or not in patients with low-grade tumors. Perhaps, in this latter group a wait and see policy can eventually be offered as well as in high grade tumors when a re-excision procedure could involve major surgery or significantly affect postoperative function.     

Prediction of Residual Malignancy After Excisional Biopsy for Breast Cancer With Suspicious Microcalcifications: Comparison of Mammography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

BackgroundWhether surgery should be performed after excisional biopsy based on mammography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings has not been evaluated for breast cancer with suspicious microcalcifications on mammography. This study investigated the ability of mammography and MRI to predict residual malignancy after excisional biopsy for suspicious microcalcifications and whether background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) influences the diagnostic performance of MRI.Patients and MethodsFifty-one patients with breast cancer who underwent excisional biopsy for suspicious microcalcifications between January 2009 and February 2019 were enrolled in this single-center retrospective study. Two expert readers independently evaluated the ability of mammography and MRI to predict residual malignancy at the surgical site. The diagnostic value of mammography and MRI was evaluated using histopathology as the standard.ResultsThirty-two patients had residual malignancy. The average overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, accuracy, and area under the curve for residual malignancy were 78.1%, 42.1%, 69.4%, 42.1%, 62.7%, and 0.601 for mammography and 81.2%, 57.8%, 76.4%, 57.8%, 73.5%, and 0.696 for MRI; the respective values for residual malignancy were 88.8%, 57.1%, 72.7%, 57.4%, 76.5%, and 0.73 in the low BPE group and 71.4%, 60%, 83.3%, 57.4%, 65.7%, and 0.657 in the high BPE group.ConclusionsMRI is more accurate than mammography for prediction of residual malignancy after excisional biopsy for breast cancer with suspicious microcalcifications. However, the BPE of MRI influences diagnostic performance, so careful assessment is needed in patients with moderate or marked BPE.     

Re-excision of margins before breast radiation-diagnostic or therapeutic?

PURPOSE: To identify factors in breast cancer patients that predict the pathologic results of re-excision for close or positive margins and to determine the effect on local control. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We divided 1,044 patients with Stage I-II breast cancer with a close (< or =2 mm) or positive margin after initial excision into three groups. Group 1 included 199 patients without additional excision, Group 2 included 546 patients with re-excision found to be free of cancer, and Group 3 included 299 patients with re-excision and residual cancer. All patients were treated with radiotherapy with a median follow-up of 6.7 years. RESULTS: The 10-year local control rate was 95% for Group 1 and 94% for Groups 2 and 3 (p = 0.788). Of the 846 patients, 65% had no residual disease on re-excision and 35% did have residual tumor. The factors significantly associated with positive re-excision findings were initial positive margins, positive nodes, Stage T2 tumor, and an extensive intraductal component. The 10-year local control rate was 95% for Group 2 vs. 91% for Group 3 (p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: The low recurrence rates seen in this study suggest that selected patients with non-negative margins, particularly those with a low risk of having residual disease at re-excision, may be treated with radiotherapy.     

Risk factors for the presence of residual disease in women after partial mastectomy for invasive breast cancer: A single institution experience

BackgroundWe hypothesize that in addition to specimen margin widths other clinical variables may help predict the presence of residual disease in the lumpectomy bed.MethodsPatients with Stage I-III invasive breast cancer (BC) who underwent partial mastectomy (PM) and re-excision from July 2010–June 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Bivariate analyses were conducted using two-sample t-tests for continuous variables and Fisher's Exact tests for categorical variables. A multivariate logistic regression was then performed on significant bivariate analyses variables.Resultsne-hundred and eighty-four patients were included in our analysis; 47% had residual disease on re-excision, while 53% had no residual disease. Tumor and nodal stage, operation type, type of disease present at margin, and number of positive margins were significantly associated with residual disease. On multivariate logistic regression, DCIS alone at the margin (p = 0.02), operation type (PM with cavity margins) (p = 0.003), and number of positive margins (3 or more) (p < 0.001) remained predictive of residual disease at re-excision.ConclusionBased on a more comprehensive review of the initial pathology, there are additional factors that can help predict the likelihood of finding residual disease and help guide the surgeon in the decision for re-excision.     

Reexcision operations in nonpalpable breast cancer

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 317 needle-localization (NL) biopsies performed at the Royal Marsden Hospital during 1989–1992. The malignancy yield in our centre, where there is an emphasis on cooperation with an experienced radiologist and breast pathologist, was 48% (151/317), with benign to malignant biopsy ratio of 1:1:1. Analysis of the histopathological findings of the malignant lesions revealed a 45% (68/51) incidence of positive microscopic margins. Of these 68 patients, 50 had re-excisions, including nine patients who required mastectomy. Twentyeight of the re-excisions (56%) contained residual tumour, of which five (18%) were invasive carcinoma > 3 mm (size range 1–19 mm) and 13 (46%) were residual DCIS > 1 mm (size range 1– 40 mm). Our findings suggest a significant incidence of residual disease associated with positive microscopic margins in NL-detected nonpalpable cancers. Therefore, our current practice of performing a wider re-excision for positive margins is justified. Stereotactic fine-needle aspiration cytology was not performed by the radiologist referring these cases, but it should be performed preop-eratively and if the test is positive, definitive treatment in the form of wide local excision or quadrantectomy is carried out in the first instance in order to avoid a second surgical procedure. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

The value of breast lumpectomy margin assessment as a predictor of residual tumor burden in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast

BACKGROUND: Margin width is considered the most important risk factor for local recurrence in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast. The purpose of this report is to assess the predictive utility of lumpectomy specimen margin assessment for the presence and extent of residual DCIS. METHODS: Specimens from 253 DCIS cases with lumpectomy and reexcision were studied to determine to the probability of residual DCIS on reexcision. The probability of residual tumor was evaluated with respect to tumor size, margin status, nuclear grade, presence of necrosis, patient age, and the extent of specimen processing (number of sections/volume tissue). Lesions were grouped by size: less than or equal to 2 mm, greater than 2-15 mm, greater than 15-40 mm, or greater than 40 mm. Margin width was recorded as the distance of DCIS to the closest specimen edge or, for positive margins, scored as: extensive (margin involvement in > or =8 sections or >4 low-power fields [LPFs]), moderate (5-7 sections or 2-4 LPFs), minimal (2-4 sections or 1 LPF), or focal (1 section, single focus). The amount of residual tumor was graded by maximum dimension on a semiquantitative basis. RESULTS: Initial excision margin significantly predicted for the presence of residual tumor on reexcision. Residual tumor was found on reexcision in 85% of extensively positive, 68% of moderately positive, 46% of minimally positive, 30% of focally positive, 41% of greater than 0-1 mm, 31% of greater than 1-2 mm, and 0% of greater than 2 mm margins (P < 0.0001). On univariate analysis, margin width and lesion size of initial excision specimens significantly predicted for the presence of residual DCIS on reexcision. Age, grade, necrosis, and extent of specimen processing were not significant prognostic factors. On multivariate analysis, both initial margin width (P < 0.0001) and lesion size (P = 0.02) significantly predicted for residual DCIS. As for amount of residual tumor, margin width and initial lesion dimension both significantly predicted for medium to large residuum, whereas age 45 years or younger was of borderline significance on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, margin width and lesion size on initial excision both remained significant predictors of larger volume residual tumor. CONCLUSIONS: The margin status of a DCIS lumpectomy specimen is the most important predictive factor for both the presence and amount of residual disease.     

Limited resection for breast cancer: a study of inked specimen margins before radiotherapy

This is an analysis of tumor margins of 108 patients who underwent a limited resection for infiltrating breast cancer, prior to starting radiation therapy. This represented the initial resection (IR) in 75 patients, and a re-excision (RE) after biopsy elsewhere in 33 patients. All specimens were processed by the India ink method prior to frozen and paraffin section analysis. Overall, the incidence of involved margins was 28% for the IR group, and 15% for the RE group. No correlation was found with the axillary node status, or with the type of prior surgery in the RE group. The data suggest a correlation between increasing tumor size and margin involvement. Further surgery in the IR group with involved margins yielded negative margins in all cases; the finding of residual carcinoma was correlated with the type of secondary surgery, that is, further re-excision or mastectomy.     

Immediate surgical resection of residual microcalcifications after a diagnosis of pure flat epithelial atypia on core biopsy: A word of caution

The entity of pure flat epithelial atypia remains a challenge due to controversy of the surgical management of residual microcalcifications after core needle biopsies. This study aims to assess the morphological data observed in immediate surgical resection specimen of residual microcalcifications after a diagnosis of pure flat epithelial atypia on mammotome core biopsy. Sixty-two mammotome core biopsy with a diagnosis of pure flat epithelial atypia (flat epithelial atypia without associated atypical ductal hyperplasia, in situ and/or invasive carcinoma) were identified. From these 62 cases, 20 presented residual microcalcifications and underwent an immediate surgical excision after mammotome. Of the 20 patients with excised microcalcifications, 8 (40%)cases had residual pure flat epithelial atypia, 4 (20%) cases had atypical ductal hyperplasia, 4 (20%) cases had lobular in situ neoplasia, no lesions were retrieved in 4 (20%) case. None of the patients had either in situ ductal carcinoma and/or invasive carcinoma. Surgical resection of residual microcalcifications after the diagnosis of pure flat epithelial atypia on core needle biopsy remains still a debate. The present study shows no cases of in situ ductal and/or invasive carcinoma on immediate excision of residual microcalcifications after mammotome core biopsies.     

Experience with the Advanced Breast Biopsy Instrumentation (ABBI) system

BACKGROUND: The Advanced Breast Biopsy Instrumentation (ABBI) System is designed to excise nonpalpable breast lesions under stereotactic control. We report our experience with special regard to the histological evaluation of margins. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Breast biopsies using the ABBI system were performed on 101 patients with microcalcifications. In histologically-proven breast cancer, a re-excision was performed. RESULTS: Malignant lesions were found in thirteen patients (3 CLIS, 5 DCIS, 5 invasive ductal carcinoma). The margins were positive in two specimens with DCIS. In subsequent lumpectomies one patient with invasive cancer had residual intraductal cancer. All the patients with DCIS had residual cancer, even those with negative margins of the ABBI-specimen. Only minor complications were observed with the ABBI procedure. CONCLUSION: The ABBI system is a safe, minimally invasive stereotactic breast biopsy technique. It saves open biopsies in atypical hyperplasia and CLIS. In cases of DCIS or invasive cancer re-excision is inevitable.     

Local control in 118 consecutive high-risk breast cancer patients treated with breast-conserving therapy

Although negative surgical margins are an important prognostic factor in the breast-conserving treatment of breast cancer, the required width of these margins is still under debate. To define the risk of in-breast recurrence in subgroups of patients with a local high-risk situation, local control was evaluated in all patients with close or positive margins treated at one institution between 1995 and 2000. A total of 118 patients (67% T1, 30% T2, 52% N0) were identified as having had positive or close margins (< or =4 mm) at the time of initial surgery. Of these, 65% had no tumor cells at the initial margin, 35% had a positive or questionable margin. Re-excisions were performed in 42%. The median (range) whole-breast radiotherapy dose, tumor bed boost dose and total dose were 50 (46.8-56) Gy, 15 (8-20) Gy and 65.8 (54-71) Gy, respectively. Thirty-six percent received adjuvant chemotherapy. Local (in-breast) control was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared between subgroups. The 5-year local control for the whole group was 94%. The rates for selected subgroups were: <56 years 89.4% vs. >56 years 98.1% (p=0.073, univariate analysis); pT1 95.9% vs. pT2 88.6% (not significant, n.s.); pN0 96.6% vs. pN+ 90.8% (n.s.); initial margin free of tumor cells 95.5% vs. initial margin involved or questionable 90.7% (n.s.), no re-excision 96.7% vs. one or more re-excisions 90.6% (n.s.); adjuvant chemotherapy 81.7% vs. no adjuvant chemotherapy 100% (p=0.007). We conclude that among patients with close or positive margins, older patients achieved high local control rates with a median tumorbed boost to 66 Gy. Younger patients and patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy (due to the presence of histopathological risk factors) were at increased risk of in-breast recurrence and should be considered for intensified local treatment.     

Wire-guided Localization Biopsy to Determine Surgical Margin Status in Patients with Non-palpable Suspicious Breast Lesions

Purpose: Guide-wire localization (GWL) has been a standard technique for many years. Excision of nonpalpablemalignant breast lesions with clear surgical margins reduces the risk of undergoing re-excision. Theobjective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of GWL biopsy for assessing surgical margins. Methods:This retrospective study concerned 53 patients who underwent GWL biopsy for non-palpable breast lesionsand breast carcinoma diagnosed by histological examination. Age of the patients, tumour size, radiographicfindings, breast density specifications, specimen volumes, menopausal status and family history of the patientsand surgical margin status were recorded. Results: Median age was 53.3 years, median tumour size was 1.5 cmand median specimen volume was 71.5 cm3. In fifteen patients (28%) DCIS and in 38 patients (72%) invasiveductal carcinoma was diagnosed. There was positive surgical margins in twenty eight (52.8%) patients. Themedian distance to the nearest surgical margin was 7.2 mm in clear surgical margins. Younger age and denserbreast specifications were found as statistically significant factors for surgical margin status. Median age of thepatients who had positive margins was 49.4 years where it was 56.9 years in the patients with negative margins(p=0.04). 79% of the patients with positive margins had type 3-4 pattern breast density according to BIRADSclassification as compared to 48% in the patients who had negative margins (p=0.03). Some 38 patients whohad positive or close surgical margins received re-excision (72%). Conclusion: Positive margin rates may behigher because of inherent biological differences and diffuse growth patterns in younger patients. There are alsotechnical difficulties that are relevant to denser fibroglandular tissue in placing hooked wire. High re-excisionrates must be taken into consideration while performing GWL biopsy in non-palpable breast lesions.     

Flat Epithelial Atypia: Comparison Between 9-Gauge and 11-Gauge Devices

BackgroundThis study aimed to establish if women with a diagnosis of flat epithelial atypia (FEA) without residual microcalcifications at stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) could be managed with mammographic follow-up (FU) instead of surgery and to compare 9-gauge and 11-gauge devices.Patients and MethodsFrom October 2003 to January 2011, 2382 VABB procedures were performed (1373 with 11-gauge and 1009 with 9-gauge). We found 121 cases of pure FEA that were surgically treated: 57 with a 9-gauge device (group 1) and 64 with an 11-gauge device (group 2). The underestimation rate (UR) of malignancy for patients without and those with residual microcalcifications for each VABB device was calculated. Differences between groups were analyzed with the Fischer exact test.ResultsThe overall UR of FEA was 4% (2 of 57) with the 9-gauge device and 8% (5 of 64) with the 11-gauge device. With a 9-gauge device, the UR for patients without residual microcalcifications was 0% (0 of 46), and the UR for patients with residual microcalcifications was 18% (2 of 11). With an 11-gauge device, the UR for patients without residual microcalcifications was 0% (0 of 39), the UR for patients with residual microcalcifications at post-biopsy mammograms was 16% (5 of 25). With a 9-gauge device, 80% (46 of 57) of patients did not have residual microcalcifications after VABB. With an 11-gauge device, 60% (39 of 64) of patients had no residual microcalcifications after VABB. Differences between the 9-gauge and 11-gauge devices were statistically significant (P < .05).ConclusionWomen with FEA without residual microcalcifications after VABB can be managed conservatively. Nine-gauge VABB is associated with a lower percentage of residual microcalcifications compared with an 11-gauge device, but it is safe to follow patients with FEA if all calcifications are removed with the core biopsy.     

Evaluation of excisional biopsy for stage I and IIsquamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity

Background. To reduce the risk of spreading tumor cells by incisional biopsy, we have employed excisional biopsy for early oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). However, whether excisional biopsy should be adopted as a radical treatment for oral carcinomas is still controversial. Methods. Fifty-eight patients with stage I or II SCC of the oral cavity treated by excisional biopsy were reviewed clinicopathologically to investigate treatment outcome. Results. Eight of the 58 patients had a recurrence at the primary site and 7 had a secondary lymph node metastasis in the neck; all patients were curable by salvage treatment. We found a significant correlation between local recurrence and margin status and between tumor size and depth invasion. The absence or presence of epithelial dysplasia adjacent to the cancer was also important in predicting local recurrence. Endophytic tumors had a higher rate of neck metastasis than superficial or exophytic tumors (P < 0.001). Conclusions. Excisional biopsy is an effective and less invasive treatment for small oral SCCs. For superficial tumors that are frequently accompanied by epithelial dysplasia, tumors less than 30mm in size should be excised at a margin of 5 mm or more from the lesion, thereby including the dysplasia. Considering the positive correlation between tumor size and depth of invasion, exophytic tumors less than 20 mm in size can be treated by excisional biopsy alone. As endophytic tumors are highly aggressive and have a high propensity to metastasize to cervical lymph nodes, endophytic tumors less than 15 mm in size are indicated for excisional biopsy.     

Ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion. A curable entity using surgery alone without need for adjuvant therapy

Of 408 negative axillary node (NAN) patients surgically treated at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (Buffalo, NY, 1976 through 1987), 36 (8.8%) presented with ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion (DCISM). In more than 50% of the patients (20/36) the disease was detected solely by mammography (microcalcifications and/or radiological density less than 1.5 cm). Thirty-three patients underwent modified radical mastectomy; three had wide excision +/- axillary dissection. Residual disease after excisional biopsy was found in 22 of 33 mastectomy specimens (67%): 11 (33%) pure ductal carcinoma in situ, five (15%) DCISM, and six (18%) frankly invasive. Of the 22 incidents of residual disease, 50% (11) were multicentric (one third of all specimens). These findings imply a high likelihood of residual cancer after excisional biopsy in these patients. All patients were free of disease for a mean follow-up of 57 months (range, 16 to 137). These findings indicate that DCISM is an entirely curable disease when treated by mastectomy alone, without the need for adjuvant therapy, regardless of the status of other prognostic factors such as tumor size, histologic differentiation, age, or steroid receptor status.     

软组织肉瘤补充广泛切除78例原因和疗效分析

  目的  探讨软组织肉瘤补充广泛切除术的原因及患者预后的影响。   方法  回顾性分析2007年7月至2011年3月收治的外院误诊为良性肿瘤而行局部切除的原发软组织肉瘤患者78例。主要观察终点为肿瘤的复发转移, 分析肿瘤残留情况对患者预后的影响。   结果  补充广泛切除术后, 中位随访时间是17.4个月, 其中复发3例, 转移5例, 死亡3例。Kaplan-Meier法计算1年无瘤生存率为93.6%, 3年无瘤生存率92.3%。初次术后肿瘤残留共40例, 占52%。初次手术后肿瘤残留组和非残留组生存无差异。   结论  患者在非计划性切除后肿瘤残留率较高, 接受补充广泛切除术是必要的。补充广泛切除原因多为术前无明确病理诊断, 无影像学检查。软组织肉瘤发病率较低, 在临床上应慎重处理。      

The value of postlumpectomy mammogram in the management of breast cancer patients presenting with suspiciouis microcalcifications

PURPOSE: It is recommended that patients with breast cancer who present with mammographically detected microcalcification should undergo postlumpectomy mammogram with magnification views to ensure adequate removal of all clinically demonstrable disease. The value of postlumpectomy mammogram has not been adequately examined in the literature. This report aims to quantify the value of such a study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review identified 90 breast cancer patients referred to our department between 1992 and 1997 who met all of the following criteria: (1) patients were considered for breast conserving management; (2) patients had suspicious microcalcifications on diagnostic mammograms; (3) the mammographic lesions were thought to be removed entirely on postexcision specimen radiographs; (4) surgical excisions were thought to be adequate on the basis of a review of the histologic pathology reports; and (5) postlumpectomy mammograms with magnification views were obtained. Fifty patients had invasive adenocarcinoma and 40 patients had ductal carcinoma in situ. The margins of last resection were clear, close, or focally involved in 70, 13, and seven patients, respectively. Patient records were reviewed to determine whether postlumpectomy mammograms demonstrated residual microcalcifications. RESULTS: Sixteen patients (17%) were found to have residual microcalcifications on postlumpectomy mammograms. Twelve patients underwent either local re-excision (seven patients) or simple mastectomy (five patients). Re-excision was not performed in four patients. Residual malignant cells were found in eight patients (67% of the re-excision group and 9% of the whole group). Six of these patients had their tumors initially resected with clear margins and the remaining two patients had their tumors initially resected with close margins. CONCLUSIONS: Postlumpectomy mammograms with magnification views detected residual clinical disease in a significant proportion of patients. Our result supports the routine use of this test, even when satisfactory postexcision specimen radiographs and adequate lumpectomy resection margins are obtained. This finding is particularly true for patients with ductal carcinoma in situ.     

An evaluation of excisional biopsy for tongue carcinoma

An evaluation of excisional biopsy for tongue carcinoma (T1, T2) as a surgical treatment was performed. Forty-seven patients who received excisional biopsy among 394 patients with tongue carcinoma (T1, T2) treated in National Cancer Center Hospital during 24 years were examined. These patients were divided into following three groups: group a) patients treated with excisional biopsy only, group b) those treated with excisional biopsy and cryosurgery, group c) those treated with excisional biopsy and radiotherapy. We examined local control rate of these groups, degree of differentiation in histopathological examination, and median cancer free surgical margin. From these we obtained following results: 1) There was no significance in local control rate among these three groups (group a 77%, group b 84%, group c 45%) 2) There were no local recurrences in the patients with cancer free margin of 5 mm or more except when the histopathology showed perineural invasion, lymphatic vessel invasion, and/or deep invasion to the muscle. 3) Even if we had cancer positive surgical margin with excisional biopsy, we could obtain high local control rate (75%) with additional cryosurgery. We conclude that excisional biopsy for tongue carcinoma (T1, T2) is a good method for primary therapy.