Psychological morbidity in the first year after breast surgery.

In this prospective study, the psychological morbidity associated with the treatment of breast cancer was assessed. The study population comprised all patients referred to one centre with a recently diagnosed breast lump, who were to undergo surgery. Psychological morbidity was assessed preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively by modified Rotterdam Symptom Checklist. Three hundred and twenty patients completed all three questionnaires: 93 women undergoing mastectomy, 73 women having conservation therapy for breast cancer and 156 women having biopsy for benign breast disease. Patients with a breast malignancy smaller than 4 cm in diameter were treated by lumpectomy and radiotherapy, anti-oestrogen therapy or chemotherapy alone or in combination. Psychological morbidity among patients with malignant disease was significantly greater than that seen in the group with benign disease. Among cancer patients, a significant decrease in anxiety and depression occurred during the year following surgery. The study failed to demonstrate any psychological advantage associated with breast conservation.     

Mammography screening in the Netherlands: delay in the diagnosis of breast cancer after breast cancer screening

In a prospective study we determined the frequency and causes of delay in the diagnosis of breast cancer after suspicious screening mammography. We included all women aged 50-75 years who underwent biennial screening mammography in the southern breast cancer screening region of the Netherlands between 1 January 1996 and 1 January 2002. Clinical data, breast imaging reports, biopsy results and breast surgery reports were collected of all women with a positive screening result with a minimum of 2-year follow-up. Of 153 969 mammographic screening examinations, 1615 (1.05%) were positive screens. Breast cancer was diagnosed in 770 (47.9%) of 1607 women for whom follow-up information was available, yielding a cancer detection rate of 5.0 per 1000 women screened. Breast cancer was diagnosed within 3 months following a positive screen in 722 cases (93.8%). The diagnostic delay was 4-6, 7-12 and 13-24 months, respectively, in 11 (1.4%), 24 (3.1%) and nine (1.2%) patients. In four other patients (0.5%), breast cancer was diagnosed after a repeat positive screen, resulting in a diagnostic delay of 25-27 months. Reasons for a diagnostic delay >3 months were erroneous mammographic interpretation of suspicious lesions as benign or probably benign lesions (33 cases), benign biopsies from a malignant lesion (10), and omission to biopsy or remove a lesion that was suspicious at breast imaging (4) or core biopsy (1). We conclude that there is room for improvement in the workup of patients with a positive screening mammography, as seen from data in this screening region. To improve the workup, we suggest that other breast cancer screening programmes also identify delay in breast cancer diagnosis after a positive screen.     

立体定位针吸活检与导丝导向切除活检对隐匿性乳腺病变诊断价值的比较

临床触诊阴性而乳腺摄片或者高频超声探头探测的微小病灶分别用钼靶X线或B超立体定位下穿刺活检病理检查 ,随后将头端带有倒勾的钢丝头端置于病灶中心 ,指导手术切除病理检查。结果示 5 1例患者 ,穿刺活检检出 2 3例恶性病变 ,良性病变 2 8例 ;此 2 8例良性肿瘤 ,其中 4例在导丝导向活检中诊断恶性疾病 ,针吸活检乳腺癌的诊断符合率 92 2 % ( 4 7/ 5 1) ,假阴性率 7 8% ( 4 / 5 1)。初步研究结果提示 ,X线或B超下乳腺病灶穿刺活检及钢丝导向手术切除病灶活检均具有定位准确、创伤小 ,是诊治隐匿性乳腺疾病的可靠方法。但针吸活检有一定的漏诊率     

Metastases to the breast: A review of 33 cases

The aim of the study was to show the clinical and radiological manifestations of metastases to the breast (MB). From 1987 to 2006, 33 patients with MB were diagnosed at our institution. Their clinical and radiological features were retrospectively evaluated. Of the 33 cases, 31 presented as a palpable breast lump. On mammography, their findings were classified as follows: well‐circumscribed masses (11 cases), ill‐circumscribed masses (five), focal asymmetric densities (one) and inflammatory skin changes (six). Mammograms were normal in six cases (all of them showed dense breast tissue). Four CT scans showed two well‐circumscribed masses and two ill‐circumscribed masses. Ultrasonography was available in 18 cases: hypoechoic lesions (15 cases) were more frequent than hyperechoic (one) or isoechoic lesions (two). The appearance on magnetic resonance was similar to primary breast cancer (one case). The most common primary tumours causing MB were haematological malignancies (nine cases) and melanomas (seven). Metastases to the breast showed a wide range of mammographic and ultrasonographic appearances, resembling both benign and malignant lesions. Any patient who presents with a breast lump with a history of cancer should undergo a core‐needle biopsy in order to determine the histology of the lump.     

Definitive irradiation for intraductal carcinoma of the breast

During the period from 1978 to 1985, 51 women with intraductal carcinoma of the breast were treated with definitive irradiation following breast-conserving surgery. Surgical treatment of the primary tumor in all patients consisted of excisional biopsy or wide resection. In general, definitive irradiation consisted of conventional breast tangents to 4500-5000 cGy followed by a breast boost to a total dose of 6000-6600 cGy (median = 6000 cGy; range = 4200-6600 cGy). No patient was treated with radiation to a supraclavicular or axillary field. For the 51 patients, the median follow-up was 68 months (range = 25-126 months). The 5-year actuarial rate of local failure was 6%. A total of five patients failed in the breast at 19, 35, 40, 79, and 119 months following definitive irradiation. Salvage treatment in these five patients consisted of mastectomy in all five patients plus adjuvant tamoxifen in one patient. All five of the patients with breast failures are alive and NED (no evidence of disease), although with limited follow-up (median = 12 months; range = 6-68 months). These results suggest that definitive irradiation is an acceptable alternative to conventional mastectomy for appropriately selected and staged patients with intraductal carcinoma of the breast. In view of the long natural history of this disease, prolonged and careful follow-up of these patients is required.     

Upright stereotactic vacuum-assisted needle biopsy of suspicious breast microcalcifications

Stereotactic core needle biopsy is a useful technique for evaluation of suspicious breast microcalcifications. The development of the 11-G vacuum-assisted biopsy system offers another method of minimally invasive biopsy carried out on a conventional mammography unit. We evaluate its usefulness, efficacy and safety in Asian women. Vacuum-assisted biopsy was carried out through the lateral approach using an add-on stereotactic device attached to a mammography unit. One hundred and five lesions were sampled in 97 patients. Excisional biopsy was subsequently Carried out for diagnosis of atypical ductal hyperplasia or carcinoma in high-risk patients. Patients with benign diagnosis underwent mammographic follow up. The technical success rate was 97%. An average of 13.5 tissue cores were retrieved for each lesion. The histopathological result obtained from mammotome was benign in 84.8% and malignant in 15.2%. The benign microcalcifications were predominantly fibrocystic change (n = 42) whereas the malignant microcalcifications included ductal carcinoma in situ (n = 15) and invasive carcinoma (n = 1). Twenty-two patients underwent subsequent open surgical biopsy but no underestimation of disease was seen. Only two patients had vasovagal syncope and three others felt unwell during the biopsy. Nine patients had small haematomas, which resolved spontaneously. Vacuum-assisted biopsy carried out on an upright stereotactic mammography unit is a safe and effective method for evaluation of suspicious microcalcifications.     

Long-term results of local recurrence after breast conservation treatment for invasive breast cancer

PURPOSE: The outcome for women with a local failure after breast conservation treatment is not well described in the literature. Because local recurrence is a potentially salvageable event, this study was performed to evaluate the outcome of patients with local recurrence after breast conservation surgery and definitive radiation treatment. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The study population consisted of 112 patients with ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence. There were 100 isolated local recurrences and 12 local-plus-regional recurrences. There were 93 invasive local recurrences and 19 DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) local recurrences. Local recurrences were detected by physical examination alone in 42 patients, mammography alone in 47 patients, and both modalities in 23 patients. All patients were initially treated with breast conservation treatment with or without systemic therapy and subsequently treated at the time of local recurrence with salvage mastectomy with or without systemic therapy. The mean and median follow-up times after local recurrence were 49 and 44 months, respectively. RESULTS: For the entire group of 112 patients, the overall survival at 10 years after local recurrence was 69%, the cause-specific survival was 71%, and the freedom from distant metastases was 47%. For the 93 patients with an invasive local recurrence, the overall survival at 10 years was 64%, cause-specific survival was 67%, and freedom from distant metastases was 44%. For the 93 patients with an invasive local recurrence, interval from diagnosis to local recurrence (< or =2 years vs. 2.1-5 years vs. >5 years) predicted for overall survival at 5 years (65% vs. 84% vs. 89%; p = 0.03). Method of detection of local recurrence (physical examination vs. mammography vs. both methods) also predicted for 5-year overall survival (73% vs. 91% vs. 93%, respectively; p = 0.04). On multivariable analysis, interval from diagnosis to local recurrence was an independent predictor of overall survival (p = 0.03). Method of detection of local recurrence (physical examination vs. mammography vs. both methods) was borderline in predicting for 5-year cause-specific survival (73% vs. 91% vs. 93%, respectively; p = 0.06). Similarly, interval from diagnosis to local recurrence (< or =2 years vs. 2.1-5 years vs. >5 years) was a borderline predictor of 5-year cause-specific survival (65% vs. 84% vs. 89%; p = 0.08). No factors that predicted for freedom from distant metastases were identified. There were three second locoregional failures on the chest wall. Two of the 19 patients with a DCIS local recurrence have died of metastatic breast cancer. Death was probably not related to their local recurrence, but rather a result of persistent risk from an invasive primary cancer. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis provides long-term data after salvage treatment for patients who experience local recurrence after breast conservation treatment. The variables of method of detection and interval from diagnosis to local recurrence are identified as having prognostic significance for overall and cause-specific survival. In view of the potential for long-term survival, aggressive attempt at salvage treatment is warranted for the patient with local recurrence after breast conservation treatment. Second local recurrence after salvage mastectomy is an uncommon event. Although DCIS local recurrences may not in themselves cause an increase in the risk of mortality, the risk from the primary invasive cancer persists.     

Woman feels breast lump--surgeon cannot: the role of ultrasound in arbitration

The role of ultrasound scanning (USS) in patients complaining of a breast lump where the clinical examination (CE) is normal is not clearly defined. To determine this in greater detail, all patients complaining of a breast lump underwent CE. Where no lump could be found, but was still reported by the patient, an USS was performed. All lesions underwent biopsy and/or aspiration, as well as mammography in suspicious cases or those over 40 years of age. This cohort represented 5% of all referrals in the study period. Four hundred and twenty women were prospectively studied in this way. Median follow up is 3.4 years (range 2.5-4.2 years). Twenty two had solid lumps (of which 3 were cancers) and 48 had cysts. Nineteen patients re-presented with symptoms in the same breast (median time = 12 months (range 4.5-20 months), all of which were imaged on USS: 15 cysts and 4 further cancers (3 in the same quadrant as the original lump, one contralateral) were identified. Women with symptomatic breast lumps and a normal CE can be considered a reliable indication that cancer is very unlikely to be present (negative predictive value = 0.98). Ultrasound may be a suitable complimentary investigation, which will relieve symptoms in those with cysts and can detect small clinically--and sometimes mammographically--occult breast cancers.     

Long-term impact of previous breast biopsy on breast cancer screening modalities

Approximately 80% of breast biopsies are performed for what proves to be a benign process. The patients who undergo these procedures should continue screening with breast physical examination and mammography. The long-term impact of breast biopsy on these screening modalities has not been well studied. We performed a prospective, follow-up evaluation in 63 patients who underwent needle localization biopsy with benign histology at our institution between 6 and 7 years ago. This evaluation consisted of a directed history, breast physical examination, and follow-up mammogram. Two patients (3%) had undergone mastectomy for an interval breast cancer; 17 others (28%) had undergone subsequent biopsies. No patient had changes on physical examination of the biopsy site. All mammograms were evaluated as normal or as having benign abnormalities. Excisional breast biopsy does not generally produce long-term changes affecting the interpretation of breast physical examination or mammography.     

The diagnosis and management of ductal carcinoma in-situ of the breast

The widespread utilization of screening mammography has produced a shift in the stage of breast cancer at diagnosis in the US: Currently, 12% to 15% of newly diagnosed breast cancer cases annually are ductal carcinoma in-situ (DCIS). The diagnosis is made, in at least 90% of patients, with mammography. Only about 10% of patients will have a palpable mass. The accurate characterization and visualization of calcifications typically requires magnification of mammographic imaging. The morphology of the calcifications is generally considered to be the most important factor in differentiating benign from malignant formations. Round and uniform shapes are more likely to be benign, while linear and heterogeneous morphologies are associated with DCIS. Following a complete mammographic work-up, most suspicious lesions are potential candidates for a stereotactic core needle biopsy. Ten percent to 50% of patients initially diagnosed with atypical ductal hyperplasia by needle biopsy have subsequently been surgically diagnosed with cancer near the biopsy site. Due to this relatively high incidence of co-existent carcinoma, a needle biopsy diagnosis of atypical ductal hyperplasia necessitates subsequent surgical excision. The most important change in our thinking about DCIS was from a monolithic view, conceiving of DCIS as a single disease highly likely to invade if left untreated, to the realization that DCIS represents a non-obligate precursor with a variable risk of progression, depending on a combination of factors, such as histology, lesion, size, and margin status. In discussing treatment options, patients should understand that local recurrence following total mastectomy is rare and that this is the procedure of choice for disease that cannot be adequately encompassed with a breast-conserving approach. If the patient and her surgeon are in agreement about proceeding with a breast-conserving approach, there needs to be a clear understanding of the incidence and implications of local recurrence. In all such discussions with newly diagnosed patients, however, it is essential to emphasize the excellent prognosis with this disease, irrespective of the surgical approach.     

Aspiration biopsy cytology of occult breast lesions by use of the "scouting needle". A prospective study of 261 cases

The increased use of mammography for the detection of impalpable breast lesions has resulted in a need for new diagnostic techniques. In a prospective study of 261 occult breast lesions, aspiration biopsy was done with a standard fine needle and syringe. This "scouting needle" technique permits the collection of diagnostic cytologic material in the clinician's office without specialized radiologic equipment. Thirty of 53 malignant lesions (57%) were detected cytologically. A benign cytologic diagnosis, which was made in 220 patients, did not preclude additional investigation. Aspiration biopsy using the "scouting needle" is a rapid, low-cost, easily performed, initial procedure which complements "watchful waiting." When diagnostic of carcinoma, it results in immediate surgical intervention and may obviate two-stage surgical treatment.     

乳腺X线摄影及磁共振诊断乳腺良恶性病变的性能评价

乳腺癌是女性最常见的恶性肿瘤之一，在全球发病率呈现逐年增高的趋势，严重危害女性健康。目前乳腺X线摄影检查作为筛查及诊断乳腺癌的标准影像检查方法得到了广泛的应用，但其低特异性及敏感性易造成致密乳腺病灶的漏诊及误诊，增加患者不必要的活检几率，MRI检查不仅弥补了X线摄影的不足，其高敏感性及多种成像序列及多方位成像的特点以及绘制TIC曲线、测量感兴趣区ADC值等后处理技术可提供更多的组织结构信息，并进行病灶的良恶性诊断，本文对乳腺X线摄影及磁共振检查诊断乳腺良恶性病变的性能进行了较为详细的综述。     

The impact of adding radiation treatment after breast conservation surgery for ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS; intraductal carcinoma) is most commonly detected as suspicious microcalcifications on routine screening mammography in an asymptomatic woman. As most women with newly diagnosed DCIS are eligible for breast conservation treatment, a major decision for most women is whether or not to add radiation treatment after surgical excision (lumpectomy). In four prospective randomized clinical trials, the addition of radiation treatment after lumpectomy reduced the risk of local recurrence by approximately 50%, both for overall local recurrence and for the subset of invasive local recurrence. Nonetheless, efforts have continued to attempt to identify a subset of patients with favorable DCIS who are at sufficiently low risk of local recurrence that omitting radiation treatment is reasonable. Prospective and retrospective studies have demonstrated excellent long-term outcomes at 10 and 15 years after breast conservation treatment with radiation. Careful follow-up, including yearly surveillance mammography, after initial breast conservation treatment with radiation is warranted for the early detection of potentially salvageable local and local-regional recurrences.     

Breast relapse following primary radiation therapy for early breast cancer. II. Detection, pathologic features and prognostic significance

In order to define better the nature of breast relapse following primary radiation therapy for early-stage invasive breast cancer, we examined the clinical patterns, methods of detection, histopathology and prognosis in 25 patients. Eighty-eight percent of these relapses occurred in the vicinity of the original tumor at an average of 33 months after treatment. Twelve percent occurred in a location distinctly separate from the primary tumor area at an average of 75 months after treatment. In 14 patients breast relapse was detected by physical examination (PE) alone, in 6 patients by mammography alone and in 5 patients by both. In eight of the patients whose relapses were detected by PE alone, mammography was not performed; mammograms were negative in the other six. In 89% of the patients who presented with a new abnormality on physical examination, the recurrence consisted predominantly or exclusively of invasive carcinoma. In contrast, in all six patients who presented with only a new mammographic abnormality, the recurrence consisted predominantly or exclusively of intraductal carcinoma. Eighteen of these patients underwent salvage mastectomy, 3 were inoperable on clinical grounds and 4 refused mastectomy. Only 1 of the 18 patients who underwent mastectomy had a significant complication related to the surgery. Twenty-one of these 25 patients (84%) are alive without further recurrence up to 67 months (mean 24 months) after breast relapse. We conclude that (1) physical examination and mammography are both important for the detection of breast relapses: (2) secondary (salvage) surgery can be performed without significant complications; and (3) a breast relapse does not have the same grave prognosis as a local (chest wall) recurrence after mastectomy.     

钼靶钩丝定位在切除触诊阴性的BI-RADS Ⅳ级以上乳腺病变中的意义

  目的  探讨乳腺钼靶X线摄影引导下钩丝定位活检技术对临床触诊阴性或触诊不良的BI-RADS Ⅳ级及以上乳腺病变的诊断意义。  方法  选取2012年1月至2014年8月48例乳腺钼靶BI-RADS Ⅳ级及以上但临床触诊阴性或触诊不良的乳腺病变患者（其中双侧病变4例、单侧病变44例、共计52处病灶）,进行钼靶X线摄影引导下钩丝定位活检术。  结果  所有52处病灶中恶性病变13例（均单侧）,其中0期占46.15%（6/13）,Ⅰ期占38.46%（5/13）,Ⅱ期占15.39%（2/13）;良性病变39例,乳腺癌检出率为25.0%。钼靶BI-RADS Ⅳ级患者中良性病变39例,恶性病变10例;BI-RADS Ⅴ级患者中良性病变0例,恶性病变3例。Ⅳ、Ⅴ级中乳腺癌的阳性检出率分别为25.6%和100%。  结论  钼靶辅助下钩丝定位活检可以精确切除临床触诊阴性或触诊不良的BI-RADS Ⅳ级及以上乳腺病灶,提高患者生活质量和改善预后,是一种安全、准确、费用低廉的诊断方法,值得国内临床广泛推广。      

Lumpectomy and breast irradiation for breast cancer arising after previous radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease or lymphoma

Twelve women treated with radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease (11 patients) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (1 patient) and in whom breast cancer subsequently developed 10 to 29 years later were treated with lumpectomy and breast irradiation. 5,000 cGy/25-30 fractions to the whole breast and 900 cGy to 1.000 cGy/5 boost to the operative area. Six also received adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. Breast irradiation was well tolerated without any unusual acute or chronic sequelae. All women had a good to excellent cosmetic result. Ten women are alive and well 1 to 174 months (median: 46) from completion of breast irradiation. Two women died with distant metastasis but without local recurrence. Breast conservation therapy with radiotherapy is not contraindicated in the woman who has previously been treated with radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease or lymphoma.     

A Radial Sclerosing Lesion Mimicking Breast Cancer on Mammography in a Young Woman

A spiculated mass on a mammogram is highly suggestive of malignancy. We report the case of a 32-year-old woman with a radial sclerosing lesion that mimicked breast cancer on mammography. She visited her physician after palpating a lump in her left breast. Mammography showed architectural distortion in the upper inner quadrant of the left breast. Ultrasonography showed a low echoic area with an ambiguous boundary. Core needle biopsy was performed because of the suspicion of malignancy. Histological examination did not reveal any malignant cells. After 6 months, the breast lump became larger and the patient was referred to our hospital. Mammography performed in our hospital showed a spiculated mass, and therefore mammotome biopsy was performed. Histological examination revealed dense fibroelastic stroma with a wide variety of mastopathic changes, leading to a diagnosis of a radial sclerosing lesion. One year after the biopsy, the lump on her left breast had disappeared and mammography showed no spiculated mass.Key words: Breast cancer, Radial sclerosing lesion, Mammography, Young women     

Follow-up of benign screen-detected breast lesions with suspicious preoperative needle biopsies

Aim

To study the outcome of patients with screen-detected breast lesions in whom preoperative core biopsy (CB), or fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), or both were suspicious of malignancy or malignant, but the final histology of the excised lesion was benign.

Materials and methods

Thirty-nine patients who fulfilled the above criteria were identified from a prospectively entered database of 192,153 breast screening examinations at the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Breast Screening Unit. Thirty-four patients had suspicious or malignant preoperative FNAC and/or CB, and five had FNAC only. Follow-up was mainly by mammograms. Outcome data were collected from hospital case notes and radiology reports.

Results

The median follow-up period was 3 years following excision biopsy. One patient whose excision biopsy histology was atypical ductal hyperplasia developed a mammographically occult carcinoma in the same breast after 24 months. There were no other cancers reported during this time.

Conclusion

The problem of suspicious preoperative needle biopsies with benign excision biopsy is uncommon in the breast screening population. These patients are not at an increased risk of being diagnosed with a carcinoma in the subsequent 3 years and may be discharged back to standard breast screening.     

Radiotherapeutic considerations in the treatment of primary breast cancer.

Patients who are candidates for conservative surgery and radiation include those with a primary tumor size of less than 4-5 cm, without evidence of gross multicentricity or diffuse microcalcifications. Patients with an extensive intraductal component may be appropriate candidates, provided that margins of resection are negative. Focally positive margins of resection in patients without an extensive intraductal component are not a contraindication, provided that a boost dose of radiation is employed; young age is also not a contraindication to conservative treatment. The optimal radiotherapy technique includes a total dose to the breast of 4500-5000 cGy with a daily fraction size of less than 250 cGy and a weekly dose of more than 800 cGy. The role of boost treatment in patients with negative margins of resection is currently under investigation. Boost treatment is essential in patients with positive margins. A direct photon-beam field to treat the internal mammary nodes should be avoided, especially in patients receiving chemotherapy. The subset of patients for whom the addition of radiation following an excisional biopsy does not result in a decreased risk of breast cancer recurrence remains to be defined and is currently being evaluated in several prospective randomized trials. The optimal sequencing of adjuvant chemotherapy and primary radiotherapy has not been determined.     

Radiotherapy after lumpectomy for breast cancer in very old women

During a 15-year period, 47 women aged 80 to 89 years, with 48 breast cancers, were treated with postlumpectomy radiotherapy after lumpectomy alone (31 breast cancers) or lumpectomy and axillary dissection (17 breast cancers). Forty-three breast cancers in 42 women were invasive carcinomas, and 5 women had ductal carcinoma in situ. Forty-six breasts were treated with whole breast irradiation with a usual dose of 5,000 cGy in 25 fractions. Six women were treated with accelerated regimens of 250 cGy/d to 300 cGy/d to 4,000 cGy to 4,500 cGy. An additional boost to the operative area was administered to 34 breasts. Two women were treated with radiotherapy just to the operative area of the involved breast with 3,600 cGy and 3,700 cGy in 10 fractions, respectively. Thirty-four women received adjuvant tamoxifen. Twenty-five women (53.2%) are alive and free of disease at 21 to 156 months from surgery (median: 43 months). Seventeen women died at 14 to 159 months after surgery (median: 65.5 months). Twelve of these women survived greater than 5 years from treatment. Distant metastases have developed in only two women. One died at 68 months after treatment and one is alive with disease at 34 months. There are no patients with known local-regional recurrence. Radiotherapy was well tolerated in all patients, and the majority had a good to excellent cosmetic result. Age alone is not a contraindication to the administration of postlumpectomy breast irradiation.