Current status of ultrasound-guided surgery in the treatment of breast cancer

The primary goal of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) is to obtain tumour-free resection margins. Margins positive or focally positive for tumour cells are associated with a high risk of local recurrence, and in the case of tumour-positive margins, re-excision or even mastectomy are sometimes needed to achieve definite clear margins. Unfortunately, tumour-involved margins and re-excisions after lumpectomy are still reported in up to 40% of patients and additionally, unnecessary large excision volumes are described. A secondary goal of BCS is the cosmetic outcome and one of the main determinants of worse cosmetic outcome is a large excision volume. Up to 30% of unsatisfied cosmetic outcome is reported. Therefore, the search for better surgical techniques to improve margin status, excision volume and consequently, cosmetic outcome has continued. Nowadays, the most commonly used localization methods for BCS of non-palpable breast cancers are wire-guided localization (WGL) and radio-guided localization (RGL). WGL and RGL are invasive procedures that need to be performed pre-operatively with technical and scheduling difficulties. For palpable breast cancer, tumour excision is usually guided by tactile skills of the surgeon performing “blind” surgery. One of the surgical techniques pursuing the aims of radicality and small excision volumes includes intra-operative ultrasound (IOUS). The best evidence available demonstrates benefits of IOUS with a significantly high proportion of negative margins compared with other localization techniques in palpable and non-palpable breast cancer. Additionally, IOUS is non-invasive, easy to learn and can centralize the tumour in the excised specimen with low amount of healthy breast tissue being excised. This could lead to better cosmetic results of BCS. Despite the advantages of IOUS, only a small amount of surgeons are performing this technique. This review aims to highlight the position of ultrasound-guided surgery for malignant breast tumours in the search for better oncological and cosmetic outcomes.     

A comparison of three methods for nonpalpable breast cancer excision

Aims

To evaluate the efficacy of three methods of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) for nonpalpable invasive breast cancer in obtaining adequate resection margins and volumes of resection.

Materials and methods

A total of 201 consecutive patients undergoing BCS for nonpalpable invasive breast cancer between January 2006 and 2009 in four affiliated institutions was retrospectively analysed. Patients with pre-operatively diagnosed primary or associated ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), multifocal disease, or a history of breast surgery or neo-adjuvant treatment were excluded from the study. The resections were guided by wire localisation (WL), ultrasound (US), or radio-guided occult lesion localisation (ROLL). The pathology reports were reviewed to determine oncological margin status, as well as tumour and surgical specimen sizes. The optimal resection volume (ORV), defined as the spherical tumour volume with an added 1.0-cm margin, and the total resection volume (TRV), defined as the corresponding ellipsoid, were calculated. By dividing the TRV by the ORV, a calculated resection ratio (CRR) was determined to indicate the excess tissue resection.

Results

Of all 201 excisions, 117 (58%) were guided by WL, 52 (26%) by US, and 32 (16%) by ROLL. The rate of focally positive and positive margins for invasive carcinoma was significantly lower in the US group (N = 2 (3.7%)) compared to the WL (N = 25 (21.3%)) and ROLL (N = 8 (25%)) groups (p = 0.023). The median CRRs were 3.2 (US), 2.8 (WL) and 3.8 (ROLL) (WL versus ROLL, p < 0.05), representing a median excess tissue resection of 3.1 times the optimal resection volume.

Conclusion

US-guided BCS for nonpalpable invasive breast cancer was more accurate than WL- and ROLL-guided surgery because it optimised the surgeon’s ability to obtain adequate margins. The excision volumes were large in all excision groups, especially in the ROLL group.     

Optimising surgical accuracy in palpable breast cancer with intra-operative breast ultrasound--feasibility and surgeons' learning curve

Aims

To evaluate if intra-operative guidance with ultrasonography (US) could improve surgical accuracy of palpable breast cancer excision, and to evaluate the performance of surgeons during training for US-guided excision.

Materials and methods

Thirty female patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery for palpable T1-T2 invasive breast cancer were recruited. Three individual breast surgeons, assisted by US, targeted and excised the tumours. The main objective was to obtain adequate resection margins with optimal resection volumes. The specimen volume, tumour diameter and histological margin status were recorded. The specimen volume was divided by the optimal resection volume, defined as the spherical tumour volume plus a 1.0-cm margin. The resulting calculated resection ratio (CRR) indicated the amount of excess tissue resected.

Results

All tumours were correctly identified during surgery, 29 of 30 tumours (96.7%) were removed with adequately negative margins, and one tumour was removed with focally positive margins. The median CRR was 1.0 (range, 0.4-2.8), implying optimal excision volume. For all breast surgeons, CRR improved during the training period. By the 8th procedure, all surgeons showed proficiency in performing intra-operative breast US.

Conclusion

Surgeons can easily learn the skills needed to perform intra-operative US for palpable breast tumour excision. The technique is non-invasive, simple, safe and effective for obtaining adequate resection margins. Within the first two cases, resections reached optimal volumes, thereby, presumably resulting in improved cosmetic outcomes. In a multicentre, randomised, clinical trial, intra-operative US guidance for palpable breast tumours will be evaluated for oncological and cosmetic outcomes.     

Radioguided occult lesion localization (ROLL) versus wire-guided lumpectomy for non-palpable breast lesions: a randomized prospective evaluation

BACKGROUND: It is important to optimize the localization technique for non-palpable breast lesions. METHODS: One hundred consecutive women with non-palpable breast lesions were randomized to radioguided occult lesion localization (ROLL) or wire localization (WL). For ROLL technique (99m)Tc-labeled particles of human serum albumin were injected under breast-imaging control. Localization of the lesion was done in the operating room with the aid of a gamma-probe. All lesions were identified in an X-ray control of the surgical specimen. Categorical variables were analyzed with the Chi-square method. Significance was considered at P < 0.05. RESULTS: All procedures were performed on the same day of excision, on ambulatory basis. Both techniques resulted in 100% retrieval of the lesions. Localization time was reduced with ROLL (P < 0.001). Clear margins were achieved in 88.9% ROLLs and 62.5% WLs (P < 0.05) reducing the requirement of re-excision. There were significant differences in the subjective ease of the procedures in favor of ROLL technique as rated by surgeons and radiologists. CONCLUSIONS: ROLL technique is as effective as WL for excision of non-palpable breast lesions, reduce localization time and probably the incidence of pathologically involved margins of excision. ROLL appears to improve the learning curve for surgical residents and cosmesis. ROLL is an attractive alternative to WL.     

Resection margins and local recurrences in breast cancer: Comparison between conventional and oncoplastic breast conserving surgery

BackgroundThis retrospective cohort study aims to compare surgical margins, reoperations and local recurrences after conventional or oncoplastic breast conservation surgery (BCS). Furthermore, we aim to investigate differences between various oncoplastic techniques.Material and methodsWe reviewed 1800 consecutive patients with primary invasive breast cancer (N = 1707) or ductal carcinoma in situ (N = 93) who underwent BCS at Helsinki University Hospital between 2010 and 2012.ResultsConventional BCS was performed in 1189 (66.1%) patients, oncoplastic BCS in 611 (33.9%). Various oncoplastic techniques were used. Patients with oncoplastic BCS had more often multifocal (p < 0.001), larger (p < 0.001), palpable tumours (p < 0.001) with larger resection specimens (p < 0.001). The amount of resected tissue varied substantially depending on the oncoplastic technique. Patients treated with oncoplastic BCS were younger (p < 0.001) and their tumours were more aggressive according to histological grade (p < 0.001), T-stage (p < 0.001), Ki-67 (p < 0.001) and lymph node status (p < 0.001).There was no difference, however, in surgical margins (p = 0.578) or reoperation rates (p = 0.430) between the groups. A total of 152 (8.4%) patients were reoperated because of insufficient margins, 96 (8.1%) in the conventional, 56 (9.2%) in the oncoplastic BCS group.The median follow-up time was 75 (2–94) months. There was no difference in local recurrence-free survival between the conventional and oncoplastic BCS groups (log-rank test, p = 0.172).ConclusionsOncoplastic BCS was used for larger, multifocal and more aggressive tumours. Nevertheless, no difference in reoperation rate or local recurrences were found. Oncoplastic BCS is as safe as conventional BCS enabling breast conserving for patients who otherwise were candidates for mastectomy.     

Intraoperative Ultrasound and Oncoplastic Combined Approach: An Additional Tool for the Oncoplastic Surgeon to Obtain Tumor-Free Margins in Breast Conservative Surgery—A 2-Year Single-Center Prospective Study

BackgroundThe main goal of oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery (OBCS) is to obtain tumor-free resection margins after cancer excision with satisfactory cosmetic results. Positive tumor margins are associated with high rates of tumor recurrence requiring reoperation. The aim of this prospective clinical trial was to demonstrate the reliability of intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) to obtain tumor-free resection margins in OBCS.Patients and MethodsBetween December 2016 and March 2018, data from 130 patients with by T1-2 breast cancer, either invasive or in situ, who underwent OBCS were prospectively collected. The oncoplastic surgeon performed IOUS in the operating theater to localize the lesion and mark its skin projection. Then specimens were examined to assess the presence of the lesion and margin adequacy. Definitive histologic reports were reviewed, with a focus on margin status.ResultsAll patients experienced oncoplastic approaches, and lesions were always found on the specimen at the histologic report. In 126 cases (97%), margins were considered adequate. In 17 cases (13%), IOUS showed positive margins, and resection was contextually enlarged. In 12 of these (9%), the pathologic report confirmed the need for enlarged resection. This study shows that IOUS-guided surgery can obtain a high percentage of tumor-free resection margins in OBCS without scheduling conflicts between radiology, nuclear, and surgery departments. Full cooperation between radiologists and oncoplastic surgeons is required to achieve high-standard oncologic and reconstructive outcomes.ConclusionIOUS represent an additional tool for the breast surgeon to improve margin-free management of neoplastic lesions, preventing reoperations in patients undergoing oncoplastic surgery.     

Review of Variables Associated With Positive Surgical Margins Using Scout Reflector Localizations for Breast Conservation Therapy

ObjectiveTo evaluate factors contributing to positive surgical margins associated with reflector guidance for patients undergoing breast conserving therapy for malignancy.Materials and MethodsA retrospective IRB-approved review of our institutional database was performed for malignant breast lesions preoperatively localized from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020. The following data was recorded using electronic medical records: lesion type and grade, lesion location, reflector and wire placement modality, use of intraoperative ultrasound, margin status, patient age, family history, BMI, and final pathology. Statistical analysis was performed with univariate summary statistics and logistic regression. P < .05 was significant.ResultsA total of 606 image-guided pre-surgical localizations were performed for lumpectomies of breast malignancies. A total of 352 of 606 (58%) wire localizations and 254 of 606 (42%) SCOUT reflector localizations were performed. Sixty out of 352 (17%) of wire-localized patients had positive surgical margins, whereas forty-eight out of 254 (19%) of reflector-localized patients had positive surgical margins. (OR = 1.12, P value: .59). For reflector guided cases, the use of intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) was associated with decreased positive margin status (OR = 0 .28, 95% CI = [0.14, 0.58]) while in situ disease was associated with increased positive margin status (OR = 1.99, 95% CI = [1.05, 3.75]). No association between modality used for localization (mammography vs. ultrasound) and positive margin status was observed (OR = 0.63, 95% CI = [0.33, 1.19]). No association between positive margins and age, family history, tumor location and BMI was observed.ConclusionFor reflector guided surgeries, the use of IOUS was associated with decreased positive margins, by contrast the presence of ductal carcinoma in situ was associated with increased positive margins. There was no statistically significant difference in surgical outcomes for reflector-guided localization compared to wire localizations of the breast.     

Intra-operative ultrasound versus wire-guided localization in the surgical management of non-palpable breast cancers: systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction The current standard of treatment for non-palpable breast cancers is wire-guided localization (WGL). WGL has its drawbacks and alternatives such as radio-guided surgery (RGL) and intra-operative ultrasound (IOUS) have been developed. The clinical effectiveness of all forms of RGL has been assessed against WGL in previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses. We performed the first systematic review and meta-analysis of IOUS in the management of non-palpable breast cancers. Methods Studies were considered eligible for inclusion in this systematic review if they (1) assessed the role of surgeon-performed IOUS for the treatment of non-palpable breast cancers and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and (2) specified surgical margin excision status. Those studies, which were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or cohort studies with comparison WGL groups were included in the meta-analysis. For those studies included in the meta-analysis, pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using fixed-effects analyses and random-effects analyses in case of statistically significant heterogeneity (p < 0.05). Results Eighteen studies reported data on IOUS in 1,328 patients with non-palpable breast cancer and DCIS. Nine cohort studies with control WGL groups and one RCT were included in the meta-analysis. Successful localization rates varied between 95 and 100 % in all studies and there was a statistically significant difference in the rates of involved surgical margins in favour of IOUS with pooled OR 0.52 (95 % CI 0.38–0.71). Conclusion Compared with WGL, IOUS reduces involved surgical margin rates. Adequately powered RCTs are required to validate these findings.     

A combined,totally magnetic technique with a magnetic marker for non-palpable tumour localization and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for sentinel lymph node detection in breast cancer surgery

BackgroundSurgery for non-palpable breast cancer may often be a challenging procedure. Recently, a magnetic seed (Magseed^®) used for tumour localization has been developed. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIO) for sentinel lymph node (SN) detection is a novel tracer that may be injected up to four weeks preoperatively. This study is the first combining the magnetic seed and SPIO.Material and methodsPatients planned for breast conserving surgery and SN-biopsy (SNB) were recruited from two units in Sweden. Patients underwent lesion localization with Magseed^® and SPIO injection (Magtrace™) by the breast radiologist in the preoperative period. Feasibility of successful lesion localization and excision together with a successful SNB detection was evaluated. Seed migration, number of SNs, specimen volume and calculated resection ratio (CRR) were reported.A survey of the physicians’ experience was conducted.ResultsLocalization was performed at a median of three days before surgery (range 0–25). All 32 patients underwent microscopically radical resection with a CRR of 1.49. No seed migration was noticed. SNB was successful in all patients. A median of two SNs was retrieved. Radiologists and surgeons reported the procedure easy to learn and outperformed guidewire localization in terms of localization and excision time. They thought the technique facilitated planning localization and surgery.ConclusionsThe combined magnetic technique provided accuracy in tumour localization and SN detection without excess tissue excision and with promising results for flexibility in delivery of care. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.     

Image-guided tumor resection using real-time near-infrared fluorescence in a syngeneic rat model of primary breast cancer

Tumor involvement of resection margins is found in a large proportion of patients who undergo breast-conserving surgery. Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging is an experimental technique to visualize cancer cells during surgery. To determine the accuracy of real-time NIR fluorescence imaging in obtaining tumor-free resection margins, a protease-activatable NIR fluorescence probe and an intraoperative camera system were used in the EMR86 orthotopic syngeneic breast cancer rat model. Influence of concentration, timing and number of tumor cells were tested in the MCR86 rat breast cancer cell line. These variables were significantly associated with NIR fluorescence probe activation. Dosing and tumor size were also significantly associated with fluorescence intensity in the EMR86 rat model, whereas time of imaging was not. Real-time NIR fluorescence guidance of tumor resection resulted in a complete resection of 17 out of 17 tumors with minimal excision of normal healthy tissue (mean minimum and a mean maximum tumor-free margin of 0.2 ± 0.2 mm and 1.3 ± 0.6 mm, respectively). Moreover, the technique enabled identification of remnant tumor tissue in the surgical cavity. Histological analysis revealed that the NIR fluorescence signal was highest at the invasive tumor border and in the stromal compartment of the tumor. In conclusion, NIR fluorescence detection of breast tumor margins was successful in a rat model. This study suggests that clinical introduction of intraoperative NIR fluorescence imaging has the potential to increase the number of complete tumor resections in breast cancer patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery.     

Optimization of Wire-guided Technique With Bracketing Reduces Resection Volumes in Breast-conserving Surgery for Early Breast Cancer

BackgroundWire-guided localization (WGL) of early breast cancer can be facilitated using multiple wires, which is called bracketing wire-guided localization (BWL). The primary aim of this study is to compare BWL and conventional WGL regarding minimization of resection volumes without compromising margin status. Secondly, BWL is evaluated as an alternative method for intraoperative ultrasound (US) guidance in poorly definable breast tumors on US.Patients and MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, patients with preoperatively diagnosed breast cancer undergoing wide local excision between January 2016 and December 2018 were analyzed. Patients with multifocal disease or neoadjuvant treatment were excluded from this study. Optimal resection with minimal healthy breast tissue removal was assessed using the calculated resection ratio (CRR).ResultsBWL was performed in 17 (9%) patients, WGL in 44 (22%), and US in 139 (70%). The rate of negative margins was comparable in all 3 groups. The CRR was significantly smaller for BWL (0.6) than WGL (1.3) in tumors larger than 1.5 cm. Additionally, BWL (0.8) led to smaller CRRs than US (1.7). This could be explained by the high number of small tumors (≤ 1.5 cm) in the US group for which greater CRRs are obtained than for large tumors (> 1.5 cm) (1.9 vs. 1.4; P = .005).ConclusionFor breast tumors larger than 1.5 cm, BWL achieves more optimal resection volumes without compromising margin status compared with WGL. Moreover, BWL seems a suitable alternative to US in patients with poorly ultrasound-visible breast tumors and patients with a small tumor in a (large) breast.     

The outcome of patients with breast cancer who underwent breast conserving treatment with or without immediate volume replacement with autogenous tissue

Background  Breast conserving treatment (BCT) is accepted as an appropriate therapy for most patients with stage I and stage II breast cancer. However, BCT is associated with a relatively high incidence of local recurrence, and aesthetically unacceptable results occur in some patients. A novel method of immediate volume replacement using autogenous tissue has been developed to strike a balance between adequate excision and cosmesis. We determined the oncological outcome in patients with breast cancer treated with wide excision, immediate volume replacement with autogenous tissue, and axillary dissection followed by radiotherapy. Methods  One hundred fifty-three patients with TIS, stage I, II, or III breast cancer underwent wide excision and axillary dissection. The surgical margin of excised breast tissue was examined histologically during surgery. If involved, the breast tissue adjacent to the primary site was excised. When the margin of re-excision was positive, patients underwent modified radical mastectomy with or without breast reconstruction. After wide excision, immediate volume replacement with autogenous tissue was performed, unless the deformity was corrected by undermining and conization of the residual breast tissue. Postoperatively, all patients received breast irradiation. Results  Eighteen patients underwent modified radical mastectomy. The surgical margin was negative in 132 of the 135 patients who underwent BCT. The crude local recurrence rate was 0.7% (1/135). Estimated overall and disease-free 5-year survival rates were 96% and 94%, respectively. Conclusions  Wide excision with tumor-free margins and axillary dissection followed by breast irradiation provides adequate local control in many patients with breast cancer. Immediate breast volume replacement with autogenous tissue may avoid some unpleasant cosmetic results associated with extensive local resection. Our technique eliminates the need for mastectomy in selected patients.     

Is the future magnetic? Magseed localisation for non palpable breast cancer. A multi-centre non randomised control study

IntroductionMagseed is an alternative method of localising non-palpable breast lesions that has addressed many of the limitations of wire guided localisation (WGL). It consists of a paramagnetic seed that can be visualised on mammography and ultrasound. Intraoperative localisation of the seed is achieved with the use of the Sentimag probe. The aim of this study was to prospectively compare localisation in patients undergoing wide local excision (WLE) for non-palpable lesions between Magseed and WGL.MethodsWe prospectively collected data on all patients undergoing image-guided WLE between October 2017 and September 2018 in two academic breast units with a planned accrual of 100 consecutive patients undergoing Magseed localisation. Data was also collected on a cohort of 100 consecutive patients undergoing WGL in the same time period.ResultsDemographic and disease characteristics were well balanced between the two groups. 4/104 patients were converted preoperatively from Magseed to WGL (2 misplaced Magseeds; 2 undetected Magseeds). Intraoperative identification and excision of the localised lesion was successful in all patients as confirmed with specimen radiography. Overall no significant differences were observed in the proportion of patients requiring re-excision between the two groups (Magseed 16% vs. WGL 14% p = 0.692). Specimens size by weight and volume was similar for both groups (Magseed 39.6 g vs. WGL 44.5 g p = 0.206 and 90.1 cm³ for Magseed vs. 95.6 cm³ for WGL p = 0.579).ConclusionsIn our series Magseed localisation proved to be as reliable and effective as WGL in terms of lesion identification, excision with tumour free margins and specimen weight.     

In vivo margin assessment during partial mastectomy breast surgery using raman spectroscopy

We present the first demonstration of in vivo collection of Raman spectra of breast tissue. Raman spectroscopy, which analyzes molecular vibrations, is a promising new technique for the diagnosis of breast cancer. We have collected 31 Raman spectra from nine patients undergoing partial mastectomy procedures to show the feasibility of in vivo Raman spectroscopy for intraoperative margin assessment. The data was fit with an established model, resulting in spectral-based tissue characterization in only 1 second. Application of our previously developed diagnostic algorithm resulted in perfect sensitivity and specificity for distinguishing cancerous from normal and benign tissues in our small data set. Significantly, we have detected a grossly invisible cancer that, upon pathologic review, required the patient to undergo a second surgical procedure. Had Raman spectroscopy been used in a real-time fashion to guide tissue excision during the procedure, the additional reexcision surgery might have been avoided. These preliminary findings suggest that Raman spectroscopy has the potential to lessen the need for reexcision surgeries resulting from positive margins and thereby reduce the recurrence rate of breast cancer following partial mastectomy surgeries.     

Intraoperative ultrasound is an effective and preferable technique to localize non-palpable breast tumors

Introduction

Non-palpable breast tumors represent an increasing management problem in modern Breast Units. Therefore, a simple and accurate procedure to localize these lesions is needed. To date, the most commonly used technique is wire localization, but there are some disadvantages.

Methods

We conducted a prospective study on patients with malignant or benign non-palpable breast tumors who were surgically treated and underwent intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) from May 2006 to June 2007. Margins of excision were inked and specifically assessed by the pathologist, and were considered positive if ≤1 mm.

Results

There were 77 patients (60 malignant and 17 benign lesions), with a median age of 54 years (36–87), and a median diameter of 9 mm (4–17). All lesions were correctly identified and localized by IOUS, and free margins of excision were obtained in 75/77 cases (97%). Only two patients required a re-excision, one for multifocal disease and one for margins of excision of 1 mm. In the remaining cases, the median distance from the tumor to the closest margins of excision, with exclusion of the posterior (fascial) and anterior (skin) margins, was 1.3 cm (0.3–3.2).

Conclusions

IOUS is a simple and accurate procedure that can be used to identify most non-palpable breast tumors, and has many advantages over the more commonly used wire-localization technique.     

Factors predisposing to cavity margin positivity following conservation surgery for breast cancer

AIMS: Incomplete excision leads to local recurrence following breast conservation therapy (BCT). The aim of this study was to examine factors associated with cavity margin (CM) positivity and return to theatre rates. METHODS: Breast conservation surgery with entire CM excision was the initial procedure in 301 patients with 303 breast cancers. Of these, 258 patients were treated successfully with breast conservation surgery and 43 patients subsequently required a mastectomy for persistent involved margins. The mean and median follow-up was 38 and 42 (range 6-78) months, respectively. RESULTS: Positive CMs were found in 73 out of 303 tumours. Large tumour size (p<0.001) and tumour type (invasive lobular cancer and ductal carcinoma in-situ) (p=0.043) were significant predictors of CM positivity both by univariate and multivariate analysis. As a result of CM status in relation to initial margin (IM) status, 60 cancers treated that were IM positive but CM negative avoided return for further excision at a second operative procedure. CONCLUSION: Complete CM excision should avoid the need for further re-excision surgery in most patients where initial specimen margin was positive.     

Ultrasonography-Guided Breast-Conserving Surgery Is Superior to Palpation-Guided Surgery for Palpable Breast Cancer

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of ultrasonography (US)–guided excision of palpable breast cancer and to compare it with the standard palpation-guided breast-conserving surgery (BCS).MethodsFor this purpose, 335 women with palpable breast cancer who underwent BCS were retrospectively studied. The positive surgical margins and re-excision rates were investigated.ResultsOf the total cohort, 137 patients were treated with palpation-guided BCS and 198 underwent US-guided tumor excision. The tumor and patient characteristics were similar in both groups. Patient age, postmenopausal status, tumor size, histological grade, intraductal tumor component, lobular histology, and palpation-guided tumor excision were associated with increased risk of positive margins. The shave margins were re-excised at the time of original operation more often by palpation-guided localization (28.5%) than by the US-guided procedure (11.1%) (P < .0001). A surgeon was able to correctly identify the “problematic” margin in 81.1% of cases via intraoperative US and in only 17.9% via palpation (P < .0001). The re-excision rate during a second operation was significantly reduced by US-guided tumorectomy (P = .004). Of 198 patients in the US-guided group, 23 (11.6%) underwent a second operation, as did 33 of 137 patients in the palpation group (24.1%). The sensitivity and specificity of US-guided excisions were 52.7% and 97.5%, respectively, whereas the sensitivity and the specificity of palpation-guided tumor excisions were 15.5% and 65.9%, respectively.ConclusionUS-guided BCS is superior to palpation-guided excision in predicting the closest margins, obtaining clear surgical margins, and reducing re-operations.     

Preoperative localisation techniques in breast conservative surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The preoperative localisation of non-palpable lesions guided by breast imaging is an important and required procedure for breast-conserving surgery. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on the comparative impact of different techniques for guided surgical excision of non-palpable breast lesions from reports of clinical or patient-reported outcomes and costs. A literature search of PubMed, ISI, SCOPUS and Cochrane databases was conducted for relevant publications and their references, along with public documents, national and international guidelines, conference proceedings and presentations. From 5720 retrieved articles screened through title and abstract, 5346 were excluded and 374 assessed for full-text eligibility. For data extraction and quality assessment, 49 studies were included. Results of this review demonstrate that Radioactive Seed Localisation (RSL) and Radioactive Occult Lesion Localisation (ROLL) outperform Wire in terms of involved margins and reoperations. Between RSL and ROLL, there is a tendency to favour RSL. Similarly, Clip-guided localisation seems preferred when compared to ROLL, however further studies are needed. In summary, there seems to exist evidence that RSL and ROLL are better than Wire, representing potential alternatives, with a quick learning curve, better scheduling and management issues. Although, for recent techniques, more research is needed in order to achieve the same level of evidence.     

彩色多普勒超声引导下亚甲蓝边界定位法在乳腺癌保乳手术中的应用价值

目的探讨术前彩色多普勒超声引导下应用亚甲蓝定位肿瘤边界在乳腺癌保乳手术中的效果。方法收集2015年5月至2017年12月拟行保乳手术的乳腺癌患者120例,随机分为观察组和对照组各60例。观察组术前在彩色多普勒超声引导下行亚甲蓝定位,对照组采用传统手术方法。所有标本切除后进行病理检查,统计两组切缘情况。从精准性及微创性两方面比较两种方法的手术效果。结果观察组中,3例(5.0%)最大切缘>2 cm,57例(95.0%)最大切缘≤2 cm;对照组中,31例(51.7%)最大切缘>2 cm,29例(48.3%)最大切缘≤2 cm。两组比较差异有统计学意义(P=0.000)。观察组6例(10.0%)患者的手术标本镜下切缘阳性,54例(90.0%)切缘阴性;对照组15例(25.0%)镜下切缘阳性,45例(75.0%)切缘阴性。两组比较差异有统计学意义(P=0.031)。观察组和对照组分别有2例和3例在行二次扩切后切缘仍为阳性,改行乳腺全切手术。结论采用术前彩色多普勒超声引导下亚甲蓝定位肿瘤边界指导乳腺癌保乳手术的方法较常规方法在手术精准性及微创性两方面均有优势。