Effect of primary tumor resection on overall survival in patients with stage IV breast cancer

We aimed to evaluate the effect of primary tumor resection on overall survival in stage IV breast cancer patients. In total, 284 breast cancer patients presenting with breast cancer at stage IV at initial diagnosis, between 2001 and 2014, were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups based on surgical resection of the primary tumor. Overall survival (OS) between the two groups was analyzed. Patients in the surgery group (n = 92) had smaller tumors than those in the no‐surgery group (n = 192, T0‐1:17.7% vs 34.8%, P < 0.001). The surgery group more often had negative nodal status (5.7% vs 33.7%, P < 0.001). Multiple metastatic organ sites were more common in the no‐surgery group than in the surgery group (55.7% vs 15.2%, P < 0.001). The surgery group showed a better OS than the no‐surgery group (P = 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that surgical resection of primary tumors tended to be associated with improved OS (HR = 0.67, P = 0.055). T stage, ER, HER2 and metastatic organ sites were independent prognostic factors for OS in multivariate analysis. Surgical resection of the primary tumor may be a treatment option for patients with stage IV disease and may not have a negative effect on overall survival.     

Initial outcomes with image‐guided partial breast irradiation delivered with intensity‐modulated radiation therapy

Patients were treated at a single institution to a dose of 30 Gy in five fractions delivered every other day using image‐guided intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) partial breast irradiation. A total of 34 patients were treated with a median follow‐up of 4.6 months. The rate of acute Grade 1 dermatitis was 23.5% (n = 8), and Grade 1 fatigue was 17.6% (n = 6), with no Grade 2 or higher acute toxicities. The rate of chronic Grade 1 dermatitis was 25.0% (n = 6), Grade 1 fat necrosis 4.2% (n=1), with no patients demonstrating other chronic toxicities. Image‐guided APBI delivered with IMRT is associated with low rates of acute and chronic toxicity though additional follow‐up is warranted.     

Utilization of BioZorb implantable device in breast‐conserving surgery

BioZorb fiducial marker is an implantable device made of six clips to mark the surgical site of tissue removal in three dimensions. The marker facilitates focused radiation therapy, while allowing for tissue ingrowth during the healing process with resorption by the body overtime. Current literature investigating the use of the BioZorb is limited and focused on its value for radiation treatment. Our objective was to investigate the feasibility and surgical complications associated with the BioZorb in breast‐conserving surgery. From April 2015 to June 2018, 89 patients who underwent 91 partial mastectomies with planned adjuvant radiation therapy and placement of the BioZorb. Demographics, type of BioZorb used, complication rate, and postoperative examinations were analyzed. A total of 89 patients who were a median age of 59 years (range 34‐84) underwent 91 operations with BioZorb placement—86.8% underwent a partial mastectomy (n = 79), and 13.2% underwent a breast wide re‐excision for margins at the time of BioZorb placement (n = 12). Of the 79 partial mastectomies, 21.5% (n = 17) were palpable tumors. Location of the tumor and subsequent BioZorb placement was most often in the upper outer quadrant (40.7%), followed by upper inner (27.5%), lower outer (20.9%), and lower inner quadrants (10.9%). 92.3% (n = 84) had a single BioZorb placed, 5.5% (n = 5) had two BioZorbs placed in a single lumpectomy cavity, and 2.2% (n = 2) had two BioZorbs placed in separate lumpectomy cavities of the same breast. Of the 10 different tissue marker sizes used, a 2 × 3 cm BioZorb was most commonly used (37/98, 37.8%), followed by 3 × 4 cm (25/98, 25.5%) and 1 × 3 × 2 (9/98, 9.2%). A total of five patients underwent immediate bilateral breast reduction following placement of the BioZorb. Of the 91 operations, 22 patients had a subsequent reoperation for positive margins after initial placement of the BioZorb, of which 86.4% retained the BioZorb . During these reoperations, only 1 patient had the BioZorb removed due to discomfort (4.5%) and two had it removed due to subsequent mastectomy (9.1%). At a median time of 1.1 years, the BioZorb continued to be palpable on clinical breast examination in 63.6% of patients. The longest time that the BioZorb continued to be palpable was 2.8 years. Additional imaging was ordered because a clinician palpated a mass, unaware it was the BioZorb 8.8% of the time (n = 8). Thirty‐day complications include 3.3% of patients with an infection requiring antibiotics (n = 3) and 2.2% with an abscess requiring aspiration and antibiotics without removal of the BioZorb. One patient had migration of the BioZorb from the breast to the axilla which resulted in surgical explant at 9 months post‐op. BioZorb is feasible to use in breast‐conserving surgery with few short‐ and long‐term complications, but will result in a palpable mass that may persist for more than 1 year. Explantation is rare.     

Primary tumor resection in patients with stage IV breast cancer: 10-year experience

The role of surgery in the management of stage IV breast cancer is controversial. Existing studies in Stage IV breast cancer have not closely evaluated the role of patient response to induction systemic therapy (IST) in its relationship to survival outcomes. We identified all patients with a diagnosis of de novo stage IV breast cancer who underwent surgery of their primary tumor from January 2008 to December 2018. Patients were grouped according to their response in the primary disease site into progression (progressive primary disease) or no progression (nonprogressive primary; comprising complete, partial and stable response). We identified a total of 45 stage IV breast cancer patients who underwent operative intervention of their primary breast tumor. Prior to surgical intervention, progression in the primary site during IST was identified in 13/42 patients (31%), of whom four patients also had progression in the distant disease. The 5-year survival was higher in the nonprogressive primary (74%) than the progressive primary disease group (52%) which did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.08). Age, pathologic tumor size, clinical nodal status, number of positive lymph nodes, and distant disease response to systemic therapy were significantly associated with survival. In this single institution experience, select patients with stage IV breast cancer at initial diagnosis who underwent resection of the primary tumor following systemic therapy achieved favorable overall and distant progression-free survival. Surgery is reasonable to consider for local palliation or in selected patients who have excellent response to systemic therapy and good performance status.     

Outpatient thyroidectomy in the pediatric population

Preoperative optimization and patient education have allowed for the transition of thyroid surgery to the outpatient setting over the last few decades. Performing these operations in the outpatient setting has proven to be cost-effective and safe in the adult population. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of outpatient thyroid surgery in the pediatric population. A retrospective review from December 2015 to February 2019 of patients under the age of 18 years of age undergoing thyroidectomy performed by two endocrine surgeons at a large academic was performed. There were 55 consecutive operations performed in 51 patients for thyroid pathology, two were excluded as they were inpatient procedures. Cases were reviewed for complications, unplanned same-day admission, 30-day admission, unplanned reoperation, and death. Mean age was 15 ± 0.3 years (range 9–18 years), 79% of the patients were female. Operations were performed for Graves’ disease (n = 29), thyroid cancer (n = 9), thyroid nodule (n = 6), multinodular goiter (n = 4), Hashimoto’s disease (n = 3), and toxic adenoma (n = 2). Operations performed included: total thyroidectomy (n = 36), thyroid lobectomy (n = 13), total thyroidectomy with lymph node dissection (n = 2), and lateral neck dissection (n = 2). All patients were discharged home within 6 h after completion of the operation. Five (9.4%) patients had transient hypoparathyroidism, with parathyroid hormone levels <10 pg/mL immediately postoperatively. One patient (1.9%) developed a postoperative hematoma on postoperative day six and required reoperation and readmission. Two patients (3.8%) had permanent hypoparathyroidism and one had transient hoarseness (1.9%). There were otherwise no readmissions or ED visits. In conclusion, outpatient thyroid surgery is safe and effective for pediatric patients.     

Outcomes with intraoperative radiation therapy for early‐stage breast cancer

Adjuvant radiation therapy has been associated with improved local control following breast‐conserving surgery. Traditionally, treatment has been delivered with whole breast irradiation over 3‐6 weeks or partial breast irradiation over 1‐3 weeks. However, intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) has emerged as a technique that delivers a single dose of radiotherapy at the time of surgery for early‐stage breast cancers. We report initial outcomes and acute toxicities with intraoperative radiation from a single institution. Patients with DCIS or Stage I‐II breast cancer who underwent lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy (nodal sampling excluded in some cases) were included. All patients in this analysis were treated with IORT as at the time of surgery, 20 Gy in 1 fraction with 50 kV x‐ray. Patients were treated at a single institution between 2011 and 2019. Follow‐up was per standard institutional protocol. Two hundred and one patients were included in the analysis, with a median follow‐up of 23 months (range: 0‐73 months). Median age was 71 years old. Overall, 4 (2.0%) patients had DCIS, 186 (92.5%) patients had Stage 1 disease, and 11 patients had (5.5%) Stage 2 disease. All patients were estrogen receptor‐positive, 175 (87.9%) progesterone receptor‐positive, and 1 (0.5%) HER2 amplified. The crude rate of local recurrence was 2.0% (n = 4) and distant metastasis rate was 0.5% (n = 1). The rate of arm lymphedema was 0.5% (n = 1) and chronic telangiectasia rate was 1.1% (n = 2). Intraoperative radiation therapy, in a cohort of low‐risk patients, demonstrated low rates of recurrence and reproducibility in a multi‐disciplinary setting. Further follow‐up, analysis of patient satisfaction and cosmesis, and comparison to whole breast irradiation and partial breast techniques is necessary in order to further validate these findings.     

Use of polysaccharide hemostatic agent (HaemoCer™) in breast cancer surgery to reduce postoperative complications: A randomised controlled trial

Postoperative wound-site bleeding, tissue inflammation and seroma formation are well-known complications in the field of breast surgery. Hemostatic agents consisting of polysaccharides may be used intra-operatively to minimise postoperative complications. We conducted a prospective randomised-controlled, single-centre study including 136 patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery for invasive or intraductal breast cancer. Of these, 68 patients were randomised to receive an absorbable polysaccharide hemostatic agent into the wound site during surgery, while 68 patients were randomised to the control group and did not receive any hemostatic agent. Primary outcome was the total volume of postoperative drained fluid from the surgical site. Secondary outcomes were the number of days until drain removal and rate of immediate postoperative surgical site infection Patients in the intervention group had significantly higher drainage output volumes compared with the control group 85 mL (IQR 46.25–110) versus 50 mL (IQR 30–75), respectively; (P = .003). Univariable linear regression analyses showed a significant association between the surgical specimen and the primary outcome (P < .001). After multivariable analysis, the use of absorbable polysaccharide hemostatic product was no longer significantly associated with a higher drainage output and only the size of the surgical specimen remained a significant predictor. The number of days until drainage removal and the postoperative seroma formation were higher in the intervention group (P = .004) and (P = .003), respectively. In our study, intraoperative application of polysaccharide hemostatic agent during breast-conserving surgery did not decrease postoperative fluid production. Only the size of the surgical specimen was significantly associated with postoperative drainage volume.     

Utilization of multiple SAVI SCOUT surgical guidance system reflectors in the same breast: A single‐institution feasibility study

SAVI SCOUT Surgical Guidance System has been shown to be a reliable and safe alternative to wire localization in breast surgery. This study evaluated the feasibility of using multiple reflectors in the same breast. We performed an IRB‐approved, HIPAA‐compliant, single‐institution retrospective review of 183 patients who underwent breast lesion localization and excision using SAVI SCOUT Surgical Guidance System (Cianna Medical) between June 2015 and January 2017. We performed a subset analysis in 42 patients in whom more than one reflector was placed. Specimen radiography, pathology, distance between reflectors, target removal, margin positivity, and complications were evaluated. Among 183 patients, 42 patients had more than one reflector placed in the same breast to localize 68 lesions. Benign (n = 6, 8.8%), high‐risk (n = 23, 33.8%), and malignant (n = 39, 57.4%) lesions were included. Thirty‐six patients (85.7%) had a total of 2 reflectors placed and 6 patients had a total of 3 reflectors placed (14.3%). The indications for multiple reflector placement in the same breast included multiple separate lesions (n = 23) and bracketing of large lesions (n = 19). The mean distance between the reflectors was 42 mm (22‐93 mm). All lesions were successfully targeted and retrieved. Of 39 malignant lesions, 10.3% (n = 4) had positive margins and 10.3% (n = 4) had close (<1 mm) margins at surgery. All patients with positive margins underwent re‐excision. No complications occurred preoperatively, intra‐operatively, or postoperatively. The use of multiple SAVI SCOUT reflectors for localizing multiple lesions in the same breast or bracketing large lesions is feasible and safe.     

Ultrasonographic assessment of male breast diseases

Although rare and accounting for less than 1% of all breast cancers, the incidence of breast cancer in men has increased by 26% over the past few decades. Very little has been reported on the sonographic appearance of benign and malignant male breast conditions. The aim of this study was to describe the ultrasonographic features of male breast disease and the value of ultrasound in the evaluation of male breast disease. Between December 2006 and October 2014, ultrasound examinations were performed in 560 male patients presenting with enlargement of, pain in, and/or a lump in the breast. One hundred and thirty‐six patients (24.3%) underwent surgical excision, and 424 patients (75.7%) were diagnosed by ultrasound. Their ultrasonographic features were retrospectively evaluated. The final diagnoses were gynecomastia (n = 537), primary breast cancer (n = 9), lipoma (n = 7), chronic mastitis (n = 6), and fibroadenoma (n = 1). Of the 560 lesions, 356 (63.6%) were classified as Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI‐RADS) category 2, 191 (34.1%) were classified as BI‐RADS category 3, and 13 (2.3%) were classified as BI‐RADS 4 or 5. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of the detection of malignant breast masses according to ultrasound were 100%, 99.3%, 69.2%, 100%, and 97.7% respectively. The sonographic patterns of gynecomastia were nodular (n = 131, 24.4%), dendritic (n = 50, 9.3%), and diffuse glandular (n = 356, 66.3%). Color Doppler flow imaging revealed hypervascularity in five of these malignant masses, moderate vascularity in two of the masses, and mild vascularity in the remaining two masses. Other diseases included in the study are also described. Ultrasonography (US) is useful in the diagnosis of male breast diseases, especially in differentiating cancer from benign lesions.     

Intraoperative radiation therapy for breast cancer—Immediate and 30‐month oncological outcomes

There is growing evidence that intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) may be a viable option in selected patients with early breast cancer. This study reports our 4‐year experience with IORT. The perioperative outcome and imaging data of all patients who underwent IORT for early breast cancer at a tertiary medical center in 2014‐2018 were retrospectively retrieved. The cohort included 158 patients aged 52‐84 years (mean 68) with stage I (n = 137) or II (n = 21) breast cancer. Mean applicator size was 4.13 cm; IORT added a mean of 29 minutes to the operative time. Minor wound infections (n = 18, 11.4%) requiring antibiotics and drainage were the only postoperative complication. In 25 patients (15%), postoperative mammography demonstrated a seroma (n = 22) or fat necrosis (n = 3). The risk of wound infection or a new postoperative imaging finding was unrelated to patient age, operative time, tumor size, or comorbid diabetes or obesity. After a mean of 30 months' follow‐up, none of the patients who met the institutional criteria for IORT had local recurrence, regardless of age, histology, tumor grade, KI67 proliferation index, pathologic stage, Recurrence Score, or additional whole‐breast irradiation or adjuvant treatment. Patients for whom a Recurrence Score was determined (n = 55, 35%) had a significantly higher tumor grade, pathologic stage, and whole‐breast irradiation/adjuvant chemotherapy rate than the remaining patients. IORT may be a safe alternative to traditional external beam radiation in well‐selected patients with early breast cancer, with few minor complications and good 30‐month outcome.     

Outcome and feasibility of palliative chemotherapy in very elderly patients with metastatic breast cancer

In the Netherlands, approximately 1300 women aged ≥75 years die every year of metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Data on palliative chemotherapy (CT) in very elderly patients are rare, and prospective studies appeared cumbersome. Therefore, we retrospectively analyzed the outcome and feasibility of chemotherapy in elderly MBC patients. Records of all patients with MBC aged ≥75 years who received first‐line palliative chemotherapy between January 2000 and December 2014 at two large teaching hospitals in the Netherlands were reviewed. We registered patient and tumor characteristics together with data on previous adjuvant treatment, palliative endocrine treatment, comorbidities, clinical benefit (defined as ≥6 months progression‐free survival), toxicity, and the reason for stopping chemotherapy. Patients with progressive disease (PD) or death within 30 days after starting CT were censored from analysis. A total of 54 patients with a median age of 77.6 years (range 75‐90) were treated with palliative chemotherapy for MBC. Of them, 20 patients (37%) were aged ≥ 80 years. There was clinical benefit in 28 patients (52%). Median progression‐free survival and median overall survival were 6.0 and 14.0 months, respectively. One year after the diagnosis of MBC, 27 patients (50%) were still alive and 15 patients (28%) lived longer than 2 years. Reasons for stopping CT were progressive disease (n = 32) or toxicity (n = 13). Most patients (n = 48) died of MBC while two patients died of toxicity. In selected patients with MBC aged 75 years or older, single‐agent palliative chemotherapy is feasible and may have clinical benefit.     

Impact of Surgery on Survival in Stage IV Breast Cancer

We aimed to assess retrospectively the survival outcome in patients with stage IV breast cancer who underwent surgery. In a retrospective, nonrandomized study of stage IV breast cancer patients diagnosed in a single institution between 2000 and 2012, we assessed patient's survival in the context of baseline characteristics. A total 678 patients with metastatic breast cancer were included; 412 (60.77%) underwent surgery for the primary tumor (Surgery group), and 266 (39%) did not underwent surgery for the primary tumor (Nonsurgery group), with a median follow‐up of 41 months. Patients in the Surgery group had longer survival (41 versus 27 months, p < 0.0029). The 5‐year survival rate for Surgery group was 34% compared with 14% for the Nonsurgery group. A multivariate analysis revealed surgery (p = 0.0003), large tumor size (p = 0.0195), ER‐positive (p < 0.0001), and metastasis at presentation (p = 0.0032) were prognostic variables. Loco‐regional surgery does confer a survival advantage in stage IV breast cancer, however, selection bias cannot be excluded, a well‐designed and powerful randomized, controlled trial would be valuable to answer whether surgery can improve survival.     

A pilot multicentre randomised controlled trial of lidocaine infusion in women undergoing breast cancer surgery

Chronic postoperative pain is common after breast cancer surgery. Peri-operative lidocaine infusion may prevent the development of chronic postoperative pain, but a large-scale trial is required to test this hypothesis. It is unclear whether a pragmatic, multicentre trial design that is consistent with expert guidance, addresses the limitations of previous studies, and overcomes existing translational barriers is safe, effective and feasible. We conducted a double-blind, randomised controlled pilot study in 150 patients undergoing breast cancer surgery across three hospitals in Western Australia. Patients received lidocaine, or equivalent volumes of saline, as an intravenous bolus (1.5 mg.kg^-1) and infusion (2 mg.kg^-1.h^-1) intra-operatively, and a subcutaneous infusion (1.33 mg.kg^-1.h^-1) postoperatively for up to 12 h on a standard surgical ward, with novel safety monitoring tools in place. The co-primary outcomes were: in-hospital safety events; serum levels of lidocaine during intravenous and subcutaneous infusion; and annualised enrolment rates per site with long-term data capture. In-hospital safety events were rare, and similar in the placebo and lidocaine arms (3% vs. 1%). Median (IQR [range]) serum lidocaine levels during intravenous (2.16 (1.74–2.83 [1.12–6.06]) µg.ml^-1, n = 41) and subcutaneous (1.52 (1.28–1.83 [0.64–2.85]) µg.ml^-1, n = 48) infusion were comparable with previous trials reporting improved pain outcomes. Annualised enrolment approximated 50 patients per site per year, with high levels of protocol adherence and ≥ 99% capture of outcomes at 3 and 6 months. The adjusted odds ratio (95%CI) for postoperative pain at 6 months in the lidocaine arm was 0.790 (0.370–1.684). We conclude that this trial, as designed, is safe, effective and feasible in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery, and a larger-scale trial is planned.     

Intensive glycemic control after heart transplantation is safe and effective for diabetic and non‐diabetic patients

Some studies have shown increased mortality, infection, and rejection rates among diabetic (DM) compared to non‐diabetic (non‐DM) patients undergoing heart transplant (HT). This is a retrospective chart review of adult patients (DM, n = 26; non‐DM, n = 66) undergoing HT between June 1, 2005, and July 31, 2009. Glycemic control used intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SQ) insulin protocols with a glucose target of 80–110 mg/dL. There were no significant differences between DM and non‐DM patients in mean glucose levels on the IV and SQ insulin protocols. Severe hypoglycemia (glucose <40 mg/dL) did not occur on the IV protocol and was experienced by only 3 non‐DM patients on the SQ protocol. Moderate hypoglycemia (glucose >40 and <60 mg/dL) occurred in 17 (19%) patients on the IV protocol and 24 (27%) on the SQ protocol. There were no significant differences between DM and non‐DM patients within 30 d of surgery in all‐cause mortality, treated HT rejection episodes, reoperation, prolonged ventilation, 30‐d readmissions, ICU readmission, number of ICU hours, hospitalization days after HT, or infections. This study demonstrates that DM and non‐DM patients can achieve excellent glycemic control post‐HT with IV and SQ insulin protocols with similar surgical outcomes and low hypoglycemia rates.     

Perioperative risks of bariatric surgery among patients with and without history of solid organ transplant

Bariatric surgery is effective among patients with previous transplant in limited case series. However, the perioperative safety of bariatric surgery in this patient population is poorly understood. Therefore, we assessed the safety of bariatric surgery among previous‐transplant patients using a database that captures >92% of all US bariatric procedures. All primary, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass procedures between 2017 and 2018 were identified from the MBSAQIP dataset. Patients with previous transplant (n = 610) were compared with patients without previous transplant (n = 321 447). Primary outcomes were 30 day readmissions, surgical complications, medical complications, and death. Multivariable logistic regression with predictive margins was used to compare outcomes. Previous transplant patients experienced higher incidence of readmissions (8.0% vs 3.5%), surgical complications (5.0% vs 2.7%), and medical complications (4.3% vs 1.5%). There was no difference in incidence of death (0.2% vs 0.1%). Among individual complications, there no statistical differences in intraabdominal leak, unplanned reoperation, myocardial infarction, or infectious complications. Baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate was found to be a strong moderator of primary outcomes, with the highest risk of complications occurring at the lowest baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate. Given the many long‐term benefits of bariatric surgery among patients with previous transplant, our findings should not preclude this patient population from operative consideration.     

Real‐time electromagnetic navigation for breast‐conserving surgery using NaviKnife technology: A matched case‐control study

Breast‐conserving surgery (BCS) is a mainstay in breast cancer treatment. For nonpalpable breast cancers, current strategies have limited accuracy, contributing to high positive margin rates. We developed NaviKnife, a surgical navigation system based on real‐time electromagnetic (EM) tracking. The goal of this study was to confirm the feasibility of intraoperative EM navigation in patients with nonpalpable breast cancer and to assess the potential value of surgical navigation. We recruited 40 patients with ultrasound visible, single, nonpalpable lesions, undergoing BCS. Feasibility was assessed by equipment functionality and sterility, acceptable duration of the operation, and surgeon feedback. Secondary outcomes included specimen volume, positive margin rate, and reoperation outcomes. Study patients were compared to a control group by a matched case‐control analysis. There was no equipment failure or breach of sterility. The median operative time was 66 (44‐119) minutes with NaviKnife vs 65 (34‐158) minutes for the control (P = .64). NaviKnife contouring time was 3.2 (1.6‐9) minutes. Surgeons rated navigation as easy to setup, easy to use, and useful in guiding nonpalpable tumor excision. The mean specimen volume was 95.4 ± 73.5 cm³ with NaviKnife and 140.7 ± 100.3 cm³ for the control (P = .01). The positive margin rate was 22.5% with NaviKnife and 28.7% for the control (P = .52). The re‐excision specimen contained residual disease in 14.3% for NaviKnife and 50% for the control (P = .28). Our results demonstrate that real‐time EM navigation is feasible in the operating room for BCS. Excisions performed with navigation result in the removal of less breast tissue without compromising postive margin rates.     

Oncoplastic Mammoplasty as a Strategy for Reducing Reconstructive Complications Associated with Postmastectomy Radiation Therapy

Given the high complication rates in patients who require radiation therapy (XRT) after mastectomy and immediate reconstruction, and the low local recurrence rates following neo‐adjuvant chemotherapy and breast conservation therapy, we sought to determine if using neo‐adjuvant chemotherapy and oncoplastic mammoplasty as an alternative to mastectomy and immediate reconstruction is an effective strategy for reducing complication rates in the setting of XRT. A prospectively maintained data base was queried for patients who received neo‐adjuvant chemotherapy and XRT between 2001 and 2010 and underwent either oncoplastic mammoplasty or mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. Rates of postoperative complications between groups were compared using Fisher's exact test. Outcomes from 37 patients who underwent oncoplastic mammoplasty were compared to 64 patients who underwent mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. Mean follow‐up was 33 months (range 4–116 months). Rates of postoperative complications, including unplanned operative intervention for a reconstructive complication (2.7% versus 37.5%, p < 0.001), skin flap necrosis (10.8% versus 29.7%, p = 0.05), and infection (16.2% versus 35.9, p = 0.04) were significantly higher in the mastectomy group. Overall, 45.3% of patients who underwent mastectomy developed at least one breast complication, compared to 18.9% of patients who underwent oncoplastic mammoplasty (p = 0.01). If XRT is indicated after mastectomy, attempts should be made to achieve breast conservation through the use of neo‐adjuvant therapy and oncoplastic surgery in order to optimize surgical outcomes. Breast conservation with oncoplastic reconstruction does not compromise oncologic outcome, but significantly reduces complications compared to postmastectomy reconstruction followed by XRT.     

Intraoperative inking is superior to suture marking for specimen orientation in breast cancer

Margin status is an important indicator of residual disease after breast‐conserving surgery (BCS). Intraoperatively, surgeons orient specimens to aid assessment of margins and guide re‐excision of positive margins. We performed a retrospective review of BCS cases from 2013 to 2017 to compare the two specimen orientation methods: suture marking and intraoperative inking. Patients with ductal carcinoma in situ, T1/T2 invasive cancer treated with BCS were included. Rates of positive margins and residual disease at re‐excision were evaluated. 189 patients underwent BCS; 83 had suture marking, 103 had intraoperative inking and 3 had un‐oriented specimens. The incidence of positive margins was 29% (24 patients) in the suture marked group and 20% (21 patients) in the intraoperative inked group (P = .18). Among the 45 patients with positive margins, 60% of tumors were stage T1, 76% were node negative, 36% were palpable with median tumor size of 1.5 cm. Residual disease was identified on re‐excision in 21% of the suture marked specimens and 57% of intraoperative inked specimens (P = .028). The incidence of residual cancer at re‐excision for positive margins was higher for intraoperatively inked versus suture marked specimens. This finding suggests that intraoperative inking is more effective at guiding re‐excision of positive margins.     

Surgical treatment of young women with breast cancer: Public vs private hospitals

Disparities in breast cancer treatment have been documented in young and underserved women. This study aimed to determine whether surgical disparities exist among young breast cancer patients by comparing cancer treatment at a public safety‐net hospital (BH) and private cancer center (PCC) within a single institution. This was a retrospective study of young women (<45) diagnosed with invasive breast cancer (stage I‐III) from 2011‐2016. Patient information was abstracted from the breast cancer database at BH and PCC. Demographic variables, surgery type, method of presentation, and stage were analyzed using Pearson's chi‐square tests and binary logistic regression. A total of 275 patients between ages 25‐45 with invasive breast cancer (Stage I‐III) were included in the study. There were 69 patients from BH and 206 patients from PCC. At PCC, the majority of patients were Caucasian (68%), followed by Asian (11%), Hispanic (10%), and African American (8.7%). At BH, patients were mostly Hispanic (47.8%), followed by Asian (27.5%), and African American (10.1%). At PCC, 82% had a college/graduate degree versus 18.6% of patients at BH (P < 0.001). All patients at PCC reported English as their primary language versus 30% of patients at BH (P < 0.001). Patients at PCC were more likely to present with lower stage cancer (P = 0.04), and less likely to present with a palpable mass (P = 0.04). Hospital type was not a predictor of receipt of mastectomy (P = 0.5), nor was race, primary language, or education level. Of patients who received a mastectomy, 87% at BH and 76% at PCC had immediate reconstruction. Surgical management of young women with breast cancer in a public hospital versus private hospital setting was equivalent, even after controlling for race, primary language, stage, and education level.     

The emerging role of pectoral nerve block (PECS block) in breast surgery: A case‐matched analysis

To evaluate the benefits of pectoral nerve block (PECS block) in breast cancer surgery, we compared outcomes of 100 patients receiving PECS vs 107 without PECS. Intraoperative use of fentanyl (P < .001) acetaminophen (P = .02), morphine (P < .01), and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) (P < .01) was lower in the PECS group. Occurrence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) was lower in the PECS group (P = .04). On postoperative day 1, the use of acetaminophen (P = .23), morphine (P = .83), and NSAIDS (P = .4) did not differ. Twenty‐one patients received surgery with PECS block plus sedation alone. PECS block can reduce intraoperative use of opioids and analgesic drugs, and is associated with reduced occurrence of PONV. Selected patients can receive breast‐conserving surgery with PECS plus sedation, avoiding general anesthesia.