A prospective single-institution study of intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) for early-stage breast cancer

Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) is an option for breast-conserving therapy in early-stage breast cancer. IORT is given in one fraction at the time of surgery and eliminates the need for adjuvant external beam radiation therapy. However, previous trials indicate increased local failure rates compared with whole-breast irradiation, which engenders controversy around the appropriate use of IORT. We conducted a prospective study of patients diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer (T1-T2, N0-N1) at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) between 2013 and 2017 and treated with lumpectomy followed by intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT). Data collected included stage of disease, tumor location, histology, tumor markers, lymph node status, surgical margin size, recurrence, cosmetic outcomes, and length of follow-up. In-breast tumor recurrence rate (IBTR) in the 77 evaluable patients was 3.9% (3 patients). Margins were close (1 mm or less) in all three recurrent patients, and two were initially diagnosed with DCIS. Recurrence rates in our patients were comparable to prior reports. All recurrences were in patients with close margins indicating that this may represent a predictive feature for exclusion from IORT; additional studies are essential to determine the recurrence rates among patients treated with IORT and to identify potential predictors of IORT eligibility.     

Long‐Term Impact of Young Age at Diagnosis on Treatment Outcome and Patterns of Failure in Patients with Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Treated with Breast‐Conserving Therapy

We reviewed our institution's long‐term experience treating patients diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast with breast‐conserving therapy (BCT) to determine the impact of patient age on outcome over time. All DCIS cases receiving BCT between 1980 and 1993 were reviewed. Patient demographics (including age <45) and pathologic factors were analyzed for effect on outcomes including ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) and survival. BCT included limited surgery (excisional biopsy or lumpectomy) followed by radiotherapy to the whole breast (median whole‐breast dose: 50 Gy, median tumor bed dose: 60.4 Gy). One hundred and forty‐five cases were evaluated; the median follow‐up was 19.3 years. Twenty‐five patients developed an IBTR, for 5‐, 10‐, 15‐, and 20‐year actuarial rates of 9.9%, 12.2%, 13.7%, and 17.5%, respectively. The 10‐year ipsilateral rate of recurrence was 23.3% (<45 years) versus 9.1% (≥45 years) (p = 0.05). Younger patients more frequently developed invasive recurrences (20‐year actuarial rates: 20.4% versus 12.8%, p = 0.22) and true recurrences/marginal misses of the index lesion (23.3% versus 9.7%, p = 0.04) with lower rates of contralateral breast cancer (0.0% and 0.0% versus 12.0% and 20.5%, p = < 0.01, at 10 and 20 years, respectively). Young women under the age of 45 diagnosed with DCIS have a greater risk of local recurrence with different patterns of failure following BCT, which is most notable within 10 years of diagnosis.     

Is mammography useful in screening for local recurrences in patients with TRAM flap breast reconstruction after mastectomy for multifocal DCIS?

Background: Skin-sparing mastectomy with immediate transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap reconstruction is being used more often for the treatment of breast cancer. Mammography is not used routinely to evaluate TRAM flaps in women who have undergone mastectomy. We have identified the potential value of its use in selected patients. Methods and Results: We report on four women who manifested local recurrences in TRAM flaps after initial treatment for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or DCIS with microinvasion undergoing skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. All four patients presented with extensive, high-grade, multifocal DCIS that precluded breast conservation. Three of four mastectomy specimens demonstrated tumor close to the surgical margin. Three of the four recurrences were detected by physical examination; the remaining local recurrence was documented by screening mammography. The recurrences had features suggestive of malignancy on mammography. Conclusion: We conclude that all patients undergoing mastectomy and TRAM reconstruction for extensive, multifocal DCIS should undergo regular routine mammography of the reconstructed breast. Our experience with this subgroup of patients raises concern about the value of skin-sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction for therapy. Adjuvant radiation therapy should be recommended for those patients with negative but close surgical margins.     

American Society of Breast Surgeons MammoSite Radiation Therapy System Registry Trial: ductal carcinoma-in-situ subset analysis—4-year data in 194 treated lesions

Background

A subset analysis of the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBS) Registry Trial of patients with ductal carcinoma-in-situ (DCIS) was performed to compare results to patients receiving accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) for invasive tumors and to results in patients with DCIS receiving whole breast irradiation.

Methods

One hundred ninety-four cases of DCIS were identified from a total of 1,449 cancers treated on the ASBS Registry Trial. Details of the trial are previously published. Analysis of the entire group of cases was performed in regards to toxicity and local control.

Results

Median age was 62.1 years with 40.1% and 10.9% younger than 60 years and 50 years, respectively. Nuclear grade distribution was 35.6%, 31.4%, 17%, and 16% high, intermediate, low grade, and unknown, respectively. Necrosis was known to be present 42.3% of cases. Comedo/solid architecture was known to be present in 68% of cases. Median tumor size was 8.0 mm (range .1-45 mm, 15.5% unknown). Median margin was 2 mm; 2 cases had positive margins and 56 cases had less than 1-mm margins. The median follow-up time was 46.7 months. Five isolated ipsilateral breast failures occurred. The actuarial isolated ipsilateral breast failure rate was 2.45% at 4 years. The total in-breast 4-year actuarial failure rate was 3.0%. Three of the patients had a failure elsewhere (1.69% 4-year actuarial rate). Three of the failures were true recurrences (1.33% 4-year actuarial rate). Infection occurred in 16 patients for an 8.2% rate. Seroma formation was reported in 31%, with 13% and 12% symptomatic and requiring intervention, respectively. Seroma formation was statistically higher in open versus closed cases for all seromas. Cosmetic outcome was good to excellent in 90.3% of patients with evaluation at 36 months.

Conclusions

The ASBS Registry Trial includes the largest published collection of DCIS treated with APBI. Four-year follow-up shows result similar to those with invasive cancer treated with APBI, as well as DCIS treated with whole breast irradiation.     

Feasibility of Breast Preserving Therapy with Single Fraction In Situ Radiotherapy Delivered Intraoperatively

Background Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) has gained widespread interest as a means of improving the convenience and availability of breast conserving radiotherapy. Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) is an APBI technique that delivers breast radiotherapy as a single dose at the time of partial mastectomy. We adapted the technique of Veronesi to deliver IORT prior to tumor excision to improve delivery to the region at risk and reduce the volume of normal tissue irradiated. Methods Patients age ≥55 with ultrasonographically defined tumors ≤3 cm and invasive ductal carcinoma confirmed by core biopsy were eligible. Pre-operative ultrasound was performed at the time of needle localization and radiocolloid injection. IORT treatment planning was performed prior to surgery using ultrasound tumor definition, selecting cone size and electron energy to optimize dose distribution. In the operating room, the surgeon retracted the skin over the tumor, cone was placed and radiotherapy delivered. Standard partial mastectomy was then performed. Results Twenty-three patients were enrolled in the study. Eighteen patients completed IORT with 10 patients having successful IORT no additional local therapy necessary. In five patients, the intraoperative radiation therapy served as the boost and in three patients unsuspected larger tumors or multicentric disease necessitated a mastectomy. The majority of patients had a good to excellent cosmetic result. Conclusions Single fraction in situ IORT prior to partial mastectomy is feasible for patients with small breast cancers in achieving a good to excellent cosmetic result. Based on this early preliminary data, we plan to expand our feasibility trial.     

Defining negative margins in DCIS patients treated with breast conservation therapy: The University of Chicago experience

Management of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) has been evolving and the majority of women are now being treated with breast-conserving surgery and radiation therapy (i.e. breast conservation therapy [BCT]). Controversies still exist regarding the histologic features and margin status that are associated with local recurrence. The goal of this study was to review our institution's experience in patients diagnosed with DCIS and treated with BCT to determine pathologic features that can predict local recurrence, with particular emphasis on the final surgical margin status. We analyzed 103 consecutive patients with DCIS who were treated with BCT between 1986 and 2000. The slides were reviewed to determine the final margin status, type of DCIS, size of DCIS, nuclear grade, presence of necrosis and calcification, and volume of excised specimen. Margins were considered positive when DCIS touched or was transected at an inked margin. Negative margins were further categorized as close (less than 1 mm), 1--5 mm, and more than 5 mm. The size of the DCIS was determined based on either the maximal dimension on a slide or from the number of consecutive slides containing DCIS. Morphology and immunohistochemical profiles of the recurrent DCIS cases were compared with original DCIS. All patients were treated uniformly with external beam radiation therapy to the entire breast (median dose 46 Gy) with a boost to the tumor bed (median dose 14 Gy). The median follow-up was 63 months (range 7--191 months). The actuarial 5-year local control rate was 89%. The median time to local recurrence was 55 months. There were 13 local recurrences, of which 9 recurred as pure DCIS and 4 as invasive ductal carcinomas. Univariate analysis showed a significant association with local recurrence for positive margin (p=0.008), high nuclear grade (p=0.02), and young age at diagnosis (p=0.03). If margins were negative, the 5-year local control was 93%, as compared to 69% if margins were positive. A multivariate analysis showed that early age at diagnosis, positive margin status, and high nuclear grade were independently associated with local recurrence. The morphology and immunohistochemical stains of all nine recurrent DCIS were similar to those of the original DCIS. Breast conservation can be achieved with excellent local control by obtaining microscopically negative margins as strictly defined by DCIS not touching the inked surgical margins, and postoperative radiation that includes boost therapy to the tumor bed.     

Breast‐Specific Gamma Imaging Influences Surgical Management in Patients with Breast Cancer

Breast‐specific gamma imaging (BSGI) is a physiologic breast imaging modality that provides more sensitive detection of breast lesions than mammography or ultrasound, and appears to have greater specificity than breast MRI. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how often BSGI changed surgical management in patients with breast cancer. Charts were reviewed from 218 consecutive eligible patients who had preoperative evaluation with BSGI or MRI before surgery for breast cancer from January 2008 to May 2010. Patients who were initially considered eligible for breast‐conserving therapy (BCT) were evaluated to determine how many ultimately had mastectomies. Patients who underwent mastectomy because of personal choice or ineligibility for BCT were excluded. Management was changed to mastectomy in 11.9% of those who had BSGI and 28.9% of those who had MRI. Review of pathology demonstrated that all patients who underwent mastectomies were not candidates for breast conservation. 15.4% of patients who underwent BCT based on BSGI findings required a single re‐excision due to positive surgical margins. 14.4% required mastectomy. In the MRI group, 18.8% required a single re‐excision, and 6.3% required mastectomy. Evaluation with BSGI changed management to mastectomy in a substantial proportion of patients believed to be eligible for BCT following standard imaging. BSGI is effective in evaluation of extent of disease in patients with breast cancer, and is comparable to MRI in terms of its influence on surgical management.     

Breast conservation surgery achieving>or=2 mm tumor-free margins results in decreased local-regional recurrence rates

Whether cosmetically acceptable tumor-free (>/=2 mm) surgical margins reduce the local-regional recurrence risk for patients treated with fractionated radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy is unknown. The benefit of a minimum cosmetically acceptable tumor-free margin remains speculative because no contemporary studies have investigated the extent of invasive disease infiltration within the breast beyond the primary tumor. To address these clinical issues, we conducted a retrospective study of 341 women diagnosed with stage I or II invasive breast cancer to determine the rate of local in-breast, elsewhere in-breast, and ipsilateral regional lymph node recurrences of breast cancer after conservation surgery achieving either tumor-free (>or=2 mm) or close (>0 mm to <2 mm) surgical margins followed by whole breast radiation therapy over a 6-year period from January 1996 to December 2002. Women may have received adjuvant chemotherapy or hormonal therapy as clinically indicated. After a median follow-up of 56 months from the completion of breast conservation surgery, 14 of the 341 women (4.1%) developed breast cancer recurrences. Crude ipsilateral recurrence rates were 1.8% (4 of 222) for tumor-free (>or=2 mm) versus 8.4% (10 of 119) for close (>0 mm to <2 mm) surgical margins (p=0.007). The estimated 5-year cumulative local recurrence rate was significantly less for women with tumor-free margins (2.1%) as compared to close surgical margins (8.9%) (p=0.004). Multivariate analyses identified negative estrogen receptor expression (p=0.004), close surgical margins (p=0.012), and the presence of angiolymphatic invasion (p=0.040) as prognostic factors for local-regional recurrences. Microscopically the extent of invasive disease infiltration beyond the primary tumor was on average 1 mm, with all measured invasive disease less than 1 cm. Based on our findings, cosmetically acceptable tumor-free (>or=2 mm) surgical margins significantly reduce local in-breast and regional lymph node recurrences with fractionated radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy.     

Breast Cancer Recurrence after Inadvertent Malpositioning of a Partial Breast Radiation Catheter

Abstract: Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) is an alternative to receiving whole breast radiation in carefully selected patients. Because breast cancer local recurrence rates are low and follow‐up has been short‐term, the exact cause of recurrences after APBI has been difficult to evaluate. We report the first case of documented radiation balloon catheter malpositioning that resulted in local recurrence. Patients undergo CT imaging of the breast after radiation balloon catheter placement for radiotherapy treatment planning, which evaluates adequate conformance of the balloon to the surrounding breast parenchyma and confirms a >7 mm distance between the balloon surface and the skin surface. Although true local recurrences are rare in appropriately selected partial breast irradiation candidates, inadvertent malpositioning of the radiation treatment catheter can increase the risk. This case is presented to illustrate the importance of comparing CT radiation planning images, with treatment catheter in place, to the original diagnostic breast imaging studies to confirm proper catheter positioning (in addition to measuring balloon to skin distance and conformance) prior to initiating radiotherapy.     

Efficacy and Safety of Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation after Breast‐conserving Surgery: A Meta‐analysis of Published Comparative Studies

To compare the treatment outcomes between accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) and conventional whole‐breast irradiation (WBI) and to explore the efficacy and safety of APBI as an adjuvant treatment for early‐stage breast cancer who received breast‐conserving therapy. Eligible studies were identified on Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library updated to July 10, 2012. Comparative studies were considered for inclusion. Analyses were carried out using Stata software. Eleven comparative studies with a total of 7,097 patients were included. The meta‐analysis showed that there were no statistically significant differences between group APBI and group WBI associated with the supraclavicular failure, distant metastasis, overall survival, and disease‐free survival, while local recurrence (LR) and axillary failure (AF) increased in group APBI. The sensitivity analysis indicated that both the LR and AF were not statistically significant difference between the two groups. In the subgroup analysis, LR was statistically significantly higher in group APBI for patients with the age <60, large tumor size, and unknown margin status. APBI is a safe treatment modality and could become a potential option for the delivery of adjuvant radiation therapy in patients receiving breast‐conserving therapy, especially for the suitable group that was classified by the American Society of Radiation Oncology Consensus Panel.     

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.     

Breast fibromatosis: Making the case for primary vs secondary subtypes

Fibromatosis of the breast is a rare condition that can be locally aggressive. The mainstay of treatment remains wide local excision, with varied adjuvant therapy as needed. The authors describe their experience in the treatment of a series of patients and propose the classification of primary and secondary breast fibromatosis. A single‐institution retrospective analysis of patients treated for breast fibromatosis from 2003 to 2017 was completed. Demographic data, pertinent past medical history, and treatment modalities were reviewed. Primary breast fibromatosis was defined as arising in the absence of previous surgery or radiation therapy to the ipsilateral breast. Secondary breast fibromatosis was defined as arising in the setting of previous surgery or radiation therapy to the ipsilateral breast. A total of 16 patients were included with the median age 40 (28‐64) years. The average size of the lesion was 6.37 cm (range of 1.5‐15 cm). Mean follow‐up time was 65 months. Surgical excision was completed in 14 patients, with two recurrences. There were no recurrences in patients with surgical margins >1 cm. Two patients were treated nonsurgically. There were seven patients with primary fibromatosis of the breast and nine patients with secondary fibromatosis of the breast. Fibromatosis of the breast is difficult to diagnose prior to surgical excision. We advocate for the multi‐disciplinary treatment of this disease process with an aggressive surgical approach to achieve margins >1 cm.     

Rates of reexcision for breast cancer after magnetic resonance imaging-guided bracket wire localization

BACKGROUND: We performed this study to determine rates of close or transected cancer margins after magnetic resonance imaging-guided bracket wire localization for nonpalpable breast lesions. STUDY DESIGN: Of 243 women undergoing MRI-guided wire localizations, 26 had MRI bracket wire localization to excise either a known cancer (n = 19) or a suspicious MRI-detected lesion (n = 7). We reviewed patient age, preoperative diagnosis, operative intent, mammographic breast density, MRI lesion size, MRI enhancement curve and morphology, MRI Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) assessment code, number of bracket wires, and pathology size. We analyzed these findings for their relationship to obtaining clear margins at first operative excision. RESULTS: Twenty-one of 26 (81%) patients had cancer. Of 21 patients with cancer, 12 (57%) had negative margins at first excision and 9 (43%) had close/transected margins. MRI size > or = 4 cm was associated with a higher reexcision rate (7 of 9, 78%) than those < 4 cm (2 of 12, 17%) (p = 0.009). MRI BI-RADS score, enhancement curve, morphology, and preoperative core biopsy demonstrating ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) were not predictive of reexcision. The average number of wires used for bracketing increased with lesion size, but was not associated with improved outcomes. On pathology, cancer size was smaller in patients with negative margins (12 patients, 1.2 cm) than in those with close/transected margins (9 patients, 4.6 cm) (p < 0.001). Reexcision was based on close/transected margins involving DCIS alone (6, 67%), infiltrating ductal carcinoma and DCIS (2, 22%), or infiltrating ductal carcinoma alone (1, 11%). Reexcision pathology demonstrated DCIS (3, 33%), no residual cancer (5, 55%), and 1 patient was lost to followup (1, 11%). Interestingly, cancer patients who required reexcision were younger (p = 0.022), but breast density was not associated with reexcision. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first report of MRI-guided bracket wire localization. Patients with MRI-detected lesions less than 4 cm had clear margins at first excision; larger MRI-detected lesions were more likely to have close/transected margins. Reexcision was often because of DCIS and was the only pathology found at reexcision, perhaps because MRI is more sensitive for detecting invasive carcinoma than DCIS.     

Multicentric and Contralateral Invasive Tumors Identified with Pre-op MRI in Patients Newly Diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma In Situ of the Breast

Abstract: Preoperative breast MRI in newly diagnosed cancer patients has several potential benefits. Improved survival for patients with invasive disease as the index lesion is unlikely to be one of these benefits, given what is known from variations in locoregional management in the historic conservation trials. However, this may not be the case for patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), as the discovery of unsuspected invasive cancer located elsewhere from the biopsy‐proven DCIS could result in decreased survival if left undetected and untreated. In support of this hypothesis, a previous observational study of a large cohort of DCIS patients revealed the development of invasive cancer to be the most common event after unilateral DCIS treatment, occurring in 3.9%, mostly in the opposite breast. These cancers appeared on mammography or clinical exam within a short time frame (median 2.9 years) and were associated with a diminution in survival. Given these second events occurring so soon after DCIS treatment, it must be considered that invasive cancers were present elsewhere, but mammographically occult, at the time of DCIS diagnosis. To examine this possibility, 288 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed DCIS underwent preoperative MRI, with the discovery of separate foci of invasive cancer, either multicentric or contralateral, occurring in 3.5% of patients, a similar incidence to the short‐term observational study. These “elsewhere” invasive cancers are presented here with details of pathology such that both Stage I and Stage II disease can be seen as clinically significant, with the usual stage‐based survival implications.     

Prediction of pathological margin status using preoperative contrast‐enhanced MRI in patients with early breast cancer who underwent skin‐sparing mastectomy

Skin‐sparing mastectomy (SSM) with immediate reconstruction is standard surgical treatment for early breast cancer with widespread ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The local recurrence rate after SSM is up to 7.0%. We investigated prediction of the pathological margin using contrast‐enhanced MRI, and evaluated the cut‐off point to obtain the safety margin. We performed SSM with immediate reconstruction in 216 early breast cancer patients with widespread DCIS and/or invasive cancer from January 2014 to December 2015. Forty cases were retrospectively reviewed after excluding those with >15 mm between skin and tumor, determined by preoperative contrast‐enhanced MRI, or involving reconstructive surgery for local recurrence, immeasurable lesion by preoperative contrast‐enhanced MRI, or neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We defined a positive pathological margin as <1 mm from the cancer nest. We reviewed the distance between skin and tumor by MRI and pathological examination. To identify the cut‐off for predicting a positive pathological margin, we performed sensitivity analysis using an ROC curve. The margin‐positive rate by pathological examination was 27.5% (n = 11/40), with a moderate correlation of MRI margin and pathological margin (r = 0.44). The best cut‐off point for margin positivity was 5 mm of MRI margin, with sensitivity and specificity of 54% and 86%, respectively (P = 0.009). This is the first prediction of pathological margin by preoperative contrast‐enhanced MRI in early breast cancer patients with SSM. Care is required for SSM if the MRI margin is less than 5 mm due to pathological margin positivity.     

Determination of the presence and extent of pure ductal carcinoma in situ by mammography and magnetic resonance imaging

The purpose of this study was to compare the ability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and mammography to determine the presence and extent of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Retrospective review of medical records of women who underwent MRI and mammographic examination during a 23-month period revealed 39 sites of pure DCIS in 33 breasts of 32 women. No invasive or microinvasive tumor was found. Women ranged in age from 34 to 79 years (mean age 53 years). In these 33 breasts, both MRI and mammography were done before surgery. Reports and images of mammography and MRI were reviewed to determine if each study was positive for the presence of single or multiple sites of DCIS and the imaging patterns associated with these sites. Of 33 breasts involved, DCIS was discovered by MRI alone in 21 (64%), by both MRI and mammography in 8 (24%), and by mammography alone in 1 (3%); in 3 breasts (9%), DCIS was found at mastectomy without findings on mammography or MRI. MRI had significantly higher sensitivity than mammography for DCIS detection (29/33=88% versus 9/33=27%, p<0.00001). Multiple sites of disease were present in five breasts; these were better demonstrated with MRI in three, mammography in one, and equally by both in one. The predominant enhancement pattern of DCIS on MRI was linear/ductal in 18 of 29 breasts (62%); mammography found calcifications associated with DCIS in 8 of 9 (89%). The nuclear grade of DCIS found with MRI and mammography was similar; size of lesions was larger on MRI; breast density did not impact results. In this study, MRI was significantly more sensitive than mammography in DCIS detection. In women with known or suspected DCIS, MRI may have an important role to play in assessing the extent of disease in the breast.     

Breast conservation for male breast cancer: Case report of intraoperative radiation

Male breast cancer (MBC) comprises <1% of all breast cancers in the United States. MBC is typically treated with total mastectomy while the majority of female breast cancer is treated with breast conservation therapy combined with various forms of radiation. One method that has developed over the last two decades is the use of intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) as a type of accelerated partial breast irradiation to direct the treatment field to the tumor bed. Since overall prognosis and systemic therapy recommendations for MBC are similar to breast cancer in women, we describe the first case of MBC treated with BCS and IORT. Our patient is a 62‐year‐old male who was found to have a right breast 1.6 cm palpable mass at the 10:00 position 1 cm radially from the nipple. Core biopsy demonstrated invasive ductal carcinoma, moderately differentiated, estrogen and progesterone receptor positive, and Her 2 Negative. The patient had a strong desire for breast conservation, and needed to minimize daily radiation treatments due to his work schedule. After discussion among our multidisciplinary tumor board, we felt this patient to be suitable for BCS and IORT given his age, favorable tumor subtype, size, and clinically early stage breast cancer. A right axillary sentinel lymph node biopsy and central lumpectomy was performed. The INTRABEAM device (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Oberkochen, Germany) was utilized for radiation delivery. The patient had negative margins on his final pathology. The postoperative course was uneventful and at the 6 month follow‐up visit there were no issues and he had an excellent cosmetic outcome. BCS and IORT is an option in appropriately selected male patients with favorable subtype early stage breast cancer.     

Breast conserving therapy with accelerated partial breast versus external beam whole breast irradiation: comparison of imaging sequela and complications in a matched population

Our purpose was to evaluate and compare the imaging sequela and complications of accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) with those occurring in patients treated with standard external beam therapy. Patient selection included those who met the criteria for possible ABPI: age 45 or older; cancer stage T1N0M0 or ductal carcinoma in situ 3 cm or less, and negative surgical margins. One hundred and ninety seven had complete records and films available for review. Ninety-seven (49%) were treated with APBI (MammoSite) and 100(51%) were treated with external beam. Image findings for APBI versus external beam were: distortion 90(93%) versus 83(83%), seroma 67(69%) versus 7(7%), skin edema 52(54%) versus 47(47%), increased stroma 75(77%) versus 66(66%), calcifications 10(10%) versus 6(6%), and fat necrosis 12(12%) versus 6(6%). For APBI, skin and stromal edema was more commonly focal. At imaging, the seroma rate was statistically and significantly different between the two treatment modes (p < 0.0001). For patients treated with APBI, seroma formation was not related to balloon size and only weakly related to lumpectomy cavity size. The complication rate was significantly higher for those treated with APBI (36 versus 20%) and the types and treatment of complications differed. There were three recurrences among the APBI group and none among those treated with external beam radiation.     

Acute and Chronic Complications in Patients with Ductal Carcinoma in Situ Treated with Intraoperative Radiation Therapy

Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) delivers radiation therapy directly to the tumor bed at the time of surgery. Minimal data are available regarding IORT complications in patients diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) using the Xoft^® Axxent eBx^® System. 146 patients with pure DCIS received X‐ray based IORT therapy using the Xoft^® Axxent eBx^® System at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian between June 2010 to April 2016 and were accrued to an IORT data registry study. The protocols were approved by the institutional review board and met the guidelines of their responsible governmental agency. Data were collected at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, and thereafter yearly. Acute complications were defined as those occurring within the first month. Chronic complications were those that persisted beyond 6 months. Acute complications were observed in 18% of patients and included hematomas that required drainage, an infection treated with antibiotics, and erythema. Chronic complications were observed in 12% of patients and included a seroma, fibrosis and hyperpigmentation. The majority of acute and chronic problems were mild (Grade I). If Grade I erythema, fibrosis, and hyperpigmentation are not included, only 11/146 patients (7.5%) had significant complications. The rate of acute and chronic complications from X‐ray IORT in DCIS patients was low compared to historical toxicity rates observed in DCIS patients treated with whole breast irradiation. Our data indicate that X‐ray IORT can be utilized safely in patients diagnosed with DCIS.     

Follow-Up Strategies in the Postirradiated Breast: Techniques Involved in the Detection of Local Recurrences Following Breast Conservation Therapy

Abstract: Our goal was to delineate parameters involved in the detection of local recurrences of cancer after breast conservation therapy, and to further define standardized follow-up strategies for surveillance of the breast after irradiation. We retrospectively evaluated 152 patients treated with breast conservation therapy who had received a median of 86 months of consecutive clinical and radiographic follow-up at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center from 1978 to 1989. All mammograms were reevaluated by a single radiologist (B. S. J who had no knowledge of the physical or pathologic findings. Local recurrences were found in 13 patients (9%), with a mean time to recurrence of 51 months (median time, 37 months). Age, tumor size, margin status, nuclear grade, estrogen receptor status, nodal status, and the presence of ex-tranodal extension were similar in patients with or without local recurrence. The primary method of detection was physical examination in 10 of the 13 patients (77%); only 3 occult local recurrences were detected by mammography alone. The 13 patients with local recurrences underwent an aver-age number of 14 physical examinations and 5 mammograms in the follow-up period prior to the detection of local recurrence. Our data suggested that, in patients with early stage breast cancer, the incidence of local recurrence after breast conservation therapy is relatively low. Most local recurrences occurred 2 years after breast conservation therapy and were detected by physical examinations. Yearly diagnostic mammograms after breast conservation therapy are sufficient and may complement thorough physical examinations. A new baseline mammogram to evaluate the treated breast at 6 months, after irradiation changes have stabilized, may be useful for future mammogram comparisons.?