Surgical treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast. 10- to 20-year follow-up.

Between 1967 and 1977, 36 patients received treatment at the Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, Wash, for ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast. Twenty-five patients had modified radical mastectomies, 10 had radical mastectomies, and one had a simple mastectomy. Twenty-seven patients have been followed up for at least 10 years and are without known recurrence (mean follow-up, 17.7 years; range, 8 to 24 years), eight patients died without known recurrence (mean follow-up, 10.6 years; range, 6 to 14 years), and one patient with a prior contralateral mastectomy for infiltrating cancer of the breast had a recurrence in the scalene nodes on the side of the infiltrating cancer and died of metastatic cancer. No patients with ductal carcinoma in situ had local recurrences in the ipsilateral breast or chest wall, and no patients developed cancers in the contralateral breast; one patient had axillary metastasis. Twenty-eight (78%) of 36 patients had multicentric ductal carcinoma in situ in their mastectomy specimens. Twenty-three (88%) of 26 patients with comedocarcinoma-type ductal carcinoma in situ had multicentric lesions. Conversely, patients with low-grade nuclear papillary ductal carcinoma in situ did not have multicentric lesions. Five (14%) of 36 patients had incidental microinvasion discovered in the mastectomy specimens; all had comedocarcinoma. In summary, our study of patients with ductal carcinoma in situ revealed that (1) mastectomy provided excellent local and systemic control; (2) cancer in the contralateral breast was infrequent; (3) axillary metastasis was rare; and (4) histologic features of tumors markedly affected the frequency of multicentricity and chance for microinvasion.     

The Development of New, Primary, Noninvasive Carcinoma of the Breast 29 Years after Bilateral Radical Mastectomy

Abstract: We present the case of a patient with a new, primary noninvasive breast carcinoma arising in residual breast tissue 29 years after radical mastectomy. The patient, a 75-year-old black woman with no family history of breast or ovarian cancer, had undergone left radical mastectomy in 1956 (age 35) and right radical mastectomy in 1965 (age 44). Examination revealed a 3-mm nodule in the right anterior axillary line. On excision, the lesion was a 1.5-mm intracystic papillary ductal carcinoma in situ arising in a background of atypical ductal hyperplasia (representing residual breast tissue). The patient has not agreed to testing for BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. The theoretical risk of new primary breast cancers arising in residual breast tissue has been suggested as a reason why prophylactic mastectomy may not be completely effective. This case suggests that even after what appeared to be aggressive radical mastectomy, enough breast tissue remained so that the patient was at risk for recurrent breast cancer.     

Sentinel lymph node biopsy followed by delayed mastectomy and reconstruction

BACKGROUND: The role of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy with total mastectomy is evolving. In patients who desire mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, the final pathologic results of the SLN may create unique problems. Specifically, if the SLN is found to be positive on final pathology, the reconstructed patient would generally require a potentially difficult re-operation on the remaining axillary nodes. The purpose of this study was to review the results of patients who underwent an initial SNL biopsy followed by a planned mastectomy and reconstruction. METHODS: A chart review of patients who underwent staged SLN biopsy with subsequent definitive procedure between 1997 and 2001 was conducted. These were evaluated with regard to type of tumor, status of sentinel node, and design of subsequent operation. RESULTS: There were 40 patients who underwent an initial SLN biopsy followed by a staged mastectomy with reconstruction. Tumors included high-grade carcinoma in situ (n = 4), infiltrating ductal carcinoma (n = 28), invasive lobular carcinoma (n = 4), mucinous carcinoma (n = 1), adenoid cystic carcinoma (n = 1), and mixed ductal and lobular carcinoma (n = 2). Tissue biopsy was obtained by either open (n = 9) or needle (n = 31) technique. Twenty-five patients had a negative SLN biopsy and a delayed total mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. Positive SLNs were identified in 15 patients (37%). Eight patients had macroscopic nodal metastases and underwent a delayed modified radical mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. Seven patients had microscopic nodal metastases and 3 declined further axillary dissection. They proceeded with total mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that a substantial proportion of patients treated with SLN biopsy, simple mastectomy, and reconstruction will have positive sentinel lymph nodes. Thus, the ideal approach for patients who wish to have reconstruction should involve an initial SLN biopsy as a separate procedure. If the SLN is benign, the patient may undergo a total mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. However, a patient with a positive SLN may proceed to a modified radical mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. This treatment algorithm eliminates a potentially difficult reoperation on the axilla following reconstruction.     

Breast conservation for male breast carcinoma

Male breast cancer in general is treated by modified radical mastectomy. Data have emerged supporting the replacement of the axillary lymph node dissection by a sentinel lymph node biopsy in the male patient with breast carcinoma. Local therapy in the breast continues to be primarily mastectomy. The reasons suggested for this include the central location of many of the male breast tumors and the paucity of breast tissue. Our experience with breast conservation over the last decade in male breast carcinoma and a review of the literature is outlined here. Between 1996 and 2006, seven men underwent breast conservation for breast carcinoma and to date with a median follow-up of 67 months, there have been no local recurrences. Breast carcinoma in males can be treated with breast conservation with acceptable local recurrence. Breast-conserving surgery in male breast cancer patients should be considered an option in patients without overt nipple/areolar involvement.     

Noninvasive breast carcinoma: frequency of unsuspected invasion and implications for treatment.

One hundred twenty-nine biopsies from 121 patients with a frozen or paraffin section diagnosis of noninvasive breast carcinoma were studied. Eight women had bilateral noninvasive carcinoma. Seven biopsies reported as intraductal on frozen section contained invasive carcinoma on paraffin section. Of the remaining 122 biopsies proven to have noninvasive carcinoma on paraffin section, 39 (34%) were reported at frozen section and as noninvasive carcinoma, 24 (20%) as atypical and 59 (48%) as benign. Intraductal carcinoma (IDC) was identified more often at frozen section (45%) than was lobular carcinoma in situ (19%). Among 41 patients who had bilateral carcinoma with invasive disease in one breast, 76% of contralateral noninvasive carcinoma was LCIS. After excisional biopsy, carcinoma was found in 56% of 103 mastectomy specimens, including invasive carcinoma in 6% of breasts with IDC and 4% with LCIS. Residual noninvasive carcinoma was usually of the same type found at biopsy (90% IDC and 88% LCIS) and involved quadrants other than the biopsy site in 33% with IDC and in 80% with LCIS. When the frozen or paraffin section diagnosis of a generous excisional biopsy was noninvasive breast carcinoma, there was a substantial risk that foci of the same type of noninvasive carcinoma were also present in other quadrants. However, occult foci of invasive carcinoma were quite infrequent and the risk of axillary metastases was very low. Adequate treatment for noninvasive carcinoma requires elimination of all residual foci of noninvasive disease. At present this can best be accomplished by total mastectomy if the operation is properly performed. To insure removal of the axillary extension of the breast and for staging, in continuity dissection of the lowest axillary lymph nodes is also prudent.     

Influence of mastectomy technique on sex steroid receptor analysis

Accurate analysis of hormone receptors in breast carcinoma is critical from prognostic and therapeutic standpoints. Controversy exists over whether there is receptor decay when specimens are obtained upon completion of, rather than prior to, mastectomy. In addition, the effect of mastectomy technique on receptor concentration has not been addressed. Twenty patients with breast carcinoma had biopsy specimens taken prior to and upon completion of modified radical mastectomy. Ten had axillary dissection followed by mastectomy (Group A). The others had mobilization of the breast before axillary dissection (Group B). The estrogen receptor concentration was higher in 14 of 20 premastectomy specimens. All 10 patients in Group B had positive receptors before mastectomy; 5 were negative after mastectomy. All seven patients in Group A with positive premastectomy receptors remained so postmastectomy. We concluded that if a tumor specimen for receptor analysis is not obtained prior to modified radical mastectomy, axillary dissection should precede breast mobilization.     

Needle-guided breast biopsy for mammographic abnormalities in 561 patients

Between 1977 and 1983, 561 consecutive patients underwent 595 surgical biopsies for suspicious mammographic lesions with negative clinical correlation. The procedure consisted of preoperative needle localization, with or without immediate radiologic examination of the biopsy specimen, depending on the presence or absence of microcalcifications in the mammographic lesion. Eighty-four carcinomas were found. Of these, 60 (71%) were infiltrating carcinoma and 24 (29%) were noninvasive carcinoma. The carcinoma yield was 24.2% in the patients with lesions involving foci of microcalcifications and 9% in those lesions without calcifications. Surgical treatment of infiltrating carcinoma consisted of 39 modified radical mastectomies, 10 (25.6%) of which were associated with positive nodes, 16 partial mastectomies with axillary dissection, 3 (18.7%) of which were associated with positive nodes, and 5 wedge resections. Treatment of noninvasive carcinoma consisted of 19 partial mastectomies with axillary dissection and 5 modified radical mastectomies. None of these were associated with positive nodes. Modified radical mastectomy was used with decreasing frequency. Of the 10 patients with infiltrating carcinoma and positive axillary nodes treated by modified radical mastectomy, 7 had one to three involved nodes and 3 had four or more; of those with positive nodes treated by partial mastectomy, 1 had one to three involved nodes and 2 had four or more. These results confirm the correlation between suspicious mammographic non-clinical lesions and breast carcinoma.     

Primary breast lymphoma in a male patient

Primary lymphoma of the male breast is extremely rare. We report a case of a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in a male patient. A 67-year-old man presented with a palpable mass in the right breast and ipsilateral axillary lymphadenopathy. At operation a 6 x 5 x 4-cm mass was excised, and a frozen section demonstrated malignancy. A modified radical mastectomy was then performed, together with axillary lymph node clearance. Histological examination established the diagnosis of a primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the breast. The patient was referred for chemotherapy and died a year later from systemic disease involving the adrenals. The importance of early diagnosis is emphasized; this should be based on an excisional biopsy or aspiration cytology. As patients with primary breast lymphoma (PBL) have a better prognosis than those with carcinoma of the breast or patients with extranodal lymphomas, a multidisciplinary approach including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy when needed would result in a more favorable outcome.     

隐匿性乳腺癌的诊断和治疗

目的 探讨隐匿性乳腺癌的发病特点、诊断和治疗方法。方法 对经治的12例隐匿性乳腺癌的临床及病理资料进行回顾性分析。结果 12例均以腋下肿块为首发症状且均予手术治疗。手术方式为腋下肿块切除术1例，腋下肿块切除加单纯乳房切除1例，乳腺癌根治术6例，改良根治术4例。11例获随访1—15年。随访期间行腋下肿块切除和加行单纯乳房切除的2例分别于术后18个月和22个月死于全身多器官转移；1例行乳腺癌根治术者于术后3年出现腋淋巴结转移而再次手术，于再次术后4年死于肺转移；其余患者仍存活，其中已生存3年以上2例，5年以上2例，10年以上4例。结论 对原因不明的腋下肿块，应考虑到隐匿性乳腺癌的可能，同时应予切除并送检病理确诊。腋下淋巴结转移癌的组织学结构对肿瘤来源能提供重要线索。一经确诊，本病宜选择乳腺癌根治术或改良根治术，并予辅助性放疗、化疗。     

Sarcoidosis of the breast: implications for the general surgeon

Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic disease that may involve the breast parenchyma and can be confused with benign or malignant tumors. A recent case of sarcoidosis of the breast treated in our institution prompted us to review the world literature on the topic. From 1921 to 1997, 45 cases relating to sarcoidosis of the breast were reported; 10 of these cases were excluded from our review because of the lack of histological proof of sarcoidosis. The data were organized according to clinical presentation, diagnostic studies, treatment plan, and follow-up care. The mean age at presentation was 47 years (range 20-72 years) and all patients were female. Seven patients (20%) had a breast mass as primary presentation of sarcoidosis without any clinical evidence of systemic sarcoidosis. Thirty-one patients (89%) presented with a self-detected mass and three patients (8%) demonstrated skin dimpling and peau d'orange appearance mimicking cancer. The size of the breast lesions ranged from 0.25 to 5 cm in diameter. One patient presented with bilateral breast lesions and one with more than one lesion in the same affected breast. A single breast mass was found in the rest of the patients. Of the seven patients evaluated by mammography, only one revealed changes suspicious for malignancy. Fine-needle aspiration was used only in four cases; the results of two were compatible with sarcoidosis and two required an excisional biopsy as a result of inconclusive results. Seventeen cases reported excisional biopsy as the diagnostic procedure. In 11 patients the type of biopsy was not stated. In two cases of radical mastectomies for breast adenocarcinoma, sarcoidosis was an incidental finding, either in the remaining breast tissue or in the axillary nodes. One patient underwent a partial mastectomy revealing sarcoidosis as the definitive diagnosis. Ultrasound was used in two cases; one revealed a suspicious lesion and one was inconclusive. Although sarcoidosis of the breast constitutes a rare entity it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of breast cancer even in patients without clinical evidence of systemic sarcoidosis. These patients should undergo a biopsy to rule out malignancy because clinical findings, mammography, and ultrasound results can be misleading or inconclusive.     

具有微乳头状结构的乳腺单纯型黏液癌临床病理特征

回顾性分析东阳市人民医院5例乳腺具有微乳头状结构的单纯型黏液癌(micropapillary pattern of pure mucinous carcinoma of the breast,MPPPMC)的临床病理特征。本组5例具有MPPPMC均为绝经前女性,年龄范围为37~48岁,5例患者中3例伴有腋窝淋巴结转移,3例患者行乳房改良根治术、1例保乳+前哨淋巴结活检、1例保乳+腋窝淋巴结清扫,术后1例口服内分泌药物+放疗、4例口服内分泌药物+化疗+放疗、2例靶向药物赫赛汀治疗。具有MPPPMC是一种界于单纯型黏液癌(pure mucinous carcinoma,PMC)与浸润性微乳头状癌(invasive micropapillary carcinoma,IMPC)之间的特殊类型,该类型发病年龄较黏液癌年轻,预后较黏液癌差,是否是乳腺IMPC或PMC的一种独立亚型目前仍未达成共识。     

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast. Data from the Connecticut Tumor Registry and a review of the literature.

The case records of the Connecticut Tumor Registry were reviewed from 1952-1982. There were 37 cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast (ACC) from a total of 40,350 invasive breast tumors. Patient survival, complications, and pathologic sections were reviewed. Only 14 of 27 surgical pathology slides available for review could be confirmed histologically as ACC. All patients were white females with a mean age of 64 years. The tumor remained localized to the breast in all cases. Nine patients had either radical or modified radical mastectomy, four patients had either simple mastectomy or lumpectomy, and one patient refused treatment. There was no evidence of axillary node involvement, metastases, or local recurrence after excision. At the time of follow-up, nine patients were alive and disease free and four died of disease unrelated to their breast cancer. The one patient who died of breast cancer had a radical mastectomy and survived 11.7 years after diagnosis. It is concluded that ACC has a favorable biologic behavior characterized by a prolonged clinical course and good prognosis. Simple mastectomy is all that is required as initial treatment, and a chest x-ray and thorough physical examination looking for local recurrence is all that is needed for follow-up.     

Lymphoma of the breast.

Thirteen patients with lymphoma of the breast are presented. In addition, 163 previously reported cases of lymphoma of the breast are reviewed. Complete staging was performed on all patients. No patient had a diagnosis of lymphoma prior to breast biopsy. The histologic findings were diffuse histiocytic lymphoma (DHL) in eight patients, nodular lymphocytic poorly differentiated lymphoma (NLPD) in two patients, nodular mixed lymphoma (NM) in two patients and nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's disease (NSHD) in one patient. Five patients had Stage IV disease, two had Stage III disease, four had stage II disease and two Stage I disease. Nine patients each underwent an excisional biopsy and four patients each had a modified radical mastectomy as initial therapy. Two patients each underwent a staging laparotomy. In advanced disease, chemotherapy achieved complete remissions in approximately 50% of patients. Unfavorable histologic findings are most common in lymphoma of the breast and thorough staging is necessary to select the best form of therapy. The absolute survival rate (61%) and the disease free survival rate (46%) are similar to nodal lymphoma of corresponding histologic factors and stage.     

Paget's disease of the breast in a male]

The case of a 78-year-old man with Paget's disease of the breast, described herein, appears to be only the 22nd histologically proven case of this rare condition; in over 100 years less than 50 cases have been reported. Since this patient had no underlying tumour or nodal involvement the operation consisted of total mastectomy with removal of axillary nodes only, rather than the classical radical mastectomy. All eczematoid lesions of the areola of the breast that persist for more than 2 weeks or are unilateral should be considered Paget's disease until proven otherwise by biopsy.     

Breast Cancer with Endocrine Differentiation: Report of Two Cases Showing Different Histologic Patterns

We report two cases of breast cancer with endocrine differentiation. Case 1 was a 56-year-old woman with a 2-cm tumor in the upper outer quadrant of the right breast and right axillary lymphadenopathy. Excisional biopsy suggested carcinoma and we performed breast-conserving surgery with lymph node dissection. Histologic examination revealed breast cancer with endocrine differentiation resembling small cell carcinoma of the lung, with one nodal metastasis. Case 2 was a 71-year-old woman with a 2.5-cm tumor in the upper outer quadrant of the right breast. Aspiration cytology suggested carcinoma and we performed mastectomy with lymph node dissection. Histologic examination revealed a carcinoid tumor, as one of the breast cancers with endocrine differentiation, but no nodal metastasis. The two patients are now disease-free 26 and 12 months after surgery, respectively.     

Breast-conserving therapy in breast cancer patients--a 12-year experience

INTRODUCTION: Twenty years ago prospective randomised controlled trials were initiated to compare conservative breast surgery plus radiation with radical mastectomy in the treatment of early-stage breast cancer. The results have shown no survival advantage for mastectomy over breast-conserving therapy (BCT). However, local recurrence of cancer after BCT has been reported to be as high as 14%, necessitating salvage mastectomy. METHODS: This retrospective study was performed on 165 breast cancer patients undergoing BCT in the 12 years up to August 2002. Resection and intraoperative cytological assessment were used to achieve clear excision margins. Adjuvant therapy (hormones, chemotherapy) was undertaken, and the incidence and times of local recurrence and distant metastases were recorded. RESULTS: Ninety-four per cent of patients had clear margins at the initial operation. This was achieved irrespective of ductal carcinoma in situ alone or surrounding the cancer in 62% of cases. At a median follow-up of 65 months one patient developed local recurrence (LR) in the breast synchronously with distant relapse. Two patients had non-nodal axillary recurrences but no patient suffered LR in isolation in the treated breast. CONCLUSION: BCT is a safe alternative to mastectomy provided that the tumour is completely excised. The segment containing the cancer should be resected from the nipple to the periphery of the breast. Intraoperative cytological assessment helps to ensure clear margins. Reexcision is recommended for patients with close/involved margins.     

Bilateral breast cancer. Risk reduction by contralateral biopsy.

Although survival from primary breast cancer has improved with earlier diagnosis and treatment, the management of the opposite breast is still in question. The risk factors for bilaterality are known, and preoperative mammography is occasionally helpful, but identification of early second breast cancer is very limited. Contralateral biopsy may provide a reasonable answer to the problem. During a 5-year period, 62 elective contralateral biopsies were performed in patients having mastectomies for primary breast cancer. This consisted of either a mirror image biopsy or, more commonly, a biopsy of the upper outer quadrant. Thirteen patients had simultaneous contralateral cancers, of whom two had clinically overt bilateral cancers and 11 (18%) had clinically occult malignancy. Seven of these 11 had both radiologically and clinically normal breasts. Thus, 11.3% had radiologically and clinically occult cancer demonstrated by biopsy. Surgical management consisted of total mastectomy with low axillary dissection for noninvasive cancers and modified radical mastectomy for invasive cancers. Pathologic findings of the dominant breast cancer and the contralateral lesion were: bilateral, noninvasive: three patients; invasive, noninvasive: (seven patients), and invasive, invasive: three patients. Although follow-up is short (median of 40 months), 82% of the patients who had clinically occult second-breast cancer remain free of disease. During a previous 8-year period, 37 of 500 primary breast cancer patients (7.4%) developed metachronous (33) or synchronous (4) second-breast primary cancers primarily diagnosed clinically or radiologically. Of these, 35 were invasive and two noninvasive cancers; 41% had nodal metastases. A selected "favorable group," 28 of these patients who were free of disease 3 years after their first cancer, was analyzed. The analysis showed that only 10 (36%) were surviving free of disease at 7 years; 25% were free of disease at 10 years. Although the incidence of clinically-recognized, second-primary breast cancer is relatively low, development of a second invasive cancer severely impairs patient survival. Contralateral biopsy would appear useful to identify patients with early invasive or preinvasive cancer in the second breast, which appears normal after clinical observation or mammography. It provides opportunity to reduce the risk of invasive cancer in that breast, as well as to provide important diagnostic and prognostic information.     

乳腺乳头状癌17例的诊断与治疗

目的 探讨乳腺乳头状癌的临床特征、病理和诊治.方法 回顾性分析温州医学院附属第一医院收治的17例乳腺乳头状癌的临床资料.结果 乳腺乳头状癌发病率占同期收治所有乳腺癌的0.64％.患者均可触及肿块.12例患者行乳腺癌改良根治术,2例行单纯乳房切除术,2例行保乳手术,1例行乳房单纯切除+前哨淋巴结活检术.术后15例行辅助化疗,其中5例另行放射治疗.术后随访时间1个月～8年,中位随访时间为32.5个月.1例发生骨转移于术后2年死亡,1例发生多器官转移于术后7年死亡.结论 乳腺乳头状癌患者的治疗及预后与其病理类型密切相关.对导管内乳头状癌的治疗宜选择低创伤的手段,对浸润性乳头状癌及浸润性微乳头状癌须按浸润性导管癌治疗原则处理.     

Occult carcinoma of the breast presenting as an axillary node enlargement

The authors discuss ten cases of occult carcinoma of the breast which presented initially as the axillary node enlargement. All cases were proven as adenocarcinoma. Both mammography and ultrasonography revealed the tumor in 3 cases, while in the remaining 7 cases malignant lumps were not visualized. Multiple studies to detect an extra mammary site proved to be negative. A concealed carcinoma of the breast was found in 9 patients with careful sectioning of the resected breast specimens. Only one patient in whom carcinoma of the breast could not be detected has survived well for 6 years after the mastectomy. Parasternal node involvement was not identified in all 7 patients of who had received an extended radical mastectomy. Three patients died of the disease within 45 mo. Seven patients are free of recurrence for 1 to 10 years (average 6 1/2 Y). Prognosis of the patients in this group are as good as and/or sometimes better than those of the patients with axillary nodes pathologically positive.     

Oncological aspects of immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy for malignancy

One hundred eighteen women treated with mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction for carcinoma were evaluated for recurrence of disease and survival. Fourteen women (12%) suffered relapse of their cancer and 10 patients (9%) died of their disease during a median follow-up of 2.3 years. All seven local recurrences (6%) were detected at an early stage and treated without removal of the prosthesis. Recurrence of disease occurred more frequently in patients with involved axillary lymph nodes and larger tumors. Patient survival was adversely affected by nodal metastasis and the absence of tumor estrogen receptors. Adverse outcome in this series correlated to known prognostic factors for breast cancer. Disease-free and overall survivals were comparable with our previous experience with mastectomy alone for breast carcinoma. In the absence of any apparent negative impact on patient outcome, and because of the well-documented positive psychosocial benefit of immediate reconstruction, this procedure should be routinely offered to women with operable breast cancer.