Care of Seniors with Breast Cancer – Treatment Received and Refining Decision Making

AimsTreatment decisions for older patients with breast cancer are complex and evidence is largely extrapolated from younger populations. Frailty and comorbidity need to be considered. We studied the baseline characteristics and treatment decisions in older patients in Christchurch with breast cancer and assessed survival outcomes and prognostic/discriminatory performance of several tools.Materials and methodsWe searched the Canterbury Breast Cancer Registry and identified patients aged 70 years or older at diagnosis with invasive, non-metastatic breast cancer between 1 June 2009 and 30 June 2015. We retrieved demographics, treatment and outcome information. Overall survival and breast cancer-specific survival were estimated. Tools analysing performance status and comorbidity were assessed for their prognostic and discriminatory power.ResultsIn total, 440 patients were identified. Primary surgery was carried out for 362 patients (82.3%): breast-conserving surgery in 114 (of whom 88.6% received radiation therapy); mastectomy in 248 (of whom 24.6% received radiation). Hormone therapy was given for 265 (71.1%) patients with oestrogen receptor-positive cancers. Two hundred and seventy-four (62.3%) patients received full standard treatment, which was associated with significantly improved 5-year survival and 5-year breast cancer-specific survival. The median estimated overall survival was 8.2 years (95% confidence interval 7.3–9.1 years). Of those who died, 71.3% of deaths were due to causes other than breast cancer or unknown causes. The comorbidity-adjusted life expectancy (CALE) showed partial prognostic accuracy. CALE, Charlson and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group tools all showed discriminatory value.ConclusionIn this population-based series of older patients with breast cancer, showing high levels of primary and adjuvant treatment, patients were more likely to die of causes other than breast cancer. Performance status and comorbidity tools showed prognostic and discriminatory potential in this population supporting their use in treatment decision making. CALE showed the most potential to improve treatment decisions but requires validation in this population to improve prognostic accuracy.     

基于生物信息学筛选早发性乳腺癌差异表达基因

目的筛选并分析与早发性乳腺癌发生、发展相关的靶基因。 方法(1)在美国国立生物技术信息中心的公共基因芯片数据库(GEO)中检索早发性乳腺癌样本及非早发性乳腺癌样本相关基因芯片数据。对上述数据使用GEO2R、R4.1.2及Venn软件筛选出相关差异表达基因(DEGs)，并运用在线分析工具(Web Gestalt)对DEGs，进行相关功能和信号通路富集分析。(2)同时，通过String在线数据库构建DEGs编码的蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用(PPI)网络，并利用Cytohubba插件对该网络中的基因进行评分，筛选出枢纽基因。将枢纽基因导入Kaplan-Meier生存分析工具(Kaplan-Meier Plotter)，评估枢纽基因在早发性乳腺癌的预后价值。(3)将肿瘤基因组图谱(TCGA)数据库中的肿瘤组织以年龄为标准进行分组，分析枢纽基因在各年龄组中的表达，并与正常组织中的表达进行比较，对得到的枢纽基因进行验证。DEGs表达量的多组间比较使用Kruskal-Wallis H检验，使用Bonferroni法进行两两比较。 结果(1)筛选出编号为GSE89116、GSE109169、GSE36295的基因芯片数据集，共得到80个差异表达基因，其中上调差异表达基因17个，下调差异表达基因63个。富集分析显示：DEGs主要富集在脂质代谢和氧化还原过程以及PPAR信号通路、AMPK信号通路上。(2)在PPI中发现主要的关键基因为PPARG、ADIPOQ、LIPE、PCK1、PDK4、ACACB、PLIN1、CAV1、CD36、ANGPTL4。ACACB、ADIPOQ、CAV1、LIPE、PLIN1、PPARG基因的低表达与乳腺癌患者的不良OS相关(HR＝0.69、0.84、0.76、0.88、0.78、0.82；95%CI：0.59~0.80、0.76~0.93、0.67~0.83、0.79~0.97、0.70~0.86、0.73~0.90；P均<0.050)。(3)ACACB、ADIPOQ、LIPE、PLIN1、CAV1及PPARG这6个与预后相关的基因在正常组织中的表达量均远高于各年龄组肿瘤组织中的表达量(χ²＝104.03、179.57、161.85、189.87、118.56、103.62，P均<0.001)，早发性乳腺癌组(21~40岁)的LIPE、PLIN1表达量低于41~60岁、61~80岁年龄组，差异具有统计学意义(LIPE: Z＝21.07、23.12, P均<0.050; PLIN1：Z＝16.89、18.76, P均<0.050)。 结论早发性乳腺癌与非早发性乳腺癌存在差异基因表达谱，LIPE、PLIN1可能是早发性乳腺癌发生、发展的关键基因。     

不同剂量骨水泥PKP联合雌激素对绝经后女性骨质疏松性腰椎体压缩性骨折患者的影响

目的探讨不同剂量骨水泥PKP联合雌激素对绝经后女性骨质疏松性腰椎体压缩性骨折患者的影响。方法选取2015年1月至2018年6月我院收治的120例老年女性骨质疏松性腰椎体压缩性骨折患者为研究对象,按行PKP手术治疗时骨水泥注入的剂量不同分为三组(A组2-4 mL、B组4-5 mL、C组5-6 mL),所有患者均随访1年,比较术后三组患者VAS评分、ODI评分、伤椎椎体前缘高度、椎体中部高度及并发症的发生率。结果三组患者相比,治疗前VAS评分、ODI评分组间比较差异无显著性(P0.05);术后3天及1年后随访时,三组患者各项指标均较治疗前显著改善,组内比较差异具有显著性(P0.05),组间比较差异无显著性(P0.05);治疗前伤椎椎体前缘高度及椎体中部高度组间比较差异无显著性(P0.05);术后3天及1年后随访时,三组患者治疗后椎体前缘、中间高度均较术前明显增加(P0.05),组间比较椎体前缘高度:C组B组A组,椎体中间高度:C组B组A组,且组间比较有统计学差异(P0.05); A组患者并发症的发生率(12.5%)明显低于B组(30.0%)、C组(41.0%),有统计学差异(P0.05)。结论 PKP术中注入小剂量骨水泥(2-4 mL)对于治疗老年女性OVCFs具有良好的治疗效果及较高的安全性。     

Development of a Simulation-Based Mastery Learning Curriculum for Breaking Bad News

Introduction

Physician communication impacts patient outcomes. However, communication skills, especially around difficult conversations, remain suboptimal, and there is no clear way to determine the validity of entrustment decisions. The aims of this study were to 1) describe the development of a simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) curriculum for breaking bad news (BBN) conversation skills and 2) set a defensible minimum passing standard (MPS) to ensure uniform skill acquisition among learners.

Assessment of the uterine dose in digital mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis

IntroductionDigital Mammography (DM-2D) and more recently Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT), are two of the most effective imaging modalities for breast cancer detection, often used in screening programmes. It may happen that exams using these two imaging modalities are inadvertently performed to pregnant women. The objective of this study is to assess the dose in the uterus due to DM-2D and DBT exams, according to two main irradiation scenarios: in the 1st scenario the exposure parameters were pre-selected directly by the imaging system, while in the 2nd scenario, the maximum exposure parameters were chosen.MethodsThe mammography equipment used was a Siemens Mammomat Inspiration. A physical anthropomorphic phantom, PMMA plates (simulating a breast thickness of 6 cm) and thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) were used to measure entrance air kerma values on the phantom's breast and abdomen in order to successively estimate the mean glandular dose (MGD) and the dose in the uterus. For the two irradiation scenarios chosen, two-breast imaging modalities were selected: 1) DBT in Cranio-Caudal (CC) view (with 28 kV and 160 mAs as exposure parameters), 2) DBT and DM in Medio Lateral-Oblique (MLO) and CC views (with 34 kV and 250 mAs as exposure parameters).ResultsIn the 1st scenario, the TLD measurements did not detect significant dose values in the abdomen whereas the MGD estimated using the D.R. Dance model was in close agreement with data available in the literature. In the 2nd scenario, there was no significant difference in MGD estimation between the different views, whereas the air kerma values in the abdomen (in DBT mode, CC and MLO) were 0.049 mGy and 0.004 mGy respectively. In CC DM-2D mode the abdomen air kerma value was 0.026 mGy, with no significant detected value in MLO view.ConclusionsFor the dose in the uterus, the obtained values seem to indicate that DM-2D and DBT examinations inadvertently performed during pregnancy do not pose a significant radiological risk, even considering the case of overexposure in both breasts.Implications for practiceThe accurate knowledge of the doses in DM-2D and DBT will contribute to raise the awareness among medical practitioners involved in breast imaging empowering them to provide accurate information about dose levels in the uterus, improving their radiation risk communication skills and consequently helping to reduce the anxiety of pregnant women undergoing this type of examinations.     

T1~T2期乳腺癌保乳术后化疗后程同步大分割放疗前瞻性Ⅰ期临床研究

目的 前瞻性评估T1~T2期乳腺癌保乳术后化疗后程大分割放疗的不良反应和耐受性，以及在缩短治疗时间、减轻患者经济负担等方面的价值。方法 共入组20例T1~T2期乳腺癌保乳术后患者，所有患者于末次多西他赛化疗前开始大分割放疗。观察急性放射反应、治疗完成率及无病生存率、住院时间及住院费用等。结果 治疗完成率100%。主要不良反应为血液学毒性（白细胞减少）及皮肤反应，患者均可耐受。中位随访时间为30.1个月，随访率100%。美容效果良好率100%。平均总治疗时间为4周，总住院治疗费用节省约1万元。21个月无病生存率为100%。结论 T1~T2期乳腺癌保乳术后可耐受同步大分割放化疗，局部控制好，美容效果佳，且具有较高的卫生经济学价值。     

Self‐objectification in the context of breastfeeding: A concept analysis

To increase the overall rate of breastfeeding initiation and duration, factors involved in a mother's decision to breastfeed must be identified. Self‐objectification in the context of breastfeeding was a concept selected for exploring factors associated with negative views of breastfeeding. A concept analysis following the eight‐step Walker & Avant method provides clarity and context to the concept of self‐objectification in the context of breastfeeding. The antecedents of self‐objectification in the context of breastfeeding include living in a culture of sexualization and objectification of women and the internalization of the values of objectification. Attributes of self‐objectification in the context of breastfeeding are a prioritization of physical appearance attributes of the breast over the health benefits of breastfeeding and a preoccupation with physical appearance. Consequences include negative views toward breastfeeding initiation, duration, and public breastfeeding. A concept analysis on self‐objectification in the context of breastfeeding will provide definition and clarity to this phenomenon, lend to theory and measurement, and add literature to the sociocultural factors impacting breastfeeding decisions.     

Cellular immunotherapy in breast cancer: The quest for consistent biomarkers

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women worldwide, with a relatively high proportion of patients experiencing resistance to standard treatments. Cellular immunotherapy (CI), which is based on the extraction, modification, and re-infusion of the patient’s immune cells, is showing promising results in these patients. Among CI possible approaches, adoptive cell therapy (ACT) and dendritic cell (DC) vaccination are the most comprehensively explored in both primary/translational research studies and clinical trials. ACT may include the use of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), T cell receptor (TCR)-, or chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T-cells. There are indications suggesting that a biomarker-based approach might be beneficial in effectively selecting breast cancer patients for CI. Here, we sought to provide the current knowledge of CI in breast cancer, focusing on candidate biomarkers, ongoing clinical trials, limitations, and immediate future perspectives.     

中国经肛全直肠系膜切除结构化培训尸体手术训练中学员表现分析

目的 分析参加经肛全直肠系膜切除（taTME）结构化培训尸体手术训练中学员表现。方法 针对2018年4月至2019年7月参加taTME结构化培训研讨会的学员，通过问卷调查获取数据，分析学员在尸体手术训练过程中各步骤的技术表现、术中困难及并发症以及术后标本直肠系膜完整度等结果。结果 共45名学员参加taTME结构化培训研讨会，其中39名学员返回问卷。荷包缝合方面，5名（12.8%）学员未能独立完成，7名（17.9%）学员需要经过两次或以上尝试来完成荷包缝合。在各方向直肠系膜间隙的切开分离过程中，85%～90%学员能在教员不同程度上的口头指导下亲自完成。最终标本直肠系膜完整性的评价中，系膜不完整的标本共5例（12.8%），系膜近乎完整的标本共18例（46.2%），系膜完整的标本共16例（41.0%）。术中并发症及遇到困难方面，18名（46.2%）学员进入错误间隙，1名（2.6%）学员出现直肠穿孔，4名（10.3%）学员出现荷包失败，2名（5.1%）学员出现尿道损伤。单因素分析发现只有学员培训前独立完成taTME手术的例数≥1例为术中不出现并发症的影响因素。结论 参加培训的学员在荷包缝合、直肠全层切开以及直肠系膜间隙的分离等各重要手术步骤中获得较为充足的亲自上手练习机会，较丰富的工作经验以及腹腔镜全直肠系膜切除术（TME），经肛门内镜微创手术（TEM）、经肛门微创手术（TAMIS）的手术经验并不能降低taTME手术经肛操作部分的术中并发症发生率。参加包含尸体手术训练的taTME结构化培训有助于降低术中并发症发生率并提高手术安全性。