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Although useful prognostic and predictive insights can be gained from patient and tumour characteristics in early-stage breast cancer, it is not always straightforward to predict the likely risk of recurrence for each individual patient following breast surgery. One of the most difficult challenges faced by clinicians is identifying patients who may benefit most from adjuvant chemotherapy, and distinguishing these cases from those where endocrine therapy may be sufficient for cure. Genomic tests such as the Oncotype DX® Breast Recurrence Score® Assay have been developed to provide a robust and clinically validated assessment of a patient's individual tumour signature. The Oncotype DX Assay is included in treatment guidelines for estimating both the risk of distant recurrence and predicting adjuvant chemotherapy benefit for early-stage breast cancer patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative, oestrogen-receptor positive, and axillary lymph node negative or positive (1-3 positive nodes) disease. In this article, we review unmet needs for prognostication and prediction in early-stage breast cancer, and consider how the information provided by the Recurrence Score is complementary to that gained from the assessment of more traditional clinicopathologic criteria. Routine use of the assay in clinical practice, limitations and possible future directions are also discussed.

Background. The 21-gene Oncotype DX Recurrence Score assay is a validated assay to help decide the appropriate treatment for estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), early-stage breast cancer (EBC) in the adjuvant setting. The choice of adjuvant treatments might vary considerably in different countries according to various treatment guidelines. This prospective multicenter study is the first to assess the impact of the Oncotype DX assay in the French clinical setting. Methods. A total of 100 patients with ER+, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative EBC, and node-negative (pN0) disease or micrometastases in up to 3 lymph nodes (pN1mi) were enrolled. Treatment recommendations, physicians’ confidence before and after knowing the Recurrence Score value, and physicians’ perception of the assay were recorded. Results. Of the 100 patients, 95 were evaluable (83 pN0, 12 pN1mi). Treatment recommendations changed in 37% of patients, predominantly from chemoendocrine to endocrine treatment alone. The proportion of patients recommended chemotherapy decreased from 52% pretest to 25% post-test. Of patients originally recommended chemotherapy, 61% were recommended endocrine treatment alone after receiving the Recurrence Score result. For both pN0 and pN1mi patients, post-test recommendations appeared to follow the Recurrence Score result for low and high values. Physicians’ confidence improved significantly. Conclusion. These are the first prospective data on the impact of the Oncotype DX assay on adjuvant treatment decisions in France. Using the assay was associated with a significant change in treatment decisions and an overall reduction in chemotherapy use. These data are consistent with those presented from European and non-European studies. Implications for Practice: This study shows that in estrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative early breast cancer (either node-negative or with micrometastases in up to 3 lymph nodes), Oncotype DX testing is associated with a treatment recommendation change in more than a third of patients (primarily from chemoendocrine treatment to endocrine treatment alone but also in the opposite direction) and an overall reduction in chemotherapy use. These results are consistent with those from other decision impact studies worldwide and further emphasize the role of Oncotype DX testing in management of early breast cancer, as reflected in international treatment guidelines.

Objective Shoulder dystocia is a dreadful complication of vaginal deliveries since it can be responsible of brachial plexus palsies and even neonatal deaths. Unlike most studies, we defined shoulder dystocia as the enclosing of fetal shoulders above the superior strait (cavity station of 1cm) and situations being resolved only by delivery of the posterior arm (Jacquemier's maneuver). The purpose of this study was to analyze cases of shoulder dystocia in terms of maternal and neonatal complications and to compare risk factors with those identified in the literature. Material and methods We conducted a retrospective study of 14 cases of severe shoulder dystocia (SSD) which occurred at our hospital between January 1995 and January 2007. TSD was diagnosed in the absence of engagement of both fetal shoulders requiring recourse to Jacquemier's maneuver for delivery. Any gestational diabetes, abnormal progression of labour, suspicion or existence of fetal macrosomia, instrumental delivery, and neonatal complications were noted. Results The incidence of SSD was around 1 per thousand. Multiparity, weight gain greater than 15kg and gestational diabetes were moderately present in our study group. Only 20% of neonates were macrosomic and 50% had a birth-weight of less than 4000g. In 80% of cases, an instrumental extraction was practised. Brachial plexus injuries affected 20% of neonates, no fracture was observed, one child died following an unresolved SSD. Conclusion This series shows that the incidence of SSD is rare and difficultly predictable even though identified risk factors exist. However, an instrumental extraction seems frequently associated with SSD and any extraction should take into account the presence of known risk factors. In spite of the severity of our cases of shoulder dystocia, complications found seemed to be similar to those observed in the literature.

Postpartum haemorrhage remains a dangerous obstetrical complication, which is the main cause of maternal mortality in developing countries. The diagnosis must be immediate and its management is both medically and surgically in life-threatening haemorrhage. We present a case of a thirty-three-year-old woman who asked a pregnancy interruption for premature rupture of membranes at 21(th) gestational week for her second pregnancy; she underwent a caesarean section at term for her first pregnancy. She delivered vaginally and developed a postpartum haemorrhage with hemorrhagic shock which was resistant to medical, surgical and radiological management. We decided to use recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa, NovoSeven) as a final attempt to rescue the patient. During surgery, two intravenous bolus injections (60, 120 mug/kg) were successfully given with a control of bleeding and haemoglobin. The patient developed later a splenic thrombosis that can be related to either rFVIIa or to the hypovolemic shock or to the sepsis. Recombinant activated factor VII is an interesting and promising haemostatic agent in the management of life-threatening postpartum haemorrhage unresponsive to conventional treatment.

Resume Introduction Les techniques de curage axillaire sont en constante evolution. L’apparition de la pince Ligasure Precise ® R et son cout doivent faire poser la question du benefice de son emploi par rapport aux clips chirurgicaux. Objectif Comparer l’efficacite du Ligasure ® par rapport aux clips chirurgicaux dans le curage axillaire simple ou dans l’intervention de Patey en termes de duree de drainage, de cout d’hospitalisation et de complications. Materiel et methode Etude retrospective s’etendant du 1 er janvier 2003 au 31 decembre 2004, concernant 187 patientes beneficiant d’un curage axillaire simple (100) ou d’un Patey (87), avec emploi de clips chirurgicaux ou de Ligasure et d’un drainage. Resultats L’emploi du Ligasure augmente le cout operatoire car son prix est superieur a celui d’une pince a clips avec une recharge. Le Ligasure diminue significativement la duree de drainage dans les deux groupes mais il y a significativement plus de lymphoceles dans le groupe curage. Quand on calcule le cout d’hospitalisation lie au choix de la technique d’hemostase (cout du materiel + duree de drainage X prix de la journee d’hospitalisation), on ne retrouve pas de difference significative en faveur du Ligasure. Quand on calcule le cout total d’hospitalisation tenant compte du choix de la technique d’hemostase et de la duree d’hospitalisation (cout du materiel + duree d’hospitalisation X prix de la journee d’hospitalisation), il n’y a pas de difference significative dans les deux groupes. Conclusion Cette etude compare la pince Ligasure Precise ® aux clips chirurgicaux dans le curage axillaire. Elle diminue significativement la duree de drainage mais son benefice sur le taux de lymphocele reste a demontrer. L’emploi du Ligasure ® ne diminue pas significativement le cout d’hospitalisation obligatoire.

OBJECTIVES A nonfrank breech is generally believed to be associated with abnormal labor and risk of cord prolapse. Owing to these risks, many authors consider such a presentation as a positive indication for cesarean section. The purpose of this study was to estimate the delivery characteristics of nonfrank breech with a gestational age over 37 weeks and particularities of this presentation. PATIENTS AND METHODS This retrospective study included all deliveries with a nonfrank breech presentation and a gestational age over 37 weeks over a sixteen years period in our maternity ward. A descriptive analysis of maternal, fetal and obstetrical elements was carried out. RESULTS 198 deliveries were indexed with 54% vaginal birth, regularly observed throughout the study period. Thirty percent delivered by prelabor planned cesarean section and 16% by cesarean section during labor. When a vaginal birth trial was allowed, at last 77.4% delivered by this route. Average labor time in the vaginal birth group was only 4.5 hours. Eleven cord prolapses were found (5.6%) of which more than half delivered by vaginal birth without fetal complications. Perinatal outcomes were satisfactory for the whole population, without differences between cesarean section and vaginal birth. DISCUSSION Cord prolapse is a risk of nonfrank breech presentation but abnormal labor is not more frequent than with frank breech presentations if labor is managed rigorously. More than 75% patients of the vaginal birth trial group delivered by vaginal birth with perinatal outcomes as good as the cesarean section group. Unlike traditional reports, in our study a nonfrank breech was not an unfavorable factor for vaginal birth after strict selection of vaginal birth trial candidates.

Breast angiosarcoma is a rare but serious complication of radiotherapy. We report two cases of radiation-induced breast angiosarcoma in two patients having benefited from breast conserving surgery with radiation. We shall put emphasis on the etiopathogeny of these tumours and their clinical and therapeutic aspects.

Background One can consider as a standard neoadjuvant treatment for breast cancer, the sequence of 4 cycles of anthracycline-based chemotherapy followed by 4 cycles of docetaxel. Based on the belief that the sequence order between anthracycline and taxane might be of interest, this study assessed the impact of the sequence order. Methods One hundred and twenty three patients with breast cancer were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in 5 oncologic centers between 2003 and 2007. This study compared 65 patients treated with 4 cycles of docetaxel followed by 4 cycles of anthracycline-based chemotherapy (cohort T), versus another cohort of 58 patients treated with 4 cycles of anthracycline-based chemotherapy followed by 4 cycles of docetaxel (cohort A). Results The overall dose intensity of docetaxel and clinical complete responses were significantly higher in cohort T. No statistically significant differences were observed in terms of conservative surgeries or histological responses. The sequence of chemotherapy did not significantly influence other treatment-related toxicities. Mild neurotoxicity was higher in patients treated in cohort T. Anemias (≥Grade 1) were higher in cohort A (52% versus 81%; p = 0.0008). Conclusion The present study failed to identify an impact of the sequence of taxane administration on the efficacy. Nevertheless, starting neoadjuvant chemotherapy by taxane reduces the occurrence of anemia. These findings might allow a selection of the sequence order based on the toxicity profile.

International audience; BACKGROUND: An increasing number of patients with early-stage breast cancer is being diagnosed by way of population-wide mammographic screening in women. Because breast-conservation therapy (BCT) is the standard treatment, the aim of our study was to determine factors predisposing patients to re-excision for pT1 tumors. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted at Besancon University Hospital in France. Patients with pathologic diagnosis of invasive breast carcinoma

e22085 Background: The Oncotype DX Recurrence Score (RS) assay has been validated for prediction of 10-year risk of distant recurrence and likelihood of benefit from chemotherapy in patients with E...

1122 Background: It is debatable whether sentinal lymph node (SLN), before chemotherapy in locally breast cancer (LBC) is feasible. Impact on survival and locoregionally recurrence are unknown. Methods: 256 consecutive patients with LBC treated in Franche Comté (France) between 2004 and 2010 by standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy were retrospectively studied. 177 patients underwent axillary lymph node (ALN) dissection after chemotherapy (cohort A) and 79 patients underwent SLN before chemotherapy (cohort B). The aim of this study was designed to confirm the feasible of SLN before neoadjuvant chemotherapy without negative impact of recurrence and survival. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method. Differences in OS and DFS according ALN exploration were tested for significance using the Log-Rank test. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed in terms of median age (respectively 59 and 48 years in cohort A and B), tumor size, histological type, grading score, estrogen receptor, progesteron receptor and human epidermal receptor-2 status. No difference of breast conserving surgery was observed between cohort A and B (56.25 vs. 64.56%, p = 0.21). In cohort B, 38 patients (48.10%) of patients underwent SLN alone. For others patients (n = 41, 51.90%), secondary complete axillary lymphadenectomy was performed in the same time of breast surgery. After a median follow up of 57 months (range: 38-105), there was no significant difference in termsof local and axillary recurrences (1.13 vs. 1.27%), metastatic recurrence (11.30 vs. 11.40%). Five-year DFS (76 vs 81%, p = 0.55) and 5-year OS (91 vs. 97%, p = 0.76) did not differ between patients in cohort A and B. Conclusions: SLN before neoadjuvant chemotherapy is feasible and allows to avoid ALN dissection in nearly 50% of patients without impact on recurrence and survival.

568^ Background: The 21-gene Oncotype DX Recurrence Score (RS) is a validated assay to help inform the appropriate treatment of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), early stage breast cancer in the adjuvant setting. Treatment traditions regarding choice of adjuvant treatment vary significantly in different countries. This prospective multicenter study is the first to assess the impact of using the Oncotype DX assay in the French clinical setting. Methods: A total of 100 consecutive patients with ER+, HER2-negative, node negative or pN1 (mi) breast cancer were enrolled. Overall treatment recommendation change, change from chemoendocrine to endocrine alone and change from endocrine alone to chemoendocrine treatment were recorded. Medical oncologists completed questionnaires regarding their confidence in their recommendation before and after knowing the patient’s RS. A preliminary analysis was conducted on the first 92 evaluable patients with data available at the time of abstract submission. Final data will be presented at the meeting. Results: Prior to Oncotype DX 49% of patients were recommended chemoendocrine treatment and 51% endocrine treatment alone. After having the RS, 26% were recommended chemoendocrine treatment and 74% endocrine treatment alone. The overall reduction in chemotherapy recommendation from 49% to 26% was significant (p

There was no significant difference in age (p = 0.917), educational level (p = 0.851), or BMI (p = 0.255) between CAM users and non-users. CAM users and non-users showed no significant difference in trust in conventional treatment (p = 0.374) or quality of life (p = 0.501). There was no significant difference in health specific locus of control. Vitamins and minerals were the most common (35.2%) used natural CAM product. Conclusion: CAM use is common among recently diagnosed breast cancer patients in the Netherlands. Physicians and other health care providers should increase their knowledge about CAM therapies. CAM should be discussed with patients, since CAM may cause clinically significant drug interactions.