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Introduction In order to minimise the risk of breast cancer patients for COVID-19 infection related morbidity and mortality prioritisation of care has utmost importance since the onset of the pandemic. However, COVID-19 related risk in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery has not been studied yet. We evaluated the safety of breast cancer surgery during COVID-19 pandemic in the West of Scotland region. Methods A prospective cohort study of patients having breast cancer surgery was carried out in a geographical region during the first eight weeks of the hospital lockdown and outcomes were compared to the regional cancer registry data of pre-COVID-19 patients of the same units (n = 1415). Results 188 operations were carried out in 179 patients. Tumour size was significantly larger in patients undergoing surgery during hospital lockdown than before (cT3-4: 16.8% vs. 7.4%; p, Highlights • A regional prospective cohort study on safety of breast surgery during COVID-19 pandemic. • Breast cancer surgery is safe in selected patients. • No COVID-19 infection related morbidity and mortality detected.

Participants were patients with invasive breast cancer undergoing primary surgery. The aim was to test whether a single dose of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid would reduce wound infection at 30 days postoperatively, and to identify risk factors for infection.Participants were randomised to either a single bolus of 1.2 g intravenous amoxicillin-clavulanic acid after the induction of anaesthesia (intervention) or no antibiotic (control). The primary outcome was the incidence of wound infection at 30 days postoperatively.There were 871 evaluable patients. Of these, 438 received prophylactic antibiotic and 433 served as controls. Seventy-one (16.2 per cent) patients in the intervention group developed a wound infection by 30 days, while there were 83 (19.2 per cent) infections in the control group. This was not statistically significant (odds ratio (OR) 0.82, 95 per cent c.i. 0.58 to 1.15; P = 0.250). The risk of infection increased for every 5 kg/m2 of BMI (OR 1.29, 95 per cent c.i. 1.10 to 1.52; P = 0.003). Patients who were preoperative carriers of Staphylococcus aureus had an increased risk of postoperative wound infection; however, there was no benefit of preoperative antibiotics for patients with either a high BMI or who were carriers of S. aureus.There was no statistically significant or clinically meaningful reduction in wound infection at 30 days following breast cancer surgery in patients who received a single dose of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid preoperatively.N0399145605 (National Research Register).There is little research about antibiotics in breast cancer surgery. Surgeons are not certain whether or not to use antibiotics for their patients. The aim of the Prophylactic Antibiotic Use in Surgery (PAUS) trial was to ask a question, ‘Do preoperative antibiotics have any benefit for patients having surgery for breast cancer?’ In the PAUS trial patients were given information to decide whether they wished to take part in the trial or not. Participants were randomly placed in one of two groups. Half were given one dose of the amoxicillin–clavulanic acid antibiotic at the time of their operation. The other half had no antibiotic. Neither the patient nor the surgeon knew which group the patient was in. Patients were carefully checked until 30 days after their operation for signs of wound infection. Altogether, 871 patients agreed to take part in the PAUS trial. Of these, 438 patients had the antibiotic and 433 had no antibiotic. The PAUS trial showed that there was no difference in the number of wound infections when comparing the two groups. Seventy-one patients (16.2 per cent) who had been given the antibiotic developed a wound infection by 30 days versus 83 (19.2 per cent) in the group who had not been given the antibiotic. This trial shows that antibiotics may not be needed for breast cancer surgery. PAUS may help to cut down on unnecessary antibiotic use.

Introduction The Sloane Project is a prospective cohort study, including 50% of United Kingdom screen detected ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (2003-2012). We sought to examine the trends in surgical management over time for screen detected DCIS. Methods Trends in type of breast surgery were compared with DCIS radiology, pathology and breast size. Results Of 9945 patients with complete data undergoing surgical excision, 2274 (22.9%) underwent mastectomy as their first procedure, of whom 1581 (69.5%) had a simple mastectomy. Among 7877 undergoing attempted breast conserving surgery (BCS), 83 (1%) had therapeutic mammoplasty (TM). The 4:1 attempted BCS:mastectomy ratio remained consistent over time. Of attempted BCS, 882 (11.2%) were ultimately converted to mastectomy (28.9% reconstructed). Over the decade, preoperative radiological estimation of DCIS remained constant at 26mm, however pathological DCIS size steadily increased from 22.4mm (2003-4) to 25.3 (2011-12). There was no corresponding increase in mastectomy, completion mastectomy or re-excision rates. Mean tumour size excised at BCS was 19.3mm (mean), at TM was 32.4mm and at mastectomy was 39.8mm. The rates of simple mastectomy (vs reconstruction) decreased from 77.7% to 61.2% while there was a small increase in TMs (from 0.2% (2 patients) [2003-4] to 1.7% (15 patients) [2011-12]). There was a statistically (but small [8%] clinically) significant difference in mean breast volume for BCS compared to mastectomy patients (1068ml vs 988ml respectively, Student’s t-test p Conclusion Breast size and pathological size, but not radiological size of screen detected DCIS increased between 2003 and 2012, but BCS rates remained consistent. Interestingly, breast size had no apparent influence on type of surgery, although the decrease in simple mastectomy suggests breast reconstruction increased over time. Citation Format: Cliona Clare Kirwan, Sheila Stallard, Senthurun Mylvaganam, Bridget Hilton, Karen Clements, Shan Cheung, Alistair Thompson. Surgical management of DCIS during the UK Sloane audit project [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-16-03.

Current evidence for oncoplastic breast conservation (OBC) is based on single institutional series. Therefore, we carried out a population-based audit of OBC practice and outcomes in Scotland.A predefined database of patients treated with OBC was completed retrospectively in all breast units practicing OBC in Scotland.589 patients were included from 11 units. Patients were diagnosed between September 2005 and March 2017. High volume units performed a mean of 19.3 OBCs per year vs. low volume units who did 11.1 (p = 0.012). 23 different surgical techniques were used. High volume units offered a wider range of techniques (8-14) than low volume units (3-6) (p = 0.004). OBC was carried out as a joint operation involving a breast and a plastic surgeon in 389 patients. Immediate contralateral symmetrisation rate was significantly higher when OBC was performed as a joint operation (70.7% vs. not joint operations: 29.8%; p 0.001). The incomplete excision rate was 10.4% and was significantly higher after surgery for invasive lobular carcinoma (18.9%; p = 0.0292), but was significantly lower after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (3%; p = 0.031). 9.2% of patients developed major complications requiring hospital admission. Overall the complication rate was significantly lower after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.035). The 5 year local recurrence rate was 2.7%, which was higher after OBC for DCIS (8.3%) than invasive ductal cancer (1.6%; p = 0.026). 5-year disease-free survival was 91.7%, overall survival was 93.8%, and cancer-specific survival was 96.1%.This study demonstrated that measured outcomes of OBC in a population-based multi-centre setting can be comparable to the outcomes of large volume single centre series.

Background Preoperative staging of the axilla is important to allow decisions regarding neoadjuvant treatment and the management of the axilla. Invasive lobular carcinoma metastases are difficult to detect because of the infiltrative pattern of the nodal spread. In this study the sensitivity of preoperative axillary staging between invasive lobular (ILC) and ductal (IDC) carcinoma was compared. Methods All women diagnosed with pure ILC or IDC in the West of Scotland in 2012–2014 were identified from a database maintained prospectively within the Managed Clinical Network. Pretreatment axillary ultrasound imaging (AUS), core biopsy and fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) results were compared between ILC and IDC. Results Some 602 women with ILC and 4199 with IDC had undergone axillary surgery, of whom 209 and 1402 respectively had nodal metastases. Pretreatment AUS sensitivity was significantly lower in ILC than in IDC (32·1 versus 50·1 per cent respectively, P < 0·001; OR 0·47, 95 per cent c.i. 0·34 to 0·64). Core biopsy had equally high sensitivity of 86 per cent in both subtypes; however, FNAC was significantly less sensitive in both ILC (55 per cent; P = 0·003) and IDC (75·6 per cent; P = 0·006). Multivariable analysis revealed that cT3–4 status and symptomatic presentation were both significant in predicting nodal metastasis in patients with ILC and false-negative AUS findings (OR 3·77, 95 per cent c.i. 1·69 to 8·42, P = 0·001; and OR 1·92, 1·24 to 2·98, P = 0·003, respectively). Conclusion AUS is inferior in detecting axillary node metastasis in ILC compared with IDC. Women with cT3–4 lobular carcinoma may benefit from ultrasound-guided axillary biopsy regardless of the ultrasonographic appearance of the nodes.

Introduction: current evidence for oncoplastic breast conservation (OBC) is based on single institutional series. We studied the outcomes of OBC practice in Scotland and compare individual breast units. Methods: a predefined database of patients treated with OBC was completed retrospectively in 11 breast units in Scotland. Patients were treated with OBC from 2005 onwards were included. For statistical calculations Chi-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis were used. Results: Altogether 589 patients were included. Median age was 56 years [21-86]. Patients were diagnosed between September 2005 and March 2017. Number of patients treated with OBC per unit ranged between 4 and 145. High volume units were doing a mean of 19.3 OBCs per year [17.3 – 26.5] vs. low volume units doing 11.1 OBCs per year [7 .7– 14.4] (p=0.012). 23 different oncoplastic surgical techniques were applied. Range of oncoplastic techniques used was associated with case-loads: high volume units used a wider range (8 – 14 different techniques) compared to low volume units (3 – 6) (p=0.004). Volume displacement was done in 515 patients (91.3%), volume replacement in 49 patients (8.7%). OBC was carried out as a joint operation between a breast and a plastic surgeon in 66.3% (389 patients). Immediate contralateral symmetrisation rate was significantly higher when the procedure was carried out as a joint operation (70.7% vs. not joint operations: 29.8%; p Incomplete excision rate was 10.4% (60 of 578). Incomplete excision was significantly higher after invasive lobular carcinoma (18.9%; 10 of 43; p=0.0292). After neoadjuvant chemotherapy incomplete excision rate was significantly lower (3%; 2 of 66 vs. no neoadjuvant chemotherapy: 11%; 35 of 319; p=0.031). Neodjuvant systemic treatment rate was 28.6% (142 of 496 patients). Of those 68 patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (13.7%) and 74 patients had neoadjuvant hormonal treatment (14.9%). Neoadjuvant systemic treatment rate varied amongst the units from 9.7% to 57.2% for patients with invasive carcinoma. 259 patients diagnosed with (non)invasive carcinoma had a median follow-up time of 5 years [35-124]. Of these 7 patients (2.7%) developed isolated local recurrence. 5-year local recurrence rate after DCIS was higher than after pure invasive ductal carcinoma (DCIS: 8.3%; 3 of 36 vs. ductal: 1.6%; 3 of 181; p=0.02567). 5-year disease-free survival of these patients was 91.7%, overall survival was 93.8%, and cancer-specific survival was 96.1%. 145 of 510 patients developed complications, which is 28.4% overall complication rate. 71 patients had major complications (13.9%) and 74 patients had minor complications (14.5%). Overall complication rate was significantly lower after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (15.9%; 11 of 69) compared to patients who did not receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy (27.9%; 127 of 455 patients) (p=0.035). Conclusion: this national audit demonstrated similar outcomes overall compared to relevant published data. Units should be urged to build stronger collaboration in order to reduce variability in OBC practices. None of the authors have conflict of interest to declare. Citation Format: Romics L, Macaskill J, Fernandez T, Morrow E, Simpson L, Pitsinis V, Barber M, Tovey S, Masannat Y, Young O, Mansell J, Stallard S, Doughty J, Dixon M. Oncoplastic breast conservations – The Scottish Audit: Surgical techniques, oncological outcomes, complication rates and variations in practice across the country based on the analysis of 589 patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-13-01.

Introduction Oncoplastic breast conservation surgery (OBCS) combines the principles of surgical oncology and plastic surgery. OBCS has now become a growing option for the treatment of breast cancer and forms a part of breast-conserving therapy (BCT). We sought to investigate and report our experience in two breast units in Glasgow (Victoria Infirmary and Western Infirmary) on volume replacement OBCS. Materials and Methods Details of patients treated with volume replacement OBCS were identified from a prospectively recorded database from November 2010 to October 2015. The clinical records included in the oncoplastic dataset were analyzed for demographics, tumor, treatment characteristics, and recurrences. The data were analyzed for follow-up to determine the pattern and timing of recurrence up to April 2016. The primary outcome of this study was tumor-free margin resection rates, and the secondary outcomes were locoregional and distant recurrence rates as these correlate with the overall oncological safety of volume replacement oncoplastic breast surgery (OPBS). Results A total of 30 volume replacement oncoplastic breast conservation procedures have been carried out in this time period. The mean age of the former group was 51 years. Twice as many patients presented symptomatically than had tumors detected on screening. The mean preoperative tumor size on radiology was 25.4 mm. Patients underwent 13 thoracoepigastric flaps, 5 lateral intercostal artery perforator (LICAP) flaps, 2 thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flaps, 1 lateral thoracic artery perforator (LTAP) flap, 1 crescent flap volume replacement surgery, and 8 matrix rotations. Two patients had neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Fourteen patients had adjuvant chemotherapy, and all patients were treated with adjuvant radiotherapy. Twenty-two patients were treated with hormonal therapy and four patients were treated with Herceptin. The rate of incomplete excision was 10%. Median follow-up time was 48.5 months. Only one regional recurrence was detected. Eight patients encountered some form of complication. Conclusion This study continues to show the relative oncological safety of volume replacement oncoplastic conservations as an option for reconstruction in breast cancer patients. Further research is urgently needed to build robust evidence supporting the long-term oncological safety.

Background:\ud This systematic review investigated the impact of complications on long term outcomes for patients with primary invasive operable breast cancer.\ud \ud Methods:\ud A systematic review was performed using appropriate keywords, and meta-analysis using a random effects model completed.\ud \ud Results:\ud Ten retrospective cohort studies, including 37657 patients were included. Five studies identified a relationship between wound complications, infection and pyrexia and recurrence or recurrence-free survival. Risk of recurrence, 1-year and 5-year recurrence-free survival and overall survival were related to complications, particularly for patients with poor Nottingham Prognostic Index. Five studies failed to demonstrate a relationship between complications and prognosis. Complication was found to significantly affect 5-year recurrence-free survival (HR 1.48 95% CI 1.02-2.14, p = 0.04) but not recurrence (HR 2.39, 95%CI 0.94-6.07, p = 0.07), with a high degree of heterogeneity among analysed studies (I2 = 95%).\ud \ud Discussion:\ud Further research is needed to quantify the effects of postoperative complication on prognosis following surgery for breast cancer.

The role of oncoplastic breast conservation (OBC) surgery is not fully defined in terms of whether it is equivalent to standard breast conservation (SBC), or more an alternative to mastectomy, or whether it occupies its own niche somewhere between the two. Therefore, we have carried out a population-based prospective audit of the current OBC practice in Scotland.All patients diagnosed with breast cancer in the whole of Scotland between 01/01/2014 and 31/12/2015 were prospectively recorded within the National Managed Clinical Networks databases. Patients treated with OBC were compared to patients who had SBC, mastectomy and mastectomy with immediate reconstruction (MIR).8075 patients were included (OBC:217(2.7%); SBC:5241(64.9%); mastectomy:1907(23.6%); MIR:710(8.8%)). OBC patients were younger than SBC or mastectomy, but older than MIR (p 0.0001). OBC patients were between SBC and mastectomy patients in terms of clinical and pathological tumour size (all p 0.001), rates of lobular cancers (v.SBC:p = 0.015 and v.mastectomy:p 0.001), high-grade tumours (v.SBC:p = 0.030 and v.mastectomy:p = 0.008), ER negative (v.SBC: p = 0.042) and HER-2 positive (v.SBC: p = 0.003) tumours, and nodal metastasis (v.mastectomy: p 0.001). More OBC patients received (neo)adjuvant chemo- and hormonal therapy (p ≤ 0.001), adjuvant radiotherapy (p = 0.005), trastuzumab (p 0.001) than SBC. More OBC patients presented through screening (v.mastectomy/MIR: p 0.0001). Time to surgery from diagnosis was longer for OBC than SBC/mastectomy (p 0.0001), but shorter than MIR (p = 0.007).This national audit demonstrates that OBC occupies its own niche between SBC, mastectomy and MIR in the surgical treatment of breast cancer in Scotland. We recommend that OBC should be recorded separately in other national breast cancer registries.

Background Current evidence for the oncological safety of oncoplastic breast conservation is poor as it is based mostly on short-term follow-up data. Hence, we report long-term recurrence rates in patients treated with oncoplastic reduction mammoplasty (ORM). Methods A prospectively maintained database was searched to identify patients who underwent ORM between 2005 and 2010. A retrospective review of medical records was carried out, including patients with ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive breast cancer. Results Follow-up data from 65 consecutive patients with ORM were reviewed, of which 50 patients were eligible to measure long-term recurrence rates. The average weight of the resected tissue was 272 g altogether. The mean preoperative tumour size was 2.95 cm on imaging. 64% of patients had stage II – III cancers. Incomplete excision rate after ORM was 16.1%, completion mastectomy rate was 10.7%. During a median follow-up of 72 months, 2% local, 6% distant recurrence rates were detected. The breast cancer-specific survival rate was 96% per cent. Conclusions Based on these long-term follow-up data, ORM is an oncologically safe treatment option.

Introduction: Therapeutic mammoplasty (TM) is increasing in popularity as a method for enhancing breast conserving surgery. Studies have shown it’s oncologically safe, whilst improving cosmetic outcome1,2,3. Therapeutic mammoplasty has been gaining popularity in West of Scotland over the past five years. Initially it was thought this may reduce requirement for mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. We have recorded type of surgery patients would have required had they not been suitable for TM, looking at changing demographic of surgical workload. Methods: Prospective data collected about patients undergoing TM in West of Scotland since 2011 in Victoria Infirmary, Western Infirmary and in NHS Lanarkshire. We reviewed clinical indications for TM, surgical alternative, Body Mass Index (BMI) and smoker status. Results: Seventy-nine patients were identified. In 67 cases, alternative surgical option of mastectomy or standard conservation was recorded. Mean BMI was 29. 41% of patients had contralateral surgery for symmetry at the same time. In 28 cases (35%) TM avoided need for mastectomy. In 39 cases (49%) it was felt that cosmetic result would be improved by TM compared with standard conservation. During the study period, rates of mastectomy with immediate reconstruction as a proportion of total number of treated cancers have remained similar. Conclusions: Whilst introduction of therapeutic mammoplasty in our region has improved options offered to patients and likely cosmetic outcomes, it has not had a major impact in reducing mastectomy rates or demand for immediate reconstruction. It has probably increased surgical workload of plastic surgeons as these cases are often performed as joint procedures. References: 1. Iwuchukwu OC, Harvey JR, Dordea M, Critchley AC, Drew PJ. The role of oncoplastic therapeutic mammoplasty in breast cancer surgery – A review. Surgical Oncology. 2012;21:133-141 2. McCulley SJ, Macmillan RD. Planning and use of therapeutic mammoplasty – Nottingham approach. British Journal of Plastic Surgery. 2005;58:889-901 3. Clough K, Lewis J, Couturand B, Fitoussi A, Nos C, Falcou M. Oncoplastic techniques allow extensive resections for breast-conserving therapy of breast carcinomas. Annals of Surgery. 2003;237(1):26-34. Citation Format: Jennifer Pollard, Pang Wong, James Mansell, Juliette Murray, Alison Lannigan, Julie Doughty, Laszlo Romics, Sheila Stallard, Christopher Wilson. Does therapeutic mammoplasty reduce mastectomy rates? [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-13-14.

Background: Oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery (OBCS) requires more complex surgical techniques than standard wide local excision (WLE) and the postoperative complication rate may be higher. Since these can have an impact on postoperative imaging, we compared imaging and biopsy results after OBCS and WLE. Methods: Findings for patients undergoing OBCS (n = 83) or standard WLE (n = 128) were compared. Numbers, indications and outcomes of mammograms, breast ultrasounds, magnetic resonance imaging scans and biopsies done within 2 years after surgery were analysed. Results: OBCS was applied for more advanced malignancy. Significantly more patients required breast ultrasound after OBCS than WLE (20/71 vs. 17/116; p = 0.024). Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 3 or 4 ultrasound results were found only in patients with OBCS (6/29 vs. 0/19; p = 0.034). Significantly more biopsies were required after OBCS (9/71 vs. 3/116; p = 0.006). New lumps or lumpiness were the commonest indications, and pathology confirmed fat necrosis in the majority (7/12). The rate of fat necrosis after OBCS was 18% on clinical examination (13/71), 15% with ultrasound (11/71) and 7% confirmed on pathology (5/71). Conclusion: Patients treated with OBCS require significantly more ultrasound scans and consequent biopsies than patients who underwent WLE. This is mainly due to fat necrosis developing after OBCS in the majority of cases.

As part of a feasibility study to restructure the breast cancer services in Glasgow, factors influencing 'postoperative length of stay' (LOS) and bed utilisation in patients undergoing surgery for breast cancer were examined. Data for patients admitted at five hospitals between March 2007 and February 2008 was collected prospectively. Age, socio-demographic and clinico-pathologic factors were recorded. Independent affects of variables predicting prolonged LOS were assessed using binary logistic regression analysis. Of the 519 women, 252(49%) had screen-detected cancers with a median LOS of 1 day while 267(51%) had symptomatic cancers with a median LOS of 4 days (p 0.001). On multivariate analysis, axillary procedure performed independently influenced prolonged LOS in both screen-detected and symptomatic cancers. In symptomatic cancers, comorbidities and deprivation also had some influence. While mastectomy with or without axillary surgery utilised 51% of the bed days, a further 20% were utilised by patients having re-operations. This study has helped in the planning of ambulatory surgery services and inpatient bed requirements for patients undergoing breast cancer surgery in Glasgow.

Support for the oncological safety of oncoplastic breast conservation surgery (OBCS) is mostly based on evidence comparing recurrence rates after OBCS to wide local excision (WLE). However, OBCS is often indicated for larger cancers and oncological results should also be compared to patients treated with mastectomy. In this study we compared recurrence and survival following OBCS, mastectomy and WLE.Patients treated with OBCS between 2009 and 2012 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. For comparison, consecutive patients treated with WLE or mastectomy with or without immediate reconstruction (Ms ± IR) over the same time period were identified. Histological variables of patients were compared using Fisher Exact or Chi squared tests, and recurrence and survival were compared using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression survival analysis.980 patients' data were analysed (OBCS: n = 104; WLE: n = 558; Ms ± IR: n = 318). Tumour size, grade, nodal status, ER, and PR expression of patients treated with OBCS were all significantly more adverse compared with patients treated with WLE (p 0.001). These histological variables were similar in patients treated with Ms ± IR and OBCS. 5-year local recurrence rates were similar in all three groups (WLE: 3.4 per cent, OBCS: 2 per cent, Ms ± IR: 2.6 per cent; log rank = 0.973), while distant recurrence rates were higher after Ms ± IR and OBCS (Ms ± IR:13.1 per cent, OBCS:7.5 per cent, WLE:3.3 per cent; log rank: p 0.001).OBCS is oncologically safe in patients even when histological results are similar to patients treated with Ms ± IR.

Introduction: oncosurgical safety of therapeutic mammaplasty (TM) is widely investigated. The interval between surgery and delivery of adjuvant chemotherapy is an integral part of overall oncological safety. Therefore, we examined the time between TM and AC, and compared it to wide local excision (WLE) and mastectomy (Mx) with or without immediate breast reconstruction (IBR), respectively. Methods: data of 174 patients who underwent TM, WLE and Mx±IBR was analyzed retrospectively. All patients were operated within three breast units of Glasgow during a period of 48 months. Time between decision to offer adjuvant chemotherpay and delivery of the first cycle of chemotherapy was analyzed. Significance was calculated with Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests (two and four groups compared, respectively). Results: median time to adjuvant chemotherapy after TM (n = 36) was 29 [16–58] days, WLE (n = 66) was 29.5 [15–105], Mx only (n = 56) was 29 [15–57], and Mx and IBR (n = 16) was 31 [15–58] days. No significant difference was found in terms of time to adjuvant chemotherpay in patients treated with TM compared to WLE (p = 0.384), Mx only (p = 0.828) or Mx and IBR (p = 0.366). Further, there was no significant difference when a cumulative comparison of the four groups was carried out (p = 0.507). Conclusions: our data indicate that oncosurgical safety of TM in terms of time to chemotherapy is similar to other high risk breast cancer patients treated WLE and Mx with or without IBR. This also suggests that there is no significant difference in postoperative complication rates after these four ways of surgical treatment of breast cancer, which would possibly be the primary cause for a delay in delivering adjuvant chemotherapy. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-14-13.

Introduction: current guidelines in the United Kingdom suggest that the possibility of breast reconstruction should be discussed with all patients prior to mastectomy. However, the majority of patients are still treated with mastectomy alone and no reconstruction is carried out. It has also been suggested that women from more deprived areas are less likely to undergo immediate breast reconstruction (IBR). We investigated potential pitfalls in patient counselling and consequent decision making contributing to present IBR rate in combination with the effect of socioeconomic deprivation. Methods: data from 89 consecutive mastectomy patients was prospectively collected in a single centre in Glasgow between August 2010 and March 2011. Each patient was scored for deprivation based on The Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation. The patients were then divided into two groups: high and low deprivation levels. Consultations about IR and patients’ acceptance of counselling were analysed. For statistical calculations Fischer's exact test was applied. Results: IBR was offered to 41 (46%) patients, but it was not to 42 (47%) (6 were excluded due to incomplete data). 25 patients accepted IBR, and of those 24 (27%) underwent IBR. 16 of 41 patients refused to undergo IBR due to lack of interest (10), not feeling ready for it (2), preference of delayed procedure (2) and fear of delaying adjuvant therapy (2). Of 42 patients whom IBR was not offered, only 10 were documented in the notes, while there was no reference for discussing reconstruction in 32 (36%) cases. Reasons for not even discussing reconstruction were the following: age (15), co-morbidities (18), locally advanced cancer (2), co-morbidities with age (5), and locally advanced cancer with age (2). As regards to socioeconomic deprivation; 44 (49%) patients were from deprived areas and 39 (44%) from affluent areas. 41 patients were offered IBR and of these 23 (26%) were from affluent areas compared to 18 (20%). Of the 42 patients who were not offered IR, 26 (29%) were from deprived while 16 (18%) from affluent areas (p Conclusions: while none of the reasons for not offering IBR represent absolute contraindication to IBR, decisions about refusal are based mostly on patients’ subjective intuitions. Further, a greater proportion of the patients who were not offered IBR were from more deprived areas, and it seems that patients from affluent areas are more likely to be offered IBR compared to ones from deprived areas. However, confounding factors such as co-morbidities may contribute to the above. We believe, therefore, that detailed counselling about reconstruction of each patient requiring mastectomy is necessary, which is likely to further increase IBR rate. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-16-11.

Introduction: The finding of a positive sentinel node is currently managed by further Level III axillary lymph node clearance (ALNC). The rationale behind this approach is that of local disease control, but there is little evidence that axillary lymph node clearance results in a reduction in axillary recurrence or in mortality. ALNC is however associated with increased morbidity (lymphoedema, nerve damage, reduced shoulder function) and significantly prolongs hospital stay. The Z11 trial suggests that ALNC following positive sentinel node biopsy does not result in lower axillary recurrence rates compared to the group in whom clearance was not undertaken and has obvious implications for evidence-based practice. The Z11 trial has strict inclusion criteria (T1/T2 tumour, breast conservation surgery) with all patients receiving adjuvant whole breast radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy or endocrine therapy. For patients who do not meet the patient population of Z11, such as women undergoing mastectomy, the Sloane-Kettering predictive normogram provides an estimate of risk for residual axillary disease after positive sentinel node biopsy and the estimate of this risk may inform the clinical decision to clear the axilla based on individual cancer characteristics. Methods: Our population comprises both symptomatic and screening patients, with an axillary positivity rate of approximately a third. This study was undertaken to assess the impact that Z11 would have on our practice. Our prospectively maintained records were searched for ALNC patients treated between 2003 and 2011. We assessed the number of node-positive patients conforming to Z11 criteria and the number who demonstrated residual axillary positivity at clearance after a positive sentinel node. The axillary recurrence rate for this group after ALNC was recorded. We calculated the number of clearances that could have been avoided, and extrapolated the reduction in morbidity in lymphodema and nerve damage using the audited incidence of these complications in our institution. We calculated the financial cost saving in terms of theatre usage and hospital stay. In addition, we assessed whether the Memorial Sloane Kettering predictive normogram is useful in the prediction of residual axillary disease for the group of patients excluded from the Z11 cohort. Results: 1601 patients underwent axillary staging. 65% of our patients with node-positive disease were identified pre-operatively with ultrasound and biopsy and proceeded directly to ALNC. Our overall axillary recurrence rate was low ( Discussion: Using these criteria nearly 25% of axillary clearances in our population of breast cancer patients could be avoided with obvious cost savings both in terms of morbidity and finance, considerations that are important in planning our service for the future. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-07-30.

Comparative studies suggest that patients treated with oncoplastic breast conservation surgery (OBCS) have similar pathology to patients treated with wide local excision (WLE). However, patients treated with OBCS have never been compared to patients treated with mastectomy. The aim of this study was to identify which control group was comparable to patients undergoing OBCS.Commonly reported histopathological variables of patients treated with OBCS, WLE or mastectomy ± immediate reconstruction (Ms ± IR) were compared using Fisher Exact or Chi squared tests.1000 patients' data were analysed (OBCS: n = 119; WLE: n = 600; Ms ± IR: n = 281). Tumour size was significantly bigger after OBCS than WLE (p0.001), but similar to Ms ± IR (p = 0.138). Tumour grade was higher after OBCS than WLE (p0.001), but similar to Ms ± IR (p = 0.497). More axillary nodes were involved in patients with OBCS than WLE (p0.001), but comparable to Ms ± IR (p = 0.175). ER and PR expressions were lower after OBCS compared to WLE (p = 0.007, p = 0.009), but identical to Ms ± IR (p = 1, p = 0.904 respectively). Differences in application of systemic (neo)adjuvant therapy followed the above trend.Striking similarities found between OBCS and mastectomy patients' histopathological results are in sharp contrast with previously published data. This study suggests that oncological outcomes following OBCS should be compared to mastectomy besides WLE.

Aims To assess local and systemic recurrence rates and factors predicting for recurrence in patients treated for ductal carcinoma of the breast (DCIS). Methods Patients with DCIS treated between January 1986 and January 1997 were identified. All pathology specimens were reviewed. DCIS type, lesion size, nuclear grade and margin clearance were assessed. Mammograms were reviewed and mammographic patterns, size, type of lesion and distance from the nipple were measured. Treatments and subsequent outcomes were established by case note review. Factors predicting for recurrence were analysed by both univariant and multivariant analysis. Results Of the 220 patients, 153 (70%) had breast-conserving surgery. Sixty-seven (30%) had a mastectomy. Ninety-seven patients had adjuvant therapy of which 22 had radiotherapy alone, 54 had tamoxifen alone and 21 had radiotherapy and tamoxifen. Following mastectomy, two patients developed axillary recurrences. Following breast-conserving surgery 20 (13%) patients developed local recurrences, of which one developed systemic disease and died from breast cancer. Conclusions Mammographic nipple to lesion distance of

This study investigates post-operative photographic assessment in determining the cosmetic outcome of 74 breast cancer patients who underwent a breast lumpectomy and radiotherapy. Using 10 of these patients picked at random, comparison was made between a conventional photographic print, a print produced from a digital image, and a digital image viewed on a computer screen in terms of personal preference for clinical assessment. The cosmetic outcome scores obtained on the basis of these images were compared with cosmetic outcome scores obtained by direct observation both by the clinician and by the patient. In the analysis of image preference, conventional prints scored highest, but each of the image types was considered to be acceptable for assessing breast cosmesis. Statistical analysis of the cosmetic outcome scores proved that there was a significant correlation between the scores obtained from the images and the scores obtained by direct observation both by the clinician and by the patient.

The aim of this systematic review was to establish the completeness of reporting of key patient, tumour, treatment, and outcomes information in the randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) of standard breast-conserving surgery (sBCS) considered to be the ‘gold-standard’, and to compare this with the reporting of the same key criteria for all published studies of oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery (oBCS). Pubmed (1966 to 1st April 2013), Ovid MEDLINE (1966 to 1st April 2013), EMBASE (1980 to 1st April 2013), and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Issue 4, 2013) were searched separately for the following terms: (i) ‘oncoplastic AND breast AND surgery’; and (ii) ‘therapeutic AND mammaplasty’. Only English language and full text articles were reviewed. Following a pilot evaluation of all studies, key reporting criteria were identified. 16 RCTs of sBCS ( n = 11,767 patients) were included, and 53 studies met the inclusion criteria for oncoplastic BCS ( n = 3236 patients), none of which were RCTs. No study reported all of the criteria identified, with a mean of 64% of key criteria (range, 55–75%) reported in studies of sBCS, and 54% of criteria (range, 10–85%) reported in studies of oBCS. It is therefore evident that there is much room for improvement in the quality of reporting is BCS studies. Standards are proposed to give future studies of BCS a framework for reporting key information and outcomes.

Background The use of local boost radiotherapy to the tumour bed has been demonstrated in randomised-controlled trials to reduce local recurrence rates following breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and is the standard of care. Oncoplastic BCS techniques with parenchymal rearrangement present new challenges to the localisation of the tumour bed and therefore delivery of local boost radiotherapy. The aim of this review was to evaluate the reporting of boost radiotherapy in the oncoplastic BCS literature. Methods Pubmed, Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched for studies reporting oncoplastic BCS using volume displacement techniques. Results 24 studies met the inclusion criteria (n = 1933 patients). Use of boost radiotherapy was reported in 11 studies, in 2 of which it was for the treatment of incomplete or close margins, and marking of the tumour bed was only reported in 8 studies. None of the studies reported the number of patients where the tumour bed could not be localised. Conclusions The use of local boost radiotherapy and tumour bed marking was not reported in the majority of studies of oncoplastic BCS. Future studies need to provide detailed information regarding the use of boost radiotherapy and difficulties determining the target volume so that current radiotherapy approaches can be reviewed and improved for these advanced techniques.

Introduction: Oncological safety of skin-sparing mastectomy followed by immediate breast reconstruction is widely debated. Current evidence is relatively poor since it is based mostly on short-term follow-up data of highly selected patient populations. Aim: Recurrence rates of a large cohort of non-selected patients, i. e. “all-comers” were analyzed during a 10-year follow up. Methods: Patient records and follow-up data of 253 consecutive cases treated with of skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction between 1995 and 2000 were studied. During this time period “all-comers” policy was applied, which meant that all patients treated with mastectomy were offered immediate breast reconstruction regardless of tumour stage. Results: “All-comers” approach resulted in a large proportion of patients with more advanced disease. During the 112 months mean follow-up 8.2% locoregional, 2.9% local, 10.6% distal and 18.8% overall recurrence rates were detected. Breast cancer specific survival rate was 90.9%. Autologous breast reconstruction was applied more frequently in patients with higher tumour stage; therefore recurrence rate was higher compared to patients undergoing implant-based reconstruction. Conclusion: Based on these long-term follow-up data skin-sparing mastectomy combined with immediate breast reconstruction is an oncologically safe treatment option. Therefore, application of “all-comers” policy for breast cancer patients treated with skin-sparing mastectomy followed by immediate breast reconstruction is feasible. Orv. Hetil., 2013, 154, 163–171.

patient records, nursing and medical notes. Data analysed using SPSS version 22. Results: Twenty-one patients with 26 TiLOOP assisted reconstructions with a mean follow up of 194 days (range 9e430) were analysed. Patients were a median age 51 (range 32e79) and median BMI of 25 (range 21e34). The majority had physical hobbies (n 1⁄4 16), no major comorbidities (n 1⁄4 17) and one was a smoker. The majority (n 1⁄4 19) stated the desire for a simple reconstructive option and were satisfied with their current breast size (n 1⁄4 18). 19 had in-situ or invasive breast cancer (n 1⁄4 13 screen-detected), 2 were risk reducing (proven BRCA mutation). Complications included: 1 haematoma; 5 seromas requiring single (40e150ml) aspiration; 3 with seroma treated as suspected minor infection with oral antibiotics. One implant loss was seen in this series. There was no correlation of complications with cup size, comorbidities or smoking status. Conclusions: TiLOOP is an economical non-autologous material available to provide lower-pole support and facilitate one-stage implantbased IBR, which is associated with a low complication rate.

patient records, nursing and medical notes. Data analysed using SPSS version 22. Results: Twenty-one patients with 26 TiLOOP assisted reconstructions with a mean follow up of 194 days (range 9e430) were analysed. Patients were a median age 51 (range 32e79) and median BMI of 25 (range 21e34). The majority had physical hobbies (n 1⁄4 16), no major comorbidities (n 1⁄4 17) and one was a smoker. The majority (n 1⁄4 19) stated the desire for a simple reconstructive option and were satisfied with their current breast size (n 1⁄4 18). 19 had in-situ or invasive breast cancer (n 1⁄4 13 screen-detected), 2 were risk reducing (proven BRCA mutation). Complications included: 1 haematoma; 5 seromas requiring single (40e150ml) aspiration; 3 with seroma treated as suspected minor infection with oral antibiotics. One implant loss was seen in this series. There was no correlation of complications with cup size, comorbidities or smoking status. Conclusions: TiLOOP is an economical non-autologous material available to provide lower-pole support and facilitate one-stage implantbased IBR, which is associated with a low complication rate.