Search

Purpose To investigate the outcomes of adjuvant whole breast radiation therapy (WBRT) in patients with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast (breast IDC) receiving preoperative systemic therapy (PST) and breast-conserving surgery (BCS), and their prognostic factors, considering overall survival (OS), locoregional recurrence (LRR), distant metastasis (DM), and disease-free survival. Patients and methods Patients diagnosed as having breast IDC and receiving PST followed by BCS were recruited and categorized by treatment into non-breast radiation therapy [BRT] (control) and WBRT (case) groups, respectively. Cox regression analysis was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs). Results Multivariate Cox regression analyses indicated that non-BRT, cN3, and pathologic residual tumor (ypT2–4) or nodal (ypN2–3) stages were poor prognostic factors for OS. The adjusted HRs (aHRs; 95% CIs) of the WBRT group to non-BRT group for all-cause mortality were 0.14 (0.03–0.81), 0.32 (0.16–0.64), 0.43 (0.23–0.79), 0.23 (0.13–0.42), 0.52 (0.20–1.33), and 0.34 (0.13–0.87) in the ypT0, ypT1, ypT2–4, ypN0, ypN1, and ypN2–3 stages, respectively. The aHRs (95% CIs) of the WBRT group to non-BRT group for all-cause mortality were 0.09 (0.00–4.07), 0.46 (0.26–0.83), 0.18 (0.06–0.51), 0.28 (0.06–1.34), 0.25 (0.10–0.63), 0.47 (0.23–0.88), and 0.32 in the cT0–1, cT2, cT3, cT4, cN0, cN1, and cN2–3 stages, respectively. The WBRT group exhibited significantly better LRR-free and DM-free survival than the non-BRT group, regardless of the clinical T or N stage or pathologic response after PST. Conclusion WBRT might lead to superior OS and LRR-free and DM-free survival compared with the non-BRT group, regardless of the initial clinical TN stage or pathologic response., Highlights • Outcome patterns of adjuvant RT for patients with breast cancer receiving preoperative systemic therapy and breast-conserving surgery. • Non-breast radiation therapy, cN3, pathologic residual tumor (ypT2–4), or nodal (ypN2–3) stages are poor prognostic factors for survival. • The beneficial effects of RT are superior OS and LRR-free and DM-free survival compared with the non-RT group.

Purpose To use pathologic indicators to determine which patients benefit from postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) for breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and total mastectomy (TM). Patients and methods We enrolled 4236 patients with breast invasive ductal carcinoma who received NACT followed by TM. Cox regression analysis was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals; independent predictors were controlled for or stratified in the analysis. Results After multivariate Cox regression analyses, the adjusted HRs derived for PMRT for all-cause mortality were 0.65 (0.52–0.81, P, Highlights • No large-scale study has estimated detailed outcome patterns of postmastectomy radiation therapy stratified based on postchemotherapy pathologic stages in breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy and total mastectomy. • We used pathologic indicators to determine which patients benefit from PMRT for breast cancer after NACT and TM. • For patients with breast cancer ypT3–4, ypN2–3, or pathologic stages IIIA–IIIC receiving NACT and TM, PMRT should be performed if it is associated with survival benefits, regardless of their clinical stages.

Background The axillary reverse mapping (ARM) technique, identify and preserve arm nodes during sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) or axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), was developed to prevent breast-cancer related lymphedema (BCRL) remains controversial. Methods A comprehensive search of Medline Ovid, Pubmed, Web of Science and the Cochrane CENTRAL databases was conducted from the inception till January 2020. The key word including “breast cancer”, “axillary reverse mapping”, and “lymphedema”. Stata 15.1 software was used for the meta-analysis. Results As a result, twenty-nine related studies involving 4954 patients met our inclusion criteria. The pooled overall estimate lymphedema incidence was 7% (95% CI 4%–11%, I2 = 90.35%, P, Highlights • ARM is a simple and feasible technique that effectively reduces the incidence of BCRL. • Performing ARM technique for breast cancer patients should be considered carefully on account of its oncological safety. • Preoperative NAC is not correlated with less metastatic involvement in the ARM lymph nodes.

Highlights • This case showed spontaneous regression of both the primary and metastasis lesions. • Histopathological findings suggested spontaneous regression of the tumor. • The presence of CD8-positive lymphocytes suggests involvement of the immune response. • Poor prognostic factors of malignant tumors might induce spontaneous regression., Introduction Spontaneous regression of a malignant tumor is defined as “the partial or complete disappearance of a malignant tumor in the absence of any treatment.” Herein, we report a case of occult breast cancer with axillary lymph node metastasis that showed spontaneous tumor regression based on the histopathological findings. Presentation of the case A 67-year-old woman presented with left armpit pain and a lump. Previous examination by another doctor revealed swelling of the left axillary lymph node, but it was difficult to identify the primary lesion. Needle biopsy of the left axillary lymph node revealed malignant tumor tissue with extensive necrosis on histological examination. On initial examination at our hospital, the left axillary lymph node was observed to have shrunk compared to previous observations. Moreover, findings indicated a suspected concentrated cyst in the left breast, with slight contrast enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging. Considering a diagnosis of occult breast cancer with axillary lymph node metastasis, excisional biopsy was performed for the left breast mass and axillary lymph node dissection for left axillary lymph node metastasis. Histological examination revealed a micro adenocarcinoma with lymphocyte infiltration in the left breast, and the viable tumor in the left axillary lymph node had disappeared. The histopathological findings of the primary tumor and dissected lymph nodes suggested the possibility of spontaneous regression of both the primary and metastatic lesions, because effective preoperative therapy was not performed.

Highlights • High-Resolution 3D radial Dixon MRI allows for the creation of quantitative fat fraction images. • Lymph node fat fractions improves diagnostic performance of MRI to detect axillary lymph node metastases. • Lymph node fat fractions are a promising quantitative indicator of metastases in axillary lymph nodes., Purpose To assess diagnostic performance of fat fractions (FF) from high-resolution 3D radial Dixon MRI for differentiating metastatic and non-metastatic axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer patients. Method High-resolution 3D radial Dixon MRI was prospectively performed on 1.5 T in 70 biopsy-verified breast cancer patients. 35 patients were available for analysis with histopathologic and imaging data. FF images were calculated as fat / in-phase. Two radiologists measured lymph node FF and assessed morphological features in one ipsilateral and one contralateral lymph node in consensus. Diagnostic performance of lymph node FF and morphological criteria were compared using histopathology as reference. Results 22 patients had metastatic axillary lymph nodes. Mean lymph node FF were 0.20 ± 0.073, 0.31 ± 0.079, and 0.34 ± 0.15 (metastatic, non-metastatic ipsi- and non-metastatic contralateral lymph nodes, respectively). Metastatic lymph node FF were significantly lower than non-metastatic ipsi- (p

Highlights • We report an extremely rare case of breast metastasis from RCC. • Including the present case, only 23 cases of breast metastasis from RCC have been described in the literature. • It is important that the differential diagnosis of primary breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer be de determined by histological examination. • Minimally invasive surgery or nonsurgical ablation should be performed in accordance with the prognosis., Introduction The breast is a rare site for metastatic disease. We report a rare case of breast metastasis 9 years after nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and include a review of the relevant literature. Presentation of case An 82-year-old woman who developed an RCC underwent left nephrectomy in 2005. In October 2014, computed tomography (CT) revealed a mass of approximately 1 cm in the lateral portion of the right breast. Breast ultrasonography (US) revealed a well-circumscribed, hypoechoic mass at the same site. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) was performed, but the sample was inadequate because it did not capture breast duct epithelial cells. In June 2015, follow-up US revealed enlargement of the mass, and core needle biopsy (CNB) was performed to confirm the diagnosis. Histological examination resulted in the diagnosis of breast metastasis from an RCC. The patient underwent surgery for partial mastectomy in November 2015. The patient was asymptomatic and free of detectable disease at 18-month follow-up. Discussion The diagnosis of breast metastasis by imaging examination is difficult, and the results of FNA examination are often inconclusive because of the absence of breast duct epithelial cells. Only 22 cases of breast metastasis from RCC have been described in the literature. In almost all the reported cases, lumpectomy or partial mastectomy was performed. Conclusion It is important that histological diagnosis be determined by CNB and by other methods if the patient has a history of malignancy, and minimally invasive therapy should be performed in accordance with the prognosis.

Highlights • Forequarter amputation is an aggressive treatment for recurrent breast cancer. • Some patients with regional metastatic disease do benefit from forequarter amputation. • Patients with unrelenting cancer pain do gain relief from forequarter amputation., Introduction Localized excision combined with radiation and chemotherapy represents the current standard of care for recurrent breast cancer. However, in certain conditions a forequarter amputation may be employed for these patients. Presentation of case We present a patient with recurrent breast cancer who had a complicated treatment history including multiple courses of chemotherapy, radiation, and local surgical excision. With diminishing treatment options, she opted for a forequarter amputation in an attempt to limit the spread of cancer. Discussion In our patient the forequarter amputation was utilized as a last resort to slow disease progression after she had failed multiple rounds of chemotherapy and received maximal radiation. Unfortunately, while she had symptomatic relief in the short-term, she had cutaneous recurrence of metastatic adenocarcinoma within 2 months of the procedure. In comparing this case with other reported forequarter amputations, patients with non-metastatic disease showed a mean survival of approximately two years. Furthermore, among patients who had significant pain prior to surgery, all patients reported pain relief, indicating a significant palliative benefit. This seems to indicate that our patient’s unfortunate outcome was anomalous compared to that of most patients undergoing forequarter amputation for recurrent breast cancer. Conclusion Forequarter amputation can be judiciously used for patients with recurrent or metastatic breast cancer. Patients with recurrent disease without evidence of distant metastases may be considered for curative amputation, while others may receive palliative benefit; disappointingly our patient achieved neither of these outcomes. In the long term, these patients may still have significant psychological problems.

Quantum dots (QDs) are attractive photoluminescence probes for biomedical imaging due to their unique photophysical properties. However, the potential toxicity of QDs has remained a major obstacle to their clinical use because they commonly incorporate the toxic heavy metal cadmium within the core of the QDs. In this work, we have evaluated a novel type of heavy metal-free/cadmium-free and biocompatible QD nanoparticles (bio CFQD(®) nanoparticles) with a good photoluminescence quantum yield. Sentinel lymph node mapping is an increasingly important treatment option in the management of breast cancer. We have demonstrated their potential for lymph node mapping by ex vivo imaging of regional lymph nodes after subcutaneous injection in the paw of rats. Using photoluminescence imaging and chemical extraction measurements based on elemental analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy, the quantum dots are shown to accumulate quickly and selectively in the axillary and thoracic regional lymph nodes. In addition, lifetime imaging microscopy of the QD photoluminescence indicates minimal perturbation to their photoluminescence properties in biological systems.