Application of Deep Inspiration Breath Hold Technique in Radiotherapy After Breast- Conserving Surgery for Left Breast Cancer and Its Improvement on Cardiac Dose

Objective:To analyze the application of deep inspiration breath hold technique in radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery for left breast cancer and the improvement of cardiac dose.Methods:A total of 45 patients with left breast cancer treated in our hospital after breast-conserving surgery were selected,and the selection time was set from January 2020 to August 2022.All patients received radiotherapy.The right breast,heart,and lung volumes,and dose parameters of the heart,lungs,right breast,and left anterior descending coronary artery were compared under free breathing(FB)and deep inspiration breath hold(DIBH)technical modes.Results:The heart volume of the DIBH group was smaller than that of the FB group,and the left and right lung volumes were significantly larger than those of the FB group.In the DIBH group,the heart dose parameters V5,proper lung dose parameters,and left anterior descending coronary artery dose parameters were found lower than that of the FB group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:Compared with FB,the DIBH technique can reduce the heart’s size and increase the lung volume when used for radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery for left breast cancer.It also reduces the dose to the heart,right lung,and left anterior descending coronary artery,thus protecting the heart and lungs.

Assessing the Clinical Efficacy and Effectiveness of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Combined with Breast-Conserving Surgery for Early-Stage Breast Cancer

Objective:To analyze the impact of sentinel lymph node biopsy(SLNB)combined with breast-conserving surgery in the clinical treatment of early-stage breast cancer.Methods:80 patients with early-stage breast cancer admitted to the Second Department of Breast Surgery at Dezhou Second People’s Hospital from September 2020 to September 2022 were selected and randomly divided into a control group and an observation group using the random number table method,with 40 cases in each group.The control group underwent a modified radical mastectomy,while the observation group underwent SLNB combined with breast-conserving surgery.The surgical efficacy and prognosis between the two groups were compared.Results:The observation group exhibited shorter operation,hospitalization,and extubation times,as well as less intraoperative blood loss and drainage volume,all of which were significantly better than those in the control group(P<0.05).Additionally,the observation group demonstrated a higher rate of excellent breast cosmetology and quality of life,with lower complication incidence,significantly outperforming the control group(P<0.05).There was no statistical difference in the metastasis rate and recurrence rate between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:The combination of SLNB and breast-conserving surgery proves highly effective for patients with early-stage breast cancer,presenting fewer complications and enhancing both breast cosmetic outcomes and quality of life.

Parallel pathways:A chronicle of evolution in rectal and breast cancer surgery

In this editorial,we have analyzed the historical evolution of rectal and breast cancer surgery,focusing on the progressive reduction of demolitive approaches and the increasing use of more conservative strategies,accompanied by a growing emphasis on perioperative treatments aimed at enhancing surgical outcomes.All of these changes have been made possible due to an increased awareness and understanding of oncological diseases and improved perioperative treatments.

Ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence in early stage breast cancer patients treated with breast conserving surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy: Concordance of biomarkers and tumor location from primary tumor to in-breast tumor recurrence

BACKGROUND Patients with an in-breast tumor recurrence(IBTR)after breast-conserving therapy have a high risk of distant metastasis and disease-related mortality.Classifying clinical parameters that increase risk for recurrence after IBTR remains a challenge.AIM To describe primary and recurrent tumor characteristics in patients who experience an IBTR and understand the relationship between these characteristics and disease outcomes.METHODS Patients with stage 0-II breast cancer treated with lumpectomy and adjuvant radiation were identified from institutional databases of patients treated from 2003-2017 at our institution.Overall survival(OS),disease-free survival,and local recurrence-free survival(LRFS)were estimated using the Kaplan Meier method.We identified patients who experienced an isolated IBTR.Concordance of hormone receptor status and location of tumor from primary to recurrence was evaluated.The effect of clinical and treatment parameters on disease outcomes was also evaluated.RESULTS We identified 2164 patients who met the eligibility criteria.The median follow-up for all patients was 3.73[interquartile range(IQR)2.27-6.07]years.Five-year OS was 97.7%(95%CI:96.8%-98.6%)with 28 deaths;5-year LRFS was 98.0%(97.2-98.8)with 31 IBTRs.We identified 37 patients with isolated IBTR,19(51.4%)as ductal carcinoma in situ and 18(48.6%)as invasive disease,of whom 83.3%had an in situ component.Median time from initial diagnosis to IBTR was 1.97(IQR:1.03-3.5)years.Radiotherapy information was available for 30 of 37 patients.Median whole-breast dose was 40.5 Gy and 23 patients received a boost to the tumor bed.Twenty-five of thirty-two(78.1%)patients had concordant hormone receptor status,HER-2 receptor status,and estrogen receptor(ER)(P=0.006)and progesterone receptor(PR)(P=0.001)status from primary to IBTR were significantly associated.There were no observed changes in HER-2 status from primary to IBTR.The concordance between quadrant of primary to IBTR was 10/19[(62.2%),P=0.008].Tumor size greater than 1.5 cm(HR=0.44,95%CI:0.22-0.90,P=0.02)and use of endocrine therapy upfront(HR=0.36,95%CI:0.18-0.73,P=0.004)decreased the risk of IBTR.CONCLUSION Among patients with early stage breast cancer who had breast conserving surgery treated with adjuvant RT,ER/PR status and quadrant were highly concordant from primary to IBTR.Tumor size greater than 1.5 cm and use of adjuvant endocrine therapy were significantly associated with decreased risk of IBTR.

The Effectiveness of Intraoperative Frozen Section Analysis of Safety Margins in Breast Conserving Surgery and the Role of Surgeon in Decreasing the Rate of Positive Margins

Introduction: Nowadays the more accepted surgical option for treating early breast cancer is breast conserving surgery. The main challenge in this type of surgery is to get free safety margins without need of second surgical operation, so many breast surgeons have started to depend on intraoperative frozen sections to ensure free safety margins. Aim of work: To assess our policy that we prefer to depend on intraoperative frozen section analysis to get free safety margin in breast conserving surgery from the 1st surgery, and its oncologic outcome. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted in Oncology Center—Mansoura University (OCMU), where the data of 219 patients with breast cancer, who were managed by breast conserving surgery with intraoperative frozen section analysis of the safety margins, was analyzed. Results: The intraoperative frozen section analysis of safety margin was negative from the start in 183 (83.6%) patients, while it was positive in 36 patients (16.4%). Intraoperative decision of margin re-excision was applied for 29 patients (13.2%) in order to reach negative margin, modified radical mastectomy was offered for 4 patients (1.8%), while nipple sparing mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction using latissimus dorsi flap was offered for 3 patients (1.4%). The postoperative paraffin results were typical with intraoperative frozen section analysis results in 216 patients (98.6%) and different results were obtained in only 3 patients (1.4%) who were managed by modified radical mastectomy in a second operation. Only 4 patients had local recurrence (1.8%) during the period of follow-up duration which was ranged from 1 to 86 months with mean ± SD (22.3 ± 14.1). Conclusion: The intraoperative frozen section analysis of safety margins in breast conserving surgery has very high-rate typical results with the paraffin section analysis and it is very helpful in decreasing the rate of second surgical operation in cases of infiltrated margins. It should be used routinely in all cases of breast conserving surgery.

Breast Conserving Surgery and Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy under Local Anesthesia for Breast Cancer

Background: Breast conserving surgery and sentinel lymph node biopsy has become the standard operation for early breast cancer. This operation has been performed under local anesthesia for patients that would like short-term admission or for those not indicated for general anesthesia due to complications. This report presents the outcomes of breast conserving surgery and sentinel lymph node biopsy under local anesthesia. Patients and Methods: The study included 61 patients with breast cancer that were all definitely diagnosed before surgery. The indications were preoperatively diagnosed localized DCIS, invasive carcinoma measuring less than 3 cm in tumor diameter on ultrasound, and tumors with negative axillary lymph nodes. The surgical procedures included breast conserving surgery associated with sentinel lymph node navigation biopsy. Results: The surgery could be performed under local anesthesia in all 61 patients, and no patient was converted to general anesthesia. Four patients had sentinel lymph node metastasis. Surgical stumps were positive in 18 patients (29.5%). Ten Gy of boost irradiation of the tumor bed was added to the conventional breast irradiation for these patients. There were no serious complications associated with surgery. Conclusion: Breast conserving surgery and sentinel lymph node biopsy for early breast cancer can be performed safely under local anesthesia. This procedure contributes to shortening the length of hospitalization and thereby saving medical resources without deceasing the quality of treatment.

Versatility of therapeutic reduction mammoplasty in oncoplastic breast conserving surgery

Oncoplastic breast conserving surgery is the gold standard approach for the surgical treatment of early breast cancer. There is a well defined technique named "therapeutic mammoplasty" which is characterized for using a reduction mammaplasty technique to treat breast cancer conservatively. In our current practice, "therapeutic mammoplasty" or therapeutic reduction mammaplasty is our favorite oncoplastic breast conserving approach which it used in almost half of our patients. This technique is very versatile allows us the resection of tumors located in all breast quadrants of patients with moderate-to large-sized breasts. We describe a series of 57 patients who were treated using a therapeutic reduction mammaplasty. All surgical procedures were carried out by one comprehensive breast surgeon who planned and designed the surgery performing both oncologic and reconstructive procedures. Surgical margins were insufficient in eight patients(14%). Nine patients(15.8%) had a complication in early postoperative period and in one of them adjuvant radiotherapy was delayed four months due to a wound dehiscence. The rate of synchronous contralateral symmetrization was 31.6%. Our conclusion is that reduction mammaplasty is a useful and safe skill to treat breast cancer conservatively playing a very important role therefore it must be situated in the priority of learning objectives.

Breast Conserving Surgery: Has the Standard of Care Enhanced Outcomes for Patients?

Breast Conserving Surgery (BCS) is a rapidly emerging field increasingly adopted to facilitate breast conservation and preserve breast aesthetics. Since the publication of the Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) of Breast Conserving Surgery versus mastectomy in early breast cancer, the adoption of BCS for breast cancer patients’ surgical management has been comprehensive. A computerized bibliographic search was performed on PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Google Scholar and Cochrane library databases. This article aims to perform a thorough review of new data regarding invasive cancer and margins while evaluating patient outcomes related to BCS after neoadjuvant chemotherapy focusing on margins, imaging evaluation, the extent of resection, and local regional recurrence outcomes. The growth pattern and biopsy of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) differ from invasive cancer, impacting margins. It is essential to understand how the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) DCIS margin guideline has influenced practice. Early breast cancer surgical management should be unique to each patient, driven by evidence-based medicine, and focused on specific clinical, histological, and molecular characteristics of the tumor. Conclusion: The current management for early breast cancer should be tailored and evidence-based to each patient based on the clinical, histological and molecular characteristics of the tumor. Presumably, the standard of care in BCS has enhanced the outcomes for this patient population. This review made by peers will help surgeons to stay up to date with the current literature and help them manage breast cancer while improving multiple clinical parameters such as Disease-Free Survival (DFS), Recurrence-Free Survival (RFS) and most importantly Overall Survival (OS).

Histological Findings of a Local Adipofascial Flap That Was Implanted during Breast Conserving Surgery

We report a patient with breast cancer whose breast was immediately reconstructed using a local adipofascial flap and was then subsequently resected 3 years after the original surgical procedure due to local recurrence. In order to achieve local control of the solitary recurrent lesion, we resected the remnant breast, which gave us a useful opportunity to examine the previously implanted flap histologically. A 33-year-old Japanese female was diagnosed with T2N0M0 breast cancer in the outer area of her left breast and underwent partial mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using a local adipofascial flap. The breast lesion was considered to be invasive ductal carcinoma, scirrhous carcinoma, lymphatic invasion+, venous invasion-, estrogen receptor+, progesterone receptor+, and HER2/neu-. Involvement was noted in three of the twenty-five resected axillary lymph nodes. She received adjuvant hormone therapy, but developed a solitary local recurrence of the skin forty-five months after the initial procedure, for which she received total mastectomy, systemic chemotherapy, and hormone therapy. During the histological examination of the local adipofascial flap that had been implanted into the partial breast defect, normal fatty tissue and the implanted fascia were seen at the implantation site. This is a rare report in which a local flap that was implanted during oncoplastic breast surgery was histologically examined.

Breast-conserving surgery and combined therapy for women breast cancer: a report of 216 cases

Objective: To explore the therapeutic effect and associated techniques of breast-conserving therapy on patients with clinical stage I and stage II breast cancer. Methods: 216 female patients with breast cancer underwent breast-conserv- ing therapy from December 1993 to October 2004. Their data were analyzed retrospectively. The breast-conserving therapy consisted of lumpectomy or quadrant removal of the breast, postoperative radiotherapy, chemotherapy and endocrine ther- apy. Of them, 209 patients underwent axillary lymph node dissection. Results: There were no operative complications. 216 patients were followed-up 3 to 147 months, the medial follow-up time was 78 months. The local recurrence rate was 1.85%. Two patients died and one of them was not related with breast cancer. Presence or absence of fibrosis, shape of breast, asymmetry, pigmentation and handle were taken into consideration for cosmetic evaluation by the patients and experienced breast surgeon. Breasts were scored cosmetically as excellent and good in 199 patients, the rate of satisfactory was 92.13%. Conclusion: Breast-conserving therapy for early breast cancer is a safe and effective therapy. It has less trauma and less complications and can also raise the quality of life in the patients. But we must obey the strict indications and reasonable techniques.

Clinical significance of S100A7 protein in predicting recurrence of breast cancer in patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery with radiotherapy

Objective To investigate the relationship between the expression of S100A7 protein and prediction of recurrence and prognosis of breast cancer in patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery combined with radiotherapy.Methods 349 samples of carcinoma tissue wax blocks were selected from January 2011 to January 2014 in Qingdao Central Hospital.All the patients had undergone breast-conserving surgery.We analyzed S100A7 expression in tumor tissue by immunohistochemical staining.Using univariate and multivariate analyses,we evaluated the relationship between S100A7 and clinical results,to explore independent risk factors for local regional recurrence(LRR).Results The positive expression of S100A7 in the recurrence group(66.7%)was significantly higher than in the non-recurrence group(38.4%),P=0.025.A log-rank test showed that high S100A7 expression was significantly correlated with 5-year regional recurrence free survival rate(RFS)(94.9%vs 89.5%,P=0.0408),distant metastasis free survival rate(DFS)(95.4%vs 83.5%,P<0.001),and overall survival rate(OS)(99.0%vs 92.5%,P=0.0011).Histological grade,vessel carcinoma embolus,lymph node metastasis,S100A7 expression,and tumor size were factors that influenced RFS.Multivariate analysis of the Cox proportional hazard model showed that high S100A7 expression was an independent risk factor that affected breast cancer RFS(HR=6.864,95%CI:1.575-29.915,P=0.01).Thus,we concluded that high S100A7 expression is associated with increased risk of LRR and distant metastasis of breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery and postoperative radiotherapy.S100A7 can be used as a molecular marker to screen for patients with high recurrence risk after breast-conserving surgery.

Application of Ultimate Oncoplastic Surgery in Breast-Conserving Surgery

Objective To investigate the application of oncoplastic surgery in breast-conserving surgery.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 103 breast cancer patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University.All the patients were female whose tumor volume-to-breast volume ratio was greater than 20%.Fifty-two patients were treated with oncoplastic breast-conversing surgery(observation group),and 51 patients were treated with traditional breast-conserving surgery(control group).The volume of resected tissue,subjective satisfaction with breast shape,objective score of breast shape,and follow-up were compared between the two groups.Results In the observation group,the weight of resected breast tissue was 64.2–172.1 g,with a median of 98.7 g.In the control group,the weight of resected breast tissue was 67.5–175.7 g,with a median of 102.3 g.After 12 months of follow-up,the subjective satisfaction rate and objective score of breast shape in the observation group were significantly better than those in the traditional breast-conserving surgery group(P<0.05).There was no recurrence,metastasis,or death in the two groups.There was no significant difference in postoperative complications between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery leads to better cosmetic results and a more satisfactory clinical results.

Is breast conservative surgery a reasonable option in multifocal or multicentric tumors?

The incidence of multifocal(MF) and multicentric(MC) carcinomas varies widely among clinical studies,depending on definitions and methods for pathological sampling.Magnetic resonance imaging is increasingly used because it can help identify additional and conventionally occult tumors with high sensitivity.However,false positive lesions might incorrectly influence treatment decisions.Therefore,preoperative biopsies must be performed to avoid unnecessary surgery.Most studies have shown higher lymph node involvement rates in MF/MC tumors than in unifocal tumors.However,the rate of local recurrences is usually low after breast conservative treatment(BCT) of MC/MF tumors.It has been suggested that BCT is a reasonable option for MC/MF tumors in women aged 50-69 years,with small tumors and absence of extensive ductal carcinoma in situ.A metaanalysis showed an apparent decreased overall survival in MC/MF tumors but data are controversial.Surgery should achieve both acceptable cosmetic results and negative margins,which requires thorough preoperative radiological workup and localization of lesions.Boost radiotherapy techniques must be evaluated since double boosts might result in increased toxicity,namely fibrosis.In conclusion,BCT is feasible in selected patients with MC/MF but the choice of surgery must be discussed in a multidisciplinary team comprising at least radiologists,surgeons and radiotherapists.

Conservative Treatment of Breast Cancer and Oncoplasty at the Teaching Hospital Mother and Child of Jeanne Ebori Foundation in Libreville (Gabon)

Introduction: Breast cancer is currently the most common malignant tumour in women worldwide. Objective: To evaluate conservative treatment of breast cancer and oncoplasty at the teaching hospital Mother and Child of Jeanne Ebori Foundation (CHUMEFJE). Patients and methods: This is an observational, descriptive study, which took place from August 2019 to December 2021 at CHUMEFJE. Data were collected using patients’ medical records, and operative and pathological anatomy reports. Results: Conservative treatment and oncoplasty were performed in 12 (34.2%) patients. Of these patients, 8 (66.7%) benefited from an external technique and 2 (16.7%) from a pamectomy. Post-operative complications were dominated by lymphocele in 5 (41.6%) patients. Ten (83.3%) patients were satisfied with the post-operative aesthetic result. At the time of updating the records, 1 (8.3%) patient had died and 11 (91.7%) were alive. Conclusion: Conservative treatment and oncoplasty are giving satisfactory results at the CHUMEFJE in Libreville.

Perioperative Interstitial Brachytherapy as a Boost in Breast Cancer Conserving Therapy

Background: The aim of breast-conserving treatment (BCT) in breast cancer, consisting of wide local excision (WLE) and radiotherapy, is to obtain local control of disease as well as an optimal cosmetic result. The application of perioperative brachytherapy allows more precise deposition of the boost radiation dose to the lumpectomy cavity plus margins in a shorter period of time, as compared to external beam radiotherapy. The aim of the present study was to analyze the oncological outcome of interstitial brachytherapy in our patient population of patients with early-stage breast cancer. Patients and Methods: 107 breasts in 105 patients with T1-2 breast cancer were treated between 1996 and 2009 with BCT, including WLE combined with perioperative brachytherapy using Iridium-192 (15 Gy with low dose rate or 9 Gy with high dose rate) followed by whole breast irradiation (50 Gy). Outcomes analyzed included treatment toxicity (according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events), local recurrence rate, and disease-free and overall survival. Results: Median follow-up of patients still alive was 6.3 years (range 2.0 - 14.5). Mean age was 50.2 years (+/- S.D. 10.5). Mean tumor diameter was 15 mm (+/- S.D. 8 mm. Acute complications consisted of grade 1 and 3 complications, respectively n = 8 and n = 1. Late complications consisted of grade 1 or 2, respectively n = 25 and n = 2. Only three patients (2.8%) developed a local recurrence with a median time to recurrence of 9.3 years (range 3.3 - 9.3). Five- and ten-year local recurrence free survival was 99% and 91%, respectively. Five- and ten-year disease-specific and overall survival was 95% and 84% versus 92% and 78%, respectively. Conclusions: Treatment-related toxicity after brachytherapy for breast cancer was mild. The local recurrence rate is low. Therefore, brachytherapy is a good alternative to conventional radiation boost as a part of breast irradiation in breast conserving treatment in early stage breast cancer.

Breast-conserving therapy and modified radical mastectomy for primary breast carcinoma:a matched comparative study

Background- To compare two types of therapy for primary breast carcinoma, breast-conserving therapy （BCT） and modified radical mastectomy （MRM）, in a matched cohort study. Methods： A series of 1,746 patients with primary breast cancer treated with BCT or MRM in a single Chinese institute between January 2000 and February 2009 were analyzed retrospectively to compare their outcomes with respect to the incidence of local recurrence （LR）, distant metastasis, and survival. The patients were matched with regard to age at diagnosis, spreading to axillary lymph nodes, hormone receptor status, the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and maximal tumor diameter. The match ratio was 1：1, and each arm included 873 patients. Results： The median follow-up period was 71 months. The 6-year disease-free survival （DFS） and 6-year distant disease-free survival （DDFS） rates differed significantly between two groups. The 6-year local recurrence-free survival （LRFS） rates were 98.2% [95% confidence interval （CI）： 0.973-0.989] in the BCT group and 98.7% （95% CI： 0.980-0.994） in the MRM group （P=0.182）, respectively. DFS rates in BCT and MRM groups were 91.3% （95% CI： 0.894-0.932） and 86.3% （95% CI： 0.840-0.886） （P〈0.001）, respectively, whereas the DDFS rates in BCT and MRM groups were 93.6% （95% CI： 0.922-0.950） and 87.7% （95% CI： 0.854-0.900） （P〈0.001）, respectively. Conclusions： BCT in eligible patients is as effective as MRM with respect to local tumor control, DFS and DDFS, and may result in a better outcome than MRM in Chinese primary breast cancer patients.

Magnetic resonance imaging findings of radiation-induced breast angiosarcoma:A case report

BACKGROUND Breast conservation surgery(BCS)with adjuvant radiotherapy has become a gold standard in the treatment of early-stage breast cancer,significantly reducing the risk of tumor recurrence.However,this treatment is associated with adverse effects,including the rare but aggressive radiation-induced angiosarcoma(RIAS).Despite its rarity and nonspecific initial presentation,RIAS presents a challenging diagnosis,emphasizing the importance of imaging techniques for early detection and accurate diagnosis.CASE SUMMARY We present a case of a 48-year-old post-menopausal woman who developed skin ecchymosis on the right breast seven years after receiving BCS and adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer.Initial mammography and ultrasound were inconclusive,showing post-treatment changes but failing to identify the underlying angiosarcoma.Contrast-enhanced breast magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)revealed diffuse skin thickening and nodularity with distinctive enhan-cement kinetics,leading to the diagnosis of RIAS.This case highlights the crucial role of MRI in diagnosing and determining the extent of RIAS,facilitating timely and appropriate surgical intervention.CONCLUSION Breast MRI is crucial for detecting RIAS,especially when mammography and ultrasound are inconclusive.

Significance of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence after breast conserving treatment: role of surgical removal

Objective： To analyze the pattern over time （dynamics） of further recurrence and death after ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence （IBTR） in breast cancer patients undergoing breast conserving treatment （BCT）. Methods： A total of 338 evaluable patients experiencing IBTR were extracted from a database of 3,293 patients undergoing BCT. The hazard rates for recurrence and mortality throughout 10 years of follow-up after IBTR were assessed and were compared to the analogous estimates associated to the primary treatment. Results： In a time frame with the time origin at the surgical treatment for IBTR, the hazard rate for further recurrence displays a bimodal pattern （peaks at the second and at the sixth year）. Patients receiving mastectomy for IBTR reveal recurrence and mortality dynamics similar to that of node positive （N＋） patients receiving mastectomy as primary surgery, apart from the first two-three years, when IBTR patients do worse. If the patients with time to IBTR longer than 2.5 years are considered, differences disappear. Conclusions： The recurrence and mortality dynamics following IBTR surgical removal is similar to the corresponding dynamics following primary tumor removal. In particular, patients with time to IBTR in excess of 2.5 years behave like N＋ patients following primary tumor removal. Findings may be suitably explained by assuming that the surgical manoeuvre required by IBTR treatment is able to activate a sudden growing phase for tumor foci most of which, as suggested by the systemic model of breast cancer, would have reached the clinical level according to their own dynamics.

Advances in regional nodal management of early-stage breast cancer

With the continuous improvement of systemic treatment, reasonable local regional control of early-stage breast cancer can be translated into survival benefits. The optimization of regional nodal management in patients with limited sentinel lymph node(SLN) metastasis needs to be weighed by surgical complications, regional recurrence risk, and lymph node status, as well as other escalating treatment(systemic/radiotherapy) that may result from deescalating surgery. With the effective support and supplementation of systemic therapy and radiotherapy, the management of axillary surgery is developing in a de-escalating trend. The widespread application of neoadjuvant therapy has contributed to optimizing the management of patients with clinically node-negative/imaging nodepositive disease. In clinical practice, it is necessary to consider the residual tumor burden of regional lymph nodes when formulating the optimal irradiation fields in patients with limited positive SLN without axillary lymph node dissection. The combined application of genomic tests and American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z0011/AMAROS criteria could provide patients with a better strategy of dual de-escalation treatment, which includes the de-escalation of both axillary surgery and systemic treatment. In the era of sentinel lymph node biopsy(SLNB), the regional nodal management of breast cancer should adhere to the concept of “updating ideas, making bold assumptions, and carefully seeking proof”, make full use of the benefits of systemic therapy and radiotherapy to reduce the scope of surgery and complications, and expand the “net benefit” of efficacy and quality of life. This review discusses the optimization of regional nodal management in the era of SLNB, in order to provide reference information for clinicians.