Imaging of the treated breast post breast conservation surgery/oncoplasty: Pictorial review

Mammographic appearance of the normal breast is altered in the post-operative setting. It is essential to be aware of the normal findings as well as to identify features of recurrent disease with particular emphasis on radiologicalpathological concordance. Digital breast tomosynthesis and volumetric breast density add incremental value in this clinical setting. We present a pictorial review of various cases to illustrate normal post-operative findings as well as mammographic features suspicious for recurrent disease.

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.

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).

Concomitant Boost Radiotherapy after Conservative Breast Surgery in Early Breast Cancer

Background: Radiation therapy after breast conserving surgery is a standard part of treatment for invasive breast cancer. Based on radiobiological models, it was found that shorter radiation schedules offered the promise of equivalent local control to standard radiation therapy by giving larger doses per fraction in shorter period of time. Methods: This study included 36 female patients with operable invasive stage I-II breast cancer. These patients underwent microscopic wide local excision of the primary tumor and lymph node dissection. They received adjuvant radiotherapy. The radiation dose was 40 Gy total dose in 15 fractions for whole breast and additional dose of 9 Gy in three consecutive fractions was delivered to tumour cavity simultaneously. Results: Mean age was 52 years (range: 30 - 67);most patients were of stage II disease and Grade II was the most common one. Invasive ductal carcinoma was reported in 94.4% and 72.2% of patients were hormone receptor positive. After median follow-up of 52 months, all patients were alive and ipsilateral local recurrence was reported in 1 case only. Grade IV radiation toxicity was not observed;moist desquamation was the most common acute reaction (61%) with grade III in 5.5% followed by dry desquamation in 55.6% of grade I only. Grade I erythema was recorded in 41.7% and grade II in 11%. Fibrosis was the most frequent late reaction (44.3%) with grade II in 11% followed by telengectesia then pigmentation (41.7%, 33.3% respectively). Conclusion: The regimen used in this study appears promising with acceptable acute toxicities and convenient for our patients and has the advantage of economic use of radiation facilities. However, larger number of patients and longer period of follow-up are needed for further evaluation.

Two Modified Surgical Procedures for Treating Early Stage Breast Cancer in China

Conventional pedicled-flap based surgeries in treating breast cancer have their limitations. New surgical regimens are yet to be explored, which will follow the oncological principle of being “to- tal tumor free”, whilst fit into the unique characteristics of China＇s own medical system as well as pa- tients＇ demand. From 2007 to 2013, 143 patients with early stage breast cancer were included in the study, with the average age of 46.1 years. Fifty-three patients were subjected to modified breast con- serving surgery （MBCS）＋latissimus dorsi （LD） flap reconstruction, 41 to skin sparing mastectomy （SSM）＋implant＋LD flap reconstruction, 29 to MBCS＋distal transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous （DTRAM） flap reconstruction, and 20 to SSM＋DTRAM flap reconstruction. The results showed that out of the 143 patients, there was no graft loss. Minor complications included 4 cases of fat liquefaction, and 6 cases of seratoma, which all resolved after conservative treatment. Five patients had visible protu- berance in the abdomen, but not leading to any gastrointestinal symptoms. The reconstructed breasts all presented good shape. 96.7% of the patients were satisfied with the outcome. The follow-up period var- ied from 6 months to 60 months, and only one patient died from tumor metastasis in the brain. No local recurrence occurred. It was concluded that these two modified pedicled-flap surgeries are readily practi- cal, and aesthetically satisfactory, with high applicability in China. They do not compromise the on- cological outcomes, but also are well-accepted by Chinese patients.

Current aspects of therapeutic reduction mammaplasty for immediate early breast cancer management: An update

Breast-conservation surgery(BCS) is established as a safe surgical treatment for most patients with early breast cancer. Recently, advances in oncoplastic techniques are capable of preserving the breast form and quality of life. Although most BCS defects can be managed with primary closure, the aesthetic outcome may be unpredictable. Among technical options, therapeutic reduction mammaplasty(TRM) remains a useful procedure since the BCS defect can be repaired and the preoperative appearance can be improved, resulting in more proportional breasts. As a consequence of rich breast tissue vascularization, the greater part of reduction techniques have based their planning on preserving the pedicle of the nipple-areola complex after tumor removal. Reliable circulation and improvement of a conical shape to the breast are commonly described in TRM reconstructions. With an immediate approach, the surgical process is smooth since both procedures can be carried out in one operative setting. Additionally,it permits wider excision of the tumor, with a superior mean volume of the specimen and potentially reduces the incidence of margin involvement. Regardless of the fact that there is no consensus concerning the best TRM technique, the criteria is determined by the surgeon's experience, the extent/location of glandular tissue resection and the size of the defect in relation to the size of the remaining breast. The main advantages of the technique utilized should include reproducibility, low interference with the oncological treatment and long-term results. The success of the procedure depends on patient selection, coordinated planning and careful intra-operative management.

Preliminary analysis of a clinical trial for three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy after conservative surgery

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, complications and cosmetic results of three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy for early breast cancer after conservative surgery.

Accelerated partial breast irradiation:Current evidence and future developments

Whole breast irradiation after breast-conserving surgery for early breast cancer has become one of the standard treatment modes for breast cancer and yields the same effect as radical surgery.Accelerated partial breast irradiation(APBI)as a substitute for whole breast irradiation for patients with early breast cancer is a hot spot in clinical research.APBI is characterised by simple high-dose local irradiation of the tumour bed in a short time,thus improving convenience for patients and saving costs.The implementation methods of APBI mainly include brachytherapy,external beam radiation therapy,and intraoperative radiotherapy.This review provides an overview of the clinical effects and adverse reactions of the main technologies of APBI and discusses the prospects for the future development of APBI.

Presence of extensive intraductal component in patients undergoing breast conservative surgery predicts presence of residual disease in subsequent completion mastectomy

Background Local recurrence remains a serious problem among patients undergoing breast conservative surgery. This study aimed at identifying risk factors for residual disease after breast conservative surgery. Methods This retrospective study was based on patients with invasive breast cancer who have received breast conservative surgery and subsequent completion mastectomy. All patients had a clear resection margin in the initial operation. We analyzed the association between the presence of residual disease during completion mastectomy and the following risk factors： T staging, young age, and presence of extensive intraductal component （EIC）, a close margin, lymphovascular permeation （LVP）, positivity of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and c-erbB-2. Results Residual disease was encountered in 21 （45.7%） of 46 patients; EIC was present in 28 patients （60.9%）, of whom 17 had residual disease. Presence of EIC during breast conservation surgery was associated with a higher risk of residual disease during completion mastectomy （P=0.011）. Other variables were not statistically significant risk factors for presence of residual disease. No local recurrence was recorded in our cohort, and the disease-free survival and overall survival after completion mastectomy were similar for patients who had residual disease and those who had not. Conclusions The presence of EIC is a significant risk factor for residual disease in patients after breast conservative surgery. Our findings may suggest the indicated value of completion mastectomy in patients with EIC during initial breast conservative surgery to decrease the risk of subsequent local failure.

Detection of multiple clustered microcalcifications by mammography following breast-conserving surgery

Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer related death among women around the world. Each year, 1.1 million more women are diagnosed with it, representing more than 10% of all new cancer cases annually. With more than 410 000 deaths each year, the disease accounts for more than 1.6% of all female deaths worldwide. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment may increase life expectancy and recovery rate.