Synchronous multiple primary malignant neoplasms in breast,kidney,and bilateral thyroid:A case report

BACKGROUND Multiple primary malignant neoplasms(MPMNs)are rare,while synchronous MPMNs(SMPMNs)are even less common.Owing to the progression of medical technology and the extension of life expectancy,its incidence is gradually increasing.CASE SUMMARY Although reports of breast and thyroid dual cancers are common,cases of an additional diagnosis of kidney primary cancer within the same individual are rare.CONCLUSION We present a case of simultaneous MPMN of three endocrine organs,reviewing the relevant literature to enhance our understanding of SMPMNs while emphasizing the increasingly important need for accurate diagnosis and multidisciplinary management whenever this challenging situation arises.

Adjuvant therapy for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: Perspective from a survey on breast cancer physicians' acceptance of practice-changing data

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted.A high proportion of the Chinese breast cancer(BC)physician respondents(n=77)would prescribe extended adjuvant endocrine therapy(AET)with aromatase inhibitors(AI)beyond 5 years for postmenopausal females with BC,especially those with higher risk.Respondents with≥15 years of clinical experience were more likely to prescribe a longer duration of AET for low-risk patients.Half of the respondents considered intermittent letrozole as an acceptable option.Most respondents would prescribe adjuvant chemotherapy to genomic high-intermediate risk[Oncotype DX recurrence score(RS)21-25]females aged≤50 years regardless of the clinical risk classification.

Violence against Women with Breast Neoplasms

The aim of this study is to assess the occurrence and type of violence suffered by women with breast cancer in the High Complexity Care Unit of a municipality in the South of Minas and patients in a support group of the University of the South of Minas Gerais. For that aim, a descriptive-exploratory methodology was applied through the quantitative method. Data were collected through a semi-structured form applied in individual interviews over a period of three months. We interviewed 57 patients and among those, 20 women （35.08%） reported having experienced some form of violence at some stage of their life, and the most frequently mentioned was the psychological violence followed by physical aggression. Although it was possible to identify that violence against affected these women, complaints against the aggressor were not affected.

The accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound in evaluating the size of early-stage breast neoplasms

Objective Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. Accurate evaluation of the size and extent of the tumor is crucial in selecting a suitable surgical method for patients with breast cancer. Both overestimation and underestimation have important adverse effects on patient care. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of breast magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) and ultrasound(US) examination for measuring the size and extent of early-stage breast neoplasms.Methods The longest diameter of breast tumors in patients with T_(1–2)N_(0–1)M_0 invasive breast cancer preparing for breast-conserving surgery(BCS) was measured preoperatively by using both MRI and US and their accuracy was compared with that of postoperative pathologic examination. If the diameter difference was within 2 mm, it was considered to be consistent with pathologic examination.Results A total of 36 patients were imaged using both MRI and US. The mean longest diameter of the tumors on MRI, US, and postoperative pathologic examination was 20.86 mm ± 4.09 mm(range: 11–27 mm), 16.14 mm ± 4.91 mm(range: 6–26 mm), and 18.36 mm ± 3.88 mm(range: 9–24 mm). US examination underestimated the size of the tumor compared to that determined using pathologic examination(t = 3.49, P < 0.01), while MRI overestimated it(t =-6.35, P < 0.01). The linear correlation coefficients between the image measurements and pathologic tumor size were r = 0.826(P < 0.01) for MRI and r = 0.645(P < 0.01) for US. The rate of consistency of MRI and US compared to that with pathologic examination was 88.89% and 80.65%, respectively, and there was no statistically significant difference between them(χ~2 = 0.80, P > 0.05).Conclusion MRI and US are both effective methods to assess the size of breast tumors, and they maintain good consistency with pathologic examination. MRI has a better correlation with pathology. However, we should be careful about the risk of inaccurate size estimation.

Clinical Trial of Letrozole (femara) versus Aminoglutethimide in Postmenopausal Women with Advanced Breast Cancer

Objective： To compare the response and adverse reactions of aminoglutethimide with that of femara, an oral aromatase inhibitor, in postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer. Methods： Fifty patients were randomly assigned to femara 2.5 mg once daily （n=26） or aminoglutethimide （n=24） 125 mg twice daily in the first week, 250 mg twice daily in the second week, 250 mg three times daily in the third week and 250 mg four times daily in the fourth week, 30 days for one cycle for both groups. Results： Overall objective response rate （complete＋partial） of 26.9% for femara was 12.5% higher than that of aminoglutethimide, but there was no significant difference （P=0.294）. The percentages of stable disease were 53.8% and 50.0% respectively in both treatment groups and that of progressive disease of two groups were 19.2% and 37.5%. There was no significant difference between two arms in the receptor status, disease-free intervals, sites of disease and stages of treatment. Femara-related adverse events were fatigue （15.4%）, anorexia （11.5%）, dizziness （7.7%）, nausea （3.8%） and somnolence （3.8%）. However, incidence of nausea （25.0%） and vomiting （16.7%） in aminoglutethimide group was obviously higher and severer than that in femara group （P=0.045 and P=0.046）. Compared to femara group, frequency in dizziness （25.0%）, fatigue （20.8%）, anorexia （16.7%）, somnolence （12.5%） and cutaneous pruritus （12.5%） was higher in aminoglutethimide group. Allergic rash occurred in aminoglutethimide group. Conclusion： Femara was more effective and well tolerated than aminoglutethimide with respect to side effects in the treatment of postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer.

Trans-arterial chemoperfusion for the treatment of liver metastases of breast cancer and colorectal cancer: Clinical results in palliative care patients

AIM To evaluate the clinical value and efficiency of transarterial chemoperfusion(TACP) in patients with liver metastases from breast cancer(BC) and colorectal cancer(CRC).METHODS We treated 36 patients with liver metastases of BC(n = 19, 19 females) and CRC(n = 17; 8 females, 9 males) with repeated TACP. The treatment interval was 4 wk. TACP was performed with gemcitabine(1000 mg/m2) and mitomycin(10 mg/m2), administered within 1 h after positioning the catheter tip in the hepatic artery. Before treatment, the size, location, tumour volume, vascularization and number of liver tumours were evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). Tumour response was evaluated according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors guidelines.RESULTS TACP using gemcitabine and mitomycin for metastases from CRC and BC was performed without any serious side effects. The follow-up MRI showed a therapeutic response in 84.2% of the BC patients-stable disease 47.4% and partial response 36.8%. A progression was seen in 15.8%.CRC patients showed a therapeutic response in 52.9% of cases. A progression of the disease was documented in 47.1% of the patients with CRC. These data show that TACP in patients with liver metastases of BC leads to a significantly better therapeutic response compared with CRC patients(P = 0.042). The median survival time was 13.2 mo for the BC patients, which is significantly longer than for CRC patients at 9.3 mo(P = 0.001).CONCLUSION TACP for liver metastases of BC appears to be a safe and effective palliative treatment with improved outcomes in comparison to patients with CRC.

Current status of ultrasound-guided surgery in the treatment of breast cancer

The primary goal of breast-conserving surgery(BCS) is to obtain tumour-free resection margins. Margins positive or focally positive for tumour cells are associated with a high risk of local recurrence, and in the case of tumour-positive margins, re-excision or even mastectomy are sometimes needed to achieve definite clear margins. Unfortunately, tumour-involved margins and re-excisions after lumpectomy are still reported in up to 40% of patients and additionally, unnecessary large excision volumes are described. A secondary goal of BCS is the cosmetic outcome and one of the main determinants of worse cosmetic outcome is a large excision volume. Up to 30% of unsatisfied cosm-etic outcome is reported. Therefore, the search for better surgical techniques to improve margin status, excision volume and consequently, cosmetic outcome has continued. Nowadays, the most commonly used localization methods for BCS of non-palpable breast cancers are wire-guided localization(WGL) and radioguided localization(RGL). WGL and RGL are invasive procedures that need to be performed pre-operatively with technical and scheduling difficulties. For palpable breast cancer, tumour excision is usually guided by tactile skills of the surgeon performing "blind" surgery. One of the surgical techniques pursuing the aims of radicality and small excision volumes includes intraoperative ultrasound(IOUS). The best evidence available demonstrates benefits of IOUS with a significantly high proportion of negative margins compared with other localization techniques in palpable and non-palpable breast cancer. Additionally, IOUS is non-invasive, easy to learn and can centralize the tumour in the excised specimen with low amount of healthy breast tissuebeing excised. This could lead to better cosmetic results of BCS. Despite the advantages of IOUS, only a small amount of surgeons are performing this technique. This review aims to highlight the position of ultrasoundguided surgery for malignant breast tumours in the search for better oncological and cosmetic outcomes.

Treatment for liver metastases from breast cancer: Results and prognostic factors

AIM: Liver metastases from breast cancer (BCLM) are associated with poor prognosis. Cytotoxic chemotherapy can result in regression of tumor lesions and a decrease in symptoms. Available data, in the literature, also suggest a subgroup of patients may benefit from surgery, but few talked about transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). We report the results of TACE and systemic chemotherapy for patients with liver metastases from breast cancer and evaluate the prognostic factors. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with liver metastases, from proved breast primary cancer were treated with TACE or systemic chemotherapy between January 1995 and December 2000. Treatment results were assessed according to WHO criteria, along with analysis of prognostic factors for survival using Cox regression model. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 28 mo (1-72 mo). Response rates were calculated for the TACE group and chemotherapy group, being 35.7% and 7.1%, respectively. The difference was significant. The one-, two- and three-year Survival rates for the TACE group were 63.04%, 30.35%, and 13.01%, and those for the systemic chemotherapy group were 33.88%, 11.29%, and 0%. According to univariate analysis, variables significantly associated with survival were the lymph node status of the primary cancer, the clinical stage of liver metastases, the Child-Pugh grade, loss of weight. Other factors such as age, the intervals between the primary to the metastases, the maximal diameter of the liver metastases, the number of liver metastases, extrahepatic metastasis showed no prognostic significances. These factors mentioned above such as the lymph node status of the primary cancer, the clinical stage of liver metastases, the Child-Pugh grade, loss of weight were also independent factors in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: TACE treatment of liver metastases from breast cancer may prolong survival in certain patients. This approach offers new promise for the curative treatment of the patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Symptom Cluster Research in Women with Breast Cancer: A Comparison of Three Subgrouping Techniques

Aims: To examine how symptom cluster subgroups defined by extreme discordant composite scores, cut-off scores, or a median split influence statistical associations with peripheral cytokine levels in women with breast cancer. Background: Systemic cytokine dysregulation has been posited as a potential biological mechanism underlying symptom clusters in women with breast cancer. Symptom characteristics may play an important role in identifying cytokines of significant etiological importance, however, there is no consensus regarding to the ideal subgrouping technique to use. Design: A secondary analysis of data collected from a cross-sectional descriptive study of women with stage I-II breast cancer was used to examine and compare the relationships between peripheral cytokine levels and symptom subgroups defined by extreme discordant composite scores, cut-off scores, or a median split. Methods: Participant symptom scores were transformed into a composite score to account for variability in symptom intensity, frequency and interference. Cytokine levels in subgroups defined by composite scores within the highest and lowest 20% were contrasted with those composed from cut-off scores and a median split. Results: Subgroups defined by the composite score or cut-off scores resulted in similar statistical relationships with cytokine levels in contrast to the median split technique. The use of a median split for evaluating relationships between symptoms clusters and cytokine levels may increase the risk of a type I error. Conclusion: Composite and cut-off scores represent best techniques for defining symptom cluster subgroups in women with breast cancer. Using a consistent approach to define symptom clusters across studies may assist in identifying relevant biological mechanisms.

The evaluation of Tracp5b as a marker for monitoring treatment results of bone metastasis in breast cancer patients

Objective ：To evaluate the sensitivity of serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b（Tracp5b） activity in monitoring bisphosphonate treatment results of bone metastasis in breast cancer（BC） patients. Methods：The serum activities of Tracp5b, CEA, CA153 were measured in 58 BC patients, including 26 without bone metastasis, 32 with bone metastasis. The serum activities of TracpSb, CEA, CA153 were also measured in 19 patients with bone metastasis after 3 months of bisphosphonate treatment. Eighteen healthy women with age from 34 to 70 served as control. Results：Serum TracpSb was significantly elevated in patients with bone metastasis compared with that in all any other groups（P〈 0.05）. The sensitivity of TracpSb was 78.13% and the specificity was 86.36%. The sensitivity of CA153 was 37.50% and the specificity was 77.27%. The sensitivity of CEA was 21.88% and the specificity was 84.09%. The serum activity of TracpSb decreased significantly（P 〈 0.05） after 3 months of bisphosphonate treatment, while the levels of CA153 and CEA were unchanged. Conclusion：Serum Tracp5b activity is a useful diagnostic marker for bone metastasis in BC patients and can be used to evaluate the treatment results of bisphosphonate.

Histopathological Features of Invasion of Breast Invasive Ductal Carcinoma and Safety of Breast-conserving Surgery

In order to investigate the relationship between the extent of tumor invasion and the tumor size, axillary lymph nodes metastasis, Her-2 gene overexpression, and histologic grading in breast invasive ductal carcinoma as well as the optimal extent of excision during the breast-serving surgery, the clinical data of 104 patients with breast invasive ductal carcinoma who had received modified radical mastectomy were analyzed. The correlation analysis on invasive extent, which was evaluated by serial sections at an interval of 0.5 cm from 4 different directions taking the focus as the centre, and the tumor size, axillary lymph nodes metastasis, Her-2 gene overexpression, and his- tologic grading was processed. There was a significant correlation between invasive extent and tumor size （r=-0.766, P〈0.01）, and lymph nodes metastases 0=0.574, P〈0.01）, but there was no significant correlation between invasive extent and Her-2 expression （r=-0.106, P〉0.05）, and histologic grading （r=-0.228, P〉0.05）. The 100% negative rate of infiltration in patients without nipple discharge with tumor size 〈2, 2-3 and 〉3 cm was obtained at 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 cm away from the tumor respectively. It is concluded that the performance of breast-serving surgery in patients with breast invasive ductal carcinoma should be evaluated by tumor size in combination with axillary lymph nodes involvement to decide the possibility of breast-serving and the secure excision extent.

Sun-burn induced upper limb lymphedema 11 years following breast cancer surgery: A case report

BACKGROUND Upper arm lymphedema is a common complication one year after breast cancer surgery,which profoundly impacts patients'quality of life.CASE SUMMARY We reported a case of lymphedema induced by prolonged sun exposure 11 years after breast cancer surgery.CONCLUSION Breast screening,patient education and follow-up after hospital discharge could help to prevent upper-arm lymphedema.

Correlation of pretreatment serum tissue polypeptide specific antigen (TPS) with prognosis in primary breast cancer

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the correlation of pretreatment serum tissue polypeptide specific antigen (TPS) with prognosis in primary breast cancer. Methods: A total of 361 patients with grades I-III breast cancer had been followed up from January 2001 to February 2011. Serumal TPS level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to investigate associations between pretreatment TPS level and clinicopathological parameters and patient outcomes. Results: First, at the univariate analysis, the expression of TPS was related with some clinicopathological traditional prognostic factors such as tumor size (P = 0.030), histologic grade (P = 0.001) and lymph node status (P = 0.008). Second, overall survival were significantly shorter among patients with elevated pretreatment serum TPS (P = 0.038). However, finally, multivariate Cox regression indicated that the level of pretreatment serum TPS was not an independent prognostic parameter for overall survival in primarily breast cancer patients (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The expression of pretreatment serum TPS is closely correlated with clinicopathology parameters and overall survival of patients with primarily breast cancer, but its level has no independent prognostic value.

Trends in outpatient breast cancer surgery among Medicare fee-for-service patients in the United States from 1993 to 2002

The practice of outpatient breast cancer surgery has been controversial in the United States. This study aimed to update time trends and geographic variation in outpatient breast cancer surgery among elderly Medicare fee-for-service women in the United States. Using the 1993-2002 linked Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare claims data and the Area Resource Files, we identified 2 study samples, including the women whose breast cancers were the first-ever-diagnosed cancer at age 65 years or older from 9 regions continuously covered by the SEER registries since 1993. The first sample included the women receiving unilateral mastectomy for stage 0-IV cancer; the second included the women receiving the breast-conserving surgery with lymph node dissection (BCS/LND) for stage 0-II cancer. The proportions of patients receiving outpatient surgery increased from 3.2% to 19.4% for mastectomy and from 48.9% to 77.8% for BCS/LND from 1993 to 2002. We observed substantial geographic variation in the average proportion of the patients receiving outpatient surgery in the studied areas across the 10-year period, ranging from 3.9% in Connecticut to 27.2% in Utah for mastectomy and from 54.7% in Hawaii to 78.1% in Seattle, Washington, for BCS/LND. As the popularity of outpatient breast cancer surgery continues to grow, more evidence-based analyses related to quality and outcomes of outpatient breast cancer surgery among various populations are needed in order to facilitate the public debates about state and federal mandated health benefit legislations.

Breast cancer: Epidemiology, risk factors and screening

Breast cancer is a global health concern with a significant impact on the well-being of women. Worldwide, the past several decades have witnessed changes in the incidence and mortality of breast cancer. Additionally,epidemiological data reveal distinct geographic and demographic disparities globally. A range of modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors are established as being associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer.This review discusses genetic, hormonal, behavioral, environmental, and breast-related risk factors. Screening plays a critical role in the effective management of breast cancer. Various screening modalities, including mammography,ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), and physical examination, have different applications, and a combination of these modalities is applied in practice. Current screening recommendations are based on factors including age and risk, with a significant emphasis on minimizing potential harms to achieve an optimal benefits-to-harms ratio. This review provides a comprehensive insight into the epidemiology, risk factors, and screening of breast cancer. Understanding these elements is crucial for improving breast cancer management and reducing its burden on affected individuals and healthcare systems.

THE CLINICAL COURSE AND TREATMENT RESULTS OF LUNG METASTASES FROM BREAST CANCER

Objective: To analyze the clinical course and treatment result of lung metastases from breast cancer Method: 122 cases with lung metastases from breast cancer were treated with chemotherapy or chemotherapy plus endocrine therapy, response was assessed according to WHO criteria and survival rate estimated using the life Table Results: The median time from initial treatment of primary tumor to lung metastases was 22 months Sites of common consecutive metastases were lung, liver and bone The overall response rate was 48% with a CR rate of 15% Compared to non DDP encompassing regimen, the CR rate was higher in DDP based chemotherapy (7% versus 21%, P <0 05) with a longer median survival time (MST) The PR rate was higher in regimens containing anthracycline (48%) than in those without anthracycline (20%, P <0 01) The response rate was similar between chemotherapy and chemotherapy plus endocrine therapy ( P >0 05) No difference in MST was observed between patients receiving anthracycline and non anthracycline encompassing regimens The 1 , 3 , 5 , and 10 year survival rate was 77%, 22%, 11%, and 10%, respectively Conclusion: Size of primary tumor, the length of disease free interval, the number of lung metastases may provide additional information for predicting patients survival after treatment of lung metastases Combination chemotherapy, especially DDP based chemotherapy may prolong survival time of patients with lung metastases from breast cancer

IMMEDIATE BREAST RECONSTRUCTION WITH LATISSIMUS DORSI MUSCULOCUTANEOUS FLAP: A SUITABLE OPTION FOR CHINESE WOMEN AFTER MASTECTOMY

Objective： To discuss the suitable immediate breast reconstruction modalities for Chinese patients by comparing the pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocytaneous flap （TRAM） reconstruction with latissimus dorsi myocytaneous flap （LTD） reconstruction plus implants or not after mastectomy due to breast cancer. Methods： From Jan. 2000 to Jul. 2005, 74 staged 0-II patients （mean age 39） were performed immediate breast reconstruction with autologous tissue either using LTD flaps or pedicled TRAM flaps with supplemental implants when necessary after mastectomy due to breast cancer and the charts were reviewed. Results： The age, marriage and menses status did not affect the selection of modalities and the need of implants. In 74 patients, 62 cases （83.8%） were performed LTD reconstruction with 13 implants and 12 cases received TRAM with 1 implant. The difference in need of implants or not between the two modalities had no statistical significance （P=0.442, Fisher＇ exact test）. Aesthetic results judged as good or fair were in 88% patients and the cosmetic effects between LTD and TRAM groups or implant and non-implant groups had no differences. All reconstructions were successful, with 4.1% cumulative locoregional recurrence and 100% overall survival by following up to 66 months （median 9 months）. The DFS and RFS between the two modalities had no significant differences by log rank test. Conclusion： Immediate autologous tissue reconstruction makes it possible to regain the natural and symmetric contour of breast without increased local recurrence. The LTD flap reconstruction is a suitable option for most Chinese women as well as the pedicled TRAM flap.

Spatholobus suberectus column extract inhibit estrogen receptor positive breast cancer

OBJECTIVE To investigate the inhibitory effects of Spatholobus Suberectus Column Extract(SSCE)on estrogen receptor positive(ER+)breast cancer cel MCF-7and its possible molecular mechanism.METHODS MCF-7cells were cultured without estrogen and with 17-β-estrogen(10-8mol·L-1),respectively,then treated with SSCE(0,40,80,160,320μg·m L-1).MTT assay was employed to evaluate cell viability.Flow cytometry assays were performed to underlying apoptosis and detecting cel cycle of MCF-7 cells treated with SSCE(0,80,160,320μg·mL-1).Wound healing assays was conducted to detect the migration ability.Dual luciferase reporter system was used to detect the activity of p-ERα,p-ERβpresented in intra-nuclear estrogen response element(ERE).Western blotting assay was employed to identify the expression of protein such as Bax,Bcl-2,p-ERα,p-ERβ,ERK1/2,p-ERK1/2,AKT,p-AKT,m TOR,p-m TOR,PI3K,p-PI3K.RESULTS It showed that SSCE(80,160and 320μg·mL-1)significantly decreased the viability of MCF-7.SSCE also triggered apoptosis,arrested cell cycle at G0/G1phase,inhibited migration.Dual luciferase reporter system showed that SSCE suppressed intra-nuclear p-ER activity,Western blotting analysis confirmed that SSCE did repress the expression of phosphorylated-ER alpha(p-ERα),ERK1/2,p-ERK1/2,AKT,p-AKT,pmT OR,PI3K,p-PI3K,which indicate that SSCE suppress MAPK PI3K/AKT signal pathway.CONCLUSION Our result showed that SSCE cause ER+MCF-7 cells apoptosis,G0/G1phase arresting,migration decreasing,via hypo-active of ER,suppress MAPK PI3K/AKT pathway.

Breast reconstruction:Review of current autologous and implantbased techniques and long-term oncologic outcome

Implant-based reconstruction is the most common method of breast reconstruction.Autologous breast reconstruction is an indispensable option for breast reconstruction demanding keen microsurgical skills and robust anatomical understanding.The reconstructive choice is made by the patient after a discussion with the plastic surgeon covering all the available options.Advantages and disadvantages of each technique along with long-term oncologic outcome are reviewed.

Subcutaneous Trastuzumab (Herceptin^®): A UK Time and Motion Study in Comparison with Intravenous Formulation for the Treatment of Patients with HER2-Positive Early Breast Cancer

Aim: Firstly, to quantify active healthcare professional (HCP) time and costs associated with subcutaneous (SC) administration of trastuzumab (Herceptin?) compared with the standard intravenous infusion (IV) in the treatment of patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer within the adjuvant PrefHer trial setting;secondly, to measure patient time in the care unit and patient infusion chair time for both routes of administration. Methods: A UK multi-centre prospective, observational Time and Motion study was conducted alongside the PrefHer trial (ClinicalTrials.gov id: NCT01401166). Trained observers measured the duration of each SC and IV related task that HCPs undertook and recorded patient time in the chemotherapy unit and infusion chair. The type and quantity of medical consumables used with each route of administration were also collected. Twenty-four patient episodes were recorded (12 SC, 12 IV). Mean total administration time was calculated as the mean sum of task times, both for IV and SC formulations. The mean cost of each route of administration was calculated as the mean cost of HCP time plus the mean cost of consumables used. HCP time was costed using Personal Social Services Research Unit. Consumables were costed using hospital pharmacy data and online sources. Results: Mean active HCP time for IV administration was 92.6 minutes compared with 24.6 minutes for SC administration. The mean cost for IV preparation and administration was ￡144.96 (￡132.05 of HCP time and ￡12.92 of consumables) versus ￡33.15 (￡31.99 of HCP time and ￡1.17 of consumables) for SC administration. Mean time spent in the care unit and in the infusion chair was 94.5 minutes and 75 minutes respectively for IV, and 30.3 minutes and 19.8 minutes for SC. SC administration of trastuzumab could translate to a time saving of 68 minutes (versus IV) with a total cost saving of ￡111.81 per patient episode. This equates to a potential saving of ￡2012.58 over a full course of adjuvant treatment (18 cycles). Conclusion: Substituting IV infusion with SC administration of trastuzumab may lead to a substantial reduction in active HCP time, patient chair and unit time, consumable use and overall costs. The reduced patient chair and unit time could provide increased capacity within existing resources.