Prosthesis salvage in breast reconstruction patients with periprosthetic infection and exposure

Prosthesis salvage in breast reconstruction patients with periprosthetic infection and exposure. Plastic and reconstructive surgery, Jan 2012, Vol. 129 (1), p.42-48.

Prince, M.D., et al.

http://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Abstract/2012/01000/Prosthesis_Salvage_in_Breast_Reconstruction.10.aspx

Breast prosthesis reconstruction continues to be the most common form of breast reconstruction, and infection and exposure remain major concerns for patients and surgeons. The data from the authors' results provide additional tools for patient selection and treatment, and offer a simplified management protocol for breast reconstruction patients with infected and/or exposed breast prostheses.

Assessment of letrozole and tamoxifen alone and in sequence for postmenopausal women with steroid hormone receptor-positive breast cancer

Assessment of letrozole and tamoxifen alone and in sequence for postmenopausal women with steroid hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: the BIG 1-98 randomised clinical trial at 8.1 years median follow-up. The Lancet Oncology, Vol. 12(12), Nov 2011, p. 1101-1108.

Regan, M.M., et al.

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(11)70270-4/abstract?rss=yes

Postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer have persistent, long-term risk of breast-cancer recurrence and death. Therefore, trials assessing endocrine therapies for this patient population need extended follow-up. We present an update of efficacy outcomes in the Breast International Group (BIG) 1-98 study at 8·1 years median follow-up.

Influence of histology on the effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy

Influence of histology on the effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with hormone receptor positive invasive breast cancer. The Breast, Vol. 20(6), Dec 2011, p. 505-509.

Truin, W., et al.

http://www.thebreastonline.com/article/S0960-9776(11)00121-4/abstract

To investigate the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy on long term survival in addition to hormonal therapy in the systemic treatment of hormonal receptor positive breast cancer patients.

Trastuzumab combined to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer

Trastuzumab combined to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Breast Vol. 20(6), Dec 2011, p. 485-490.

Valachis, A., et al.

http://www.thebreastonline.com/article/S0960-9776(11)00135-4/abstract

Potentially eligible trials were located through PubMed and Cochrane Library searches and abstracts of major international conferences. The endpoints that we assessed were pathologic complete response (pCR) rate, breast-conserving surgery (BCS) rate and toxicity.

Intraveneous fluid infusion rate in microsurgical breast reconstruction

Intraveneous fluid infusion rate in microsurgical breast reconstruction: Important lessons learned from 354 free flaps. Plastic & reconstructive surgery, Dec 2011, Vol. 128(6), p. 1153-1160.

Zhong, T., et al.

http://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Abstract/2011/12000/Intravenous_Fluid_Infusion_Rate_in_Microsurgical.1.aspx

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of intravenous fluid infusion rate in the development of in-hospital complications in patients undergoing microsurgical breast reconstruction for breast cancer.

Simultaneous scarless contralateral breast augmentation

Simultaneous scarless contralateral breast augmentation during unilateral breast reconstruction using bilateral differentially split DIEP flaps. Plastic & reconstructive surgery, Dec 2011, Vol 128(6), p. 593e-604e.

Huang, J-J., et al.

http://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Abstract/2011/12000/Simultaneous_Scarless_Contralateral_Breast.6.aspx

Simultaneous contralateral augmentation is performed with unilateral breast reconstruction to achieve pleasing and symmetric breast mounds. This prospective study investigated the outcome of simultaneous scarless contralateral augmentation with unilateral breast reconstruction using bilateral differentially split deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps.

The lateral chest wall: A separate aesthetic unit in breast surgery

The lateral chest wall: A separate aesthetic unit in breast surgery. Plastic and reconstructive surgery; Dec 2011, Vol. 128(6), p. 626e - 643e.

Bar-Meir, E.D., et al.

http://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Abstract/2011/12000/The_Lateral_Chest_Wall___A_Separate_Aesthetic_Unit.13.aspx

The lateral chest wall is an aesthetic unit often overlooked in breast surgery. Abnormalities are often seen in candidates for aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery and in the massive weight loss population. Preoperative evaluation of the lateral chest wall is necessary to address this area properly.

Pertuzumab plus Trastuzumab plus Docetaxel for metastatic breast cancer

Pertuzumab plus Trastuzumab plus Docetaxel for metastatic breast cancer. N Eng J Med, Dec 2011.

Baselga, J., et al.

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1113216#t=article

The anti–human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) humanized monoclonal antibody trastuzumab improves the outcome in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. However, most cases of advanced disease eventually progress.

Evedrolimus in postmenopausal hormone-receptor-positive advanced breast cancer

Evedrolimus in postmenopausal hormone-receptor-positive advanced breast cancer. N Eng J. Med, Dec 2011

Baselga, J., et al.

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1109653#t=article

Endocrine therapy is the cornerstone of treatment for patients with hormone-receptor (HR)–positive advanced breast cancer. In postmenopausal patients, aromatase inhibitors (e.g., letrozole and anastrozole) have become the treatment of choice in first-line therapy. Unfortunately, not all patients have a response to first-line endocrine therapy (primary or de novo resistance), and even patients who have a response will eventually relapse (acquired resistance).

Disappearance of a breast prosthesis during Pilates

Disappearance of a breast prosthesis during Pilates. N Eng J Med., 2011, 365:2305

Fong, T.C., and Hoffmann, B.

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMicm1102594

A 59-year-old woman with a history of breast cancer who underwent bilateral mastectomy and placement of breast prostheses presented for evaluation, reporting that her “body swallowed one of the implants” during a Pilates stretching exercise.

Minor influence of self-selection bias on the effectiveness of breast cancer screening in case-control studies in the Netherlands

Minor influence of self-selection bias on the effectiveness of breast cancer screening in case-control studies in the Netherlands. Journal of medical screening, Sept 2011, Vol. 18(3), p. 142-146

Paap, E., et al.

http://jms.rsmjournals.com/content/18/3/142.short?rss=1

Self-selection bias is considered to be a problem when evaluating the effectiveness of breast cancer service screening in case-control studies. Using the incidence-based mortality method (IBM), a correction factor for the potential influence of self-selection can be derived from a group of non-screened women and a group of not-invited women.

Challenges in mammography Part II: Multimodality of breast augmentation

Challenges in mammography Part II: Multimodality of breast augmention - imaging findings and complications. AJR, Dec 2011, Vol 197(6), p. W1031-W1045

Venkataraman, S. et al.

http://www.ajronline.org/content/197/6/W1031.abstract

Breast augmentation is common throughout the world; however, there is variation in materials and surgical techniques. This review illustrates the mammographic, sonographic, and MRI characteristics of the different types of breast augmentation, including silicone, saline, polyacrylamide gel, and autologous fat augmentation.

Challenges in mammography Part I: Artifacts in digital mammography

Challenges in mammography Part I: Artifacts in digital mammography. AJR, Dec 2011, Vol 197(6), p. W1023-W1030

Geiser, W.R., et al.

http://www.ajronline.org/content/197/6/W1023.abstract?rss=1

Early detection of breast cancer is directly related to the radiologist’s ability to detect abnormalities visible only on mammograms. Artifacts on mammograms reduce image quality and may present clinical and technical difficulties for the radiologist, mammography technologist, medical physicist, and equipment service personnel.

Impact on breast cancer diagnosis in a multidisciplinary unit after the incorporation of mammography digitalization

Impact on breast cancer diagnosis in a multidisciplinary unit after the incorporation of mammography digitalization and computer-aided detection systems. AJR, Dec 2011, Vol 197(6), p. 1492-97.

Romero, C., et al.

http://www.ajronline.org/content/197/6/1492.abstract?rss=1

The purpose of this article is to evaluate the impact on the diagnosis of breast cancer of implementing full-field digital mammography (FFDM) in a multidisciplinary breast pathology unit and, 1 year later, the addition of a computer-aided detection (CAD) system.

The low uptake of breast screening in cities is a major public health issue and be due to organisational factors

The low uptake of breast screening in cities is a major public health issue and may be due to organisational factors: A Census-based record linkage study. The Breast, Oct 2011, Vol. 20(5), p.460-463

Kinnear, H. et al.

http://www.thebreastonline.com/article/PIIS0960977611000993/abstract?rss=yes

Cancer screening uptake is generally lower in UK cities but quantifying city-level effects from causes due to population composition that comprise cities is hampered by data limitations. The reduced uptake of screening in cities is a major public health issue; the effects are large and a large proportion of the population are affected, organisational factors appear to be the primary cause. Strategies to correct this imbalance might help reduce inequalities in health.

Breast cancer after hormone replacement therapy

Breast cancer after hormone replacement therapy: does prognosis differ in preimenopausal and postmenopausal women? The Breast, Oct 2011, Vol. 20(5), p.448-454

A.K. Baumgärtner, AK, et al.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been associated with higher incidence of breast cancer in postmenopausal women, but it is unclear if breast cancers developing after HRT use have different prognosis. 1053 women with hormone receptor positive non-metastasized breast cancer were analyzed in a retrospective trial, stratifying by HRT use before diagnosis. In this retrospective analysis postmenopausal HRT users seemed to have a better breast cancer prognosis. For perimenopausal HRT users however, a trend towards worse prognosis was found.

Impact of immediate breast reconstruction on breast cancer recurrence and survival

Impact of immediate breast reconstruction on breast cancer recurrence and survival. The Breast, Oct 2011, Vol. 20(5), p.437-443

Nedumpara, T., et al.

The practise of Immediate Breast Reconstruction (IBR) following mastectomy for primary breast cancer is being increasingly adopted. Here the impact of IBR on disease progression and survival was assessed following treatment for invasive breast cancer. 1697 consecutive patients received surgical treatment for operable primary breast cancer between January 1996 and December 2007. Overall, 691 (41%) received mastectomy of whom 136 (20%) underwent IBR (82 Latissimus Dorsi, 54 Subpectoral).The effect of IBR on overall survival, local and distant recurrence was analysed in all patients studied and also separately within subgroups defined by Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI) scores.

Radiofrequency ablation of early breast cancer followed by delayed surgical resection

Radiofrequency ablation of early breast cancer followed by delayed surgical resection: A promising alternative to breast-conserving surgery. The Breast, Oct 2011, Vol. 20(5), p.431-436

Ohtani, S., et al.

To examine the radiofrequency ablation (RFA) reliability in early breast cancer, we performed RFA followed by delayed surgical resection on 41 patients with invasive or non-invasive breast carcinoma less than 2 cm. MRI scans were obtained before ablation and resection. Excised specimens were examined pathologically by haematoxylin-eosin and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-diaphorase staining. 40 patients completed 1 RFA session, which was sufficient to achieve complete tumour cell death. Overall complete ablation rate was 87.8% (36/41). There were no treatment-related complications other than that of a superficial burn in 1 case. After RFA, the tumour was no longer enhanced on MRI in 25/26 (96.2%) cases. Residual cancer, which was suspected on MRI in 1 case, was confirmed pathologically. MRI could be an applicable modality to evaluate therapeutic effect. RFA could be an alternate local treatment option to breast-conserving surgery for early breast cancer.

Psychological impact of recall on women with BRCA mutations undergoing MRI surveillance

Psychological impact of recall on women with BRCA mutations undergoing MRI surveillance. The Breast, Oct 2011, Vol. 20(5), p.424-430

Spiegel, TN, et al.

http://www.thebreastonline.com/article/PIIS0960977611000944/abstract?rss=yes

The addition of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to mammography for surveillance of women with BRCA mutations significantly increases sensitivity but lowers specificity. This study aimed to examine whether MRI surveillance, and particularly recall, is associated with increased anxiety, depression, or breast cancer worry/distress. While breast MRI surveillance did not have a detrimental psychological impact on women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, recalling these very high-risk women for further imaging after a false positive MRI scan temporarily increased their global anxiety.

Calpastatin is associated with lymphovascular invasion in breast cancer

Calpastatin is associated with lympovascular invasion in breast cancer. The Breast, Oct 2011, Vol. 20(5), p. 413-418

Storr, SJ, et al.

Metastasis of breast cancer is a major contributor to mortality. Histological assessment of vascular invasion (VI) provides important prognostic information and demonstrates that VI occurs predominantly via lymphatics in breast cancer. We sought to examine genes and proteins involved in lymphovascular invasion (LVI) to understand the mechanisms of this key disease process. The data supports the hypothesis that calpastatin may play a role in regulating the initial metastatic dissemination of breast cancer.