Breast cancer research and treatment
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Breast Cancer Res. Treat. · Feb 2013
Review Meta AnalysisRepeat sentinel node biopsy in patients with locally recurrent breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature.
Axillary staging in patients with locally recurrent breast cancer is important for obtaining locoregional control and predicting prognosis. The aim of the present study is to determine technical feasibility, validity, aberrant drainage patterns and clinical consequences of performing repeat sentinel node biopsy (SNB) in these patients. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature and included all studies on repeat SNB in locally recurrent breast cancer. ⋯ The procedure had a false-negative rate of 0.2 %. Repeat SNB is technically feasible and accurate. Next to sparing patients an unnecessary ALND, the information can lead to a change in adjuvant treatment strategy.
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Breast Cancer Res. Treat. · Feb 2013
Clinical pathological characteristics and prognostic analysis of 1,013 breast cancer patients with diabetes.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical, pathological, and prognostic characteristics of breast cancer patients with diabetes. In total, the study included 1,013 breast cancer patients with diabetes and 4,621 breast cancer patients without diabetes. Patients with diabetes were further divided into the metformin- and nonmetformin-treated subgroups. ⋯ In conclusion, the diabetic group is associated with poor prognosis. Compared with the control group, the metformin-treated subgroup is associated with better clinical outcomes, while nonmetformin-treated subgroup with poorer prognosis. The selection of different antidiabetic drugs may impact the prognosis of breast cancer patients with diabetes.
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Breast Cancer Res. Treat. · Feb 2013
Comparative StudyComparative estimation of percentage breast tissue density for digital mammography, digital breast tomosynthesis, and magnetic resonance imaging.
Given the increasingly important role of breast density as an independent risk factor for breast cancer, and the variable breast imaging tests that potentially provide measures for density. We compared breast tissue density on digital mammography (FFDM), digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using semi-automated automated software. These three imaging modalities have not been previously directly compared for estimating breast tissue density. ⋯ Breast density measures using FFDM, DBT, or MRI were generally well-correlated, although differences were noted between estimates when comparing FFDM and DBT, and for estimates comparing FFDM and MRI. No signficant differences in percentage density were observed when comparing DBT and MRI. Our work highlight that differences between FFDM, DBT, and MRI should be considered when measuring percentage breast density.
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Breast Cancer Res. Treat. · Feb 2013
Prognostic relevance of AIB1 (NCoA3) amplification and overexpression in breast cancer.
AIB1 (amplified in breast cancer 1) is an estrogen receptorα (ERα) co-activator, known to be amplified and overexpressed in a fraction of breast cancers. It has been linked to prognosis and tamoxifen resistance. However, results have been ambiguous. The different functions of AIB1 in ERα-positive and -negative disease are poorly understood. Therefore, we analyzed the clinical significance of AIB1 in breast cancer with respect to ERα-status and characterized the subgroups. 2,197 breast carcinomas sampled on a pre-existing tissue microarray (TMA) were analyzed for AIB1 expression and amplification by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). ⋯ AIB1 expression was detected in 60 % of the tumors. It was associated with tumor size (p = 0.003), high histological grade (p < 0.0001), poor disease-specific, and overall survival (p = 0.0018 and p = 0.003). There was a strong inverse relationship between AIB1 and ERα expression (p < 0.0001). AIB1 overexpression was associated with increased Ki67 labeling index (p < 0.0001), even if analyzed for different ER expression levels. AIB1 amplification was found in 11 % of the carcinomas. It was associated with high histological grade (p = 0.0012), lymph node involvement (p = 0.0163), and poor disease-specific survival (p = 0.0032) but not with overall survival (p = 0.1672) or ER status (p = 0.4456). If ER-positive tumors were stratified according to their AIB1 amplification status, there was a significant worse disease-specific survival in cases showing AIB1 amplification (p = 0.0017). AIB1 expression is associated with unfavorable prognosis and tumor phenotype. It seems to unfold its oncogenic potential at least in part independent from its role as an ERα co-activator. AIB1 has an impact on cell cycle regulation in ERα-positive as well as ERα-negative tumors. Furthermore, AIB1 amplification characterizes a subgroup of ERα-positive breast cancer with worse outcome. Therefore, AIB1 might be helpful to identify those ERα-positive breast cancers patients who are candidates for adjuvant chemotherapy.
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Breast Cancer Res. Treat. · Feb 2013
Trade-offs associated with axillary lymph node dissection with breast irradiation versus breast irradiation alone in patients with a positive sentinel node in relation to the risk of non-sentinel node involvement: implications of ACOSOG Z0011.
Recent data suggest that axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) may be unnecessary for patients with positive sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) receiving whole-breast irradiation (ACOSOG Z0011). The purpose of this study was to use decision analysis with simulated patients to determine subgroups with positive SLNB who may still benefit from ALND. We performed a decision analysis simulating axillary recurrence (ALR) risk, lymphedema, and quality of life following breast-conserving surgery (BCS) with positive SLNB and either completion ALND and whole-breast radiation (ALND + BRT) or breast radiation (BRT) alone. ⋯ Overall survival was similar at 5 years in this simulation with either treatment in both groups, but ALND + BRT was superior to BRT alone at 20 years in the high-risk group (42 vs. 38 %). In the low-risk group, BRT alone is preferable unless ALR risk with BRT is greater than 1.6 % or lymphedema risk with ALND is under 10 %. Patients eligible for Z0011 but at a higher risk of residual nodal disease following BCS and positive SLNB may benefit from ALND + BRT, rather than BRT alone.