Breast cancer research and treatment
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Breast Cancer Res. Treat. · Nov 2017
The prognostic value of the tumour-stroma ratio in primary operable invasive cancer of the breast: a validation study.
The primary aim of the current study is to validate the prognostic relevance of the relative amount of tumour-associated stroma, the tumour-stroma ratio, in a large cohort of primary operable breast cancer patients. ⋯ Tumour-stroma ratio is an independent risk factor for worse overall, distant metastasis-free and recurrence-free survival in primarily operable breast cancer. However, detailed prospective studies with respect to tumour-stroma ratio are necessary to gain more insight in its prognostic potential in clinical practice.
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Breast Cancer Res. Treat. · Nov 2017
Trends in incidence and tumour grade in screen-detected ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive breast cancer.
In a biennial screening mammography programme, we analysed the trends in incidence of screen-detected DCIS and invasive breast cancers in the era of screen-film mammography (SFM) screening, the period of the transition to full-field digital mammography (FFDM) screening and the period of FFDM screening. We also investigated a possible association between the incidence and grading of screen-detected DCIS and invasive breast cancer. ⋯ Screening mammography detects mostly high-grade DCIS and low- or intermediate-grade invasive cancers. The grade distribution as well as the CDR in the years after the introduction of FFDM remained stable compared to the era of SFM screening. By diagnosing and treating high-grade DCIS, which otherwise may develop into high-grade invasive carcinoma, our findings provide new evidence for the beneficial value of screening mammography programmes.
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Breast Cancer Res. Treat. · Nov 2017
Evaluating cognitive complaints in breast cancer survivors with the FACT-Cog and quantitative electroencephalography.
Targeted methods for evaluating cognitive dysfunction in breast cancer survivors are needed to effectively address this important survivorship issue. To address this need, we examined the validity of a self-report instrument (The functional assessment of cancer therapy: cognitive function; FACT-Cog) regarding correspondence with neuropsychological performance versus depression and evaluated neurophysiological biomarkers of cognition and depressed mood in a sample of breast cancer survivors several years from diagnosis. ⋯ Our findings indicate that perceived cognitive abilities and the impact of cognitive difficulties on quality of life are valid indicators of objective cognitive function, independent of depressive symptoms. Neurophysiological correlates of cognitive function and depressive symptoms represent promising biomarkers of these behavioral difficulties in survivorship.
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Breast Cancer Res. Treat. · Nov 2017
Association between survival time with metastatic breast cancer and aggressive end-of-life care.
For women with stage IV breast cancer (BC), the association between survival time (ST) and use of aggressive end-of-life (EOL) care is unknown. ⋯ Patients with a shorter ST were more likely to receive aggressive EOL care and had higher costs of care compared to patients who lived longer.