The Breast : official journal of the European Society of Mastology
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The question whether and for whom the gold standard of whole breast radiotherapy (WBRT) may be replaced by accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) is one of the most controversial issue in the adjuvant breast cancer setting. Among different APBI techniques, intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) is particularly appealing to patients and physicians, because the procedure is fast, convenient, normal structures sparing and able to solve some clinical problems, like the integration with chemotherapy. Early findings from phase II and randomized phase III trials show the approach of APBI in selected patients at low risk for local recurrence is safe and well tolerated, but short follow-up creates some reservations. ⋯ Both the American and European Society of Radiology and Oncology provided a consensus statement regarding patient selection criteria based on tumour and patient-related features. The 5-year results of the non-randomized ELIOT study from Milan, using 21 Gy-full dose, identified a group of patients who may be good candidates for the treatment. The stratification of patients according to clinical phenotype or by molecular class and a widespread use of preoperative breast magnetic resonance imaging might be better identify patients eligible for APBI.
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There is a general agreement for immediate breast reconstruction in case of in situ tumors, while the reconstruction is often still delayed in cases of invasive cancers or not performed in the elderly cohort. Aim of this review is to investigate the safety of immediate postmastectomy reconstruction for invasive cancers and in the elderly population. ⋯ Immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy is an integral part of the complete management of breast cancer. Determining the risk of postmastectomy irradiation prior to definitive resection and reconstructive operations may reduce complications and improve aesthetic outcomes by guiding surgical decision making.
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Treatment of breast cancer (BC) has changed over the last decade with the advent of targeted therapies. Whereas traditional chemotherapy was directed toward all rapidly dividing cells (cancerous or not), several new anti-cancer drugs are mainly tailored to specific genetic pathways of cancer cells. Ideally, the goal of these new therapies is to improve the management of cancer with a specific targeting of the malignant cell and fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy. ⋯ We will discuss the molecular mechanisms that underlie the risk of cardiotoxicity, and we will examine the molecular tools useful for prediction of heart failure and for identification of subgroups of BC patients more susceptible to cardiac side effects induced by targeted therapies. Attention will be paid in particular to ERBB2 gene and its polymorphisms, as well as to the possible genetic risk stratification of BC patients. Finally, we will discuss the possible clinical strategies to prevent and minimizing the cardiotoxicity of targeted therapies in BC patients, focusing in particular on new drugs combination and on the emerging role of a tight partnership between cardiologists and oncologists.
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Review
The relationship between quality and cost during the perioperative breast cancer episode of care.
The relationship between quality and cost of care for breast cancer surgery was investigated by literature review. The guidelines, policy statements, quality measures (QM) and target goals for performance described by professional organizations were also reviewed. ⋯ Other components of care, such as post-mastectomy reconstruction, demonstrate a direct relationship between quality and cost. Recognition of the variability of performance of QM's with an inverse quality and cost relationship has the potential to lower breast cancer population healthcare expenditures, if average performance for those QM can be improved.