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Purpose@#This study was conducted to investigate the trend of domestic medical travel from non-Seoul areas to Seoul for initial breast cancer treatment, and identify factors associated with medical travel in breast cancer patients. @*Methods@#A nationwide retrospective cohort study was performed using the Health Insurance Review and Assessment data of South Korea. Patients were classified according to the regions in which they underwent breast biopsy (Seoul vs.metropolitan cities vs. other regions). Frequencies of biopsy, diagnosis, treatment, and domestic medical travel were analyzed according to regions, and factors associated with medical travel were investigated. @*Results@#A total of 150,709 breast cancer survivors who were diagnosed between January 2010 and December 2017 were included. The total rate of medical travel from non-Seoul regions to Seoul had increased from 14.2% (1,161 of 8,150) in 2010 to 19.8% (2,762 of 13,964) in 2017. Approximately a quarter of patients from other regions traveled to Seoul, and over 40% of patients from Chungbuk, Gyeongbuk, and Jeju regions traveled to Seoul for initial treatment in 2017. The difference in the annual frequencies of upfront surgery between Seoul and non-Seoul regions increased over time. Younger age and regions other than metropolitan cities were significantly related to medical travel. Patients covered by medical aid or past medical histories were significantly less likely to travel to Seoul for initial breast cancer treatment. @*Conclusion@#Medical travel to Seoul for upfront breast cancer surgery is increasing. Policies for appropriate healthcare delivery need to be established in the near future.
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Purpose@#This study aimed to analyze the waiting time for initial treatment after breast cancer diagnosis and determine the factors influencing treatment delay in South Korea. @*Methods@#This nationwide retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Health Insurance Review and Assessment data. The participants were classified according to the regions where their biopsy and treatment were performed (Seoul-Seoul, Metro-Metro, OtherOther, Metro-Seoul, Other-Seoul). Waiting time was analyzed according to regional subgroup, year of diagnosis, and type of treatment. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to identify the factors associated with treatment delay (after 30 days of diagnosis). @*Results@#A total of 133,514 participants newly diagnosed between January 2010 and December 2017 were included in the study. The median waiting time for initial treatment in the total population increased from 8 days, in 2010, to 14 days, in 2017. In the Seoul-Seoul group, the waiting time increased from 10 days, in 2010, to 16 days, in 2017. Although the median waiting time was approximately 10 days in the Metro-Metro and Other-Other groups, it was 27 and 24 days, in the Metro-Seoul and Other-Seoul group, respectively, in 2017. The proportion of delayed upfront surgery by more than 30 days was higher in the Metro-Seoul (odds ratio [OR], 8.088; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.357–8.893; p < 0.001) and OtherSeoul (OR, 6.210; 95% CI, 5.717–6.750; p < 0.001) groups than in the Metro-Metro (OR, 1.468; 95% CI, 1.352–1.594; p < 0.001) and Other-Other (reference) groups. Previous medical history and treatment at tertiary hospital were observed as factors related to delayed surgery. @*Conclusion@#Waiting times for breast cancer surgery have increased across all regions of Korea, with those traveling to Seoul experiencing particularly long wait times.
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Purpose@#The tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) expression in breast cancer is a positive prognostic marker for certain breast cancer subtypes. We evaluated the efficacy of dual antihuman epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) blockade in HER2-positive breast cancer and hypothesized that high TILs tumors are associated with better outcomes. @*Methods@#A total of 176 patients who were treated with neoadjuvant docetaxel, carboplatin, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab (TCHP) between December 2015 and December 2018 were reviewed. They were grouped based on a cut-off value of the stromal TILs grade (≤ 20% TILs, > 20% TILs). @*Results@#In total, 107 patients (60.8%) achieved pathological complete response (pCR).Hormone receptor (HR)-negativity (p = 0.001) and a high TILs grade (p = 0.022) were independent predictors of pCR. Among the HR-negative patients, high TILs tumors were significantly associated with pCR (p = 0.035). @*Conclusion@#HR status and the TILs grade are significantly correlated with pCR in dual anti-HER2 neoadjuvant therapy. The evaluation of the TILs at baseline may be beneficial for predicting pCR in HER2-positive breast cancer.
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Purpose@#The tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) expression in breast cancer is a positive prognostic marker for certain breast cancer subtypes. We evaluated the efficacy of dual antihuman epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) blockade in HER2-positive breast cancer and hypothesized that high TILs tumors are associated with better outcomes. @*Methods@#A total of 176 patients who were treated with neoadjuvant docetaxel, carboplatin, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab (TCHP) between December 2015 and December 2018 were reviewed. They were grouped based on a cut-off value of the stromal TILs grade (≤ 20% TILs, > 20% TILs). @*Results@#In total, 107 patients (60.8%) achieved pathological complete response (pCR).Hormone receptor (HR)-negativity (p = 0.001) and a high TILs grade (p = 0.022) were independent predictors of pCR. Among the HR-negative patients, high TILs tumors were significantly associated with pCR (p = 0.035). @*Conclusion@#HR status and the TILs grade are significantly correlated with pCR in dual anti-HER2 neoadjuvant therapy. The evaluation of the TILs at baseline may be beneficial for predicting pCR in HER2-positive breast cancer.
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Purpose@#Various incision techniques have been used in breast-conserving surgery (BCS) to reduce scar formation, including the frequently used periareolar incision technique. However, its applicability in removing large-size tumors or those distant from the nipple has remained limited. We performed periareolar zigzag (P-Z) incision to address these problems in BCS and to improve cosmetic outcomes. @*Methods@#Patients who underwent P-Z incision in BCS between January 2016 and November 2017 were retrospectively analyzed in terms of clinicopathological features and surgical findings. Factors affecting the positive margin were analyzed. @*Results@#A total of 305 patients were reviewed. The patients presented with a median age of 51 years, mean tumor size 1.9 cm, and mean tumor distance of 3.3 cm from the nipple. Intraoperative frozen biopsy and final pathologic findings showed 43 (14.1%) and 7 (2.3%) tumor-positive margins. There were no major complications associated with the surgery, and no re-operations were required due to bleeding or other reasons. @*Conclusion@#The P-Z incision technique was used to achieve sufficient operative field during BCS, and large tumors or those distant from the nipple could be removed without any complications. This technique is considered an oncologically safe surgical technique resulting in good cosmetic outcomes.
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In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have greatly advanced and become a reality in many areas of our daily lives. In the health care field, numerous efforts are being made to implement the AI technology for practical medical treatments. With the rapid developments in machine learning algorithms and improvements in hardware performances, the AI technology is expected to play an important role in effectively analyzing and utilizing extensive amounts of health and medical data. However, the AI technology has various unique characteristics that are different from the existing health care technologies. Subsequently, there are a number of areas that need to be supplemented within the current health care system for the AI to be utilized more effectively and frequently in health care. In addition, the number of medical practitioners and public that accept AI in the health care is still low;moreover, there are various concerns regarding the safety and reliability of AI technologyimplementations. Therefore, this paper aims to introduce the current research and application status of AI technology in health care and discuss the issues that need to be resolved.
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Purpose@#Factors associated with invasive recurrence (REC) of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) are less known. This study was aimed at identifying better biomarkers to predict the prognosis of DCIS. @*Methods@#RNA extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks of twenty-four pure DCIS cases was subjected to differential gene expression analysis. The DCIS cases were selected by matching age and estrogen receptor status. Sixteen REC-free and 8 invasive-REC cases with disease-free interval of > 5 years were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining was used to validate sixty-one independent pure DCIS cases, including invasive-REC (n = 16) and REC-free (n = 45) cases. @*Results@#Eight differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were statistically significant (log 2-fold change [FC] 1 and p < 0.001). Less than ½ fold expression of CUL1, androgen receptor (AR), RPS27A, CTNNB1, MAP3K1, PRKACA, GNG12, MGMT genes was observed in the REC group compared to the no evidence of disease group. AR and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) genes were selected for external validation (AR: log 2-FC − 1.35, p < 0.001, and HDAC1: log 2-FC − 0.774, p < 0.001). External validation showed that the absence of AR and high HDAC1 expression were independent risk factors for invasive REC (hazard ratio [HR], 5.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24–20.4; p = 0.023 and HR, 3.07; 95% CI, 1.04–9.04; p = 0.042). High nuclear grade 3 was also associated with long-term invasive REC. @*Conclusion@#Comparative gene expression analysis of pure DCIS revealed 8 DEGs among recurring cases. External validation with IHC suggested that the absence of AR and overexpression of HDAC1 are associated with a greater risk of long-term invasive REC of pure DCIS.
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Purpose@#Factors associated with invasive recurrence (REC) of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) are less known. This study was aimed at identifying better biomarkers to predict the prognosis of DCIS. @*Methods@#RNA extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks of twenty-four pure DCIS cases was subjected to differential gene expression analysis. The DCIS cases were selected by matching age and estrogen receptor status. Sixteen REC-free and 8 invasive-REC cases with disease-free interval of > 5 years were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining was used to validate sixty-one independent pure DCIS cases, including invasive-REC (n = 16) and REC-free (n = 45) cases. @*Results@#Eight differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were statistically significant (log 2-fold change [FC] 1 and p < 0.001). Less than ½ fold expression of CUL1, androgen receptor (AR), RPS27A, CTNNB1, MAP3K1, PRKACA, GNG12, MGMT genes was observed in the REC group compared to the no evidence of disease group. AR and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) genes were selected for external validation (AR: log 2-FC − 1.35, p < 0.001, and HDAC1: log 2-FC − 0.774, p < 0.001). External validation showed that the absence of AR and high HDAC1 expression were independent risk factors for invasive REC (hazard ratio [HR], 5.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24–20.4; p = 0.023 and HR, 3.07; 95% CI, 1.04–9.04; p = 0.042). High nuclear grade 3 was also associated with long-term invasive REC. @*Conclusion@#Comparative gene expression analysis of pure DCIS revealed 8 DEGs among recurring cases. External validation with IHC suggested that the absence of AR and overexpression of HDAC1 are associated with a greater risk of long-term invasive REC of pure DCIS.
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PURPOSE: The extension of endocrine therapy beyond 5 years for recurrence-free survivors of breast cancer improves survival; however, the issue on how to clinically identify appropriate candidates remains controversial. This study aimed to identify prognostic factors for breast-cancer-specific mortality in patients who have had 5 years of tamoxifen treatment and categorize subgroups based on the risk of death using combinations of these prognostic factors to assist in the clinical decision to perform further endocrine therapy. METHODS: In total, 3,158 patients with breast cancer were enrolled. Breast cancer-specific survival rates after 5 years of tamoxifen treatment were calculated, and associated prognostic factors were analyzed using a Cox proportional-hazards model. RESULTS: An age extreme at diagnosis (i.e., 2 cm, and positive lymphovascular invasion were robust independent prognostic factors for late breast cancer-specific death in tamoxifen-treated patients (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.162, 1.739, and 1.993; p = 0.001, 0.047, and 0.011, respectively). Lymph node metastasis and progesterone receptor negativity had borderline significance in this regard (HR = 1.741 and 1.638, p = 0.099 and 0.061). The study patients were classified into four groups according to the number of prognostic indicators, i.e., low, intermediate, high, and extremely high risk. The additional 5- and 10-year cumulative risks of breast cancer-specific death were 0.8% and 1.5% in the low-risk group, 0.9% and 3.9% in the intermediate-risk group, 1.3% and 7.3% in the high-risk group, and 4.8% and 13.8% in the extremely high-risk group, respectively. CONCLUSION: This new risk stratification system for late mortality in breast cancer can be used to identify the right candidates for extended endocrine therapy after 5 years of tamoxifen treatment.
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Humans , Breast Neoplasms , Breast , Diagnosis , Lymph Nodes , Mortality , Neoplasm Metastasis , Prognosis , Receptors, Progesterone , Survival Rate , Survivors , TamoxifenABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) may be avoidable for breast cancer patients with 1-2 positive lymph nodes (LN) after breast-conserving therapy. However, the effects of ALND after mastectomy remain unclear because radiation is not routinely used. Herein, we compared the benefits of post-mastectomy ALND versus sentinel node biopsy (SNB) alone for breast cancer patients with 1-3 metastatic LNs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1,697 patients with pN1 disease who underwent mastectomy during 2000-2015 were identified from an institutional database. Outcomes were compared using the inverse probability of treatment weighted method. RESULTS: Patients who underwent SNB tended to have smaller tumors, a lower histology grade, a lower number of positive LNs, and better immunohistochemical findings. After correcting all confounding factors regarding patient, tumor, and adjuvant treatment, the SNB and ALND groups did not differ in terms of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), distant metastasis and locoregional recurrence. The 10-year DFS and OS rates were 83% and 84%, respectively, during a median follow-up period of 93 months. CONCLUSION: ALND did not improve post-mastectomy survival outcomes among patients with N1 breast cancer, even after adjusting for all histopathologic and treatment-related factors.
Subject(s)
Humans , Biopsy , Breast Neoplasms , Breast , Disease-Free Survival , Follow-Up Studies , Lymph Node Excision , Lymph Nodes , Mastectomy , Methods , Neoplasm Metastasis , Recurrence , Sentinel Lymph Node BiopsyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This preliminary study was conducted to evaluate the association between Oncotype DX (ODX) recurrence score and traditional prognostic factors. We also developed a nomogram to predict subgroups with low ODX recurrence scores (less than 25) and to avoid additional chemotherapy treatments for those patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical variables were retrospectively retrieved and analyzed from a series of 485 T1-3N0-1miM0 hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor 2‒negative breast cancer patients with available ODX test results at Asan Medical Center from 2010 to 2016. One hundred twenty-seven patients (26%) had positive axillary lymph node micrometastases, and 408 (84%) had ODX recurrence scores of ≤25. Logistic regression was performed to build a nomogram for predicting a low-risk subgroup of the ODX assay. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis revealed that estrogen receptor (ER) score, progesterone receptor (PR) score, histologic grade, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and Ki-67 had a statistically significant association with the low-risk subgroup. With these variables, we developed a nomogram to predict the low-risk subgroup with ODX recurrence scores of ≤25. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.85 to 0.96). When applied to the validation group the nomogram was accurate with an area under the curve = 0.88 (95% CI, 0.83 to 0.95). CONCLUSION: The low ODX recurrence score subgroup can be predicted by a nomogram incorporating five traditional prognostic factors: ER, PR, histologic grade, LVI, and Ki-67. Our nomogram, which predicts a low-risk ODX recurrence score, will be a useful tool to help select patients who may or may not need additional ODX testing.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Humans , Breast Neoplasms , Breast , Drug Therapy , Epidermal Growth Factor , Estrogens , Logistic Models , Lymph Nodes , Multivariate Analysis , Neoplasm Micrometastasis , Nomograms , Prognosis , Receptors, Progesterone , Recurrence , Retrospective Studies , ROC CurveABSTRACT
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Female , Humans , Breast Neoplasms , Breast , Eosine Yellowish-(YS) , Follow-Up Studies , Hematoxylin , Neoplasm Metastasis , Parotid Neoplasms , Salivary Ducts , Salivary Gland Neoplasms , Triple Negative Breast NeoplasmsABSTRACT
Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology, with additive manufacturing, can aid in the production of various kinds of patient-specific medical devices and implants in medical fields, which cannot be covered by mass production systems for producing conventional devices/implants. The simulator-based medical image demonstrates the anatomical structure of the disease, which can be used for education, diagnosis, preparation of treatment plan and preoperative surgical guide, etc. The surgical guide is used as a patient-specific medical device for guiding incision, resection, insertion, and marking. As 3D printers can output materials that can be inserted into the human body, the patient-specific implant device that reflects the patient's anatomy and surgical plan could be of relevance. In addition, patient-specific aids, including gibs, splints, prostheses, and epitheses, could be used for a better outcome. Finally, bio-printing is also used to cultivate cells to produce functional artificial tissues.
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PURPOSE@#Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a high-risk disease for the development of invasive tumors. Although it is associated with excellent prognosis, many patients undergo extensive treatment with surgery, radiation, and endocrine therapy. This study evaluated the clinical and pathologic factors associated with invasive recurrence, particularly locoregional, distant disease after breast-conserving surgery (BCS).@*METHODS@#This study included 431 patients diagnosed with pure DCIS after BCS between January 2000 and December 2008. The clinicopathological characteristics, margin status, adjuvant therapy, and duration of endocrine therapy were evaluated in hormone receptor-positive DCIS patients.@*RESULTS@#The median duration of follow-up was 115 months. During this period, 37 cases (8.5%) of recurrence were observed (12 in situ and 23 invasive recurrence and 2 unknown cases). There was no distant metastasis as first event. Similarly, none of the initial in situ recurrence cases developed distant metastasis while eight (32%, 8/23) developed distant metastasis after invasive recurrence. Overall recurrence was associated with young age (≤40 years) (HR: 3.60, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.77–7.32) and hormone receptor negativity (HR: 3.33, 95% CI: 1.52–7.29). Invasive local recurrence was independently associated with young age (≤40 years) (HR: 3.86, 95% CI: 1.50–9.96), high nuclear grade (HR: 4.46, 95% CI: 1.62–12.27) and omission of adjuvant radiotherapy (HR: 6.45, 95% CI: 1.82–22.82). Notably, duration of endocrine treatment among the hormone receptor positive patient group, was numerically shorter for recurred patients, though not statistically significant.@*CONCLUSION@#Young age, high nuclear grade and absence of adjuvant radiotherapy were independently associated with an increased risk of invasive recurrence. Moreover, invasive locoregional recurrence as a first event was associated with worse outcomes, yet in situ recurrence didn't affect overall survival. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to confirm the prognostic indicators of recurrence and the optimal strategy for adjuvant therapy in this setting.
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PURPOSE: We evaluated the effect of positive superficial and/or deep margin status on local recurrence (LR) in invasive breast cancer treated with breast-conserving surgery (BCS) followed by radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 3,403 stage 1 and 2 invasive breast cancer patients treated with BCS followed by radiotherapy from January 2000 to December 2008 were included in this study. These patients were divided into three groups according to margin status: clear resection margin status for all sections (group 1, n=3,195); positive margin status in superficial and/or deep sections (group 2, n=121); and positive peripheral parenchymal margin regardless of superficial and/or deep margin involvement (group 3, n=87). The LR-free survival between these three groups was compared and the prognostic role of margin status was analyzed. RESULTS: Across all groups, age, tumor size, nodal status, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status did not significantly differ. High grade, positive extensive intraductal component, hormone receptor positivity, hormone therapy received, and chemotherapy not received were more prevalent in groups 2 and 3 than in group 1. Five-year LR rates in groups 1, 2, and 3 were 1.9%, 1.7%, and 7.7%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that group 3 was a significant predictor for LR (hazard ratio [HR], 4.78; p < 0.001), but that positive superficial and/or deep margin was not (HR, 0.66; p=0.57). CONCLUSION: Superficial and/or deep margin involvement following BCS is not an important predictor for LR.
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Humans , Breast Neoplasms , Breast , Drug Therapy , Mastectomy, Segmental , Multivariate Analysis , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Radiotherapy , ErbB Receptors , RecurrenceABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine whether clinicopathological factors are potentially associated with successful breast-conserving surgery (BCS) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and develop a nomogram for predicting successful BCS candidates, focusing on those who are diagnosed with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative tumors during the pre-NAC period. METHODS: The training cohort included 239 patients with an HR-positive, HER2-negative tumor (≥3 cm), and all of these patients had received NAC. Patients were excluded if they met any of the following criteria: diffuse, suspicious, malignant microcalcification (extent >4 cm); multicentric or multifocal breast cancer; inflammatory breast cancer; distant metastases at the time of diagnosis; excisional biopsy prior to NAC; and bilateral breast cancer. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the possible predictors of BCS eligibility after NAC, and the regression model was used to develop the predicting nomogram. This nomogram was built using the training cohort (n=239) and was later validated with an independent validation cohort (n=123). RESULTS: Small tumor size (p < 0.001) at initial diagnosis, long distance from the nipple (p=0.002), high body mass index (p=0.001), and weak positivity for progesterone receptor (p=0.037) were found to be four independent predictors of an increased probability of BCS after NAC; further, these variables were used as covariates in developing the nomogram. For the training and validation cohorts, the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 0.833 and 0.786, respectively; these values demonstrate the potential predictive power of this nomogram. CONCLUSION: This study established a new nomogram to predict successful BCS in patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. Given that chemotherapy is an option with unreliable outcomes for this subtype, this nomogram may be used to select patients for NAC followed by successful BCS.
Subject(s)
Humans , Biopsy , Body Mass Index , Breast Neoplasms , Breast , Cohort Studies , Diagnosis , Drug Therapy , Inflammatory Breast Neoplasms , Logistic Models , Mastectomy, Segmental , Neoadjuvant Therapy , Neoplasm Metastasis , Nipples , Nomograms , ErbB Receptors , Receptors, Progesterone , ROC CurveABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study aimed to chronologically evaluate survival of patients with breast cancer in Korea and investigate the observed changes during the last 20 years. We also sought to determine factors that may influence outcomes and changes in the duration of survival over time. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a total of 10,988 patients with breast cancer who were treated at our institution between January 1993 and December 2008. We divided the study period into three periods (P1, 1993–1997; P2, 1998–2002; and P3, 2003–2008). We retrospectively reviewed the collected data from the Asan database, including age at diagnosis, clinical manifestations, pathology report, surgical methods, types of adjuvant treatment modalities, type of recurrence, and follow-up period. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 8.2 years, we observed that survival outcomes have improved recently. The 5-year breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) rate also increased from 82.8% in P1 to 92.6% in P3 (p < 0.001). The survival rate in patients with tumors at each stage increased in similar patterns in all patients, and, remarkably, there was a significant survival improvement in patients with stage III breast cancer (P1 vs. P3: 5-year BCSS, 57.4% vs. 80.0%, p < 0.001). The time period was a significant prognostic factor in multivariate analysis (P1 vs. P2: hazard ratio [HR], 0.83, p=0.035; P1 vs. P3: HR, 0.75, p=0.015). CONCLUSION: The study results suggest an improvement in breast cancer survival in Korea, which is consistent with the development of treatments and early detection.
Subject(s)
Humans , Breast Neoplasms , Breast , Diagnosis , Follow-Up Studies , Korea , Multivariate Analysis , Pathology , Prognosis , Recurrence , Retrospective Studies , Survival RateABSTRACT
Ectopic breast tissue and male breast cancer are both very rare diseases with only a few reports in the literature. Here, we present the first case of ectopic male breast cancer in the perineum. The patient was a 70-year-old man with a palpable mass in the perineum. A wide local excision and inguinal lymph node dissection revealed invasive breast carcinoma of no special type involving the skin and subcutis, and inguinal lymph node metastases. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the tumor cells were strongly positive for estrogen and progesterone receptors and negative for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Moreover, no p53 overexpression was observed. Herein, the clinical and pathologic features, as well as a review of ectopic male breast cancer are discussed.
Subject(s)
Aged , Humans , Male , Male , Breast , Breast Neoplasms , Breast Neoplasms, Male , Estrogens , Lymph Node Excision , Lymph Nodes , Mammary Glands, Human , Neoplasm Metastasis , Perineum , Rare Diseases , ErbB Receptors , Receptors, Progesterone , SkinABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The effect of delays in surgical treatment on survival outcomes in patients with breast cancer remains uncertain, but it is an issue of importance to both patients and clinicians. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of delayed surgical treatment on survival and tumor progression such as changes in tumor size and lymph node metastasis. METHODS: Among 1,219 patients who underwent breast cancer surgery at Asan Medical Center between January 2008 and December 2008, 1,074 patients were finally included in the study following the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients were divided into two groups based on the interval between diagnosis and surgery: ≤30 days (group 1) and >30 days (group 2). We retrospectively analyzed clinical characteristics, changes in tumor size and axillary lymph-node status, and overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates. RESULTS: Between group 1 and group 2, there were no differences in clinical characteristics or in changes in tumor size between findings based on ultrasonography (USG) with biopsy at diagnosis and pathologic results (p=0.134). Furthermore, changes in tumor size and lymph-node status between USG results at Asan Medical Center and pathologic results also showed no differences (p=0.249 and p=0.233, respectively). There were also no significant differences in DFS (p=0.395) or OS (p=0.813). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that short-term delays of ≤2 months between diagnosis and surgery for breast cancer do not negatively affect cancer progression or survival rates.
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PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare treatment outcomes between combined gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and tamoxifen (GnRHa+T) and sequential adriamycin and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy and tamoxifen (AC->T) in premenopausal patients with hormone-responsive, lymph-node–negative breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 994 premenopausal women with T1-T2, lymph-node–negative, hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer between January 2003 and December 2008 were included in this retrospective cohort study. GnRHa+T and AC->T were administered to 608 patients (61.2%) and 386 patients (38.8%), respectively. Propensity score matching and inverse probability weighting were applied to the original cohort, and 260 patients for each treatment arm were included in the final analysis. Recurrence-free, cancer-specific, and overall survival was compared between the two treatment groups. RESULTS: A total of 994 patients were followed up for a median of 7.4 years (range, 0.5 to 11.4 years). The 5-year follow-up rate was 98.7%, and 13 patients were lost to follow-up. In propensity-matched cohorts (n=520), there was no difference in recurrence-free, cancer-specific, and overall survival rates between the two treatment groups (p=0.306, p=0.212, and p=0.102, respectively), and this was maintained after applying inverse probability weighting. CONCLUSION: GnRHa+T is a reasonable alternative to AC->T in patients with premenopausal, hormone-responsive, HER2-negative, lymph-node–negative, T1-T2 breast cancer.