Does focal heterogeneity affect survival in postoperative ipsilateral multifocal and multicentric breast cancers?

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: In multicentric/multifocal breast tumors, there may be immunological and histological differences between foci that may affect survival and treatment choice. We aimed to evaluate the effect of focal heterogeneity seen in multicentric/multifocal breast tumors on survival. METHODS: We retrospectively collected and analyzed the clinicopathological data of 89 female patients with multifocal/multicentric breast cancer, whose surgical and medical treatment was completed and who were followed up for 5 years. RESULTS: Of all patients, 29.2% (26/89) were heterogeneous. Heterogeneity of these foci was as follows: histologic heterogeneity of index foci (mix type): 15.7% (14/89), histologic heterogeneity of inter-foci: 7.9% (7/89), and immunohistochemical heterogeneity of inter-foci: 10.1% (9/89). When additional foci were evaluated, oncological therapy was changed for 3 (3.3%) of 89 patients. Heterogeneity does not have a significant (p>0.05) effect on recurrence and survival in multicentric/multifocal breast cancers. Pathological N stage is an independent risk factor for disease-free survival (hazard ratio=2.29, 95% confidence interval=1.39-3.76, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In multifocal/multicentric breast cancers, less than 4% of patients may experience heterogeneity requiring change in the therapeutic decision. However, heterogeneity does not have a significant effect on recurrence and survival in multifocal/multicentric breast cancers. The pathological N stage is an independent risk factor for disease-free survival.

Hemogram index parameters in the evaluation of male breast cancer and inflammatory response: a case-control study

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate the hemogram index parameters and their clinical significance in the evaluation of the inflammatory response of patients with male breast cancer, who are rarely observed in the literature. METHODS: In total, 22 (n=22) healthy male and 28 (n=28) male breast cancer patients without synchronous/metachronous tumors were included in this study. They were grouped as the healthy male control group (Group 1) and the male breast cancer patient group (Group 2). The male breast cancer was divided into two subgroups, namely, early stage [(stage: 0/I/II) (Group 2A)] and late stage [(stage: III/IV) (Group 2B)], and their hemogram index parameters were compared. RESULTS: A significant (p>0.05) increase was observed in neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and·platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) values in the late stage (Group 2B: stage III/IV) compared to the early stage (Group 2A: stage 0/I/II) and healthy control (Group 1) groups. CONCLUSIONS: In male breast cancer patients, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and platelet/lymphocyte ratio values were significantly higher as the stage of cancer increased. These readily available simple tests can be used to evaluate the host's inflammatory response in male breast cancer.

Factors affecting pathological complete response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer: a single-center experience

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the characteristics of patients admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of breast cancer who reached pathological complete response after being operated following eight cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: Between 2015-2020, patients with pathological complete response who were operated on after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and sent to our clinic for radiotherapy were evaluated. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 51 years. The most common histological type was invasive ductal cancer. The number of pathological complete response patients was 74 (28%), and the number of non-pathological complete response patients was 188 (72%). Patients with pathological complete response had a smaller tumor diameter than the non-pathological complete response group (p=0.001). For pathological complete response, T1 stage, N1 stage, NG 3, Ki-67 >20%, negative estrogen receptor, negative progesterone receptor, positive Cerb-B2, and adding trastuzumab to chemotherapy were statistically significant (p<0.05). Before neoadjuvant chemotherapy, stage T1-T2 (p=0.036), LN0-1 (p=0.026), Cerb-B2 positivity (p=0.025), and an initial nuclear grade of three (p=0.001) were found to be the factors affecting pathological complete response. CONCLUSIONS: With neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the size of locally advanced tumors decreases, allowing breast conserving surgery. The neoadjuvant chemotherapy response can be used as an early indicator of the prognosis of patients with breast cancer. Today, neoadjuvant chemotherapy is also used for patients with early-stage, operable breast cancer because it has been shown in many studies that reaching pathological complete response is associated with positive long-term results. If we can identify patients who have reached pathological complete response before neoadjuvant chemotherapy, we think we can also determine a patient-specific treatment plan at the beginning of treatment.