Prognostic Role of KRAS mRNA Expression in Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

Clinical Implication of Intraoperative Sonography in Localized Excision Biopsy for Mammographic Microcalcifications

PURPOSE: Ultrasonography plays a supplementary role in detecting breast microcalcifications as localizing these microcalcifications without mammographic aid is not always successful. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical implications of intraoperative sonography (IOUSG) in localized excisions after mammographically guided wire insertion. METHODS: Between May 2011 and December 2017, 90 localized excisional biopsies were included. All excisions were preceded by mammographically guided wire insertion. We divided them into two groups according to the use of IOUSG and compared the surgical outcomes between the two groups. RESULTS: Of the 90 localized excisions analyzed, IOUSG was performed in 40 (the USG group) localized excisions and not in the remaining 50 (the no USG group) localized excisions. The median cluster size of the target microcalcifications and the median specimen volume were smaller in the USG group than that in the no USG group (1.4 cm vs. 2.0 cm, p=0.02; 10.9 cm3 vs. 30.3 cm3, p<0.001, respectively). Additional excisions due to the incomplete coverage of the target microcalcifications on the specimen mammography were more frequent in the no USG group than in the USG group (30% vs. 15%, respectively, p<0.001). In the multivariate analyses, performing an IOUSG was the only significant risk factor, reducing the need for additional excision after adjusting the other risk factors (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.203; 95% confidence interval, 0.078–0.529). Performing an IOUSG significantly reduced the specimen volume excised after adjusting the cluster size of the microcalcifications. CONCLUSION: IOUSG could be helpful in improving the accuracy of surgical excision for breast microcalcifications localized with mammographically guided wire insertion.

Prognostic influence of Korean public medical insurance system on breast cancer patients

PURPOSE: To investigate the prognostic influence of Korean public medical insurance system on breast cancer patients. METHODS: Data of 1,068 patients with primary invasive breast cancer were analyzed. Korean public medical insurance status was classified into 2 groups: National Health Insurance and Medical Aid. Kaplan-Meier estimator and Cox proportional hazards model were used for survival analysis. RESULTS: The Medical Aid group showed worse prognoses compared to the National Health Insurance group both in overall survival (P = 0.001) and recurrence-free survival (P = 0.006). The Medical Aid group showed higher proportion of patients with tumor size > 2 cm (P = 0.022), more advanced stage (P = 0.039), age > 50 years (P = 0.003), and low education level (P = 0.003). The Medical Aid group showed higher proportion of patients who received mastectomy (P < 0.001) and those who received no radiation therapy (P = 0.013). The Medical Aid group showed a higher rate of distant recurrence (P = 0.014) and worse prognosis for the triple negative subtype (P = 0.006). Medical insurance status was a significant independent prognostic factor in both univariate analysis and multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: The Medical Aid group had worse prognosis compared to the National Health Insurance group. Medical insurance status was a strong independent prognostic factor in breast cancer. Unfavorable clinicopathologic features could explain the worse prognosis for the Medical Aid group. Careful consideration should be given to medical insurance status as one of important prognostic factors for breast cancer patients.