Collagen content and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 expression in neoplastic breast stroma

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the expression of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 and its C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4, and the tumor-stroma ratio using collagen stromal content of breast cancer samples, correlating it with clinicopathological data. METHODS: Through a retrospective cohort study, samples were obtained from female patients, over 18 years of age, with the disease in stages 1-4, who underwent mastectomy or lumpectomy. The biopsies were provided by the Oncology sector of the Hospital das Clínicas of Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife city, in 2011-2014, including samples of invasive ductal carcinoma, ductal carcinoma in situ, or benign changes (fibroadenoma and hypertrophy), which were analyzed between 2020 and 2022 by immunohistochemistry for the expression of stromal cell characteristics. Collagen content was tested by Gomori staining and digital analysis of images. RESULTS: Absence of stromal expression of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 was associated with longer disease-free survival (disease-free survival=0.481), and expression of C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 was associated with lower disease-free survival. An association was observed between clinicopathological variables and stromal expression of chemokines, that is, an association of stromal C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 with histological grade, angiolymphatic invasion, and an association between C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 expression and histological grade. Analyses of digital pixels images of collagen and tumor cells showed a lower percentage of collagen in the invasive ductal carcinoma samples (39%), unlike samples without neoplasms (78%). CONCLUSION: Low expression of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 may be associated with a worse prognosis for breast cancer. Collagen staining analyzed using digital images represents an opportunity for clinical application and is indicative of the prognosis of the tumor microenvironment in breast carcinoma.

Márgenes quirúrgicos en afeitado de cavidad en cuadrantectomía por cáncer de mama / Surgical margins in shaved cavity in quadrantectomy for breast cancer in Medellín, Colombia

Resumen OBJETIVOS: Determinar la utilidad del afeitado de la cavidad de la cuadrantectomía por cáncer de mama en la reducción de reoperación y explorar sus factores asociados y describir las características sociodemográficas y clínicas de las pacientes. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio de cohorte, retrospectivo y descriptivo efectuado entre el 1 enero de 2017 y el 31 de diciembre de 2018 en pacientes mayores de 18 años con diagnóstico histológico de carcinoma invasivo e in situ de mama a quienes se practicó cuadrantectomía con afeitado de todos los márgenes de la cavidad. Se trata del registro de las pacientes de un cirujano de Medellín, Colombia. Se recopilaron datos demográficos, clínicos, paraclínicos y se analizaron con estadística descriptiva. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 194 pacientes con edad media de 61.6 años. Los márgenes fueron negativos en el 85.6% (n = 161) y positivos en el 14.4% (n = 28). La cavidad afeitada estaba afectada en el 16% (n = 31), no se requirió reintervención en el 95.9% (n = 186) y se reintervinieron 4.1% (n = 8). La reducción de la reintervención fue del 10.3% (n = 20%). Los factores asociados con márgenes positivos fueron: marcación con arpón (OR = 1.19; IC95%: 1.07-1,32; p = 0.04), tumor multifocal (OR = 3.95; IC95%: 2.29-6.81; p = 0.00), afeitado afectado (OR = 3.26; IC95%: 1.75-6.04). Entre los grupos no se encontró mayor riesgo de recurrencia local (OR = 0.85; IC95%: 0.80-0.90; p = 0.35). CONCLUSIONES: El afeitado de todos los márgenes de la cavidad de la cuadrantectomía tuvo una reducción en la tasa de márgenes afectados y disminución de las reintervenciones. Los factores asociados con márgenes positivos fueron: marcación con arpón, tumor multifocal y el daño del afeitado; no hubo mayor riesgo de recurrencia.

Abstract OBJECTIVES: To determine the usefulness of quadrantectomy cavity shaving for breast cancer in reducing reoperation and to explore its associated factors and describe sociodemographic and clinical data of the patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective, descriptive, retrospective cohort study conducted between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2018 in patients older than 18 years with histologic diagnosis of invasive and in situ breast cancer who underwent quadrantectomy with shaving of all cavity margins. This is the registry of patients of a surgeon in Medellin, Colombia. Demographic, clinical, and paraclinical data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: 194 patients with a mean age of 61.6 years were included. The margins were negative in 85.6% (n = 161) and positive in 14.4% (n = 28). The shaved cavity was involved in 16% (n = 31), no reintervention was required in 95.9% (n = 186), and 4.1% (n = 8) underwent reintervention. The reduction in reoperation was 10.3% (n=20). Factors associated with positive margins were: harpoon marking (OR = 1.19; 95%CI: 1.07-1.32; p = 0.04), multifocal tumor (OR = 3.95; 95%CI: 2.29-6.81; p = 0.00), affected shave (OR = 3.26; 95%CI: 1.75-6.04). No increased risk of local recurrence was found between groups (OR = 0.85; 95%CI: 0.80-0.90; p = 0.35). CONCLUSIONS: Shaving all margins of the quadrantectomy cavity was associated with a lower rate of involved margins and fewer reinterventions. Factors associated with positive margins were: harpoon marking, multifocal tumor, and shave damage; there was no increased risk of recurrence.

Perfil dos casos de câncer de mama entre acometidos no acre período de 2015 a 2019 ­ um estudo transversal / Profile of breast cancer cases between affected in acre period from 2015 to 2019 - a cross-sectional study / Perfil de los casos de cáncer de mama entre las personas afectadas en el período acre de 2015 a 2019 - un estudio transversal

Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar o perfil dos casos de câncer de mama no estado do Acre no período de 2015 a 2019. Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo com delineamento transversal. A amostra foi constituída por todos os casos de câncer de mama registrados no Acre e inseridos no Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde (DATASUS) no período de 2015 a 2019. Foram identificados no período 293 casos da doença, com maior número de casos registrados no ano de 2019 (25,0%), sendo a maioria do sexo feminino (98,0%), na faixa etária de 40 a 49 anos (29,0%). O tempo decorrido desde o diagnóstico até o início do tratamento foi de mais de 60 dias (51,0%). A modalidade terapêutica mais utilizada foi a quimioterapia (55,0%). O local da realização do tratamento ocorreu capital do estado Rio Branco (80,0%). A maior parte dos acometidos, ainda encontra-se em tratamento (56,0%), no entanto (44,0%) evoluiu para óbito. O aumento da doença com o passar dos anos é notável no Acre. É importante destacar que ações voltadas para a prevenção e controle do câncer de mama continuam sendo fundamentais para auxiliar na diminuição do número de casos, como o rastreamento e diagnóstico precoce.

This study aimed to analyze the profile of breast cancer cases in the state of Acre in the period from 2015 to 2019. This is a quantitative study with a cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of all breast cancer cases registered in Acre and inserted in the Informatics Department of the Unified Health System (DATASUS) in the period from 2015 to 2019. In the period 293 cases of the disease were identified, with a greater number of cases registered in 2019 (25.0%), with the majority being female (98.0%), aged 40 to 49 years (29.0%). The time elapsed from diagnosis to the start of treatment was more than 60 days (51.0%). The most used therapeutic modality was chemotherapy (55.0%). The place where the treatment was performed took place in the state of Rio Branco (80.0%). Most of the people affected are still under treatment (56.0%), however (44.0%) died. The increase in the disease over the years is notable in Acre. It is important to highlight that actions aimed at the prevention and control of breast cancer continue to be fundamental to assist in reducing the number of cases, such as screening and early diagnosis.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar el perfil de los casos de cáncer de mama en el estado de Acre en el período de 2015 a 2019. Se trata de un estudio cuantitativo con diseño transversal. La muestra consistió en todos los casos de cáncer de mama registrados en Acre e ingresados en el Departamento de Informática del Sistema Único de Salud (DATASUS) en el período de 2015 a 2019. En el periodo se identificaron 293 casos de la enfermedad, siendo el mayor número de casos registrados en 2019 (25,0%), siendo la mayoría mujeres (98,0%), en el grupo de edad de 40 a 49 años (29,0%). El tiempo transcurrido desde el diagnóstico hasta el inicio del tratamiento fue superior a 60 días (51,0%). La modalidad terapéutica más utilizada fue la quimioterapia (55,0%). El lugar donde se realizó el tratamiento fue Rio Branco, la capital del estado (80,0%). La mayoría de los pacientes afectados siguen en tratamiento (56,0%), sin embargo, (44,0%) fallecieron. El aumento de la enfermedad a lo largo de los años es notable en Acre. Es importante destacar que las acciones dirigidas a la prevención y control del cáncer de mama siguen siendo fundamentales para ayudar a reducir el número de casos, como el cribado y el diagnóstico precoz.

Low-grade carcinoma in situ in fibroadenoma: a case report

Fibroadenomas are the most common benign breast neoplasms. In rare cases, a carcinoma may develop within a fibroadenoma. The aim of this study was to report a case of low-grade carcinoma in situ in a fibroadenoma. A 31-year-old female, G0P0A0 and without family history of cancer, arrives at the service with an expressive breast lump growth along the year year. Core biopsy, histopathological and immunohistochemical studies showed an in-situ carcinoma in a fibroadenoma. Surgical resection was performed with a safety margin, and anatomopathological study and immunohistochemistry of the surgical specimen confirmed the core biopsy diagnosis. Currently, the patient is under annual clinical follow-up with mammography and breast ultrasound and no evidence of neoplastic disease. Although this is a rare event and few cases are described in the literature, carcinomas in situ can occur in a fibroadenoma.

The usefulness of fluorodeoxyglucose-PET/CT for preoperative evaluation of ductal carcinoma in situ

PURPOSE: PET/CT is useful in preoperative evaluation of invasive breast cancer (IBC) to predict axillary metastasis and staging workup. The usefulness is unclear in cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) diagnosed at biopsy before surgery, which sometimes is upgraded to IBC after definitive surgery. The aim of this study is to find out the usefulness of PET/CT on DCIS as a preoperative evaluation tool. METHODS: We investigated 102 patients preoperatively diagnosed with DCIS who subsequently underwent definitive surgery between 2010 and 2015. The uptake of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose was graded by visual and semiquantitative methods. We analyzed the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of each patient with clinicopathologic variables. We determined optimal cutoff values for SUVmax by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: Fifteen cases out of 102 cases (14.7%) were upgraded to IBC after surgery. The SUVmax was higher in patients upgraded to IBC (mean: 2.56 vs. 1.36) (P = 0.007). The SUVmax was significantly higher in patients who had symptoms, palpable masses, lesions over 2 cm in size and BI-RAD category 5. Both visual and semiquantitative analysis were significant predictors of IBC underestimation. SUVmax of 2.65 was the theoretical cutoff value in ROC curve analysis in predicting the underestimation of IBC. The underestimation rate was significantly higher in patients with SUVmax >2.65 (P < 0.001), over the moderate enhanced uptake on visual analysis (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: PET/CT can be used as a complementary evaluation tool to predict the underestimation of DCIS combined with the lesion size, palpable mass, symptomatic lesion, and BI-RAD category.