Comparisons of Oncologic Outcomes between Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) and Non-TNBC among Patients Treated with Breast-Conserving Therapy

PURPOSE: The optimum local surgical strategy regarding breast-conserving therapy (BCT) for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is controversial. To investigate whether BCT is appropriate for patients with TNBC, we evaluated the clinical outcomes of BCT in women with TNBC compared to those of women without TNBC, using a large, single-center cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 1533 women (TNBC n=321; non-TNBC n=1212) who underwent BCT for primary breast cancer between 2000 and 2010. Clinicopathological characteristics, locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. RESULTS: Tumors from the TNBC group had a higher T stage (T2 37.4% vs. 21.0%, p<0.001), a lower N stage (N0 86.9% vs. 75.5%, p<0.001), and a higher histologic grade (Grade III 66.8% vs. 15.4%, p<0.001) than the non-TNBC group. There were no differences in 5-year LRFS rates between the TNBC and non-TNBC groups (98.7% vs. 97.8%, p=0.63). The non-TNBC group showed a slightly better 5-year OS than the TNBC group; however, the difference was not significant (96.2% vs. 97.3%, p=0.72). In multivariate analyses, TNBC was not associated with poor clinical outcomes in terms of LRFS and OS [hazard ratio (HR) for LRFS=0.37, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.10-1.31; HR for OS=1.03, 95% CI: 0.31-3.39]. CONCLUSION: TNBC patients who underwent BCT showed non-inferior locoregional recurrence compared to non-TNBC patients with BCT. Thus, BCT is an acceptable surgical approach in patients with TNBC.

Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma with Retropharyngeal Node Metastasis Demonstrating Negative I-131 but Positive FDG Uptake on PET/CT / 대한내분비외과학회지

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is commonly accompanied by cervical lymph node metastasis, whereas metastases to the retropharyngeal lymph nodes (RPN) are rare. Radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation is recommended for detection and treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). However, in some cases of iodine-negative DTC, F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) can aid in detection of additional lesions. We report on a patient with PTC who had retropharyngeal node involvement with iodine-negative features and low thyroglobulin level at the time of diagnosis but with metastasis identified on FDG PET/CT.

Characteristics and Survival of Breast Cancer Patients with Multiple Synchronous or Metachronous Primary Cancers

PURPOSE: Newly developed extra-mammary multiple primary cancers (MPCs) are an issue of concern when considering the management of breast cancer survivors. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of MPCs and to evaluate the implications of MPCs on the survival of breast cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 8204 patients who underwent surgery at Severance Hospital between 1990 and 2012 were retrospectively selected. Clinicopathologic features and survival over follow-up periods of 5 years were investigated using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 67.3 months, 962 MPCs in 858 patients (10.5%) were detected. Synchronous and metachronous MPCs were identified in 23.8% and 79.0% of patients, respectively. Thyroid cancer was the most prevalent, and the second most common was gynecologic cancer. At 5 years. The causes of death in many of the patients with MPCs were not related to breast cancer. Stage-matched analysis revealed that the implications of MPCs on survival were more evident in the early stages of breast disease. CONCLUSION: Breast cancer patients with MPCs showed worse survival, especially when early-stage disease was identified. Therefore, it is necessary to follow screening programs in breast cancer survivors and to establish guidelines for improving prognosis and quality of life.