Retrospective, Multicenter Analysis Comparing Conventional with Oncoplastic Breast Conserving Surgery: Oncological and Surgical Outcomes in Women with High-Risk Breast Cancer from the OPBC-01/iTOP2 Study.

INTRODUCTION: Recent data suggest that margins ≥2 mm after breast-conserving surgery may improve local control in invasive breast cancer (BC). By allowing large resection volumes, oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery (OBCII; Clough level II/Tübingen 5-6) may achieve better local control than conventional breast conserving surgery (BCS; Tübingen 1-2) or oncoplastic breast conservation with low resection volumes (OBCI; Clough level I/Tübingen 3-4). METHODS: Data from consecutive high-risk BC patients treated in 15 centers from the Oncoplastic Breast Consortium (OPBC) network, between January 2010 and December 2013, were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 3,177 women were included, 30% of whom were treated with OBC (OBCI n = 663; OBCII n = 297). The BCS/OBCI group had significantly smaller tumors and smaller resection margins compared with OBCII (pT1: 50% vs. 37%, p = 0.002; proportion with margin <1 mm: 17% vs. 6%, p < 0.001). There were significantly more re-excisions due to R1 ("ink on tumor") in the BCS/OBCI compared with the OBCII group (11% vs. 7%, p = 0.049). Univariate and multivariable regression analysis adjusted for tumor biology, tumor size, radiotherapy, and systemic treatment demonstrated no differences in local, regional, or distant recurrence-free or overall survival between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Large resection volumes in oncoplastic surgery increases the distance from cancer cells to the margin of the specimen and reduces reexcision rates significantly. With OBCII larger tumors are resected with similar local, regional and distant recurrence-free as well as overall survival rates as BCS/OBCI.

Is it time to leave multi- for single-port laparoscopy in benign gynecologic surgery? A systematic review of randomized clinical trials.

INTRODUCTION: Conventionally, laparoscopic surgery in gynecology requires multiple accesses in the abdominal cavity. Laparo-endoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) is a more recent technique consisting in a laparoscopy in which the abdominal cavity is reached by a single umbilical incision. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize and comment the benefits and drawbacks in benign gynecological surgeries, including hysterectomy, myomectomy, and adnexal surgery, by LESS and conventional multiport laparoscopy (MPL), respectively. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Randomized Control Trials (PRISMA) was performed by researching articles in PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, and Cochrane library. The terms searched were "single port laparoscopy" or "laparo-endoscopic single site surgery" or "single site laparoscopy" or "single-incision laparoscopic surgery" and "hysterectomy," or "myomectomy," or "adnexal surgery". Only randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) comparing LESS and MPL in benign gynecology were included. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Thirteen RCTs including 1088 women undergoing gynecological surgery for benign disease through LESS versus MPL were included in the analysis of which 620 underwent hysterectomy, 154 myomectomy, 314 adnexal surgery. LESS approach was performed in 531/1088 (48.8%) procedures. All studies compared the surgical outcomes for length of operative time, hemoglobin drop, length of hospitalization, rate of conversion, postoperative pain, intra and postoperative complications. For hysterectomy, a longer operating time and a higher conversion rate were shown in the LESS group, but no significant differences were found for the other outcomes. For myomectomy, the only significant difference was found for a higher conversion rate in the LESS group. For adnexal surgery, no significant differences were found. Globally there was no difference in pain based on the Visual Analog Scale Score. Cosmetic outcome was reported in 6/13 of the studies included, 4/6 demonstrated a superior cosmetic satisfaction in the LESS group. CONCLUSIONS: Despite cosmetic result is intuitively the main advantage for LESS technique, current evidence does not seem to demonstrate a clear superiority of LESS compared to MPL in benign gynecological surgery.

A visual tool inclusive of fetal ultrasound and autopsy findings to reach a balanced approach to counseling on trisomy 18 in early second trimester.

Identified by the eponym "Edwards' Syndrome," trisomy 18 (T18) represents the second most common autosomal trisomy after T21. The pathophysiology underlying the extra chromosome 18 is a nondisjunction error, mainly linked with the advanced maternal age. More frequent in female fetuses, the syndrome portends high mortality, reaching a rate of 80% of miscarriages or stillbirths. The three-step evaluation includes first trimester screening for fetal aneuploidy using a combination of maternal age, fetal nuchal translucency thickness, fetal heart rate and maternal serum free ß-hCG and PAPP-A; followed by the research for fragments of fetal DNA in maternal blood; and, finally, invasive techniques leave to the established diagnosis. Starting with the first trimester scan, selected ultrasound findings should be investigated to define not only the impact of the genetic problem on the fetus, but also to address the prenatal counseling. Previous series underline that T18 is not uniformly lethal. An active dialogue on the choices in the management of infants with T18 has emerged, sustained by the transition from the comfort care to the intervention attitude. Survival rates for individuals with supposedly fatal conditions have increased. In this novel scenario, an ad hoc counseling is pivotal. To support it, a comparative analysis by pictorial assays between ultrasound and autopsy findings could be beneficial. We provide an illustrative tool from a clinical case managed in early second trimester, with the purpose to strive a balanced approach in the hard choice faced by couples of fetuses with T18.

A Breast Cancer Smartphone App to Navigate the Breast Cancer Journey: Mixed Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: Several mobile apps have been designed for patients with a diagnosis of cancer. Unfortunately, despite the promising potential and impressive spread, their effectiveness often remains unclear. Most mobile apps are developed without any medical professional involvement and quality evidence-based assessment. Furthermore, they are often implemented in clinical care before any research is performed to confirm usability, appreciation, and clinical benefits for patients. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to develop a new smartphone app (Centro di Senologia della Svizzera Italiana [CSSI]) specifically designed by breast care specialists and patients together to help breast cancer patients better understand and organize their journey through the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. We describe the development of the app and present assessments to evaluate its feasibility, usefulness, and capability to improve patient empowerment. METHODS: A mixed method study with brief longitudinal quantitative data collection and subsequent qualitative semistructured interviews was designed. Twenty breast cancer patients participated in the study (mean age 51 years, SD 10 years). The usability of the app, the user experience, and empowerment were measured after 1 month. The semistructured interviews measured the utility of the app and the necessary improvements. RESULTS: The app received good responses from the patients in terms of positive perception of the purpose of the app (7/20, 35%), organizing the cure path and being aware of the steps in cancer management (5/20, 25%), facilitating doctor-patient communication (4/20, 20%), and having detailed information about the resources offered by the hospital (2/20, 10%). Correlation and regression analyses showed that user experience increased the level of empowerment of patients (B=0.31, 95% CI 0.22-0.69; P=.009). The interviews suggested the need to constantly keep the app updated and to synchronize it with the hospital's electronic agenda, and carefully selecting the best time to offer the tool to final users was considered crucial. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the very small number of participants in this study, the findings demonstrate the potential of the app and support a fully powered trial to evaluate the empowering effect of the mobile health app. More data will be gathered with an improved version of the app in the second phase involving a larger study sample.

Breast cancer in the oldest old (≥ 89 years): Tumor characteristics, treatment choices, clinical outcomes and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Risk of breast cancer increases with age and very few data are available in patients older than 89. METHODS: A retrospective analysis on patients aged 89 and older treated between 2008 and 2019 at our certified breast center. The aim was to analyze clinical characteristics, decision-making, treatment, outcomes and open questions regarding this subpopulation for which there is a lack of guidelines. RESULTS: 58 patients included. Tumor characteristics were analyzed, 85% patients underwent surgery of which 44% had a mastectomy. The median follow-up and overall survival were 20 and 76 months, respectively.The median survival of metastatic and non-metastatic patients were 14 and 50 months, respectively. Most patients did not receive any adjuvant treatment and among these 14% had a relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients should not be under or over-treated because of their age; they represent a large heterogeneous group deserving a sub-stratification for a better tailored treatment.

Sentinel lymph node intraoperative analysis in endometrial cancer.

PURPOSE: Surgical staging in endometrial cancer has evolved and sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping has replaced a full pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy in several cases. An intraoperative evaluation of SLN might identify patients who could benefit the most from a full lymphadenectomy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical relevance of frozen section of SLN. METHODS: A retrospective analysis in patients with endometrial cancer who underwent SLN mapping with intraoperative evaluation at frozen section between February 2016 and September 2019 was performed. In case of metastatic involvement, a full lymphadenectomy was performed. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients met the inclusion criteria. Clinical-pathologic characteristics of the patients and surgical data were analyzed. Overall, bilateral and unilateral detection rates were 100% (58/58), 89.7% (52/58), and 10.3% (6/58), respectively. Eight patients had a stage IIIC disease at permanent section. Frozen section detected SLN metastases in four of eight patients. Of these, two were micrometastases and two were macrometastases. At frozen section of the SLNs, no macrometastases were misdiagnosed. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of frozen section in detecting metastases was 50%, 100%, 93%, 100% and 92.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The intraoperative evaluation of SLN in endometrial cancer accurately identifies patients with macrometastases. This is the cohort that might benefit the most of a full lymphadenectomy for a higher risk of additional lymph node metastases.

Pyosalpinx complicating chronic hydrosalpinx in a 50-year old virgo woman: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the upper genital tract, including the uterus, ovaries, uterine tubes, and pelvic peritoneum. Tubo-ovarian abscess and pyosalpinx are common complications associated with pelvic inflammatory disease. They are usually encountered in sexually active women, but rare cases in Virgos have also been described. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we report the case of a 50-year-old Virgo woman presenting with pyosalpinx secondary to previous laparotomic sigmoidectomy for acute diverticulitis. Inflammation caused by the woman's diverticulitis and laparotomic surgery could have been the origin of her left uterine tube occlusion and consequent hydrosalpinx development. The contact between the rectum and left uterine tube observed in our patient suggests that superinfection of the hydrosalpinx could have occurred secondary to bacterial translocation. The patient's condition was managed with laparoscopic left salpingectomy and antibiotic therapy, which resulted in complete resolution. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of sexual history, pelvic inflammatory disease should be considered in all women with abdominal pain. Diagnosing pelvic inflammatory disease in Virgos could be very challenging, but its recognition and appropriate treatment are indispensable because of the potential long-term complications.