Quality of life after mastectomy with or without immediate breast reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) is a surgical strategy in breast cancer when breast-conserving surgery is not an option. There is a lack of evidence showing an advantage of mastectomy plus IBR over mastectomy alone on health-related quality of life (QoL). METHODS: A large prospective multicentre survey, STIC-RMI (support of innovative and expensive techniques - immediate breast reconstruction), was undertaken to study the changes in QoL in patients treated by mastectomy with or without IBR. Patients were recruited between 2007 and 2009. European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 instruments were used to assess QoL before operation, and at 6 and 12 months after surgery. A propensity score was used to compare QoL between mastectomy alone and mastectomy plus IBR, with limited bias. RESULTS: A total of 595 patients were included from 22 French academic hospitals, of whom 407 (68·4 per cent) underwent IBR. One-year data were available for 71·1 per cent of patients. Factors associated with IBR were age, histological tumour type, palpable nodes and an attempt at breast-conserving surgery. At inclusion, QoL was significantly better in the IBR group (P < 0·001) and there was no significant change in either group during 1 year compared with baseline. Results for the QLQ-BR23 functional dimension varied according to propensity score quartiles; IBR had no influence in the lowest quartile. In the upper quartiles, QoL increased slightly over the year among patients who had IBR, whereas it decreased among those who had mastectomy alone (P = 0·037). Satisfaction with the cosmetic outcome strongly influenced QoL, especially in upper quartiles (P < 0·001). However, an unsatisfactory outcome after IBR was still considered a better condition than simple mastectomy. CONCLUSION: The QoL benefit provided by IBR depends on patients' life status at inclusion; young active women with an in situ tumour are more likely to preserve their QoL after IBR.

Survival effect of laparoscopic para-aortic staging in locally advanced cervical cancer: a retrospective cohort analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study compares two methods of evaluating para-aortic node involvement in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) in order to define external radiotherapy treatment fields: laparoscopic surgical para-aortic lymphadenectomy or PET-CT imaging. POPULATION: We selected 187 patients with LACC who had been treated by chemoradiation therapy in two comprehensive cancer centres from January 2001 to December 2013. A total of 98 underwent para-aortic evaluation by PET-CT (Centre 1) and 89 received surgical laparoscopic excision (Centre 2). METHODS: All patients with LACC were retrospectively collected in each centre. OS and DFS were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier's method and survival curves were compared using log-rank test. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcomes were the comparison of patients' disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) between the two centres. RESULTS: Patients had a significantly better disease-free survival in cohort 1 than in cohort 2, at 2 years [80.9% (71.7-87.5) versus 57.1% (46.1-67.3)] and at 5 years [70.5% (58.8-79.9) versus 49.2% (38.2-60.4)] (P = 0.009). These results are confirmed by multivariate analysis model [hazard ratio (HR) 1.93; 95% CI 1.03-3.61; P = 0.04]. The overall survival was also better in cohort 1, both at 2 and 5 years [93.5% (86.5-97.0) versus 78.5% (68.5-86.0) and 85.1% (73.2-92.2) versus 63.8% (51.9-74.2), respectively; P = 0.006]. The multivariate analysis model found concordant results with an increased relative risk of death for patients treated in cohort 2 (HR 2.55; 95% CI 1.09-5.99; P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: In this retrospective cohort analysis, para-aortic surgical staging in LACC is more deleterious for patients than is radiological staging in terms of OS and DFS. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Para-aortic surgical staging in LACC is more deleterious for patients than clinical staging.

[Anatomoclinical study of ovarian cancers in patients with history of hysterectomy for benign pathology]. / Étude anatomoclinique des cancers de l'ovaire chez les patientes aux antécédents d'hystérectomie pour pathologie bénigne.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the various anatomoclinical characteristics of ovarian cancer in patients with a history of hysterectomy for benign disease. METHODS: This is a comparative, retrospective, monocentric and descriptive study, carried out at the Centre of Jean-Perrin in patients with ovarian cancer between 2005 and 2014 and with a history of hysterectomy for benign disease. Each patient was paired with a non-hysterectomy patient with ovarian cancer. The two populations were matched 1 to 5, based on their age at diagnosis and their FIGO stage. RESULTS: During the period of the study, 249 patients were operated for de novo ovarian neoplasia, 43 patients had a history of hysterectomy (group 1) and 206 remaining patients represented the control group (group 2). There was no difference in overall survival and disease-free survival between the two subpopulations of patients (P=0.59 and P=0.38). On CT-scan assessment, the lymph node involvement risk was greater than 2.6 in the group of patients with hysterectomy (P=0.00038). Peritoneal Cancer Index scores of the two subgroups of populations were comparable, there were an average of 13.65 for group 1 versus 12.31 for group 2 (P=0.28). The rate of rectosigmoid resection was higher in group 1: 48.6% versus 32.9% in group 2 without any significant difference (P=0.07). Hundred and thirty-three patients undergone lumbar aortic lymphadenectomy, with node involvement found in 83% of patients in the hysterectomy group and 51% of patients in the control group (P=0.0053). CONCLUSION: Indication of lumbar aortic lymphadenectomy should be taken in better consideration in patients with history of inter-adnexial hysterectomy. These data must be thoroughly assessed with a prospective multicenter comparative study.

Occult cancer in specimens of reduction mammaplasty aimed at symmetrization. A multicentric study of 2718 patients.

Women who have undergone surgical treatment for breast cancer often benefit from a contralateral reduction mammaplasty (CRM) aimed at symmetrization of the contralateral breast unaffected by the initial cancer. In our 7-year multicentric study (12 centers) of 2718 patients, incidence of CRM cancers (CRMc) was 1.47% (n = 40) [95% CI 1.05%-2.00%]. The CRMc group had significantly more initial mammary cancers of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC, 22.5% vs 12.0%) and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS, 35.0% vs 21.6%) types than the healthy CRM group (p = 0.017). 35.0% (n = 14) of patients had en bloc resection; 25.0% (n = 10) of surgical specimens were correctly oriented. En bloc resection and orientation of surgical specimens enable precise pinpointing of the CRMc. A salvage lumpectomy may be proposed as an option when margins are invaded. The histological distribution of the 40 CRMc (mean size 12.7 mm) was carcinoma in situ (CIS) 70%, ILC 12.5%, invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) 12.5% and tubular carcinoma (TC) 5.0%.

Morphological and immunohistochemical study of ovarian and tubal dysplasia associated with tamoxifen.

Ovarian epithelial dysplasia was initially described in material from prophylactic oophorectomies for BReast CAncer gene (BRCA) mutation. Similar histopathological abnormalities have been revealed after ovulation stimulation. Given that tamoxifen (TAM) has a clomid-like effect and is sometimes used to induce ovulation, we studied the morphological features and immunohistochemical expression patterns of neoplasia-associated markers in adnexectomies previously exposed to TAM for breast cancer. We blindly reviewed 173 histopathological slides of adnexectomies according to three groups - oophorectomie sassociated with TAM exposure (n=42), oophorectomies associated with clomiphene exposure (n=15) and a spontaneously fertile non cancerous control group (n=116). Morphological features (with an ovarian and tubal dysplasia scoring system) and immunohistochemical expression patterns of Ki-67, p53 and Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1 is an enzyme significantly associated with earlystage ovarian cancer) were evaluated and correlated. Mean tubal dysplasia score was significantly higher in the TAM group and clomiphene group than in controls (respectively 7.8 vs 3.5, P<0.007 and 6.8 vs 3.5, P=0.008). There is no statistical difference for the ovarian score in TAM group in comparison with the control group whereas we found a significant score for clomiphen group (6.5, P=0.009). Increased ALDH1 expression was observed in the two exposed group whereas expression patterns of Ki67 and p53 were moderate. Interestingly, ALDH1 expression was low in non-dysplastic epithelium, high in dysplasia, and constantly low in the two carcinoma. Furthermore, we confirm our previous results showing that ALDH1 may be a useful tissue biomarker in the subtle histopathological diagnosis of tubo-ovarian dysplasia.

[Spontaneous renal forniceal rupture with suspicious ovarian mass]. / Urétéro-hydronéphrose avec rupture du fornix sur masse ovarienne suspecte.

Extravasation of urine following rupture of the renal fornix is a rare complication mostly caused by obstruction secondary to distal ureteric stones. This 35-year-old woman was referred with back pain. Her CT scan revealed rupture of the renal fornix secondary to a pelvic mass. Laparoscopy subsequently confirmed this to be an ovarian abscess. We report the first case of spontaneous renal forniceal rupture secondary to pelvic inflammatory disease.

Tu-be or not tu-be: that is the question about serous ovarian carcinogenesis.

Our understanding of the early natural history of epithelial ovarian carcinoma is limited by the access to early lesions as the disease is very often diagnosed at advanced stages. The incessant ovulation theory from the last century that indicated the ovary as the site for the initiation of high-grade serous cancers is contrary to the newly emerging idea that ovarian cancer could arise from the distal fallopian tube. In view of the recent pathological and molecular studies, we propose to discuss the genesis of high-grade serous ovarian cancer.

Laparoscopic restaging of borderline ovarian tumours (BLOT): a retrospective study of 142 cases.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To analyse the impact of restaging, on recurrences and survival, in BLOT. SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: To cluster patients who could be exempted from restaging. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective study, included patients operated for a BLOT, between January 1990, and December 2007, in gynaecological surgery units of the University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand. Two groups were evaluated: patients with and without optimal restaging. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-two patients were included. Optimal initial staging rate was 38.7% (n=55). Among the eighty-seven women not initially staged, two groups were compared: restaged (n=45) and non-restaged patients (n=42). Mean follow-up was 80.5 months. Overall survival was 93.7%. Relapse rate was 7.7% (n=11). Disease free survival (DFS) was 88% after a mean follow-up of 80.5 months. One death was noted. Optimal restaging rate was 31.7% (n=45, 43 by laparoscopy). Mean follow-up was of 87.1 months among restaged patients, 84.5 months among non-restaged patients (p=0.93). Relapse incidence was significantly higher in non restaged, than in restaged patients (p=0.008). DFS was significantly longer among restaged than non-restaged patients, (p=0.072). Younger age (p=0.04), conservative treatment (p<10(-4)) or non-diploidy (p=0.04) increased the incidence of relapse. CONCLUSIONS: When initial staging is missing, restaging improves the patients outcome in comparison to non-restaged groups. Laparoscopy is a valuable surgical option. This study suggests that a selected group of patients, older than 30 years old, submitted to a radical treatment, presenting a diploid, non micropapillar, mucinous BLOT, without visible implants during careful peritoneal inspection, could be exempted from restaging. They represented 11.6% of our population.

[Early detection of ovarian cancer: tomorrow? A review]. / Vers un dépistage possible du cancer de l'ovaire?

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal of the gynaecological malignancies because this «silent killer¼ is almost always diagnosed at an advanced stage. Precursor lesions have at least been discovered. This review will describe in details specific features of tubal and ovarian preinvasive lesions and the old and novel techniques that could be used for early detection of ovarian cancer.

Systematic (complete) para-aortic lymphadenectomy: description of a novel surgical classification with technical and anatomical considerations.

The clinical indications for a complete para-aortic lymphadenectomy in the surgical management of gynaecological malignancies remain controversial. The debate on complete para-aortic node dissection is hindered by the absence of an identifiable and accepted definition for the procedure of systematic (complete) para-aortic node dissection. In this paper we propose a classification of para-aortic lymphadenectomy. We have identified and imaged the most common and rare para-aortic vascular anomalies that we have encountered. An understanding of the anatomical anomalies in this area also provides a useful reference for the surgical technique that is adopted in order to ensure the completeness of excision.

[Don't forget fallopian tubes! A morphologic and immunohistochemical study about Fallopian tubes with genetic risk (BRCA mutation)]. / N'oubliez pas les trompes ! Étude morphologique et immunohistochimique des trompes à risque génétique (mutation BRCA).

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to describe morphologic and immunohistochemical features of precursor tubal lesions in prophylactically removed Fallopian tubes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Hundred and forty-seven bilateral salpingectomies (genetic predisposition or group A: n=57; and control group or group B: n=90) were reviewed by two pathologists blinded to clinical data. Seven epithelial cytological and architectural features were studied to compare the degree of tubal epithelial abnormalities between the two groups. Immunohistochemical expression patterns of Ki67 and p53 were also evaluated. RESULTS: Serous tubal intraepithelial lesions (STIL) have been identified in group A with stronger expression for Ki67 and p53 (especially in BRCA 1 group) than in group B. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The current results show the importance of salpingo-oophrectomy in BRCA mutation carriers and the complete histopathological sampling of the Fallopian tubes.

Mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy. A new option for patients with operable invasive breast cancer. Results of a 20 years single institution study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasability of immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) following mastectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and radiation therapy (RT) for operable invasive breast cancer (OIBC), in terms of incidence of local complications, locoregional control and survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1990 to 2008, 210 patients were treated by NACT, RT and mastectomy with IBR for OIBC. One hundred and seven patients underwent a latissimus dorsi flap with implant (LDI), 56 patients a transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap, 25 an autologous latissimus dorsi flap (ALD) and 22, a retropectoral implant (RI) reconstruction. RESULTS: Forty-six (21.9%) early events were recorded: 20 necrosis, 9 surgical site infections and 6 haematomas, requiring further surgery in 23 patients. More necrosis were observed with TRAM flap reconstructions (p = 0.000004), requiring more surgical revision than LD reconstructions. Seromas represented 42% of early complications in LD reconstructions. Fifty-five patients presented with late complications (26.2%) with mainly implant complications (capsular contracture, infection, dislocation, deflation) (23.6%), requiring reintervention in 14 cases. There were more delayed surgical revisions in RI reconstructions (p = 0.0005). The 5 years overall and disease-free survival rates were respectively 86.7% and 75.6%. Sixty-four patients presented at least one recurrence (30.5%) with 5 local, 9 locoregional and 54 distant relapses. CONCLUSION: This therapeutic sequence does not seem to increase the IBR morbidity nor alter disease-free and overall survival.

[Retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy and survival of patients treated for an advanced ovarian cancer: the CARACO trial]. / Impact des curages rétropéritonéaux sur la survie des patientes atteintes d'un cancer de l'ovaire à un stade avancé : le protocole CARACO.

The standard management for advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer is optimum cytoreductive surgery followed by platinum based chemotherapy. However, retroperitoneal lymph node resection remains controversial. The multiple directions of the lymph drainage pathway in ovarian cancer have been recognized. The incidence and pattern of lymph node involvement depends on the extent of the disease and the histological type. Several published cohorts suggest the survival benefit of pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. A recent large randomized trial have demonstrated the potential benefit for surgical removal of bulky lymph nodes in term of progression-free survival but failed to show any overall survival benefit because of a critical methodology. Further randomised trials are needed to balance risks and benefits of systematic lymphadenectomy in advanced-stage disease. CARACO is a French ongoing trial, built to bring a reply to this important question. A huge effort for inclusion of the patients, and involving new teams, are mandatory.

[Ovarian carcinogenesis: recent and past hypotheses]. / La cancérogenèse ovarienne : théories actuelles et passées.

Ovarian carcinogenesis and the early stages of malignant transformation are limited because of the lack of a candidate precursor. There have been several proposed hypotheses: first, ovary and the ovarian surface epithelium and more recently observations have increasingly focused attention of the Fallopian tube. Moreover, molecular genetic analysis has designed two main pathways of tumorogenesis. In this review, we discuss the different and perhaps complementary hypotheses about ovarian carcinogenesis.

[Intraoperative determination of axillary node metastasis by RT-PCR]. / Utilisation d'une méthode PCR en temps réel pour l'étude des ganglions sentinelles dans les carcinomes mammaires : expérience des centres anticancéreux de Lille et de Clermont-Ferrand.

UNLABELLED: The intraoperative determination of axillary node micrometastasis according to the Rapid GeneSearch Breast Lymph Node (BLN) is based on RT-PCR (mRNA of mammaglobine and CK19) detects metastases > 0.2 mm. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-three pts between November 2007 and June 2008 were included (33 from Centre Jean-Perrin and 50 from Centre Oscar-Lambret). Lymph nodes were cut in 2 mm slices, and 1 out of 2 was examined with BLN; the others were examined by imprints then histological exam with immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Forteen pts had micro- or macrometastasis. Seven were positive with intraoperative imprints including six macrometastasis and one micrometastasis; seven were positive with BLN and seven at histological exam with two cases of discordance. Sensitivity was 92%, specificity 98%. Positive predictive value 92%, and negative predictive value 98%. The median time for intraoperative determination was 40 minutes for 2 SLN. DISCUSSION: Half each lymph node is study by each method. This explains the discordances observed. Limit of BLN is the absence of CTI detection; however there is no consensus about the necessity of axillary clearance in such a case. CONCLUSION: In this series BLN reduces axillary clearance and improves comfort patients.

Intraoperative imprint cytology examination of sentinel lymph nodes after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative imprint cytology (IC) is one of several accurate, proven methods to detect tumor cells in sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) from patients with operable breast cancer. In patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), studies have demonstrated the feasibility and accuracy of SLN biopsy procedure. We evaluated the validity of IC for SLN testing in patients after NAC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with infiltrating breast carcinoma receiving NAC (n = 132) were studied prospectively. At surgery, SLN biopsy followed by axillary lymph node dissection was performed. SLN were evaluated using IC in 80 of 132 patients (60%). The results of IC in the adjuvant setting (100 patients) were used for comparison. RESULTS: SLN metastases were correctly identified using IC in 58 of 80 (72%) patients. False negative results were observed in 21 patients. The sensitivity of IC testing was 38.2% and specificity 97.8%. The positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) were 92.9% and 68.2%, respectively. In univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis, patients with micrometastases or isolated tumor cells in SLN have 2.3 times higher risk of a false negative IC result than patients with macrometastases in SLN (P = .00021; relative risk [RR] = 2.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.37-3.85). The non-NAC group, which contained fewer micrometastatic cases, showed better sensitivity (47.4%) and NPV (88.9%). CONCLUSION: NAC does not seem to influence the accuracy and sensitivity of IC. Variations in sensitivity are related to the proportion of cases with micrometastases and ITC, as it was also shown in chemonaive patients.

[Peritoneal carcinosis in ovarian cancer: conventional imaging (CT-scan and MRI)]. / Imagerie conventionnelle << péritonéale >> des cancers de l'ovaire (scanner, IRM).

Ovarian cancer is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage with peritoneal extension which often occurs early on. Imaging plays an important role in the pretherapeutic assessment of peritoneal extension. Carcinomatosis involving the hepatic hilum, the cavo-supra-hepatic confluence, the mesentery, and/or the intestinal wall precludes optimal surgery and may be an indication for neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Abdominal and pelvic MDCT scan is the best imaging technique for the preoperative staging of peritoneal carcinomatosis. MRI can be useful in some cases. Conventional imaging however sometimes underestimates peritoneal carcinomatosis and therefore cannot always be a substitute for surgical staging.

Comparison of dysplasia profiles in stimulated ovaries and in those with a genetic risk for ovarian cancer.

AIM: Ovarian epithelial dysplasia (OED) was first described after prophylactic oophorectomy for genetic risk of ovarian cancer. In light of Fathalla's incessant ovulation theory, this study was set up to describe the presence of ovarian abnormalities (dysplasia) after ovulation induction and to compare dysplasia profiles in stimulated and genetic risk ovaries. METHODS: One-hundred and twenty-four patients who had undergone salpingo-oophorectomies or ovarian cystectomies between 1990 and 2005 were reviewed. They were divided into three groups: (1) previous in vitro fertilisation (n=35); (2) prophylactic oophorectomies for genetic risk (n=27) and (3) fertile non-cancerous controls (n=62). Eleven cytological and architectural epithelial features were defined and a dysplasia score was calculated to quantify ovarian epithelial abnormalities. RESULTS: Mean dysplasia score was significantly higher in the genetic risk and stimulated ovary groups than in controls (9.55 versus 3.62, p<0.0001; 7.51 versus 3.62, p<0.0002, respectively). Cytological and architectural abnormalities were more frequent in the genetic risk group, while the profile of abnormalities was different in the genetic risk and stimulated groups. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support a possible relationship between OED and the use of ovulation-stimulating drugs. The increased dysplasia score in stimulated and genetic risk ovaries might be consistent with progression towards neoplastic transformation, and may justify the use of the term dysplasia or intraepithelial ovarian neoplasia. The observation of dysplasia in the stimulated group may differentiate women at risk. Conversely, the fact that the dysplasia profile after stimulation differs from that in genetic risk ovaries suggests that ovarian stimulation may predispose to a different evolution.