Multifocal and multicentric breast cancer, is it time to think again?

Multifocal multicentric breast cancer has traditionally been considered a contraindication to breast conserving surgery because of concerns regarding locoregional control and risk of disease recurrence. However, the evidence supporting this practice is limited. Increasingly, many breast surgeons are advocating breast conservation in selected cases. This short narrative review summarises current evidence on the role of surgery in multifocal multicentric breast cancer and shows that when technically feasible the option of breast conservation is oncologically safe.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy before mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction may predict post-mastectomy radiotherapy, reduce delayed complications and improve the choice of reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant post-mastectomy radiotherapy (RT), which is often unpredicted, is known to increase complications following immediate breast reconstruction (IBR). AIM: To investigate the role of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLN) in predicting RT and improving the choice of IBR. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients who had mastectomy and IBR between January 2004 and January 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. Axillary staging (clearance or SLN) was performed at the same time until October 2005 (Group 1), when the Unit's protocol was updated to perform SLN initially prior to mastectomy and IBR (Group 2). Patients in Group 2 with positive SLN were offered either a delayed reconstruction or a temporary subpectoral immediate tissue expander, while all options were offered if SLN was negative and in Group 1 patients. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-nine patients were reviewed. 20 patients received unexpected RT in Group 1 (14 tissue expander, 4 Latissimus Dorsi flap with an implant and 2 DIEP flaps) compared to 11 patients in Group 2 who had a temporary tissue expander due to expected RT (P=0.03). Unexpected RT caused delayed complications in 14 patients (70%) compared to no delayed complications in patients who received expected RT in Group 2. CONCLUSION: SLN biopsy before IBR helps to predict RT and avoids its complications on breast reconstruction. Patients with positive SLN biopsy are best offered a temporary subpectoral tissue expander for IBR.

Invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast: should this be regarded as a chronic disease?

BACKGROUND: The surgical treatment of patients with invasive lobular carcinoma is still controversial due to its different clinical and pathological features. Most studies report local recurrence after relatively short follow-up periods, which is usually 5 years. However there is some evidence to suggest that local recurrence may occur late in the course of follow-up. AIM OF THE STUDY: To study the implications and outcome of extending the follow-up period of patients treated for invasive lobular carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients (268) treated between 1989 and 1996 were reviewed. Thirty-three patients were excluded as they had primary hormonal therapy. The outcomes for 235 patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients (33.6%) had breast conservation surgery (group I), which was followed by re-excision due to positive margins in 23 patients (29%), and 156 patients (66.3%) had mastectomy (group II). Compared to group II, tumours in group I were smaller (mean size 17 vs. 37 mm, P=0.001), multifocal [20 (25%) vs. 14 (9%), P=0.003] and with more positive margins [23 (29%) vs. 24 (15%), P=0.0009]. Only 33 patients (21%) in group II, and all patients in group I had post-operative radiotherapy (P=0.0001). Forty-eight patients (17.9%) developed local recurrence [27 (34%) in group I and 21 (13.4%) in group II, P=0.0005] after a median follow-up period of 167.8 months. The mean time to local recurrence was 127 (range 24-196) months. Univariate analysis showed that the type of surgery, margin status, adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy significantly affected local recurrence (P=0.0005, 0.02, 0.04 and 0.05 respectively). Cox regression analysis showed that the only factor affected local recurrence was the type of surgery (relative risk 2.43, 95% confidence interval 1.22-4.83, P=0.01) The overall survival was 99.3 months (78.2%). Univariate and Cox regression analyses showed that only the patients age at diagnosis significantly affected survival (P=0.003). CONCLUSION: Local recurrence may be a late event in patients treated for invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast and extended follow-up may be considered. In this study mastectomy offers better local control.