Utilization of a rapid diagnostic centre during the COVID-19 pandemic reduced diagnostic delays in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Access to breast imaging was restricted during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. We assessed the impact of healthcare restrictions on the Gattuso Rapid Diagnostic Centre (GRDC) at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients seen at the GRDC between March 12 - August 31, 2020 and the corresponding period from 2019 was performed. RESULTS: There was an 18.6% decrease in patients seen at the GRDC (n = 429 in 2020 vs. 527 in 2019). Time from the first abnormal breast image to diagnosis was significantly shorter (17.4 days [IQR 13.0-21.8] in 2020 vs. 25.9 days [21.0-30.8] in 2019; p = 0.020) with no appreciable difference in time from diagnosis to consult or from consult to surgery. CONCLUSION: The GRDC enabled patients with concerning breast symptoms to access breast imaging, which helped to ensure timely treatment during the first wave of the pandemic.

What Young Women with Breast Cancer Get Versus What They Want in Online Information and Social Media Supports.

Purpose: Young women are high users of social media (SM), but information is lacking on whether online supports including SM meet the needs of young women (<40 years) with breast cancer (YWBC). YWBC are a vulnerable population who experience many psychosocial challenges alongside cancer diagnosis and treatment. This study aimed to gather data on what YWBC get versus what they want in online support. Methods: Semi-structured interviews explored YWBC's perceptions and use of online information/SM, including visions for ideal support. YWBC between the ages of 18-40 were recruited via two urban oncology clinics. Recruitment continued until redundancy of responses was achieved. Results: Thirteen YWBC participated in the study. Some reported benefits of online supports included connection with similar others, emotional support and ease of use. These benefits were balanced by drawbacks, such as a lack of appropriate/credible information and/or distressing information. Respondents spontaneously mentioned coping strategies such as managing information exposure and regulating SM use to mitigate against harms of online supports. Collectively, participants described nine facets of an ideal online support hub, which could function as a one stop shop for informational, practical and emotional supports for YWBC. Conclusion: Developing a multifunction online support hub may help women to find credible and useful information, rapidly, and address current limitations of online supports.

Renal outcomes following left renal vein harvest for venous reconstruction during pancreas and liver surgery.

BACKGROUND: The left renal vein (LRV) may be used for venous reconstruction during hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery, although concerns exist about compromising renal function. This study aimed to determine renal outcomes following LRV harvest during HPB resections. METHODS: Circumferential PV/SMV resections from 2008 to 2014 were included within two groups (LRV harvest, Control). Absolute and change in Creatinine (Cr) and estimated GFR (eGFR), and rates of acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: 76 patients were included (LRV n = 17, Control n = 59). Median Cr and eGFR did not change within groups, although change in eGFR differed between groups at postoperative day (POD) 3 (-4.3 vs. 12.8, p = 0.0035) and 7 (-1.8 vs. 12.4, p = 0.0074). AKI occurred more frequently in the LRV group at POD1 (5/17 vs. 4/59, p = 0.023) and POD3 (5/17 vs. 3/59, p = 0012), with no difference in CKD between groups (2/11 vs. 5/33 at 3 months, p = 0.99). LRV harvest was an independent risk factor for AKI at POD1 and POD3, but not thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who undergo LRV harvest experience a higher rate of AKI in the first three post-operative days. LRV harvest during pancreas resection does not impact on long-term renal function.

Evolving surgical treatment decisions for male breast cancer: an analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database.

BACKGROUND: Male breast cancer (MBC) is a rare malignancy, and gender-specific treatment outcomes are currently lacking. The use of a large, multi-national surgical-outcomes database may provide a better understanding of treatment patterns and postoperative morbidity in men who undergo oncological breast surgery. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted between 2007 and 2016 using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (NSQIP), examining MBC treatment patterns and postoperative complication rates. All men undergoing surgery for the treatment of invasive or in situ carcinoma of the breast were identified. Clinical characteristics, demographics, and surgical treatment options most frequently used for this population were described. In addition, the 30-day postoperative complication rates in the surgical treatment of male breast cancer were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 1773 MBC patients with a median age of 65 years (IQR 56-74 years) were included in this analysis. Mean body mass index (BMI) was 29.1 (IQR 25.4-33.8). In this study population, 177 (10.0%) had a diagnosis of in situ breast cancer, while the remaining 1596 (90.0%) had invasive disease. While most men underwent mastectomy, 282 (15.9%) had breast-conserving surgery. There were 74 (4.2%) patients who underwent immediate breast reconstruction. In addition, 118 (6.7%) patients elected to have a contralateral prophylactic mastectomy. Overall, the rate of morbidity was 4.6%, comprising mostly of wound complications (3.2%). CONCLUSION: Analysis of this large, prospective multi-institutional cohort revealed that complication rates are low and comparable to reported rates in the female breast cancer population. What is also significant about this analysis is that the cohort demonstrated the importance of cosmetic considerations in MBC patients, as some men decide to undergo breast-conserving surgery or immediate breast reconstruction. Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy in the treatment of MBC is also performed.