ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Residual breast tissue after mastectomy is a problem since breast cancer can arise from it. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and location of residual breast tissue following modified radical mastectomy. METHODS: 111 consecutive breast cancer patients who underwent mastectomy were enrolled in this study. During surgery, after removal of the breast tissue and before skin closure, a 1-cm2 tissue sample was obtained from each quadrant under the skin flaps. These samples were evaluated histopathologically for the presence of any residual breast tissue. RESULTS: Residual breast tissue was detected in the tissue samples of 12/111 (10.8%) patients. 4 of these patients had residual breast tissue in all 4 quadrants. 6 patients had residual tissue in a single quadrant. With 9 positive biopsy results, the upper medial quadrant was the most frequently involved location. The other quadrants had 6 positive biopsy results each. At the end of a median of 20 months of follow-up, none of these patients developed breast cancer recurrences. CONCLUSION: Mastectomy has a high probability of residual breast tissue being left behind. Physicians should be aware of this and act accordingly when planning surgical or follow-up treatment.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This report analyses an experience with 42 liver resections for metastatic colorectal carcinoma. METHODS: Forty-two patients underwent curative resection for liver metastasis from colorectal cancer between January 2004 and December 2007, with a follow up period that ranged from 3 to 66 months. In this retrospective study, early postoperative 30 day mortality and morbidity in addition to the effects of Dukes' stage, type of resection, number and size of the tumor, synchronous or metachronous metastases, resection margin, sex, age and chemotherapy protocol on three year survival were analyzed retrospectively. Univariate analyses of survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate analysis was evaluated using Cox regression method. The value of P<0.05 was accepted as significant. RESULTS: Early postoperative morbidity and mortality rates were 7.14% and 0%, respectively. Fourteen patients died during the follow-up period of 3 to 66 months (mean, 40.40±12.87). Median survival was 56 months and three year survival rate was 71.30%. Recurrence occurred in 11 patients (26.00%) after liver resection and additional surgery was performed for two of them. At univariate analysis, the number of tumors (<4), tumor size (<4 cm), type of resection and negative resection margins were significantly correlated with three year survival. Sex, age, Dukes' stage, synchronous or metachronous metastasis, recurrence and chemotherapy protocol were not predictive of long-term prognosis. Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor size>4 cm and presence of more than four tumors before surgery were associated with a 5.89 and 2.18-fold increased risk of death, respectively. CONCLUSION: Curative resection is one of the most important treatment options that can demonstrate long-term survival for patients.
