Impact of surgical variables on residual glandular tissue in risk-reducing mastectomies: Results of a retrospective monocentric study from a center of the German consortium for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.

PURPOSE: Residual glandular tissue (RGT) after risk reducing mastectomy (RRME) is associated with a risk of developing breast cancer for women with a familial predisposition. We aim to examine various surgery-related variables to make risk more easily assessable and to aid in decision-making. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pre- and postoperative breast MRI scans from 2006 to 2021 of patients with proven pathogenic mutation were included. The postoperative remaining skin flap was recorded using distance measurements at 8 equally distributed clockwise points and retromamillary. Each breast was volumetrized, as well as existing RGT. Patient-related covariates were further recorded and their influence on RGT was investigated uni- and multivariately. RESULTS: 81 patients (49 with BRCA1, 24 with BRCA2, 9 with other mutations), who were on average 39 years old, had 117 breasts analyzed. The mean follow-up was 71 months. In multivariate analysis, the independent variable skin flap thickness had a positive effect (p ≤ 0.01), while surgeon experience negatively affected RGT (p ≤ 0.05). The incision type was found to impact RGT as well, with nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) with inframammary fold incision leading to more RGT (p ≤ 0.01 - p ≤ 0.05), and skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) with an inverted T incision leading to less (p ≤ 0.01). CONCLUSION: Different surgical variables have an impact on postoperative RGT, which is an important tool to quantify the risk of developing breast cancer after RRME. In order to effectively consider these variables in future preoperative/intraoperative management, they must be carefully taken into account.

Factors Influencing Residual Glandular Breast Tissue after Risk-Reducing Mastectomy in Genetically Predisposed Individuals Detected by MRI Mammography.

PURPOSE: This study seeks to evaluate MR imaging morphological factors and other covariates that influence the presence of residual glandular tissue after risk-reducing mastectomy in patients with a familial predisposition. METHODS: We analyzed women of a high-risk collective with pathogenic mutation (BRCA1 (n = 49), BRCA2 (n = 24), or further mutation (n = 9)). A total of 117 breasts were analyzed, 63 left and 54 right, from a cohort of 81 patients, who were on average 40 years old. The mean follow-up was 63 months (range 12-180 months, SD = 39.67). Retrospective analysis of MR imaging data from 2006-2022 of patients of a high-risk collective (all carriers of a pathogenic mutation) with contralateral (RRCM) or bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy (RRBM) was performed. In the image data the remaining skin flap thickness by distance measurements at eight equally distributed, clockwise points and the retromamillary area, as well as by volumetry of each breast, was elected. Residual glandular tissue was also volumetrized. In addition, patient-related covariates were recorded and their influence on postoperative residual glandular tissue and skin flap thickness was analyzed by uni- and multivariate regressions. RESULTS: A significant association with postoperative residual glandular tissue was shown in multivariate analysis for the independent variables breast density, skin flap mean, and surgical method (all p-values < 0.01). A negatively significant association could be seen for the variables preoperative breast volume (p-values < 0.01) and surgeon experience (most p-values < 0.05-<0.1). CONCLUSION: Postoperative residual glandular tissue is an important tool for quantifying the risk of developing breast cancer after risk-reducing mastectomy. Different effects on residual glandular tissue were shown for the independent variables breast density, skin flap, surgical method, preoperative breast volume, and surgeon experience, so these should be considered in future surgical procedures preoperatively as well as postoperatively. Breast MRI has proven to be a suitable method to analyze the skin flap as well as the RGT.

Implant-based breast reconstruction using a titanium-coated polypropylene mesh (TiLOOP Bra): a multicenter study of 231 cases.

BACKGROUND: An alternative to implant-based breast reconstruction using acellular dermal matrix is the use of a titanium-coated polypropylene mesh. The mesh was approved for implant-based breast reconstruction in Europe in 2008, but only limited clinical data are available. METHODS: Two hundred seven patients (231 breasts) with skin-sparing/nipple-sparing or modified radical mastectomy and immediate or delayed implant-based breast reconstruction using titanium-coated polypropylene mesh were evaluated retrospectively. The primary endpoints were identification of patient-related and surgical factors that were predictive for an adverse outcome and the development of recommendations for patients eligible for implant-based breast reconstruction using the mesh. Complications were divided into major (need for additional surgery), minor (conservative treatment), and implant loss. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the influence of the patient- and procedure-related characteristics on postoperative complications and implant loss. RESULTS: No risk factors were observed for patient-associated complications. Major complications occurred in 13.4 percent, minor complications in 15.6 percent, and implant loss in 8.7 percent of patients. Univariate analysis revealed procedure-related risk factors for postoperative complications with a bilateral procedure (p = 0.013) or skin expansion before implant surgery (p = 0.043). Multivariate analysis confirmed these risk factors and revealed an increased risk for implant loss in patients with skin necrosis (p < 0.001) and capsule fibrosis (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This titanium-coated polypropylene mesh shows acceptable complication rates and can be a helpful device in implant-based breast reconstruction. The mesh should only be used in primary cases and, when adhering to the proposed indications, is a safe and convenient option in implant-based breast reconstruction. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, III.

[Current standards in the treatment of breast cancer]. / Aktuelle Standards in der Therapie des Mammakarzinoms.

Breast cancer is the most frequent malignoma in female individuals: more than 10 out 100 females suffer from the disease. The understanding of breast cancer as a primarily local disease has undergone a fundamental change in the last few decades. While throughout most of the previous century breast cancer was still mainly conceived of as a predominantly local disease, the radical nature of surgery can now be reduced to a minimum by the use of breast conserving procedures and axillary sentinel lymph node excision. The systemic use of cytostatic and endocrine therapeutic modalities has simultaneously provided a major overall survival benefit for patients treated in accordance with current therapeutic standards. The multidisciplinary treatment challenge of breast cancer comprises nowadays surgery, systemic treatment and radiotherapy and aims to a more individualized therapy.

An unusual case of advanced bilateral male breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer in men is an uncommon disease. Little is known about its etiology, clinical behavior, treatment, and outcome. Retrospective data indicate that stage- and age-matched male and female breast cancer is similar in presentation. The aim is to find an adequate treatment for male breast cancer, which is not just extrapolated from its female counterpart. CASE REPORT: We present the history of a 41-year-old man who was diagnosed with pT2 (3 cm) breast cancer in 2001. After mastectomy without axillary dissection, 4 cycles of adjuvant epirubicin and cyclophosphamide and radiation therapy were performed followed by hormonal treatment with tamoxifen until 2003. In 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006, there were relapses with skin metastases, treated with several courses of chemotherapy. In 2006, an inflammatory carcinoma in the contralateral breast was revealed during the course of epirubicin chemotherapy. In May 2007, the patient passed away from extensive tumor progression despite numerous attempts of local and systemic chemotherapeutic treatment. CONCLUSION: Here, an unusual case of male breast cancer is reported. It was first diagnosed at the age of 41 years, which is relatively young for male breast cancer. Although the treatment was started at an early stage, several relapses and contralateral breast cancer occurred within 5 years and could no be controlled.