Omission of Axillary Dissection Following Nodal Downstaging With Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.

Importance: Data on oncological outcomes after omission of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in patients with breast cancer that downstages from node positive to negative with neoadjuvant chemotherapy are sparse. Additionally, the best axillary surgical staging technique in this scenario is unknown. Objective: To investigate oncological outcomes after sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) with dual-tracer mapping or targeted axillary dissection (TAD), which combines SLNB with localization and retrieval of the clipped lymph node. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this multicenter retrospective cohort study that was conducted at 25 centers in 11 countries, 1144 patients with consecutive stage II to III biopsy-proven node-positive breast cancer were included between April 2013 and December 2020. The cumulative incidence rates of axillary, locoregional, and any invasive (locoregional or distant) recurrence were determined by competing risk analysis. Exposure: Omission of ALND after SLNB or TAD. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end points were the 3-year and 5-year rates of any axillary recurrence. Secondary end points included locoregional recurrence, any invasive (locoregional and distant) recurrence, and the number of lymph nodes removed. Results: A total of 1144 patients (median [IQR] age, 50 [41-59] years; 78 [6.8%] Asian, 105 [9.2%] Black, 102 [8.9%] Hispanic, and 816 [71.0%] White individuals; 666 SLNB [58.2%] and 478 TAD [41.8%]) were included. A total of 1060 patients (93%) had N1 disease, 619 (54%) had ERBB2 (formerly HER2)-positive illness, and 758 (66%) had a breast pathologic complete response. TAD patients were more likely to receive nodal radiation therapy (85% vs 78%; P = .01). The clipped node was successfully retrieved in 97% of TAD cases and 86% of SLNB cases (without localization). The mean (SD) number of sentinel lymph nodes retrieved was 3 (2) vs 4 (2) (P < .001), and the mean (SD) number of total lymph nodes removed was 3.95 (1.97) vs 4.44 (2.04) (P < .001) in the TAD and SLNB groups, respectively. The 5-year rates of any axillary, locoregional, and any invasive recurrence in the entire cohort were 1.0% (95% CI, 0.49%-2.0%), 2.7% (95% CI, 1.6%-4.1%), and 10% (95% CI, 8.3%-13%), respectively. The 3-year cumulative incidence of axillary recurrence did not differ between TAD and SLNB (0.5% vs 0.8%; P = .55). Conclusions and Relevance: The results of this cohort study showed that axillary recurrence was rare in this setting and was not significantly lower after TAD vs SLNB. These results support omission of ALND in this population.

Anatomy Versus Biology: What Guides Chemotherapy Decisions in Older Patients With Breast Cancer?

INTRODUCTION: With the increasing utilization of genomic assays, such as the Oncotype DX recurrence score (RS), the relevance of anatomic staging has been questioned for select older patients with breast cancer. We sought to evaluate differences in chemotherapy receipt and/or survival among older patients based on RS and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) receipt/result. METHODS: Patients aged ≥ 65 diagnosed with pT1-2/cN0/M0 hormone-receptor-positive (HR+)/HER2-breast cancer (2010-2019) were selected from the National Cancer Database. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with chemotherapy receipt. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the association of RS/SLNB group with overall survival. A cost-benefit study was also performed. RESULTS: Of the 75,428 patients included, the majority had an intermediate RS (58.2% versus 27.9% low, 13.8% high) and were SLNB- (85.1% versus 11.6% SLNB+, 3.3% none). Chemotherapy was recommended for 13,442 patients (17.8%). After adjustment, chemotherapy receipt was more likely with higher RS and SLNB+. After adjustment, SLNB receipt/result was only associated with overall survival among those with an intermediate RS. However, returning to the OR for SLNB is not cost-effective. CONCLUSIONS: SLNB receipt/result was associated with survival for those with an intermediate RS, but not a low or high RS, suggesting that an SLNB may indeed be unnecessary for select older patients with breast cancer.

The Influence of Body Mass Index on the Histopathology and Outcomes of Patients Diagnosed with Atypical Breast Lesions.

BACKGROUND: Multiple studies have demonstrated a link between obesity and breast cancer; however, the potential association between obesity and atypical high-risk breast lesions has not been well characterized. We sought to evaluate the characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with breast atypia based on a woman's body mass index (BMI). METHODS: We retrospectively identified adult women diagnosed with atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH), and/or lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) at a single institution from 2008 to 2017. BMI groups were defined as a BMI 18.5 to < 30 or BMI ≥ 30 (obese). Adjusted logistic regression was used to estimate the association of BMI group with the odds of (1) upstage to cancer after atypia on needle biopsy, and (2) subsequent diagnosis of breast cancer. RESULTS: Breast atypia was identified in 503 patients (most advanced atypia: 74.8% ADH, 4.6% ALH, 20.7% LCIS), and 41% of these patients were classified as obese. After adjustment, BMI group was not associated with upstage to breast cancer at surgical excision following needle biopsy (p = 0.16) or development of a subsequent breast cancer (p = 0.08). For those upstaged to breast cancer at the time of surgical excision, or those who developed a subsequent malignancy, tumor subtype, grade and stage were not associated with BMI group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In a large cohort of patients diagnosed with atypical breast histology, the risk of upstaging and/or subsequent progression to a breast malignancy was not associated with BMI. Factors other than obesity may influence breast cancer risk.

Mobile mammography in New York City: analysis of 32,350 women utilizing a screening mammogram program.

Mobile mammography vans (mammovans) may help close the gap to access of breast cancer screening by providing resources to underserved communities. Minimal data exists on the populations served, the ability of mammovans to reach underserved populations, and the outcomes of participants. We sought to determine the demographic characteristics, number of breast cancers diagnosed, and number of women who used the American Italian Cancer Foundation (AICF) Mobile, No-Cost Breast Cancer Screening Program within the five boroughs of New York City. Data were collected by the AICF from 2014 to 2019 on a voluntary basis from participants at each screening location. Women aged 40 to 79 years who had not had a mammogram in the previous 12 months were invited to participate. Each participant underwent a clinical breast exam by a nurse practitioner followed by a screening mammogram. Images were read by a board-certified radiologist contracted by the AICF from Multi Diagnostic Services. There were 32,350 participants in this study. Sixty-three percent reported an annual household income ≤$25,000, and 30% did not have health insurance. More than half of participants identified as either African American (28%) or Hispanic (27%). Additional testing was performed for 5359 women found to have abnormal results on screening. In total, 68 cases of breast cancer were detected. Breast cancer disparities are multifactorial, with the greatest factor being limited access to care. Mobile, no-cost mammogram screening programs show great promise in helping to close the gap to screening access.

Charges, length of stay, and complication associations with trauma center ownership in adult patients with mild to moderate trauma.

BACKGROUND: For-profit (FP) trauma centers (TCs) charge more for trauma care than not-for-profit (NFP) centers. We sought to determine charges, length of stay (LOS), and complications associations with TC ownership status (FP, NFP, and government) for three diagnoses among patients with overall low injury severity. METHODS: Adult patients treated at TCs with an International Classification of Diseases-based injury severity score (ICISS) survival probability ≥ 0.85 were identified. Only those who with a principal diagnosis of femur, tibial or rib fractures were included. RESULTS: Total charges were significantly higher at FP centers than NFP and lower at government centers (89.6% and -12.8%, respectively). FP TCs had a 12.5% longer LOS and government TCs had a 20.4% longer LOS than NFP TCs. CONCLUSION: Patients presenting to FP TCs with mild/moderate femur, tibial, or rib fractures experienced higher charges and increased LOS compared with government or NFP centers. There was no difference in overall complication rates.

Management of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence following breast conservation surgery: a comparative study of re-conservation vs mastectomy.

BACKGROUND: Breast conservation therapy (BCT) is well established for the management of primary operable breast cancer, with oncologic outcomes comparable to those of mastectomy. It remains unclear whether re-conservation therapy (RCT) is suitable for those patients who develop ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR), for whom mastectomy is generally recommended. METHODS: We identified women who underwent BCT for invasive or ductal carcinoma in situ and developed IBTR as a first event, comparing the pattern of subsequent events and survival for those treated by RCT versus mastectomy. RESULTS: Of 16,968 patents who had BCT, 322 (1.9%) developed an isolated IBTR as a first event between 1999 and 2019. 130 (40%) had RCT and 192 (60%) mastectomy. Compared to mastectomy, the RCT patients were older (66 vs 53, < 0.001), had a longer disease-free interval (DFI: 5.8 vs 2.7 years (p < 0.001)), were less likely to have received RT (p < 0.001), endocrine therapy (ET) (p < 0.005) or combined RT/ET (< 0.001) as initial treatment, but the characteristics of their initial primary cancers and of their IBTR were comparable. At a median follow-up of 10.7 years following initial BCT and 6.5 years following IBTR, there were no differences in BCSS or OS between RCT and mastectomy. CONCLUSION: For BCT patients who developed IBTR as a first event, we observed comparable BCSS and OS from time of initial treatment and from time of IBTR, whether treated by RCT or mastectomy. These results support wider consideration of RCT in the management of IBTR, especially in the setting of older age and longer DFI.

Elder Abuse.

Elder abuse is generally defined as the maltreatment of individuals over the age of 60, although no precise definition exists in the literature. Types of abuse include, but are not limited to, psychological/emotional, physical, sexual abuse, and financial exploitation. Certain risk factors exist leaving an individual more susceptible to abuse, and many obstacles exist preventing the elimination of abuse. There are also identifiable risk factors that increase the likelihood of perpetration of abuse. This systematic review provides an overview of the scope of the problem, types of abuse, risk factors, characteristics of abusers, and key aspects of elder abuse prevention.

Cost-effectiveness of surgeon performed intraoperative specimen ink in breast conservation surgery.

BACKGROUND: Re-excision rates after breast conservation surgery are reported to be 20%-40%. Inaccuracies with specimen orientation may affect margin assessment. This study examined whether the addition of surgeon performed intraoperative inking of the lumpectomy specimen after adoption of margin guidelines would be cost-effective. METHODS: A retrospective review of a prospective surgical database was performed from 2009 to 2017. Patients with initial lumpectomy and a preoperative diagnosis of invasive breast carcinoma or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) were included. Re-excision rates and the surgical costs per 100 initial lumpectomies were compared across three periods: before margin guideline publication, after guideline adoption, and after the addition of intraoperative surgeon performed specimen inking. RESULTS: Four hundred initial lumpectomies were evaluated. Overall re-excision rate was 21% (n = 84). There was a nonsignificant reduction in re-excision rates after margin guidelines from 24% (n = 36) to 20% (n = 23) and to 19% (n = 25) after addition of intraoperative specimen ink. Re-excision rates were significantly lower for invasive cancer than for DCIS across three periods (20%, 15%, and 12% versus 37%, 33%, and 31%) (odds ratio 3.31, P = 0.007). The estimated cost of re-excision per 100 initial lumpectomies decreased after guidelines by 25% ($128,270) for invasive breast cancer and by 11% ($102,616) for DCIS. The addition of intraoperative specimen inking after margin guideline adoption resulted in further 17% cost savings ($66,692) for invasive breast cancer and 5% ($41,308) for DCIS. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeon performed intraoperative inking of the lumpectomy specimen after adoption of margin guidelines is a cost-effective technique in breast conservation surgery.

The Effect of Insurance and Race on Breast Cancer Tumor Biology and Short-Term Outcomes.

To determine whether low-income status as demonstrated by insurance type has any association with aggressive tumor biology and breast cancer outcomes. Retrospective review of 535 women with new diagnosis of breast cancer from January 2009 to March 2013 was performed. There was no significant association between race and stage at diagnosis. Women with Medicaid/Charity coverage were diagnosed at more advanced stages, more likely to have triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and had longer time to treatment. Rate of TNBC was higher in black women and younger patients. There was no significant difference in breast cancer recurrence or survival by race, insurance type, age, or tumor biology. In multivariable analysis, only black race (P = 0.003) and Medicaid/Charity Insurance (P = 0.0008) were the most significant predictors of TNBC. Presentation of aggressive tumor biology and advanced stage is strongly associated with socioeconomic factors as reflected by Medicaid funding and lack of insurance.

Sound preconditioning therapy inhibits ototoxic hearing loss in mice.

Therapeutic drugs with ototoxic side effects cause significant hearing loss for thousands of patients annually. Two major classes of ototoxic drugs are cisplatin and the aminoglycoside antibiotics, both of which are toxic to mechanosensory hair cells, the receptor cells of the inner ear. A critical need exists for therapies that protect the inner ear without inhibiting the therapeutic efficacy of these drugs. The induction of heat shock proteins (HSPs) inhibits both aminoglycoside- and cisplatin-induced hair cell death and hearing loss. We hypothesized that exposure to sound that is titrated to stress the inner ear without causing permanent damage would induce HSPs in the cochlea and inhibit ototoxic drug­induced hearing loss. We developed a sound exposure protocol that induces HSPs without causing permanent hearing loss. We used this protocol in conjunction with a newly developed mouse model of cisplatin ototoxicity and found that preconditioning mouse inner ears with sound has a robust protective effect against cisplatin-induced hearing loss and hair cell death. Sound therapy also provided protection against aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss. These data indicate that sound preconditioning protects against both classes of ototoxic drugs, and they suggest that sound therapy holds promise for preventing hearing loss in patients receiving these drugs.