A case report of an intramedullary cervical teratoma in an adult patient with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy / Teratoma intramedular cervical en un paciente adulto con radiculopatía espondilótica. Reporte de caso

Spinal cord teratomas are rare. There are few reports of teratomas affecting the cervical spine and their association with spondylotic radiculopathy has not been described. A 59-year-old woman with history of fecal incontinence attended with cervical radicular pain radiating to upper limbs. Physical examination showed distal muscle hypotrophy and abolishment of bicipital, tricipital, and brachioradialis reflexes of the right arm, preserving proximal strength. Also, hiporreflexia and loss of proprioception in the right lower limb was observed. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an intramedullary mass at C7-T1, accompanied by intervertebral disk protrusions and dural sac compressions at the same level. One-stage posterior-anterior operative approach for tumor resection, decompression of the radiculopathy and replacement of intervertebral discs was performed. The histopathological diagnosis was for a mature teratoma. We described the first case of an intramedullary cervical teratoma associated with radiculopathy in an adult, providing evidence of rare long-lasting teratomas affecting the cervical spine

Los teratomas medulares son raros. La asociación de teratomas cervicales con radiculopatía espondilótica no ha sido descrita. Una mujer de 59 años con historia de incontinencia fecal acudió con dolor radicular cervical irradiado a miembros superiores. La exploración física reveló hipotrofia distal, arreflexia bicipital, tricipital y braquiorradial del brazo derecho, conservando la fuerza proximal. Se observó hiporreflexia y pérdida de la propiocepción en el miembro inferior derecho. La resonancia magnética reveló una masa intramedular en C7-T1, así como hernias discales y compresión del saco dural en dichos segmentos. Se realizó un doble abordaje posterior-anterior en un solo tiempo para resecar el tumor, descomprimir la radiculopatía y reemplazar los discos afectados. El diagnóstico histopatológico fue de un teratoma maduro. Describimos el primer caso de un teratoma intramedular cervical con radiculopatía espondilótica en un adulto, aportando evidencia sobre los teratomas raros de larga evolución que afectan a la columna cervical

Pseudoaneurisma de la arteria mamaria interna como complicación de una biopsia selectiva de ganglio centinela / Internal mammary artery pseudoaneurysm as a complication of sentinel node biopsy

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Yield of selective magnetic resonance imaging in preoperative workup of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients planned for breast conserving surgery.

The role of routine preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients planned for breast conserving surgery is presently being debated. In our medical center we practice selective use of preoperative MRI; we sought to examine the yield of MRI in this highly selected group of patients. A retrospective study of all newly diagnosed breast cancer patients presenting between January 2007 and July 2010 to the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Tel Aviv, Israel) was completed. Patients planned for breast conserving surgery who underwent preoperative MRI were included in this study. Patients and tumor characteristics, indication for MRI, findings on MRI, consequent workup, and impact on surgical treatment were recorded. Association between preoperative characteristics and yield of MRI was examined. During the study period, 105 patients that were candidates for breast conserving surgery underwent preoperative evaluation with MRI. Use of breast MRI increased over time. Rates of mastectomy were stable throughout the study years. Dense mammogram was the most frequent (51, 68%) indication for MRI. Additional suspicious findings were found in 41 (39%) patients, prompting further workup including 36 biopsies in 25 patients, of which 22 (61%) were with cancer. These additional findings prompted a change in the surgical plan in a third of the patients. In most patients (92; 88%) clear margins were achieved. Limiting the use of MRI in the preoperative workup of breast cancer patients to a selected group of patients can increase the yield of MRI.

Current management practice of breast borderline lesions--need for further research and guidelines.

BACKGROUND: Breast borderline lesions are usually diagnosed on needle biopsies of imaging abnormalities. The natural history of these lesions is unclear, and the literature is divided on appropriate management. It was hypothesized that management varies among surgeons and may be associated with surgeon and practice characteristics. METHODS: A survey of 477 members of the American Society of Breast Surgeons was completed. Results were analyzed according to various surgeon and practice characteristics. RESULTS: Most respondents recommended routine excision for atypical ductal and lobular hyperplasia. Excision of radial scars and papillomas was much more variable, with only 50% recommending routine excision. Results differed by surgical dedication to breast surgery and fellowship training. Management of atypical ductal or lobular hyperplasia found at the margin varied significantly. The lack of a routine tumor board, low breast case volume, and low percentage of breast cases were associated with routine excision in these cases. CONCLUSIONS: Breast borderline lesions pose a clinical dilemma, with practice varying greatly among surgeons.

Central quadrantectomy with resection of the nipple-areola complex compared with mastectomy in patients with retroareolar breast cancer.

Appropriate surgery in women with retroareolar breast cancer should allow resection of the cancer with wide free margins and an acceptable cosmetic result. The aim of this study was to compare breast conservation surgery (BCS) to mastectomy for treatment of retroareolar breast cancer. In a prospective nonrandomized study, 69 women with retroareolar breast cancers underwent either central quadrantectomy (n=33) with complete removal of the nipple-areola complex or mastectomy (n=36). Two of 33 (6%) patients scheduled for BCS had a secondary mastectomy and immediate reconstruction due to involved margins. After a median follow-up of 42 month (range 17-99 months) in the BCS group and 43 months (range 16-118 months) in the mastectomy group local and regional recurrences as well as systemic disease were comparable between both groups. The postoperative cosmetic result after BCS as evaluated by the patients was rated as excellent in 80% and good in 20% with no poor result. BCS followed by radiation therapy is a feasible alternative to mastectomy in patients with retroareolar breast cancer.

Long-term morbidity of patients with early breast cancer after sentinel lymph node biopsy compared to axillary lymph node dissection.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is widely accepted as an excellent method in the management of early breast cancer in patients with clinically negative axillary lymph nodes. Since SLNB requires less traumatic surgery to the axilla than axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), it was assumed to result in reduced shoulder/arm morbidity. However, data on long-term morbidity after SNLB are sparse. The present study was set up to compare long-term arm/shoulder morbidity as well as oncological outcome after SLNB versus ALND in patients with early breast cancer. METHODS: Oncological outcome, objective shoulder/arm morbidity, and subjective complaints after SLNB or ALND for T1 breast cancer were assessed after a minimum follow-up of 20 months. RESULTS: One hundred thirty four patients were included in the study. Thirty-one patients underwent SNLB only, 103 patients had SLNB followed by ALND or ALND only. Loss of strength and hypaesthesia were less frequent after SLNB. No lymph oedema occurred after SNLB without adjuvant radiotherapy. Subjective complaints concerning pain, hypaesthesia, and paresthesia were more common in the ALND group. No axillary recurrence developed in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated SLNB in node-negative pT1 breast cancer patients is a highly efficient tool to reduce postoperative long-term morbidity without compromising the local control of the disease. The reported ameliorations should favour SLNB as staging and treatment modality in patients suffering from early breast cancer.

Monitoring multiple angiogenesis-related molecules in the blood of cancer patients shows a correlation between VEGF-A and MMP-9 levels before treatment and divergent changes after surgical vs. conservative therapy.

Anti-angiogenic therapies are currently in cancer clinical trials, but to date there are no established tests for evaluating the angiogenic status of a patient. We measured 11 circulating angiogenesis-associated molecules in cancer patients before and after local treatment. The purpose of our study was to screen for possible relationships among the different molecules and between individual molecules and tumor burden. We measured VEGF-A, PlGF, SCF, MMP-9, EDB+ -fibronectin, sVEGFR-2, sVEGFR-1, salphaVbeta3, sTie-2, IL-8 and CRP in the blood of 22 healthy volunteers, 17 early breast, 17 early colorectal, and 8 advanced sarcoma/melanoma cancer patients. Breast cancer patients had elevated levels of VEGF-A and sTie-2, colorectal cancer patients of VEGF-A, MMP-9, sTie-2, IL-8 and CRP, and melanoma/sarcoma patients of sVEGFR-1. salphaVbeta3 was decreased in colorectal cancer patients. A correlation between VEGF-A and MMP-9 was found. After tumor removal, MMP-9 and salphaVbeta3 significantly decreased in breast and CRP in colorectal cancer, whereas sVEGFR-1 increased in colorectal cancer patients. In sarcoma/melanoma patients treated regionally with TNF and chemotherapy we observed a rise in VEGF-A, SCF, VEGFR-2, MMP-9, Tie-2 and CRP, a correlation between CRP and IL-8, and a decreased in sVEGFR-1 levels. In conclusion, among all factors measured, only VEGF-A and MMP-9 consistently correlated to each other, elevated CRP levels were associated with tumor burden, whereas sVEGF-R1 increased after tumor removal in colorectal cancer. Treatment with chemotherapy and TNF induced changes consistent with an angiogenic switch. These results warrant a prospective study to compare the effect of surgical tumor removal vs. chemotherapy on some of these markers and to evaluate their prognostic/predictive value.

Effects of breast-conserving therapy on lactation after pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: As the incidence of breast-conserving therapy in women of childbearing years increases, patient concerns regarding subsequent pregnancies and lactation have become more prevalent. There is a paucity of data regarding lactation outcomes in women who have undergone breast-conserving therapy and then sustained full-term pregnancies. Our objective was to evaluate lactation outcomes in patients with early-stage breast cancer treated with breast-conserving therapy. METHODS: We reviewed a database of over 3,000 patients treated from 1965 to 2003 to identify our cohort of premenopausal women who underwent breast-conserving therapy and subsequently sustained full-term pregnancies. Lactation outcome parameters (breast swelling, ability to lactate, and volume of lactation in the treated and untreated breasts) were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: We identified 28 pregnancies in 21 patients. The median age at diagnosis was 32 years. One patient underwent bilateral breast treatment; therefore, a total of 22 breasts were irradiated. All patients interviewed reported little or no swelling of the treated breast during pregnancy. Of the patients studied, 4 (18.2%) elected pharmacological suppression of lactation. Of the remaining 18 breasts, lactation occurred in 10 (55.6%), did not occur in 7 (38.9%) and was unknown for 1 (5.5%). The volume was reported as significantly diminished in 80% of breasts treated. Lactation in the contralateral breast occurred in all patients who did not undergo pharmacological suppression. CONCLUSION: Patients can experience successful lactation in the contralateral, untreated breast after breast-conserving therapy. In the treated breast, functional lactation is possible but is significantly diminished in the majority of patients.

A phase II study on the safety and efficacy of 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide (FEC) followed by paclitaxel in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer.

The incorporation of a taxane into an anthracycline-containing regimen in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer is a promising approach. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of four cycles of FEC (fluorouracil 500 mg/m2, epirubicin 70 mg/m2, cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2, every 3 weeks) followed by four cycles of paclitaxel (175 mg/m2 every 3 weeks) in the adjuvant treatment of node-positive and other high-risk breast cancer patients. A total of 88 female patients were enrolled. Mean age (+/- SD) of the patients was 47 +/- 10 (min: 24; max: 71). The patients were followed for a median of 48 months (min: 20; max: 64). The most common side effects were nausea-vomiting (grade I-II: 91%; grade III: 2%), as well as hematological toxicity (grade I-II: 70%; grade III: 3%). Although all patients experienced some degree of toxicity, it was severe enough to be classified as grade III or IV in only 10 (11%) of the cases. Of note, six (8%) patients had grade I and only one (1%) had grade II cardiotoxicity. No grade III or IV cardiotoxicity was observed. The full eight cycles of study treatment could be administered to 75 patients (85%). Side effects necessitated the reduction of the doses of FEC and paclitaxel in one (1%) and three patients (3%), respectively. Median overall (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) have not yet been reached. Five-year OS and DFS have been estimated to be 78% and 61%, respectively. We conclude that FEC followed by paclitaxel is a well-tolerated and feasible regimen in the adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer. Its efficacity is comparable with other commonly used regimens and merits evaluation in a phase III study.

Comparison of quality of life and arm complaints after axillary lymph node dissection vs sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer patients.

The sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) represents a minimal invasive surgical method for axillary staging in patients with primary breast cancer. In a prospective study, evaluation of quality of life (QOL) and arm morbidity was performed before surgery on a total of 56 breast cancer patients. The EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-BR23 questionnaires were used for QOL assessment. Assessment of pain was additionally observed using the McGill Pain Questionnaire. Arm mobility was observed by goniometric measurement of arm movement. Data were collected before surgery (t1), 1 week after discharge (t2) and 9-12 months after surgery (t3). The type of axillary surgery does not seem to affect global QOL at a short-time follow-up, but patients recover sooner after SLNB. Body image and sexual functioning remain stable in both types of axillary surgery. Arm/shoulder pain was reported in 36% of patients after SLNB in comparison to 68% receiving axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), and 'numbness' was reported only in 4% of patients in the SLNB group vs 19.3% after ALND. Abduction, flexion and horizontal adduction of the affected arm show significant impairment after ALND. Breast cancer patients should be counselled about the benefits of SLNB over ALND concerning QOL and postsurgery side effects in a short-term follow-up.

Influence of serum from healthy or breast tumor-bearing women on the growth of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.

Sera from women healthy (HW) or with breast (BCW), ovarian or endometrial cancer, were added (10%) to the culture media of MCF-7 cells and cell proliferation assessed 4 days later to verify: a) whether sera from BCW, obtained before or 8 days after tumor ablaction, influence the proliferation of these cells, b) whether the effects of serum from BCW are specific for mammary tumor cells. Sera from BCW, but not sera from women with ovarian or endometrial cancer, increased MCF-7 cell proliferation in comparison with sera from HW. After surgical ablation of the breast tumors, serum's ability to increase MCF-7 cell proliferation decreased significantly. These effects cannot be explained by differences on serum levels of estradiol or melatonin. These results suggest the presence of growth-promoting substances of possible tumoral origin in serum of BCW, a fact that should be considered as support for the surgical treatment of tumor masses.

Carcinoma residual de mama / Residual breast carcinoma

Antecedentes: Siguiendo la amplia resección local de los cánceres de mama, 1 de cada 4 pacientes tiene enfermedad residual en la retumorrectomía o en la pieza de mastectomía. Objetivos: Determinar si el carcinoma residual de mama se correlaciona con mayor recidiva local o distinta supervivencia global. Lugar de aplicación: División de Cirugía General y práctica privada. Diseño: Estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo. Población: 139 pacientes consecutivos con mastectomía o tratamiento conservador luego de una biopsia diferida del tumor. Método: Revisión de las historias clínicas. Luego de la resección de carcinomas de mama palpables o no palpables en los que existen bordes comprometidos en la pieza de resección o sospecha mamográfica de carcinoma residual, se estudia el especímen de la retumorrectomía o la pieza de mastectomía. Los pacientes fueron seguidos una media de 63 meses y fueron documentadas las recidivas locales y la supervivencia. Resultados: El estudio retrospectivo de los 139 pacientes tratados con cirugía conservadora o mastectomía identificó 53 (38,1 por ciento) de carcinomas residuales, 42,5 por ciento para los carcinomas invasores (43/101) y 26,3 por ciento para los no invasores (10/38). De los 52 pacientes con tratamiento conservador, 15 (28,8 por ciento) tenían carcinoma residual. No hubo diferencia estadísticamente significativa ni para las recidivas locales (p = 0,56) o supervivencia entre los pacientes con o sin carcinoma residual. No fue demostrada ninguna relación de acuerdo a la edad los pacientes, el componente intraductal extensivo o el compromiso axilar. Conclusiones: El hallazgo de carcinoma residual de mama luego de amplia biopsia diferida no afecta la recidiva local o la supervivencia en pacientes con tratamiento conservador o mastectomía. Para minimizar el riesgo del carcinoma residual, se debe considerar la amplia excisión de las lesiones o la mastectomía en el manejo del carcinoma multifocal y de los no palpables radiológicamente multicéntricos

Carcinoma residual de mama / Residual breast carcinoma

Antecedentes: Siguiendo la amplia resección local de los cánceres de mama, 1 de cada 4 pacientes tiene enfermedad residual en la retumorrectomía o en la pieza de mastectomía. Objetivos: Determinar si el carcinoma residual de mama se correlaciona con mayor recidiva local o distinta supervivencia global. Lugar de aplicación: División de Cirugía General y práctica privada. Diseño: Estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo. Población: 139 pacientes consecutivos con mastectomía o tratamiento conservador luego de una biopsia diferida del tumor. Método: Revisión de las historias clínicas. Luego de la resección de carcinomas de mama palpables o no palpables en los que existen bordes comprometidos en la pieza de resección o sospecha mamográfica de carcinoma residual, se estudia el especímen de la retumorrectomía o la pieza de mastectomía. Los pacientes fueron seguidos una media de 63 meses y fueron documentadas las recidivas locales y la supervivencia. Resultados: El estudio retrospectivo de los 139 pacientes tratados con cirugía conservadora o mastectomía identificó 53 (38,1 por ciento) de carcinomas residuales, 42,5 por ciento para los carcinomas invasores (43/101) y 26,3 por ciento para los no invasores (10/38). De los 52 pacientes con tratamiento conservador, 15 (28,8 por ciento) tenían carcinoma residual. No hubo diferencia estadísticamente significativa ni para las recidivas locales (p = 0,56) o supervivencia entre los pacientes con o sin carcinoma residual. No fue demostrada ninguna relación de acuerdo a la edad los pacientes, el componente intraductal extensivo o el compromiso axilar. Conclusiones: El hallazgo de carcinoma residual de mama luego de amplia biopsia diferida no afecta la recidiva local o la supervivencia en pacientes con tratamiento conservador o mastectomía. Para minimizar el riesgo del carcinoma residual, se debe considerar la amplia excisión de las lesiones o la mastectomía en el manejo del carcinoma multifocal y de los no palpables radiológicamente multicéntricos (AU)

Cáncer de mama en mujeres mayores de 65 años / Breast cancer in 65 years older women

Antecedentes: La influencia de la edad sobre el pronóstico de los carcinomas mamarios es un tema controvertido y por ello el enfoque terapéutico es variado. Objetivo: Se analizan las características clínico-patológicas en una serie de 174 carcinomas de mamas en mujeres mayores de 65 años de edad. Resultados: Para ambos grupos los resultados no mostraron diferencias significativas en cuanto al tamaño de los tumores, la incidencia de ganglios metastásicos, los grados nuclear e histológicos ni en la expresión inmunohistoquímica de los receptores de estrógenos y progesterona, c-erbB-2, bcl-2, p53, MIB-1 y antígeno carcinoembriónico. En el seguimiento también mostraron similar tasa de recidiva local, de metástasis a distancia y de muerte por la enfermedad mientras que las muertes por otras causas fueron cuatro veces mayores en el grupo de más edad que en el grupo de pacientes más jóvenes. Conclusión: En esta serie la edad no fue un factor que permitiera establecer diferencias en las características biológicas analizadas ni en el comportamiento de las neoplasias. La mayor mortalidad por otras causas resulta lógica en el grupo de pacientes mayores. Este dato debería ser considerado al planear terapéuticas en pacientes de edad avanzada cuando las características de la enfermedad permiten prever una sobrevida mayor a la expectativa de vida esperada por la edad

Cáncer de mama en mujeres mayores de 65 años / Breast cancer in 65 years older women

Antecedentes: La influencia de la edad sobre el pronóstico de los carcinomas mamarios es un tema controvertido y por ello el enfoque terapéutico es variado. Objetivo: Se analizan las características clínico-patológicas en una serie de 174 carcinomas de mamas en mujeres mayores de 65 años de edad. Resultados: Para ambos grupos los resultados no mostraron diferencias significativas en cuanto al tamaño de los tumores, la incidencia de ganglios metastásicos, los grados nuclear e histológicos ni en la expresión inmunohistoquímica de los receptores de estrógenos y progesterona, c-erbB-2, bcl-2, p53, MIB-1 y antígeno carcinoembriónico. En el seguimiento también mostraron similar tasa de recidiva local, de metástasis a distancia y de muerte por la enfermedad mientras que las muertes por otras causas fueron cuatro veces mayores en el grupo de más edad que en el grupo de pacientes más jóvenes. Conclusión: En esta serie la edad no fue un factor que permitiera establecer diferencias en las características biológicas analizadas ni en el comportamiento de las neoplasias. La mayor mortalidad por otras causas resulta lógica en el grupo de pacientes mayores. Este dato debería ser considerado al planear terapéuticas en pacientes de edad avanzada cuando las características de la enfermedad permiten prever una sobrevida mayor a la expectativa de vida esperada por la edad (AU)