A comparative proteinomic analysis of nipple aspiration fluid from healthy women and women with breast cancer.

This pilot study examines the feasibility of nipple aspiration to distinguish women with breast cancer from healthy women using surface-enhanced laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF/MS). Nipple aspiration fluid (NAF) was collected from each breast in 21 women newly diagnosed with unilateral breast cancer and 44 healthy women. No differences were found when proteomic profiles of NAF from the cancer-bearing breast and the contralateral non-cancerous breast were compared. In contrast, 9 protein peaks were significantly different between the cancer-bearing breast compared with healthy women and 10 peaks were significantly different between the contralateral healthy breast and healthy women (P<0.05). These data suggest that invasive breast cancer may result in a field change across both breasts and that proteomic profiling of NAF may have more value in breast cancer risk assessment than as a diagnostic or screening tool.

Impact of HIV and AIDS on surgical practice.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical intervention has become a common component in the management of patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or suffering from the clinical consequences of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). We investigated the evolution of this involvement at a tertiary referral centre for this condition over a 16-year period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Detailed retrospective examination of the medical records of HIV-positive patients treated at the Royal Free Hospital between 1986 and 2002 was undertaken. Clinical, pathological and operative details of those patients who underwent surgical intervention were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 2100 cases reviewed, 477 patients underwent a combined total of 772 surgical procedures. Of the 772 operations, 95 (12.3%) were performed as emergencies. Anorectal surgery represented the highest group with a total of 195 procedures (25.26%) being undertaken. The majority of patients (59%) had AIDS at the time of surgery, and 27.04% had a significant co-existing medical problem. Overall postoperative complication rate was 10.1%, with the risk being significantly greater in those undergoing intra-abdominal surgery and emergency procedures. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest study to audit the impact of HIV/AIDS in general surgical practice in the UK retrospectively. Surgery for HIV patients can be safely conducted with a low complication rate for the diagnostic and anorectal procedures that comprise the vast majority of surgery in HIV/AIDS patients. Medical treatment for patients with HIV/AIDS has developed dramatically over the last two decades. In parallel, this has resulted in a heavy, new and varied workload for general surgeons, who have also had to adapt in order to deal with the challenging spectrum of this disease.

The influence of radiotherapy on capsule formation and aesthetic outcome after immediate breast reconstruction using biodimensional anatomical expander implants.

BACKGROUND: Capsular contracture occurs more frequently when immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) is associated with radiotherapy (RT) in a post-mastectomy field. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of RT on surgical outcome after IBR using a single implant type. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-six breast reconstructions were studied in 114 patients: 62 reconstructions were performed using submuscular implants alone and 74 had an implant-assisted latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap using a McGhan 150 biodimensional permanent expander implant. Data were prospectively collected on capsule contracture, geometric measurements, photographic assessments and pain scores. The median follow-up was 4 (range, 2-5) years. RESULTS: The mean age of the 114 patients studied was 45 (range, 20-77) years. Forty-four reconstructed breasts received RT. Capsule formation was detected in 13/92 (14.1%) reconstructed breasts with no RT and in 17/44 (38.6%) reconstructed breasts with RT. On univariate analysis, RT was the only variable related to capsule formation (p<0.001). Significant differences in geometric measurements of symmetry were identified in patients with capsules compared with those without capsules. Photographic assessments were worse in the capsule group: mean photo score 8 (95% CI 8, 8.5) compared with the no capsule group 6.5 (95% CI 5, 7.5), p<0.001. Persistent pain two years or more after surgery was present in 8/30 patients with capsules and 1/106 with no capsule group, p<0.01. Capsule formation is three times more likely to occur after IBR in association with an RT field. However, as more than 60% of patients do not get capsules despite RT at four years, implant-assisted tissue expansion techniques using a biodimensional device is a viable breast reconstructive option in selected cases.

Endothelial adhesion molecules in breast cancer invasion into the vascular and lymphatic systems.

AIMS: It is well recognised that intravasation of tumour cells into the vasculature and/or lymphatics is a key stage in the metastatic process. It is also clear that very little is known about the mechanisms underlying this event. In this review, we will focus on cell surface molecules that may be instrumental in mediating the attachment of tumour cells, and in particular breast carcinoma cells, to the lymphatic and microvascular endothelia and discuss the therapeutic and prognostic value in targeting these receptors in metastatic disease. METHODS: A literature search was carried out from PubMed for indexed articles and reviews. Websites containing information on gene expression profiles were located using standard web browser search functions. For articles containing gene expression data, relevant information was frequently located in supplementary tables or in associated websites. FINDINGS: The search yielded a very large number of indexed published articles and websites. Important major reports and studies were reviewed, screened and tracked for other relevant publications. The most important articles were analysed and discussed. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of knowledge as to the mechanism by which tumour cells intra-vasate into the vasculature and/or lymphatics is perhaps not surprising given the lack of suitable models with which to investigate tumour cell intravasation. However, recent advances in the identification of molecular markers of angiogenic and lymphangiogenic endothelium, the development of techniques to image tumour cells in vivo and a better understanding of the architecture of these vessels is beginning to offer hope that this least well understood event in the metastatic process is becoming more amenable to study.

Compartment syndrome following pelvic surgery in the lithotomy position.

We report the cases of two patients who developed compartment syndrome following pelvic surgery in the lithotomy position. These cases highlight this important and potentially devastating complication.