Comparing the extent of breast cancer tumors through contrast-enhanced ultrasound vs B-mode, opposed with pathology: evergreen study.

BACKGROUND: To prove the efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in determining the extent of resection, more evidence about B-mode and CEUS as opposed to pathology is required. We compared maximum tumor width measured on B-mode/CEUS images with that determined pathologically. METHODS: In this retrospective multicenter study, 152 operable breast cancer patients who had undergone both B-mode and CEUS were analyzed. Maximum tumor width on B-mode and CEUS, and on the postoperative pathological examination (P), was measured by the participating investigators. In addition, maximum width was assessed in B-mode and CEUS image sets by independent reviewers blinded to all patient information. We analyzed differences in maximum width between CEUS, B-mode and P. RESULTS: The mean widths as measured by the participating investigators were 15 ± 7 mm (B-mode), 19 ± 8 mm (CEUS), and 17 ± 9 mm (P). The difference subtracted P from B-mode was - 3 ± 7 mm (p < 0.0001), and that from CEUS was 1 ± 6 mm (p = 0.0163). The mean widths as measured by the independent reviewers were 16 ± 7 mm (B-mode) and 18 ± 7 mm (CEUS). The difference subtracted P from B-mode was - 2 ± 8 mm (p = 0.0114), while that from CEUS was 1 ± 7 mm (p = 0.1921). CONCLUSIONS: Maximum lesion width measurement showed a tendency to increase in the order of B-mode, to P and CEUS. The difference in measurement between P and B-mode was significant, but there was no significant between CEUS and P. These results provide additional information of tendency patterns in measuring the maximum lesion width through enhancement on CEUS.

Significance of lung biopsy for the definitive diagnosis of lung nodules in breast cancer patients.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the significance of lung biopsy for the modification of the treatment strategy in breast cancer patients who develop lung nodules during follow-up after breast surgery. Of 53 consecutive patients who underwent lung biopsies in two institutions (Hiroshima University Hospital and Hiroshima Prefectural Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan) between 1997 and 2014, 45 underwent lung surgery and 8 underwent percutaneous or transbronchial tumor biopsy for lung nodules developing after curative surgery for breast cancer. The indications for lung biopsy included lung nodules for which a definitive diagnosis was difficult to achieve, and those for which the treatment strategy depended on the pathological diagnosis. The lung nodules were pathologically diagnosed as primary breast cancer metastases to the lungs in 25 (47%), primary malignant lung tumors in 21 (40%) and benign disease in 7 (13%) patients. Among the 25 metastatic patients confirmed by lung biopsy, phenotype discordance was observed in 6 patients (24%). A total of 3 patients with lung metastasis proven to have estrogen or progesterone receptor upregulation by lung biopsy received endocrine therapy. Univariate analysis revealed that patients with metastatic breast cancer confirmed by lung biopsy were significantly younger and had more locally advanced primary cancers diagnosed via clinical and pathological assessment compared with patients with other diseases. Therefore, mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection were performed more frequently in the metastasis group compared with the others group. Multivariate analysis revealed that mastectomy (P<0.001) and axillary dissection (P<0.001) were independent factors predicting that the lung nodules would be metastases from breast cancer. Lung biopsy in breast cancer patients who developed lung nodules during the follow-up period after breast cancer surgery was crucial for making a definitive diagnosis and modifying the treatment strategy, which may improve the prognosis of breast cancer patients.

Prognostic value of Ki67 and p53 in patients with estrogen receptor-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative breast cancer: Validation of the cut-off value of the Ki67 labeling index as a predictive factor.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of the Ki67 labeling index and p53 status as prognostic and predictive indicators of operable estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer. Among 697 consecutive patients with primary breast cancer who underwent curative surgery between 2002 and 2013, 308 patients with ER-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer were assessed. The results of the multivariate Cox analysis demonstrated that a high Ki67 labeling index was significantly associated with a short recurrence-free interval (RFI) (p=0.004) and was marginally associated with a worse overall survival (p=0.074). A positive p53 status was not associated with worse outcomes. To validate the cut-off values of the Ki67 labeling index for identifying patients who may benefit from additional chemotherapy, prognostic factors were investigated in breast cancer patients treated postoperatively with endocrine therapy alone. Analysis of receiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated that a Ki67 labeling index cut-off of 20.0% was optimal for predicting recurrence among patients who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy. The 5-year RFIs for patients with Ki67 <20 and ≥20% were 97.2 and 86.6%, respectively (p=0.0244). A high Ki67 labeling index (≥20%) was significantly associated with large tumors (p<0.01), lymph node metastasis (p=0.0236) and positive p53 status (p<0.001). The univariate analysis demonstrated that Ki67 labeling index ≥20%, lymph node metastasis and progesterone receptor negativity were significant worse prognostic factors for RFI (p=0.0333, 0.0116 and 0.0573, respectively). The Ki67 labeling index was found to be a useful prognostic factor in patients with ER-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer and the cut-off values of the Ki67 labeling index for making a decision regarding adjuvant treatment were validated.

Prognostic impact of progesterone receptor status combined with body mass index in breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant aromatase inhibitor.

Aromatase inhibitors have played a central role in endocrine therapy for the treatment of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal patients. However, prognostic factors for recurrence following such treatment have not been identified. The current study aimed to validate the prognostic value of endocrine-related progesterone receptor (PgR) status combined with body mass index (BMI). Among 659 consecutive patients with primary breast cancer who underwent curative surgery between 2002 and 2012, 184 postmenopausal patients with ER-positive (ER+) and human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer who were treated with adjuvant aromatase inhibitor therapy were assessed. The patients were assigned to groups based on BMI, according to the WHO cut-off value: ≥25 kg/m2 (high, H) or <25 kg/m2 (low, L). Positive nodal status, negative PgR status, BMI-H and a high Ki-67 labeling index (≥20%) were found to be significantly associated with a short recurrence-free interval (RFI) upon univariate analysis (P=0.048, 0.007, 0.027, and 0.012, respectively). The patients were further grouped based on their combined PgR/BMI status. The RFI was significantly shorter in the PgR- and/or BMI-H group compared with that of the PgR+/BMI-L group (P=0.012). Multivariate analysis revealed PgR- tumors and/or BMI-H and positive nodal status to be independent prognostic factors (P=0.012 and 0.020, respectively). The present findings indicate that PgR/BMI status may serve as a practical tool in the management of ER+ and HER2- breast cancer in patients treated with adjuvant aromatase inhibitors.

[Estimation of peritoneal dissemination in patients with unresectable advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer who underwent curative resection after combination chemotherapy].

In a group of 209 colorectal cancer patients with unresectable tumors, 10 patients underwent curative resection after combination chemotherapy at our hospital between 2006 and 2012. Of these 10 patients, 5 presented with peritoneal dissemination at the start of chemotherapy. With the exception of 1 patient with peritoneal recurrence, peritoneal dissemination and liver metastasis were observed in all patients at the time of diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Computed tomography (CT) and/ or positron emission tomography-CT examination revealed disappearance of peritoneal dissemination in response to chemotherapy, except in 1 patient with peritoneal recurrence. After combination chemotherapy, surgical resection of liver metastases and peritoneal dissemination was performed. Pathological and intraoperative findings indicated disappearance of peritoneal dissemination in 3 patients and P2 grade peritoneal dissemination in 1 patient. In the patient with peritoneal recurrence, 1 tumor was completely resected. Interestingly, none of the 3 patients that exhibited complete disappearance of peritoneal dissemination showed peritoneal recurrence, although 1 patient exhibited metastases in the lung and non-regional lymph nodes. In contrast, the patient with P2 grade peritoneal dissemination showed peritoneal recurrence and lung metastasis. All 5 patients survived (duration from diagnosis of colorectal cancer, 31-83 months). Herein, we report the use of combination chemotherapy to achieve the disappearance of peritoneal dissemination, changing unresectable colorectal cancer with peritoneal dissemination into resectable cancer.

[A case of triple-negative breast cancer responding to multidisciplinary treatment containing bevacizumab].

We report a case of a 64-year-old woman with Stage IV breast cancer who responded well to chemotherapy containing bevacizumab. She noticed a left breast tumor with acute progression and was diagnosed as having Stage IV, estrogen receptor( ER)(-), progesterone receptor(PgR)(-), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)(-)breast cancer (T4cN3cM1[lymph nodes]). She received 5 courses of adriamycin(60mg/m / 2)plus cyclophosphamide(600mg/m2)(AC therapy)and 4 courses of weekly paclitaxel(PTX 90mg/m / 2)plus bevacizumab(AVA 10 mg/m2)as systemic therapy. Computed tomography(CT)and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)revealed a complete response(CR). After local resection of the breast tumor and radiation to the breast and regional lymph nodes, capecitabine therapy was initiated. Currently, at 5 months after surgery, no new lesion has been detected.

[A case of late recurrent breast cancer that responded to radiation therapy and cisplatin plus pemetrexed therapy].

The patient was a 62-year-old woman who had undergone modified radical mastectomy for right breast cancer 19 years before. She was examined at our hospital for cough and hoarseness. After PET-CT and bronchoscopy, she was diagnosed with stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer. Radiation therapy and cisplatin plus pemetrexed therapy were effective, and she made a recovery from a life-threatening conditon. During observation, a skin nodule was noticed on her right chest wall, and excisional biopsy revealed a skin metastasis from breast cancer. A transbronchial lung biopsy(TBLB)specimen was reexamined, and the lung lesion was shown to be metastasis from breast cancer. By changing to endocrine therapy, the disease has been effectively controlled.

Alterations in portal vein blood pH, hepatic functions, and hepatic histology in a porcine carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum model.

BACKGROUND: Intra-abdominal high pressure and acidosis by carbon dioxide (CO(2)) pneumoperitoneum is known to affect various organ functions. In this study, changes in liver functions and liver histology were investigated during CO(2) pneumoperitoneum in a large animal model. METHODS: Fourteen white pigs were anesthetized with intubation and controlled ventilation. The pigs in the pneumoperitoneum group (PG) were exposed to CO(2) pneumoperitoneum at an intra-abdominal pressure of 8 mmHg, and those in the open laparotomy group (OG) were subjected to laparotomy. Hemodynamics were measured and liver function tests were performed in the carotid artery and portal vein, and the liver tissue was histologically examined. RESULTS: The blood pressure, PO(2), PCO(2), and pH in the carotid artery did not significantly differ between the groups. In the PG, blood pressure, PO(2), and PCO(2) in the portal vein were elevated while the pH was low. There were no significant differences in the levels of aminotransferases and lactate between the groups. In the PG, the arterial ketone body ratio (AKBR) was low at 90 min and the ICG retention rate was high at 180 min; these values differed significantly compared to those at 0 min. Histological examination revealed liver congestion in the PG and no significant change in the OG. In the PG, the TUNEL assay revealed positive staining in the area with focal lytic changes. CONCLUSIONS: CO(2) pneumoperitoneum at an intra-abdominal pressure of 8 mmHg in a porcine model affected liver functions and caused histological changes in the liver. Although it is uncertain whether these alterations observed in the porcine liver occur in humans as well and whether the alterations are reversible after pneumoperitoneum, it may be necessary to pay attention to liver damage during laparoscopic surgery.