Provider delay in treatment initiation and its influence on survival outcomes in women with operable breast cancer.

AIM: The goal of this study was to determine whether a delay in starting treatment via surgery or neoadjuvant chemotherapy is related to a decrease in cancer-specific survival (CSS) in women with operable breast cancer (BrCr). BACKGROUND: Limited medical infrastructure and a lack of cancer prevention awareness in low- and middle-income countries have caused high BrCr incidence and mortality rates. METHODS: We analyzed a retrospective cohort of 720 women treated at a single center from 2005 to 2012. CSS estimates were obtained by the Kaplan-Meier method. A Cox model of proportional risks was performed to obtain the risk of dying from BrCr. We also obtained the risk according to the category of treatment initiation. RESULTS: Women with locally advanced stages and without hormone receptor expression were more likely to initiate treatment after 45 days. Patients in Stage IIIA had a 78.1% survival if treatment was initiated before 45 days (95% CI, 0.70-0.84) and 63.6% survival if treatment was started after 45 days (95% CI, 0.44-0.78; p < 0.001). Patients in Stage IIIB had a 62.9% survival if treatment was initiated before 45 days (95% CI, 0.53-0.72) and 57.4% survival if treatment started after 45 days (95% CI, 0.31-0.89; p < 0.001). Prognostic factors in which lower survival was recognized were Stage IIIA, Stage IIIB, treatment initiation after 45 days, and triple-negative tumors. CONCLUSIONS: The initiation of treatment within the first 45 days of diagnosis of BrCr in women portends better survival compared with those who began treatment longer than 45 days from diagnosis.

Clinical decision making in postmastectomy radiotherapy in node negative breast cancer.

For decades, postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) has been recommended for node positive [N(+)] breast cancer patients; nevertheless, the beneficial effect of PMRT for treatment of node negative [N(-)] disease remains under discussion. Nowadays, the biology of breast cancer and the risk factors (RFs) for locoregional failure (LRF) must be included in the decision on whether or not to carry out PMRT. For these reasons, the present review aims to evaluate the rationale use of PMRT in N(-) patients and discuss which subgroups may further benefit from the treatment in present times where the decision must be personalised, according to the RFs of locoregional recurrence (LRR). To perform the analysis, we ponder that LRR of over 10% should be considered unacceptable due to the fact that LRRs generate great morbidity in patients. For this purpose, we consider that routine RT in these patients is not recommended, although there are subgroups of patients with high LRR, in which PMRT could be beneficial.

When to indicate radiotherapy after nipple-sparing mastectomy? Systematic review / Quando indicar radioterapia após mastectomia nipple-sparing? Revisão sistemática

Introduction: Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) and preservation of the nipple-areola complex (NAC) represent a therapeutic option of breast cancer with a better aesthetic result, a positive impact on body image and more satisfaction than the reconstruction of the NAC. It is questioned the indication of radiotherapy when the NAC is maintained and its potential aesthetic impairment. Objective: To examine the indication of radiotherapy in NSM and, secondarily, the incidence of NAC involvement and local recurrence rates. Methods: Systematic review carried out in the PubMed database with the terms ("breast neoplasm" [Mesh] OR "breast cancer") AND ("radiotherapy" OR "radiation therapy") AND ("nipple sparing mastectomy" OR "mastectomies" OR "subcutaneous mastectomies"). The selection of the studies, the evaluation of its quality and data extraction were carried out independently by four reviewers. Results: The indications for radiotherapy after NSM were: positive axilla, tumors over 5 cm and retroareolar tissue remaining greater than 5 mm. The NAC involvement occurred in 5 to 26.1% in the definitive anatomopathological study. NAC recurrence occurred from 2.59 to 10%. NAC necrosis occurred in 2.2 to 43.4%. Conclusions: The radiotherapy indications for NSM seem to follow the same classical indications for radiotherapy after mastectomy. The relapse index in NAC was not shown to be larger and without difference for the type of radiotherapy used. Radiotherapy should be based on factors that suggest a high risk for NAC involvement

Introdução: A mastectomia nipple-sparing (MNS) e a conservação do complexo aréolo-papilar (CAP) representam uma manobra terapêutica do câncer de mama com melhor resultado estético, impacto positivo na imagem corporal e mais satisfação do que a reconstrução do CAP. Questiona-se a indicação de radioterapia quando da manutenção do CAP e seu potencial prejuízo estético. Objetivo: Examinar a indicação de radioterapia em MNS e, secundariamente, a incidência do envolvimento do CAP e as taxas de recorrência local. Métodos: Revisão sistemática realizada na base de dados do PubMed com os termos ("breast neoplasm" [Mesh] OR "breast cancer") AND ("radiotherapy" OR "radiation therapy") AND ("nipple sparing mastectomy" OR "mastectomies" OR "subcutaneous mastectomies"). A seleção dos estudos, a avaliação da qualidade do estudo e a extração de dados foram realizadas de forma independente por quatro revisores. Resultados: As indicações para radioterapia após MNS foram: axila positiva, tumores acima de 5 cm e tecido retroareolar remanescente maior que 5 mm. O envolvimento do CAP ocorreu em 5 a 26,1% no anatomopatológico definitivo. A recorrência no CAP ocorreu de 2,59 a 10%. A necrose do CAP ocorreu em 2,2 a 43,4%. Conclusão: As indicações de radioterapia para MNS parecem seguir as mesmas indicações clássicas para radioterapia após mastectomia. O índice de recidiva no CAP não mostrou ser maior com uso de radioterapia nem ter diferença quanto ao seu tipo. A decisão de realizar a radioterapia deve se basear em fatores que sugerem alto risco para envolvimento do CAP