Abstract

Breast cancer is one of the most common origins of metastatic lesions in the central nervous system. Many patients with a breast cancer and concurrent brain tumor(s) were diagnosed to have a metastatic lesion or lesions in the brain, based exclusively on their image findings without further pathologic verification, and received radiotherapy alone thereafter. It is, however, possible that a different pathology such as primary brain malignancy, which actually warrants a specific treatment modality, may occur in such patients with an already known malignancy. We, herein, reported a 61-year-old female patient who suffered from an anaplastic oligodendroglioma 1 year after her diagnosis of breast cancer. Demographic data, characteristic imaging findings, treatment, and outcome of the patient were discussed.

Abstract

A 44-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with pathological nipple discharge from her left breast. Ultrasonography revealed a solid tumor beneath her left areola that measured 17 mm in diameter with a dilated mammary duct. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging showed an early-enhanced cystic tumor and a dilated mammary duct. We performed a duct-lobular segmentectomy using near-infrared indocyanine green (ICG)-fluorescence imaging. Under general anesthesia, a silicone tube was inserted into an orifice of a fluid-discharging mammary duct, and 1 mL dye-fluorescence liquid containing ICG and indigo carmine was injected into the mammary duct. A periareolar incision was made, and the fluorescence image of the demarcated mammary duct segment was obtained. The mammary duct segment was dissected, along with the demarcation line. The cystic lesion and dilated mammary duct were fully resected, and the pathological diagnosis was intraductal papilloma of the breast. We report that near-infrared ICG fluorescence could be applied for imaging of the mammary duct segment, and the fluorescence image allowed for easier duct-lobular segmentectomy for nipple discharge.

Abstract

The anatomical orientation of structures in the axilla has not been well studied, although it is essential for a neat and safe dissection. The objective of this study was to determine the relations between neurovascular structures in the axilla as they were encountered during axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for breast cancer. This was a prospective study of 29 consecutive ALNDs accompanying either mastectomy or wide local excision. The dissections were conducted in a stepwise manner and the orientation of the structures was determined as the dissections advanced from superficial to deeper planes. The medial pectoral pedicle was the most superficial neurovascular structure encountered during the dissections and was curled around the lateral border of the pectoralis minor muscle in most cases. The intercostobrachial nerve lay 1–2 cm behind and below, and the axillary vein was located 2–3 cm behind and above the pedicle. The long thoracic nerve was constantly found 2–3 cm behind the intercostobrachial nerve. The thoracodorsal nerve was always accompanied by a posterior tributary of the axillary vein. Relations between neurovascular structures in the axilla are predictable. The medial pectoral pedicle, which is consistently found and superficially located, could be used as a landmark for ALND.

Abstract

The Goldilocks mastectomy is a method that uses redundant mastectomy flap tissue alone to create a breast mound in female American patients with macromastia. Goldilocks mastectomy was performed for obese Japanese females with breast ptosis, and its indications were considered for Japanese female patients. This report presents the results of five patients who underwent Goldilocks mastectomy, including one with bilateral breast cancer. The average age of the patients was 72 years (range: 67–76 years). The body mass index (BMI) was more than 25 in all the cases. Four patients had invasive ductal carcinoma, and one patient had noninvasive ductal carcinoma of bilateral breasts. The cosmetic results were found to be good in two cases [a patient with bilateral breast cancer and a severely obese patient (BMI = 39)]. The cosmetic results in the other three cases were poor. Although the reconstructed breast size was small, this procedure resulted in better cosmetic results than what would be achieved with the usual method of mastectomy for Japanese patients with bilateral breast cancer and severely obese Japanese patients.

Abstract

Inappropriate skin incisions can make sentinel lymph node dissection difficult. A knowledge of the most common locations of the hotspot in the axilla helps in planning the incision. This information also helps to locate the lymph node preoperatively by ultrasound. The aim of this prospective study was to determine the most common location of the sentinel lymph node in the axilla. From January 2006 to December 2010, 974 consecutive patients who underwent sentinel lymph node dissection guided by 99mTc–sulfur colloid were included and the position of the hotspot in the axilla was recorded prospectively. The location of the hottest spot on the skin of the axilla was categorized into seven areas divided by five landmarks. In 98.4% of our patients, the hotspot detected on the axilla skin before sentinel lymph node dissection was located in the area demarcated by the four landmarks of the hairline, a line tangential to and 2 cm below the center of the hairline, the lateral border of the pectoralis major muscle, and the mid-axillary line. The area between these four landmarks is the most frequent location of the sentinel lymph node identified using the radioisotope method. We suggest that this area should be carefully evaluated preoperatively by ultrasound for appropriate surgical planning. A skin incision in this area is also recommended when sentinel lymph node dissection is guided by blue dye.

Abstract

Brain metastasis occurs in 10–15% of metastatic breast cancer patients and is associated with poor prognosis. This study aims to identify tumor characteristics of primary breast cancer, which are related to brain metastases in Hong Kong Chinese patients. A retrospective study of patients with invasive breast cancer receiving treatment in a university hospital from January 2001 to December 2008 was performed. The clinicopathological factors of patients with brain metastases were analyzed and compared with those who had no brain metastasis. Risk factors for brain metastasis were identified by univariate analysis first and then by multivariate analysis. A total of 912 patients with invasive breast cancer were treated during the study period. Of these, 30 patients were found to have distant metastases to brain. Patients with brain metastases had more breast tumors of higher histological grade (Grade III, 78.9% vs. 30.2%, p = 0.001). Their tumors also had a significantly higher rate of negative estrogen receptors (78.9% vs. 30.2%, p = 0.001). On multivariate analysis, only high tumor grading was found to be predictive of developing brain metastasis. Chinese breast cancer patients with brain metastasis were more likely to have high-grade tumors and negative estrogen receptor status. A more vigorous surveillance program for the central nervous system should be considered for this group of patients.

Abstract

To evaluate the long-term results of tumorectomy and concomitant bilateral oncoplastic reduction mammoplasty (ORM) for early stage breast cancer patients with macromastia in terms of local disease control and long-term oncological results. Data of 82 patients with macromastia undergoing ORM for breast cancer between 1996 and 2011 were retrospectively examined and evaluated with regard to oncological results. The median age was 50 years. The median follow-up was 121 months (range 28–212 months). The median breast volume was 1402 cm3 and the median weight of excised breast material was 679 g. The median surgical margin was 16 mm. Ten-year local recurrence rate was 8.7%. The 10-year overall survival rate was 82.2% and the disease-free survival rate was 73.2%. Early and late complication rates were 12.2% and 14.6%, respectively. From the standpoint of local disease control and long-term observation, ORM can be considered a very safe and acceptable treatment for early stage breast cancer in women with macromastia.

Abstract

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a benign rare inflammatory pseudotumor. Bilateral involvement of IGM has been reported in a few cases. To our knowledge, this study is the largest series of bilateral cases to date. The goals of this study were to present clinical features of bilateral IGM and to evaluate the results of treatments. We performed a retrospective review of the idiopathic granulomatous mastitis database from 2010 to 2013. Ten female patients who met required histologic and clinical criteria of IGM in both breasts were included in study. Demographic data, clinical findings, medication history, and radiologic findings are presented. The mean age at onset of the disease was 38.4 ± 8.3 years (range: 29–52 years). Nine patients had no recurrence during a mean follow-up period of 21 months (range: 11–26 months). Additionally, the median time to second breast involvement was 15.6 months. Bilateral IGMs have a higher rate of more relapse and greater resistance to medical therapies than do unilateral IGMs. Surgical management should be avoided unless all medical treatment options have been exhausted. Nevertheless, expectant management seems a rational option for the treatment of bilateral IGM.

Abstract

The aim of the study was analyze the relationship of stress, depression and coping strategies with PTSD in a sample of patients with breast cancer. With a nonrandom sample of 52 women with breast cancer. The results indicate a relationship between PTSD and stress (r = .344, p = .014), PTSD and depression (rs = .346, p = .013), PTSD and cognitive avoidance (r = .437, p = .001), PTSD and hopelessness (rs = .437, p = .001) and the anxious concern with PTSD (rs =. 581, p = .001). The predictors of PTSD were stress, depression, cognitive avoidance and hopelessness, explaining 43.9% of the variance.

Abstract

SCRIB is a polarity regulator known to be abnormally expressed in cancer at the protein level. Here we report that, in breast cancer, an additional and hidden dimension of deregulations exists: an unexpected SCRIB exon usage pattern appears to mark a more malignant tumor phenotype and significantly correlates with survival. Conserved exons encoding the leucine-rich repeats tend to be overexpressed while others are underused. Mechanistic studies revealed that the underused exons encode part of the protein necessary for interaction with Vimentin and Numa1, a protein which is required for proper positioning of the mitotic spindle. Thus, the inclusion/exclusion of specific SCRIB exons is a mechanistic hallmark of breast cancer, which could potentially be exploited to develop more efficient diagnostics and therapies.