Daniela Terribile

Oncoplastic techniques in the conservative surgical treatment of breast cancer: an overview.

Abstract:u2003 Conservative surgery has become a well‐established alternative to mastectomy in the treatment of breast cancer. However, in case of larger lesions or small‐size breasts, the removal of adequate volumes of breast tissue to achieve tumor‐free margins and reduce the risk of local relapse may compromise the cosmetic outcome, causing unpleasant results. In order to address this issue, new surgical techniques, so‐called oncoplastic techniques, have been introduced in recent years to optimize the efficacy of conservative surgery both in terms of local control and cosmetic results. This article discusses the indications, advantages, and limitations of these techniques and their results in terms of local recurrence and overall survival.u2002

Diffusion-weighted Imaging in Evaluating the Response to Neoadjuvant Breast Cancer Treatment

Abstract:u2002 The aim of this study was to investigate the role of diffusion imaging in the evaluation of response to neoadjuvant breast cancer treatment by correlating apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value changes with pathological response. From June 2007 to June 2009, all consecutive patients with histopathologically confirmed breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy were enrolled. All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (including diffusion sequence) before and after neoadjuvant treatment. The ADC values obtained using two different methods of region of interest (ROI) placement before and after treatment were compared with MRI response (assessed using RECIST 1.1 criteria) and pathological response (assessed using Mandard’s classification).

Role of the Apparent Diffusion Coefficient in the Prediction of Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients With Locally Advanced Breast Cancer

BACKGROUNDnWe evaluated the diagnostic performance of the baseline diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in the prediction of a complete pathologic response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with breast cancer stratified according to the tumor phenotype.nnnPATIENTS AND METHODSnWe retrospectively studied 225 patients with stage II, III, and IV breast cancer who had undergone contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and DWI before and after NAC, followed by breast surgery.nnnRESULTSnThe tumor phenotypes were luminal (n = 143; 63.6%), triple-negative (TN) (n = 37; 16.4%), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-enriched (n = 17; 7.6%), and hybrid (hormone receptor-positive/HER2(+); n = 28; 12.4%). After NAC, a pCR was observed in 39 patients (17.3%). No statistically significant difference was observed in the mean ADC value between a pCR and no pCR in the general population (1.132 ± 0.191 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s vs. 1.092 ± 0.189 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s, respectively; P = .23). The optimal ADC cutoff value in the general population was 0.975 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s (receiver operating characteristic [ROC] area under the curve [AUC], 0.587 for the prediction of a pCR). After splitting the population into subgroups according to tumor phenotype, we observed a significant or nearly significant difference in the mean ADC value among the responders versus the nonresponders in the TN (P = .06) and HER2(+) subgroups (P = .05). No meaningful difference was seen in the luminal and hybrid subgroups (P = .59 and P = .53, respectively). In contrast, in the TN and HER2(+) subgroups (cutoff value, 0.995 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s and 0.971 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s, respectively), we observed adequate ROC AUCs (0.766 and 0.813, respectively).nnnCONCLUSIONnThe pretreatment ADC value is not capable of predicting the pCR in the overall population of patients with locally advanced breast cancer. Nonetheless, an ameliorated diagnostic performance was observed in specific phenotype subgroups (ie, TN and HER2(+) tumors).

Effect of breast cancer phenotype on diagnostic performance of MRI in the prediction to response to neoadjuvant treatment.

AIMnThe estimation of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is useful in the surgical decision in breast cancer. We addressed the diagnostic reliability of conventional MRI, of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and of a merged criterion coupling morphological MRI and DWI. Diagnostic performance was analysed separately in different tumor subtypes, including HER2+ (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2)/HR+ (hormone receptor) (hybrid phenotype).nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnTwo-hundred and twenty-five patients underwent MRI before and after NAC. The response to treatment was defined according to the RECIST classification and the evaluation of DWI with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). The complete pathological response - pCR was assessed (Mandard classification).nnnRESULTSnTumor phenotypes were Luminal (63.6%), Triple Negative (16.4%), HER2+ (7.6%) or Hybrid (12.4%). After NAC, pCR was observed in 17.3% of cases. Average ADC was statistically higher after NAC (p<0.001) among patients showing pCR vs. those who had not pCR. The RECIST classification showed adequate performance in predicting the pCR in Triple Negative (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, ROC AUC=0.9) and in the HER2+ subgroup (AUC=0.826). Lower performance was found in the Luminal and Hybrid subgroups (AUC 0.693 and 0.611, respectively), where the ADC criterion yielded an improved performance (AUC=0.787 and 0.722). The coupling of morphological and DWI criteria yielded maximally improved performance in the Luminal and Hybrid subgroups (AUC=0.797 and 0.761).nnnCONCLUSIONnThe diagnostic reliability of MRI in predicting the pCR to NAC depends on the tumor phenotype, particularly in the Luminal and Hybrid subgroups. In these cases, the coupling of morphological MRI evaluation and DWI assessment may facilitate the diagnosis.

A feasibility study of neo-adjuvant low-dose fractionated radiotherapy with two different concurrent anthracycline-docetaxel schedules in stage IIA/B-IIIA breast cancer

AIMS AND BACKGROUNDnThe aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of neoadjuvant low-dose fractionated radiotherapy, in combination with two anthracycline-docetaxel regimens, in breast cancer treatment.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnWomen with stage IIA/B-IIIA breast cancer were assigned to receive the treatment of low-dose fractionated radiotherapy (0.4 Gy/per fraction, 2 fractions per day, for 2 days, every 21 days for 8-6 cycles) with concomitant neoadjuvant chemotherapy with non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and docetaxel. Two chemotherapy schedules were planned to be combined with low-dose fractionated radiotherapy. The first schedule consisted of four cycles of non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin sequentially followed by four cycles of docetaxel, and the second schedule consisted of six cycles of non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin plus concomitant docetaxel. Acute toxicity was evaluated according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group score system. Pathological response was evaluated by the Mandard score and expressed as tumor regression grade.nnnRESULTSnBetween March 2008 and February 2009, 10 patients underwent low-dose fractionated radiotherapy and concomitant chemotherapy. No grade 3-4 breast toxicity was observed. Five patients had a clinical complete response. Seven patients underwent conservative surgery. Overall, tumor regression grade 1 (absence of residual cancer) was achieved in one patient (10%) and grade 2 (residual isolated cells scattered through the fibrosis) in 4 patients (40%). The pathologic major response rate (tumor regression grade 1 + 2) was 20% in patients receiving low-dose fractionated radiotherapy and sequential non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and docetaxel and 80% in the group receiving low-dose fractionated radiotherapy and concurrent non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and docetaxel treatment.nnnCONCLUSIONSnConcomitant low-dose fractionated radiotherapy combined with anthracycline and docetaxel is feasible. The toxicity profile of radio-chemotherapy was similar to that of chemotherapy alone: there was no acute skin or cardiac toxicity. The concurrent application of liposomal doxorubicin and docetaxel with low-dose fractionated radiation led to higher histological response rates compared to the sequential application of the same two drugs.

Accessory nipple reconstruction following a central quadrantectomy: a case report

Introductionnipple dichotomy (or intra-areolar polythelia) is a rare congenital malformation in which one or more supernumerary nipples are located within the same areola.A case of a woman undergoing a central quadrantectomy with a contralateral supernumerary nipple used for reconstruction is reported. No other report in the Literature, according to our search, has focused on reconstructive use of an accessory nipple after breast conserving surgery.Case presentationthe patient is a 73 year-old Caucasian woman, who two years earlier underwent a lower-outer left Quadrantectomy plus axillary sampling and radiation therapy for a 2,2 cm lobular carcinoma with no lymph node involvement.A routine follow-up assessment showed an important fibrotic change on the operated breast, just across the infra-mammary fold; at a breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging, a 1,5 cm area in retroareolar position, suspicious for local recurrence, was evident.An open biopsy was therefore performed, under local anaesthesia, including the nipple-areolar complex to realize a central Quadrantectomy with a Grisotti procedure; a congenital dichotomic nipple in the contralateral breast was then used to repair the defect through a nipple-sharing technique. The final histological examination reported a fibrotic mastopathy without atypias.Conclusionin this case, the nipple-sharing technique has allowed in the same time the correction of a rare congenital defect and provided the surgeon with a supernumerary nipple to be used in the immediate reconstruction after breast conserving surgery.

Early onset lactating adenoma and the role of breast MRI: a case report

IntroductionLactating adenoma is a benign condition, representing the most prevalent breast lesion in pregnant women and during puerperium; in this paper, a case of a woman with lactating adenoma occurring during the first trimester of pregnancy is reported. There have been no reports in the literature, according to our search, focusing on magnetic resonance imaging findings in cases of lactating adenomas. Also the early onset of the lesion during the first trimester of pregnancy is quite unusual and possibly unique.Case presentationWe report the case of a primiparous 30-year-old Caucasian woman, who noted an asymptomatic lump within her left breast during the 9th week of gestation, slightly increasing in size over the next few weeks. Ultrasound demonstrated a hypoecoic solid mass, hypervascularized and measuring 4 cm. On magnetic resonance imaging, performed in the first month after delivery, the lesion appeared as an ovoidal homogeneous mass, with regular margins and a significant contrast enhancement indicative of a giant adenoma.ConclusionMagnetic resonance imaging could play an important role in the differential diagnosis of pregnancy-related breast lumps, particularly during puerperium, thus avoiding unnecessary surgical biopsies.