Joanna Streb

Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors VEGF- C and D, VEGFR-3, and Comparison of Lymphatic Vessels Density Labeled with D2-40 Antibodies as a Prognostic Factors in Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia (VIN) and Invasive Vulvar Cancer

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare the immunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factors VEGF-C and D, as well as the expression of VEGFR-3 in VIN and vulvar invasive cancer and to compare the density of lymphatic marker D2-40 antibody in both groups, and to compare them with different clinicopathologic features. MATERIALS & METHODS The study was performed using tissue material and clinical data from 100 women diagnosed with VIN and 100 women diagnosed with invasive vulvar cancer. RESULTS No significant differences were found in the expression of VEGF-C and -D or VEGFR-3 between those patients with VIN and those with invasive vulvar cancers. Weak expression of VEGF-C was confirmed only in two cases of the analyzed series; in all cases, expression of VEGF-D and VEGFR-3 was observed. The strongest expression of VEGF-D and VEGFR-3 was observed in the group of invasive cancers. The highest density of lymphatic vessels per 2 mm was observed in VIN. In the cancer group, small lymphatic vessels with a narrow oval lumen were observed. Moreover, in two cases of vulvar cancer, the presence of intratumoral lymphatic vessels was observed. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that lymphangiogenesis begins at the preinvasive stage of vulvar carcinogenesis and suggests the important role of VEGF-C, VEGF-D, VEGFR-3 and LV (D2-40) as prognostic factors in the process of carcinogenesis in the vulvar area.

The relationship between breast cancer molecular subtypes and mast cell populations in tumor microenvironment

Mast cells (MCs) are a part of the innate immune system. The MC functions toward cancer are partially based on the release of chymase and tryptase. However, the MC effect on breast cancer is controversial. The aim of our study was to investigate the presence of MCs in breast cancer tumors of different molecular subtypes and their relationships with other pathological prognostic factors. Tryptase- and chymase-positive mast cell densities were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 108 primary invasive breast cancer tissue samples. Positive cells were counted within the tumor bed and at the invasive margin. For all analyzed MC subpopulations, we observed statistically significant differences between individual molecular subtypes of breast cancer. The significantly higher numbers of intratumoral chymase- and tryptase-positive mast cells were observed in luminal A and luminal B tumors compared to triple-negative and HER2+ non-luminal lesions. A denser MC infiltration was associated with lower tumor grade, higher ER and PR expression, lower proliferation rate as well as the lack of HER2 overexpression. The results obtained in our study indicate a possible association of chymase- and tryptase-positive MCs with more favorable cancer immunophenotype and with beneficial prognostic indicators in breast cancer.

Exploring the relationship between the body self and the sense of coherence in women after surgical treatment for breast cancer

Analysis of the relationship between the body self (BS) and the sense of coherence (SOC) in women after breast surgery due to cancer in comparison with a control group.

Factors affecting sexual function and body image of early stage breast cancer survivors in Poland: A short-term observation

Micro‐Abstract This study aimed to evaluate correlates and impact factors of sexual function and body image of female breast cancer survivors. A total of 128 women aged 18 to 65 who were free of disease and who underwent surgical treatment for breast cancer were evaluated. The results indicated that the role of the partner and/or family support is important in maintaining sexual health and restoring body image. Introduction: Knowing the important factors influencing sexual function and body image might facilitate the recovery process of breast cancer survivors. Surgery type, relationship quality, and partner support might be modified to create a space for psychosexual intervention. Patients and Methods: This retrospective questionnaire‐based study was performed on 128 women aged 18 to 65 years who were free of disease at time of study entry and who underwent surgical treatment for breast cancer. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria were used to assessed female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (CSFQ) were used to measure sexual function, whereas the Body Image After Breast Cancer Questionnaire (BIBCQ) was used to assess body image. The support of the partner was evaluated by the Provisions of Social Relation Scale (PSRS). Results: The median age of the studied respondents was 52.5 ± 10.1 years. FSD was diagnosed in 27.3% women. Lower physical satisfaction in relationship (odds ratio [OR] = 2.3), undergoing mastectomy (OR = 4.1) higher level of anxiety (OR = 4.2), and shorter duration of relationship (OR = 1.1) as well as not receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (F = 3.54), higher level of emotional satisfaction in relationship (F = 20.32), longer time after completion of oncologic treatment (F = 8.76), undergoing breast‐conserving therapy (compared to mastectomy) (F = 13.21), and lower level of anxiety (F = 31,25) were important factors for the prevalence of FSD and positive body image, respectively. Conclusion: Type of surgery, time after completion of treatment, level of anxiety, adjuvant chemotherapy, partner support, and satisfying quality of relationship are important factors for sexual function, sexual quality of life, and body image in female breast cancer survivors.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer patients — daily clinical practice in selected cancer centres in Poland

Background. Adjuvant chemotherapy for high-risk early-stage breast cancer patients significantly improves long-term treatment results. The decision to administer chemotherapy is made based primarily on prognostic factors (defined by the pathological characteristics of the primary tumour and regional lymph nodes) and also on patient-related factors, such as age, menopausal status and comorbidities. The guidelines on adjuvant chemotherapy have been established and reviewed for many years by several medical societies (NCCN, ESMO, PTOK, PUO) and experts of St. Gallen International Breast Cancer Conference. The aim of this study was to assess the pattern of adjuvant chemotherapy administration that had been routinely prescribed in four cancer centres in various regions of Poland (Opole, Krakow, Bialystok, Poznan). Methods. 218 early-stage breast cancer patients treated in selected cancer centres during 3 consecutive months of 2014 have been included in the analysis. The medical charts of the patients have been carefully evaluated. Data on the adjuvant chemotherapy administration have been reviewed retrospectively. Results. The percentage of IHC tests in the analysed group was satisfactory. As much as 8 different chemotherapy regimens have been recorded. 98% of patients received anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Almost half of the patients (48.6%; 106/218) received taxanes. However, up to 27% (30/111) of patients with involved lymph nodes (pN+) did not received taxanes in the adjuvant setting. Trastuzumab was most frequently administered sequentially, which may be considered suboptimal.

Efficacy and safety of liposomal doxorubicin in a patient treated for metastatic breast cancer

Liposomal doxorubicin is a newer form of chemotherapeutic agents that, due to its own special properties, preferably accumulates in cancer tissue. On the other hand, it shows lower affinity to cardiomyocytes and in this way is less cardiotoxic. As a result of that, there is the possibility to use liposomal form of doxorubicin until disease progression or chemotherapy intolerance in palliative setting, without treatment cessation after reaching the maximum cumulative dose of conventional doxorubicin. In this article we describe the case of a female patient diagnosed with breast cancer who was primary treated with adjuvant treatment, including chemotherapy and in whom a disease recurrence occurred after seven years of observation. As a primary palliative treatment the patient received chemotherapy based on liposomal doxorubicin and cyclofosphamide with a very good tolerance. The initial response was partial remission in lungs and in mediastinal lymph nodes. During the whole course of therapy there were no pathological changes in electrocardiogram, no signs and no symptoms of congestive heart failure, and the left ventricular ejection fraction was within normal limits.