Tehillah S. Menes

Upgrade of high-risk breast lesions detected on mammography in the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium

BACKGROUND Upgrade rates of high-risk breast lesions after screening mammography were examined. METHODS The Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium registry was used to identify all Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System category 4 assessments followed by needle biopsies with high-risk lesions. Follow-up was performed for all women. RESULTS High-risk lesions were found in 957 needle biopsies, with excision documented in 53%. Most (n = 685) were atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), 173 were lobular neoplasia, and 99 were papillary lesions. Upgrade to cancer varied with type of lesion (18% in ADH, 10% in lobular neoplasia, and 2% in papillary lesions). In premenopausal women with ADH, upgrade was associated with family history. Cancers associated with ADH were mostly (82%) ductal carcinoma in situ, and those associated with lobular neoplasia were mostly (56%) invasive. During a further 2 years of follow-up, cancer was documented in 1% of women with follow-up surgery and in 3% with no surgery. CONCLUSIONS Despite low rates of surgery, low rates of cancer were documented during follow-up. Benign papillary lesions diagnosed on Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System category 4 mammograms among asymptomatic women do not justify surgical excision.

Rates of Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia Have Declined with Less Use of Postmenopausal Hormone Treatment: Findings from the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium

Aim: To examine risk factors and rates of atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) with and without associated breast cancer over time and tumor characteristics of breast cancer with and without associated ADH in women previously screened with mammography. Methods: Data on screening mammograms done between 1996 and 2005 were collected from mammography registries that participate in the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium. Associations between age, family history of breast cancer, postmenopausal hormone treatment (HT), and final pathology result (ADH or cancer with or without ADH in the same breast) were examined. Rates of different outcomes were calculated per exam year. Tumor characteristics of cancers with and without associated ADH were compared. Results: A total of 2,453,483 screening mammograms were associated with 1,064 biopsies with ADH, 833 breast cancers with ADH, and 8,161 cancers with no ADH. Postmenopausal HT use decreased significantly from 35% to 11% during the study period. Rates of ADH decreased from a peak of 5.5/10,000 mammograms in 1999 to 2.4/10,000 in 2005. Rates of cancer with ADH decreased from a peak of 4.3/10,000 mammograms in 2003 to 3.3/10,000 in 2005. ADH and breast cancer were significantly associated with use of postmenopausal HT. Cancer associated with ADH was of lower grade and stage and more estrogen receptor positive than cancer with no ADH. Summary: Postmenopausal HT is associated with an increased risk of ADH with or without cancer. Rates of ADH have decreased over the past decade, which may be partially explained by the significant reduction in use of postmenopausal HT. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(11):2822–8)

Subsequent Breast Cancer Risk Following Diagnosis of Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia on Needle Biopsy

Importance Atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) is a known risk factor for breast cancer. Published risk estimates are based on cohorts that included women whose ADH was diagnosed before widespread use of screening mammograms and did not differentiate between the methods used to diagnose ADH, which may be related to the size of the ADH focus. These risks may overestimate the risk in women with presently diagnosed ADH. Objective To examine the risk of invasive cancer associated with ADH diagnosed using core needle biopsy vs excisional biopsy. Design A cohort study was conducted comparing the 10-year cumulative risk of invasive breast cancer in 955 331 women undergoing mammography with and without a diagnosis of ADH. Data were obtained from 5 breast imaging registries that participate in the National Cancer Institute–funded Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium. Exposures Diagnosis of ADH on core needle biopsy or excisional biopsy in women undergoing mammography. Main Outcomes and Measures Ten-year cumulative risk of invasive breast cancer. Results The sample included 955 331 women with 1727 diagnoses of ADH, 1058 (61.3%) of which were diagnosed by core biopsy and 635 (36.8%) by excisional biopsy. The mean (interquartile range) age of the women at diagnosis was 52.6 (46.9-60.4) years. From 1996 to 2012, the proportion of ADH diagnosed by core needle biopsy increased from 21% to 77%. Ten years following a diagnosis of ADH, the cumulative risk of invasive breast cancer was 2.6 (95% CI, 2.0-3.4) times higher than the risk in women with no ADH. Atypical ductal hyperplasia diagnosed via excisional biopsy was associated with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 3.0 (95% CI, 2-4.5) and, via core needle biopsy, with an adjusted HR of 2.2 (95% CI, 1.5-3.4). Ten years after an ADH diagnosis, an estimated 5.7% (95% CI, 4.3%-10.1%) of the women had a diagnosis of invasive cancer. Women with ADH diagnosed on excisional biopsy had a slightly higher risk (6.7%; 95% CI, 3.0%-12.8%) compared with those with ADH diagnosed via core needle biopsy (5%; 95% CI, 2.2%-8.9%). Conclusions and Relevance Current 10-year risks of invasive breast cancer after a diagnosis of ADH may be lower than those previously reported. The risk associated with ADH is slightly lower for women whose ADH was diagnosed by needle core biopsy compared with excisional biopsy.

Current management practice of breast borderline lesions—need for further research and guidelines

BACKGROUND Breast borderline lesions are usually diagnosed on needle biopsies of imaging abnormalities. The natural history of these lesions is unclear, and the literature is divided on appropriate management. It was hypothesized that management varies among surgeons and may be associated with surgeon and practice characteristics. METHODS A survey of 477 members of the American Society of Breast Surgeons was completed. Results were analyzed according to various surgeon and practice characteristics. RESULTS Most respondents recommended routine excision for atypical ductal and lobular hyperplasia. Excision of radial scars and papillomas was much more variable, with only 50% recommending routine excision. Results differed by surgical dedication to breast surgery and fellowship training. Management of atypical ductal or lobular hyperplasia found at the margin varied significantly. The lack of a routine tumor board, low breast case volume, and low percentage of breast cases were associated with routine excision in these cases. CONCLUSIONS Breast borderline lesions pose a clinical dilemma, with practice varying greatly among surgeons.

An Oncoplastic Breast Augmentation Technique for Immediate Partial Breast Reconstruction following Breast Conservation

Background: Patients with a small breast volume and a relative large lumpectomy volume are at risk of developing severe breast deformity and asymmetry following breast conservation, presenting a unique surgical challenge. Methods: A series of patients undergoing immediate reconstruction by means of an oncoplastic breast augmentation technique following breast conservation are described. The technique includes local tissue rearrangement and bilateral subpectoral breast augmentation with implants of different sizes and shapes, immediately after lumpectomy for a malignant tumor. Results: Twenty-one consecutive patients underwent the oncoplastic breast augmentation technique (mean follow-up, 23 months; range, 12 to 48 months). Three patients (14.3 percent) had tumor-positive surgical margins. Postoperative complications included grade III/IV capsular contracture in five patients (23.8 percent) and breast infection in two patients (10 percent). All patients received postoperative radiation therapy. The cosmetic outcome was evaluated at least 6 months after radiation therapy, and it was favorable according to the reported high patient satisfaction (81 percent) and independent observers’ evaluation scores (76 percent). Conclusions: The oncoplastic breast augmentation technique described in this article is an acceptable option in small-breasted patients with a relatively large lumpectomy volume who elect to undergo breast conservation. This technique allows conservation of the affected breast and minimizes potential breast deformation and asymmetry following radiation therapy. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Breast cancer and ethnicity: strong association between reproductive risk factors and estrogen receptor status in Asian patients - a retrospective study.

Abstract:  Breast cancer characteristics vary in racial/ethnic groups. Reproductive risk factors have been associated with estrogen receptor positive disease. We examined the association between reproductive risk factors and receptor status in different racial/ethnic groups to determine if some of the variation can be explained by a different reproductive risk profile. A retrospective chart review of all new breast cancer cases presenting to Elmhurst Hospital Center (Elmhurst, NY) between 1997 and 2004 was conducted. Data including patient characteristics and tumor characteristics were obtained. Four hundred ninety‐nine patients were divided into two groups: the first group consisted of patients with estrogen positive disease and the second of those with estrogen negative disease. Association between reproductive risk factors and estrogen receptor status was examined for each racial group. There was a significant variability in patient age, age at menarche, parity, rates of nulliparity, age at first birth, and rates of menopause between the different ethnic groups. We found a strong, statistically significant association between reproductive risk factors and estrogen positive disease in the Asian group, where 96% of breast cancer patients who were either nulliparous or had late onset of first childbirth were found to have estrogen positive disease, whereas only 52% of those without these risk factors were found to be estrogen positive. For black patients the rates were 55% versus 56%, for Hispanic patients 64% versus 61%, and for non‐Hispanic whites 74% versus 81%. In our patient population, differences in breast cancer characteristics could not be ascribed to a different reproductive risk pattern.

Use of the oncoplastic reduction pattern technique following removal of a giant breast lipoma.

We present a case report of a 59-year-old patient with a giant lipoma of the left breast, extending to the left arm. She sought medical consultation because it had become heavy and caused pronounced breast asymmetry. The lesion was excised by means of an oncoplastic technique using the superior-medial pedicle wise-pattern breast reduction approach. We concluded that the use of the oncoplastic reduction pattern technique after removal of a giant breast lipoma is highly rewarding, resulting in a smaller-sized breast that is aesthetically more pleasing, has better symmetry with the contralateral breast, and provides relief from functional mass deficit. This technique minimizes the potential for a breast deformity once the tumor is resected.

Breast Imaging Utilizing Dedicated Gamma Camera and 99mTc-MIBI: Experience at the Tel Aviv Medical Center and Review of the Literature Breast Imaging

The scope of the current article is the clinical role of gamma cameras dedicated for breast imaging and (99m)Tc-MIBI tumor-seeking tracer, as both a screening modality among a healthy population and as a diagnostic modality in patients with breast cancer. Such cameras are now commercially available. The technology utilizing a camera composed of a NaI (Tl) detector is termed breast-specific gamma imaging. The technology of dual-headed camera composed of semiconductor cadmium zinc telluride detectors that directly converts gamma-ray energy into electronic signals is termed molecular breast imaging. Molecular breast imaging system has been installed at the Department of Nuclear medicine at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv in 2009. The article reviews the literature well as our own experience.

Does change in microcalcifications with neoadjuvant treatment correlate with pathological tumour response

AIM To determine whether change in microcalcification density and extent after neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) can predict tumour response. MATERIALS AND METHODS This single-institution, retrospective study included all women with breast cancer who underwent NAT between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2014, and fulfilled the following criteria: mammography before NAT with pathological microcalcifications, mammography performed after NAT, and tumour resection at Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. Correlation was made between mammography features and clinicopathological information. RESULTS Fifty-four patients met the inclusion criteria. Post-NAT, the number of calcifications remained stable in 30 (55.5%) patients, decreased in 23 (42.6%) patients, and increased in one (1.9%) patient. Patients with a decreased number of malignant calcifications post-NAT had higher rates of pathological complete response compared to patients with no change (59% versus 20%, p=0.009). Patients with triple negative and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) receptor subtypes had higher rates of decreased number of calcifications post-NAT (50% versus 35%) and pathological complete response (57% versus 11%, p=0.007) compared to patients with luminal receptor subtype. In addition, patients who received a combination of chemotherapy and biological treatment had more cases of decreased number of calcifications compared to patients who received chemotherapy alone (56% versus 39%). No significant correlation was observed between calcification change post-NAT and calcification morphology or distribution pattern. CONCLUSIONS Patients with breast carcinoma and decreased number of pathological calcifications post-NAT had higher rates of pathological complete response compared to patients with no change in calcifications; however, a substantial number of patients with complete pathological response had no change in microcalcification distribution with treatment, questioning the need to completely excise all calcifications post-NAT.

Do All Women With Abnormal Sonographic Axillary Lymph Nodes Need a Biopsy

Purpose With the increased use of breast ultrasound for different indications, sonographically abnormal axillary lymph nodes are not a rare finding. We examined clinical and imaging characteristics in correlation with pathological reports of the sonographic guided biopsies to assess the yield of needle biopsy of these nodes. Methods Clinical, imaging and pathology data were collected for 171 consecutive patients who underwent sonographic guided needle biopsy of an abnormal lymph node between 2008 and 2013. Malignancy rates were examined for different clinical settings: palpable axillary mass, previous history of breast cancer, findings suggestive of a systemic disease, and those with a breast finding of low suspicion or an incidental abnormal axillary lymph node. Patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer were excluded. Results Twelve patients (7%) were found to have a malignancy on their axillary lymph node biopsy. Malignancy rates increased with age, and varied with clinical presentation: Axillary mass (8, 26%); history of breast cancer (2, 11%); systemic disease (0%) and breast finding of low suspicion or incidental abnormal lymph node on screening (1, 1%). Low rates of malignancy were found when the cortex was <6 mm (1, 0.8%). The most important imaging finding associated with malignancy was lack of a preserved hilum, in which case almost a third (10, 29%) of the biopsies were malignant. Only 1 of 89 women with a breast finding of low suspicion or an incidental abnormal axillary lymph node was found to have malignancy. In this case the lymph node had no hilum. Conclusions In women without breast cancer, a highly suspicious breast mass or an axillary mass, more stringent criteria should be used when evaluating an abnormal axillary lymph node on sonography, as the malignancy rates are very low (1%).