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Barry W Feig

Publications and source records attributed to Barry W Feig.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Predictors of systemic recurrence and disease-specific survival after ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence.

BACKGROUND: In patients with breast carcinoma, ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) after breast-conserving therapy (BCT) is an independent predictor of systemic recurrence and disease-specific survival (DSS). However, only a subgroup of patients with IBTR develop systemic recurrences. Therefore, the management of isolated IBTR remains controversial. The objective of the current study was to identify determinants of systemic recurrence and DSS after IBTR. METHODS: The medical records of 120 women who underwent BCT for Stage 0-III breast carcinoma between 1971 and 1996 and who subsequently developed isolated IBTR were reviewed. Clinicopathologic factors were studied using univariate and multivariate analyses for their association with DSS and the development of systemic recurrence after IBTR. RESULTS: The median time to IBTR was 59 months. At a median follow-up of 80 months after IBTR, 45 patients (37.5%) had a systemic recurrence. Initial lymph node status was the strongest predictor of systemic recurrence according to the a univariate analysis (P = 0.001). Other significant factors included lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in the primary tumor, time to IBTR < or = 48 months, clinical and pathologic IBTR tumor size > 1 cm, LVI in the recurrent tumor, and skin involvement at IBTR. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, initially positive lymph node status (relative risk [RR], 5.3; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.4-20.1; P = 0.015) and skin involvement at IBTR (RR, 15.1; 95% CI, 1.5-153.8; P = 0.022) remained independent predictors of systemic recurrence. The 5-year and 10-year DSS rates after IBTR were 78% and 68%, respectively. In a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model analysis, only LVI in the recurrent tumor was found to be an independent predictor of DSS (RR, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.5-14.1; P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who initially had lymph node-positive disease or skin involvement or LVI at IBTR represented especially high-risk groups that warranted consideration for aggressive, systemic treatment and novel, targeted therapies after IBTR. Determinants of prognosis after IBTR should be taken into account when evaluating the need for further systemic therapy and designing risk-stratified clinical trials.

Adult↗

Clinicopathologic behavior of gastric adenocarcinoma in Hispanic patients: analysis of a single institution's experience over 15 years.

PURPOSE: To determine the clinicopathologic behavior of gastric adenocarcinoma in Hispanics by comparing Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients treated at a single cancer center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical records of patients with invasive gastric cancer treated from 1985 to 1999 were reviewed. Diagnoses were pathologically confirmed. Differences in categorical variables were assessed using the chi(2) test. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analyses. Median survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to assess the impact of covariates. RESULTS: Of 1,897 patients, 301 (15.9%) were Hispanic. Hispanics were significantly younger at diagnosis than non-Hispanic whites (53.1 +/- 14.4 years v 59.4 +/- 12.7 years, respectively; P < .005) or African Americans (57.6 +/- 15.3 years, P < .005). Hispanics were less likely to have proximal gastric cancers compared with whites (38.9% v 59.5%, respectively; P < .005). Hispanics were more likely to have mucinous/signet-ring type histology (42.5%) than whites (27.4%) and African Americans (32.5%; P < .005). Hispanics were more likely to require total gastrectomy (51%) compared with whites (38%), African Americans (38%), and Asians (36%; P = .039). Among patients with metastases at diagnosis, Hispanics were less likely to have liver metastasis than whites (30% v 44%, respectively; P = .009) but more likely to have peritoneal metastasis than whites and African Americans (54% v 41% and 47%, respectively; P = .002). In Cox analyses, Asian race, earlier stage, papillary/tubular histology, distal location, and younger age were favorable predictors of survival. CONCLUSION: Hispanic ethnicity does not impact survival in gastric adenocarcinoma. However, histology, metastasis pattern, tumor localization, and other clinical parameters differ sufficiently to warrant further investigation into the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and molecular biology of gastric cancer in this population.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Clinical outcome of patients with lymph node-negative breast carcinoma who have sentinel lymph node micrometastases detected by immunohistochemistry.

BACKGROUND: The ideal pathologic assessment of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in patients with breast carcinoma remains controversial. The authors evaluated how detailed assessment of SLNs using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and serial sectioning would affect treatment decisions and outcomes in patients with breast carcinoma who had negative SLNs on standard hematoxylin and eosin staining. METHODS: The SLNs from patients who were treated between June 1998 and June, 1999 and who had negative lymph node status determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining (n = 84 patients) were evaluated further with serial sectioning and cytokeratin IHC. Patients were offered adjuvant therapy based on primary tumor factors. RESULTS: The median patient age was 57 years, and the median tumor size was 1.2 cm. At a median follow-up of 40.2 months, 81 patients (96%) were alive with no evidence of disease, 1 patient was alive with disease, 1 patient had died of disease, and 1 patient had died of other causes. Fifteen patients (18%) had micrometastases identified on IHC. Of the total 84 patients, information regarding adjuvant therapy was not available for 5 patients. Of the remaining 79 patients, 10 patients (13%) were not offered adjuvant chemotherapy but had positive SLN status determined by IHC. SLN status based on IHC evaluation did not correlate with age (P = 0.077), tumor size (P = 0.717), grade (P = 0.148), estrogen receptor status (P = 1.000), or lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.274). Furthermore, IHC-detected positive SLN status did not correlate with distant metastasis (P = 0.372) or overall or distant metastasis-free survival (P = 0.543 and P = 0.540, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Although the finding of SLN micrometastases by IHC may change management in > 12% of patients, preliminary results suggested that such micrometastases do not affect outcomes significantly.

Adult↗

Lower and central tumor location correlates with lymphoscintigraphy drainage to the internal mammary lymph nodes in breast carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Radiation to the internal mammary chain (IMC) may be indicated for breast carcinoma patients with positive axillary sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) and lymphoscintigraphic evidence of drainage to the IMC. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of IMC drainage in patients with positive axillary SLNs. METHODS: The records of 297 breast carcinoma patients with positive axillary SLNs and preoperative lymphoscintigraphy were reviewed between 1995 and 2002. Radiolabeled colloid was injected peritumorally with lymphoscintigraphy performed 30-60 minutes later. Drainage to the regional nodes of 279 patients was seen on lymphoscintigraphy. Associations among patient and tumor-related factors and drainage to the IMC were examined. RESULTS: Drainage to the IMC on lymphoscintigraphy was seen in 63 patients (21%). IMC drainage only occurred in 4 patients, and 59 patients had both axillary and IMC drainage. The only variable that correlated with IMC drainage was tumor location (P = 0.017). Rates of drainage to the IMC were 14.1% for upper outer quadrant (n = 128), 16.7% for upper inner quadrant (n = 30), 31.6% for lower outer quadrant (n = 19), 42.9% for lower inner quadrant (n = 14), and 28.4% for central tumors (n = 88). IMC drainage rates differed significantly between upper and lower tumors (lower 36.4% vs. central 28.4% vs. upper 14.6%, P = 0.003) but not between medial and lateral tumors (medial 25.0% vs. central 28.4% vs. lateral 16.3%, P = 0.077). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with tumors in the lower or central breast and positive axillary SLNs have increased incidence of drainage to the IMC. Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy can help to define the nodal basins at risk for harboring disease.

Adult↗

Paget's disease of the breast: there is a role for breast-conserving therapy.

BACKGROUND: The optimal surgical management of Paget's disease of the breast remains to be defined. Mastectomy has been the standard of care, but several institutions have recently advocated breast-conserving surgery, particularly for patients with minimal disease. In an effort to develop rational treatment guidelines, we examined our institutional experience with Paget's disease of the breast. METHODS: Patients with Paget's disease of the breast who had surgical therapy at our institution between 1949 and 1993 were reviewed. In addition to patient and tumor characteristics, charts were reviewed for treatment modalities, locoregional recurrence patterns, and survival. Subgroups were compared for differences in survival in both univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: A total of 104 patients met the study criteria. The most common presenting symptoms were nipple discharge and eczematous changes of the nipple/areola complex. Ninety-seven patients (93.2%) had an underlying invasive or noninvasive cancer associated with Paget's disease. Ninety-two patients (88.5%) underwent mastectomy, and 12 (11.5%) had a breast-conserving procedure. On univariate analysis, patients with age <60 years at diagnosis, stage II disease, positive lymph nodes, invasive disease, or a palpable mass had significantly lower 10-year disease-specific and recurrence-free survival. There were four locoregional recurrences (three after mastectomy and one after breast conservation). There were no significant differences in overall, disease-specific, or recurrence-free survival according to the type of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Paget's disease of the breast is almost always associated with an underlying breast cancer. Breast-conserving approaches result in local control and survival rates similar to those achieved with mastectomy.

Adult↗

Breast conservation after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The appropriate selection criteria for breast-conserving therapy (BCT) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy are poorly defined. The purpose of the current report was to develop a prognostic index to help refine selection criteria and to serve as a general framework for clinical decision-making for patients treated by this multimodality approach. METHODS: From a group of 340 patients treated with BCT after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the authors previously determined 4 statistically significant predictors of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) and locoregional recurrence (LRR): clinical N2 or N3 disease, residual pathologic tumor size > than 2 cm, a multifocal pattern of residual disease, and lymphovascular space invasion in the specimen. The M. D. Anderson Prognostic Index (MDAPI) was developed by assigning scores of 0 (favorable) or 1 (unfavorable) for each of these 4 variables and using the total to give an overall MDAPI score of 0-4. RESULTS: The MDAPI stratified the 340 patients into 3 subsets with statistically different levels of risk for IBTR and LRR after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and BCT. Actuarial 5-year IBTR-free survival rates were 97%, 88%, and 82% for patients in the low (MDAPI overall score 0 or 1, n=276), intermediate (MDAPI score 2, n=43), and high (MDAPI score 3 or 4, n=12) risk groups, respectively (P<0.001). Corresponding actuarial 5-year LRR-free survival rates were 94%, 83%, and 58%, respectively (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with an MDAPI score of 0 or 1, which made up 81% of the study population, had very low rates of IBTR and LRR. The MDAPI enabled the identification of a small group (4%) of patients who are at high risk for IBTR and LRR and who may benefit from alternative locoregional treatment strategies.

Adult↗

Imatinib resistance in gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Conventional chemotherapeutic drugs are ineffective in treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Imatinib (STI571, Gleevec, Glivec; Novartis Pharmaceuticals, East Hanover, NJ), a selective inhibitor of KIT, ABL, BCR-ABL, PDGFRA, and PDGFRB, represents a new paradigm of targeted cancer therapy and has revolutionized the treatment of patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia and GISTs. Unfortunately, imatinib resistance has emerged. The reported mechanism of imatinib resistance in GISTs involves missense mutation in the kinase domain of KIT, including Thr670Ile, Tyr823Asp, and Val654Ala. The established mechanisms and potential mechanisms of imatinib resistance in GISTs, the imaging studies indicative of early development of imatinib resistance, and the management of imatinib-resistant GISTs are discussed.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Predictors of invasive breast cancer in patients with an initial diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ: a guide to selective use of sentinel lymph node biopsy in management of ductal carcinoma in situ.

BACKGROUND: The role of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with an initial diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) has not been well defined. The purpose of our study was to determine when the risk of finding invasive disease on final pathology in patients with an initial diagnosis of DCIS was sufficiently high to justify use of SLNB. STUDY DESIGN: The records of 398 consecutive patients from our prospective database with an initial diagnosis of DCIS, treated between July 1999 and December 2002, were analyzed. Associations between clinical and pathologic factors and patient selection for SLNB and outcomes were analyzed for significance using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Of the 398 patients, 80 (20%) were found to have invasive disease on final pathology. Multivariate analysis revealed 4 independent predictors of invasive cancer on final pathology: 55 years of age or younger (odds ratio [OR], 2.19; p = 0.024), diagnosis by core-needle biopsy (OR, 3.76; p = 0.006), mammographic DCIS size of at least 4 cm (OR, 2.92; p = 0.001), and high-grade DCIS (OR, 3.06; p = 0.002). A total of 141 patients (35%) underwent SLNB as a component of their initial operation. Multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of comedonecrosis (OR, 2.69; p = 0.007) and larger mammographic DCIS size (OR, 1.18; p = 0.0002) were independent predictors of patients' undergoing SLNB. Of these 141 patients, 103 (73%) were diagnosed by core-needle biopsy, 42 (30%) had invasive disease on final pathology, and 14 (10%) had a positive sentinel lymph node: 12 (86%) by hematoxylin and eosin staining and 2 by immunohistochemistry. The only independent predictor of a positive SLN was the presence of a palpable tumor (OR, 4.28, p = 0.042). Of these 14 patients with a positive sentinel node, only 11 (79%) had invasive cancer on final pathology. CONCLUSIONS: SLNB should not be performed routinely for all patients with an initial diagnosis of DCIS. Risks and benefits of SLNB should be discussed with patients who are younger, are diagnosed by core-needle biopsy, or have large or high-grade DCIS.

Adult↗

Lymphatic drainage patterns on early versus delayed breast lymphoscintigraphy performed after injection of filtered Tc-99m sulfur colloid in breast cancer patients undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy.

The axillary lymph node status is the most important predictor of prognosis and aids in breast cancer treatment planning. Patients with breast cancer now frequently undergo sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy rather than axillary lymph node dissection to determine the status of the regional lymph nodes. However, the optimal timing of radionuclide injection relative to the timing of SLN biopsy remains controversial. The objective of this study was to compare the lymphatic drainage patterns on lymphoscintigraphy performed at 15 minutes to 4 hours and at 18 to 24 hours after injection of filtered Tc-99m sulfur colloid, and to determine whether, over time, radiocolloid migrates to second-echelon nodes that are not the SLNs. Fifteen women with breast cancer (mean age, 55 years; range, 38-78 years) were scheduled to undergo SLN biopsy after each received an injection of 18.5 MBq (0.5 mCi) filtered Tc-99m sulfur colloid into the breast parenchyma surrounding the tumor or biopsy cavity. Both early (15 minutes to 4 hours after radionuclide injection) and delayed (18-24 hours after radionuclide injection) lymphoscintigraphy was performed in each patient. SLN biopsy was performed, followed by completion axillary lymph node dissection and planned breast surgery. In each patient the patterns of distribution of the radionuclide in the lymph nodes were the same on early and delayed lymphoscintigrams. These findings, that the distributions of radionuclide in lymph nodes are identical on early and delayed images obtained after injection of filtered Tc-99m sulfur colloid, suggest that performing SLN biopsy on the day after injection does not diminish the accuracy of the technique in predicting the potential site of metastasis in the regional lymph nodes in patients undergoing this procedure for breast cancer.

Adult↗

Long-term results using local excision after preoperative chemoradiation among selected T3 rectal cancer patients.

PURPOSE: To assess the pelvic failure among patients with T3 rectal cancer treated with local excision after preoperative chemoradiation. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between January 1990 and June 2002, 431 patients with clinically staged T3 rectal cancer were treated with preoperative chemoradiation followed by surgical resection. Full-thickness local excision [Kraske (n = 3) or a transanal excision (n = 23)] was performed in 26 patients because of patient refusal of abdominoperineal resection (APR) (n = 13), medical comorbidity (n = 4), physician preference after a complete clinical response (n = 6), and other reasons (n = 3). All patients were treated with continuous-infusion 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (300 mg/m(2) Monday to Friday) and concomitant pelvic radiation (45 Gy in 25 fractions with a 3-field belly board technique). Ten local-excision patients received a concomitant boost during the last week of therapy (1.5-Gy second daily fractions) for a total dose of 52.5 Gy. Similar preoperative treatment was followed by total mesorectal excision in 405 patients. Among the local-excision patients, the median tumor size was 3.5 cm (range, 0.5-7 cm). Well-differentiated or moderately-differentiated histology was present in all but 3 cases, and endoscopic ultrasound staging examination was performed in 25 of 26 patients. Based on CT findings, 1 patient was node positive. The median circumference involved by tumor was 33%, (20%-75%). The median distance from the anal verge was 3 cm (range, 1-8 cm). RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 46 months (range, 5-109 months) in the local-excision group. In the local-excision group, 19 of 26 patients had only residual scarring noted on digital rectal examination and rigid proctoscopy before surgery. Fourteen patients (54%) had a complete histologic response to chemoradiation, 9 patients (35%) had microscopic residual disease, and 3 patients (12%) had gross residual disease. Two intrapelvic recurrences occurred at 76 and 20 months among the 26 patients treated with local excision (6% 5-year actuarial pelvic recurrence rate). This rate compared with an 8% 5-year actuarial pelvic recurrence rate among T3 patients treated with mesorectal excision and a 6% pelvic recurrence rate in the subgroup of mesorectal-excision patients with a complete clinical response to preoperative chemoradiation. One additional local-excision patient recurred in an inguinal lymph node after local excision and subsequently died of metastatic disease. A total of 2 local-excision patients died of metastatic rectal cancer. Actuarial overall survival at 5 years was 86% in the local-excision group compared with 81% among mesorectal-excision patients (p = NS), and 85% in patients with a complete clinical response to chemoradiation followed by mesorectal excision by APR or LAR (p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: In an experience stimulated by patient refusal of APR, highly selected patients who responded well to conventional external-beam radiotherapy (CXRT) were selected to undergo local excision. Most of these patients had pathologic complete response. Local control and survival rates are comparable to those achieved with chemoradiation followed by mesorectal excision. This strategy should be prospectively studied in a group of patients with low rectal cancer who have no clinical evidence of tumor after chemoradiation.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy. Predictors of significant histologic findings.

BACKGROUND: Women with unilateral breast carcinoma are at increased risk for developing contralateral breast carcinoma (CBC). The authors sought to identify predictors of malignant or moderate to high-risk histologic findings in contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) specimens, and to determine the efficacy of CPM. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective review of 239 patients with unilateral early-stage breast carcinoma who underwent CPM. The number of CBCs expected if the contralateral breast had been left intact was calculated based on CBC rates observed in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database and on life-table analysis by family history. RESULTS: In the current study, 11 patients (4.6%) had occult contralateral malignancies (4 invasive carcinomas and 7 ductal carcinomas in situ) and 44 (18.4%) patients had moderate to high-risk pathology (8 lobular carcinoma in situ, 11 atypical lobular hyperplasia, 25 atypical ductal hyperplasia). At 1846 patient-years of follow-up, only 1 patient (0.4%) developed a new CBC compared with 11 expected cancers based on SEER data. One CBC was observed among 140 patients with a family history of breast carcinoma, compared with 16 expected cancers based on life-table analysis adjusted for adjuvant therapy. The determinants of significant findings at CPM were invasive lobular histology, estrogen and progesterone receptor positivity, additional ipsilateral moderate to high-risk pathology, and age > 40 years at cancer diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: CPM was associated with a low risk of subsequent development of breast carcinoma. Evaluation of histologic findings in the ipsilateral breast may help to predict the likelihood of significant disease in the contralateral breast and assist in risk stratification.

Adult↗

The effect of ethnicity on immediate reconstruction rates after mastectomy for breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Multiple factors may influence whether patients undergo immediate breast reconstruction along with mastectomy for breast cancer. The authors investigated whether ethnicity was an independent predictor of immediate breast reconstruction. METHODS: The authors identified 1004 patients who underwent mastectomy for breast cancer during the period 2001-2002. The rates of immediate reconstruction among different ethnicities were evaluated using the chi-square test. Logistic regression was used to adjust for covariates, including age and disease stage. Medical records were analyzed to identify factors that influenced each patient's decision for or against immediate breast reconstruction. RESULTS: Three hundred seventy-six women (37.5%) underwent immediate breast reconstruction: This included 20.2% of African-American women, compared with 40.0% of white women, 42.0% of Hispanic women, 42.2% of Asian women, and 10.0% of Middle Eastern women (P < 0.001). The unadjusted odds ratio (OR) for immediate reconstruction for African-Americans versus whites was 0.38 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.23-0.63; P < 0.001). After multivariate analysis, this disparity persisted, with an adjusted OR of 0.34 (95% CI, 0.18-0.62; P = 0.001). Asian women had lower rates of immediate reconstruction compared with white women (adjusted OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.24-1.04; P = 0.06). Hispanic women did not have immediate reconstruction rates that differed significantly from white women. Middle Eastern women had lower rates of immediate reconstruction compared with white women (adjusted OR, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.02-0.38; P = 0.002), but they had a corresponding increase in the rate of delayed reconstruction. In a stepwise analysis of the decision pathway to immediate reconstruction, it was found that African-American women were less likely to be offered referrals for reconstruction, were less likely to accept offered referrals, were less likely to be offered reconstruction, and were less likely to elect reconstruction if it was offered. CONCLUSIONS: African-American women underwent immediate breast reconstruction at significantly lower rates compared with white women, Hispanic women, and Asian women. After adjusting for covariates, including age and disease stage, African-American women and Asian women had lower rates of reconstruction compared with white women. The factors that contribute to these differences warrant further study.

Black or African American↗

A missense mutation in KIT kinase domain 1 correlates with imatinib resistance in gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

KIT gain of function mutations play an important role in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Imatinib is a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor of ABL, platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), and KIT and represents a new paradigm of targeted therapy against GISTs. Here we report for the first time that, after imatinib treatment, an additional specific and novel KIT mutation occurs in GISTs as they develop resistance to the drug. We studied 12 GIST patients with initial near-complete response to imatinib. Seven harbored mutations in KIT exon 11, and 5 harbored mutations in exon 9. Within 31 months, six imatinib-resistant rapidly progressive peritoneal implants (metastatic foci) developed in five patients. Quiescent residual GISTs persisted in seven patients. All six rapidly progressive imatinib-resistant implants from five patients show an identical novel KIT missense mutation, 1982T-->C, that resulted in Val654Ala in KIT tyrosine kinase domain 1. This novel mutation has never been reported before, is not present in pre-imatinib or post-imatinib residual quiescent GISTs, and is strongly correlated with imatinib resistance. Allelic-specific sequencing data show that this new mutation occurs in the allele that harbors original activation mutation of KIT.

Alleles↗

Phase I trial of preoperative doxorubicin-based concurrent chemoradiation and surgical resection for localized extremity and body wall soft tissue sarcomas.

PURPOSE: The primary objective of this phase I trial was to define the maximum-tolerated dose of continuous-infusion doxorubicin administered with standard preoperative radiation for patients with localized, potentially resectable soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities or body wall. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with radiographically resectable intermediate- or high-grade soft tissue sarcomas were treated. Preoperative external-beam radiation was administered in 25 2-Gy fractions (total dose, 50 Gy). Concurrent continuous-infusion doxorubicin was administered by an initial bolus (4 mg/m(2)) and subsequent 4-day continuous infusion (12.5, 15.0, 17.5, or 20.0 mg/m(2)/wk). Radiographic restaging was performed 4 to 7 weeks after chemoradiation, and patients with localized disease underwent surgical resection. RESULTS: Chemoradiation was completed as an outpatient procedure in 25 patients (93%). The maximum-tolerated dose of continuous-infusion doxorubicin combined with standard preoperative radiation was 17.5 mg/m(2)/wk; at this dose level, seven (30%) of 23 patients had grade 3 dermatologic toxicity. Macroscopically complete resection (R0 or R1) was performed in all 26 patients who underwent surgery. Among 22 patients who were treated with doxorubicin 17.5/mg/m(2)/wk with concurrent radiation and subsequent surgery, 11 patients (50%) had 90% or greater tumor necrosis, including two patients who had complete pathologic responses. CONCLUSION: Preoperative doxorubicin-based chemoradiation appears safe and feasible. The maximum-tolerated dose of continuous-infusion doxorubicin with standard preoperative radiation was 17.5 mg/m(2)/wk. Pathologic response rates with this regimen are encouraging.

Adolescent↗

Feasibility of breast-conserving surgery for patients with breast carcinoma associated with nipple discharge.

BACKGROUND: Few studies in the literature address the surgical management of patients with breast carcinoma who present with associated nipple discharge. The purpose of the current study was to determine the feasibility of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) for these patients. METHODS: The medical records of patients who presented with pathologic nipple discharge and underwent diagnostic or curative surgery between January 1990 and December 2002 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 188 patients presented with nipple discharge during the study period. Of those, 47 had breast carcinoma. One patient had metachronous bilateral nipple discharge associated with malignant disease. Therefore, medical records associated with a total of 48 cases were reviewed. The median patient age was 52 years (range, 29-87 years), and the median follow-up duration was 45 months (range, 6-109 months). Twenty-nine patients had ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), 14 had Stage I disease, 3 had Stage II disease, and 2 had Stage III disease. Twenty-four patients were ultimately treated with mastectomy. For 16 of these patients, mastectomy was required because extensive disease was found in reexcisional segmental mastectomy specimens. Among patients with Stage 0 or I disease, the incidence of occult nipple-areola complex (NAC) involvement was 16% (3 of 19 patients). Twenty-four patients were ultimately treated with BCS with (n = 13) or without (n = 11) adjuvant radiotherapy. Local disease recurrence was noted at 14, 28, and 40 months, respectively, in 3 patients who declined adjuvant radiotherapy after BCS for DCIS. Among patients treated with BCS, comedonecrosis, multifocality, and the absence of adjuvant radiotherapy were associated with decreased local recurrence-free survival (P = 0.0005, P = 0.045, and P = 0.013, respectively). However, disease-free survival (mean +/- standard error) was similar for patients who underwent mastectomy and patients who underwent BCS (90 +/- 6 months; 95% confidence interval [CI], 78-101 months vs. 82 +/- 6 months; 95% CI, 69-94 months; P = 0.528). One patient with Stage I disease died of distant metastases at 99 months. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with breast carcinoma accompanied by nipple discharge presented primarily with early-stage breast carcinoma associated with DCIS. Occult NAC involvement was not an uncommon finding in patients with early-stage breast carcinoma. Nonetheless, BCS can be performed safely if negative margins are achieved and if appropriate adjuvant radiotherapy or systemic therapy is administered.

Adult↗

Breast conservation after neoadjuvant chemotherapy: the MD Anderson cancer center experience.

PURPOSE: To determine patterns of local-regional recurrence (LRR) and ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) among patients treated with breast conservation therapy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1987 and 2000, 340 cases of breast cancer were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by conservative surgery and radiation therapy. Clinical stage at diagnosis (according to the 2003 American Joint Committee on Cancer system) was I in 4%, II in 58%, and III in 38% of patients. Only 4% had positive surgical margins. RESULTS: At a median follow-up period of 60 months (range, 10 to 180 months), 29 patients had developed LRR, 16 of which were IBTRs. Five-year actuarial rates of IBTR-free and LRR-free survival were 95% and 91%, respectively. Variables that positively correlated with IBTR and LRR were clinical N2 or N3 disease, pathologic residual tumor larger than 2 cm, a multifocal pattern of residual disease, and lymphovascular space invasion in the specimen. The presence of any one of these factors was associated with 5-year actuarial IBTR-free and LRR-free survival rates of 87% to 91% and 77% to 84%, respectively. Initial T category (T1-2 v T3-4) correlated with LRR but did not correlate with IBTR (5-year IBTR-free rates of 96% v 92%, respectively, P =.19). CONCLUSION: Breast conservation therapy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy results in acceptably low rates of LRR and IBTR in appropriately selected patients, even those with T3 or T4 disease. Advanced nodal involvement at diagnosis, residual tumor larger than 2 cm, multifocal residual disease, and lymphovascular space invasion predict higher rates of LRR and IBTR.

Adult↗

A prospective evaluation of radiocolloid and immunohistochemical staining in colon carcinoma lymphatic mapping.

BACKGROUND: Although the utility of lymphatic mapping (LM) and sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in patients with melanoma and breast carcinoma has been well documented, this same is not true for patients with colon carcinoma. The authors previously reported a high false-negative rate for SLN biopsy in patients with colon carcinoma using isosulfan blue dye alone. The objective of the current study was to determine whether radiocolloid would increase the sensitivity of LM/SLN biopsy in patients with colon carcinoma. METHODS: The authors performed LM on 57 patients with colon carcinoma using both isosulfan blue dye and radiocolloid. The SLN(s) were identified by either their blue color or by increased radioactivity. The SLNs then underwent both routine histologic sectioning and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for cytokeratins. RESULTS: An SLN was identified in 56 patients (98%). Radiocolloid was able to identify only 1 additional positive SLN (9%). Overall, it was found that the disease had metastasized to the lymph nodes in 22 patients, even though there was no evidence of disease in the SLN(s) in 11 of those 22 patients on routine histologic sectioning (false-negative rate, 50%; sensitivity, 50%). In five patients, IHC of the SLN was the only indicator of metastatic disease. The inclusion of IHC-positive SLNs in these calculations would decrease the false-negative rate to 17% and would increase the sensitivity of SLN biopsy to 83%. CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, the addition of radiocolloid did not increase the sensitivity of detection of positive SLN(s) compared with the use of isosulfan blue dye alone. IHC of the SLN potentially may increase the sensitivity of LM and reduce the false-negative rate. However, the long-term prognostic significance of IHC in patients with colon carcinoma remains controversial.

Adult↗