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Biomedical subjects

C E Cox

Publications and source records attributed to C E Cox.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Pregnancy-associated hospitalizations in the United States in 1991 and 1992: a comprehensive view of maternal morbidity.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to update the national estimate of severe pregnancy complications and describe associated maternal characteristics of hospitalizations during pregnancy, applying an expanded definition of maternal morbidity. STUDY DESIGN: From 1991 and 1992 National Hospital Discharge Survey data, we estimated ratios of hospitalizations per 100 deliveries and compared relative ratios by maternal characteristics. We computed standard errors with the SUDAAN program and estimated 95% confidence intervals for relative ratios. RESULTS: The likelihood of hospitalization for pregnancy complications appeared to decline between the period 1986 and 1987 and the period 1991 and 1992, although primarily for pregnancy loss hospitalizations. In 1991 and 1992 there were 18.0 total pregnancy-associated hospitalizations/100 births (17.2 for whites, 28.1 for blacks). Component ratios were 12.3 for obstetric hospitalizations, 4.4 for pregnancy loss hospitalizations, and 1.4 for nonobstetric hospitalizations; all ratios were higher for blacks than for whites. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal hospitalization remains a substantial component of prenatal care. Because of underreporting and changes in medical practice, recent declines in maternal hospitalization may not represent true reductions in maternal morbidity.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

A controlled trial of levofloxacin and lomefloxacin in the treatment of complicated urinary tract infection.

OBJECTIVES: The efficacy and safety of levofloxacin and lomefloxacin in complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) were compared in a randomized, open-label, multicenter study. METHODS: Outpatients were randomized to receive levofloxacin (250 mg once daily) for 7 to 10 days or lomefloxacin (400 mg once daily) for 14 days. Three hundred thirty-six patients (171 with levofloxacin, 165 with lomefloxacin) were evaluable for microbiologic efficacy, and 461 patients (232 with levofloxacin, 229 with lomefloxacin) for safety. RESULTS: The overall microbiologic eradication rate of pathogens was 95.5% (168 of 176) for levofloxacin and 91.7% (154 of 168) for lomefloxacin. Eradication rates with respect to patients were 95.3% (163 of 171) and 92.1% (152 of 165) for levofloxacin and lomefloxacin, respectively. At the 5 to 9-day post-therapy visit, symptoms were completely resolved in 84.8% of levofloxacin-treated patients and were decreased in 8.2% (93.0% clinical success). Among the lomefloxacin-treated patients, complete resolution was seen in 82.4%, with decreased symptoms in 6.1% (88.5% clinical success). Drug-related adverse events (AEs) were reported by 10 (2.6%) and 18 (5.2%) levofloxacin- and lomefloxacin-treated patients, respectively. Compared with levofloxacin-treated patients, more lomefloxacin-treated patients experienced photosensitivity reactions (3 [1.3%] versus 0) and dizziness (2 [0.9%] versus 0). Nausea (3 [1.3%] versus 1 [0.4%]) was more frequent in the levofloxacin-treated group. Six patients in each treatment group had a gastrointestinal AE (1.7%); rash was reported more frequently with lomefloxacin (4 patients [0.4%]) than with levofloxacin (1 patient [0.4%]). Discontinuation because of AEs was observed in 8 (3.4%) levofloxacin- and 14 (6.1%) lomefloxacin-treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Once-daily levofloxacin is as effective as and has a superior tolerability profile than lomefloxacin in the treatment of complicated UTIs.

Adult↗

Single-dose oral ciprofloxacin versus placebo for prophylaxis during transrectal prostate biopsy.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether antimicrobial prophylaxis could prevent infections after transrectal needle biopsy of the prostate using automated biopsy devices. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial in which a total of 537 patients received either oral ciprofloxacin 500 mg or placebo before transrectal needle biopsy of the prostate. Repeated urine cultures and urinalysis were obtained at 2 to 6 days after biopsy and 9 to 15 days after biopsy. The primary determinant of efficacy was bacteriologic response (bacteriuria [more than 10(4) colony-forming units (CFU)/mL] versus no bacteriuria) at the 9- to 15-day follow-up evaluation. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-seven (84%) of 269 ciprofloxacin patients and 230 (86%) of 268 placebo patients were valid for efficacy analysis in which a mean of four biopsies was performed. Six ciprofloxacin-treated (3%) and 19 placebo-treated (8%) patients had bacteriuria (more than 10(4) CFU/mL) after the procedure (P = 0.009). Six ciprofloxacin recipients (3%) and 12 placebo recipients (5%) had clinical signs and symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) (P = 0.15). In addition, no ciprofloxacin-treated patients compared with 4 placebo-treated patients (2%) were admitted to the hospital for febrile UTI after the procedure. Ciprofloxacin reduced the expected net costs of treating infectious complications after biopsy by $23 per patient for an overall annual savings of $68,195 in the five study groups when compared with placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Single-dose oral ciprofloxacin reduced bacteriuria after biopsy compared with placebo in patients undergoing transrectal prostatic biopsy and provided an economic advantage. In addition, this study establishes the actual rate of bacteriuria after transrectal needle biopsy of the prostate without antibiotic prophylaxis to be 8% with a clinical rate of UTI of 5% and a hospitalization rate of 2%.

Administration, Oral↗

Guidelines for sentinel node biopsy and lymphatic mapping of patients with breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To define preliminary guidelines for the use of lymphatic mapping techniques in patients with breast cancer. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Lymphatic mapping techniques have the potential of changing the standard of surgical care of patients with breast cancer. METHODS: Four hundred sixty-six consecutive patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer underwent a prospective trial of intraoperative lymphatic mapping using a combination of vital blue dye and filtered technetium-labeled sulfur colloid. A sentinel lymph node (SLN) was defined as a blue node and/or a hot node with a 10:1 ex vivo gamma probe ratio of SLN to non-SLN. All SLNs were bivalved, step-sectioned, and examined with routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stains and immunohistochemical stains for cytokeratin. A cytokeratin-positive SLN was defined as any SLN with a defined cluster of positive-staining cells that could be confirmed histologically on H&E sections. RESULTS: Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) or stereotactic core biopsy was used to diagnose 195 of the 422 patients (46.2%) with breast cancer; 227 of 422 patients (53.8%) were diagnosed by excisional biopsy. The SLN was successfully identified in 440 of 466 patients (94.4%). Failure to identify an SLN to the axilla intraoperatively occurred in 26 of 466 patients (5.6%). In all patients who failed lymphatic mappings, a complete axillary dissection was performed, and metastatic disease was documented in 4 of 26 (15.4%) of these patients. Of the 26 patients who failed lymphatic mapping, 11 of 227 (4.8%) were diagnosed by excisional biopsy and 15 of 195 (7.7%) were diagnosed by FNA or stereotactic core biopsy. Of interest, there was only one skip metastasis (defined as a negative SLN with higher nodes in the chain being positive) in a patient with prior excisional biopsy. A mean of 1.92 SLNs were harvested per patient. Twenty percent of the SLNs removed were positive for metastatic disease in 105 of 440 (23.8%) of the patients. Descriptive information on 844 SLNs was evaluated: 339 of 844 (40.2%) were hot, 272 of 844 (32.2%) were blue, and 233 of 844 (27.6%) were both hot and blue. At least one positive SLN was found in 4 of 87 patients (4.6%) with noninvasive (ductal carcinoma in situ) tumors. A greater incidence of positive SLNs was found in patients who had invasive tumors of increasing size: 18 of 112 patients (16%) with tumor size between 0.1 mm and 1 cm had positive SLNs. However, a significantly greater percentage of patients (43 of 131 [32.8%] with tumor size between 1 and 2 cm and 31 of 76 [40.8%] with tumor size between 2 and 5 cm) had positive SLNs. The highest incidence of positive SLNs was seen with patients of tumor size greater than 5 cm; in this group, 9 of 12 (75%) had a positive SLN (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that accurate SLN identification was obtained when all blue and hot lymph nodes were harvested as SLNs. Therefore, lymphatic mapping and SLN biopsy is most effective when a combination of vital blue dye and radiolabeled sulfur colloid is used. Furthermore, these data demonstrate that patients with ductal carcinoma in situ or small tumors exhibit a low but significant incidence of metastatic disease to the axillary lymph nodes and may benefit most from selective lymphadenectomy, avoiding the unnecessary complications of a complete axillary lymph node dissection.

Biopsy↗

Fournier's gangrene: therapeutic impact of hyperbaric oxygen.

Many controversial issues exist surrounding the disease pathogenesis and optimal management of Fournier's gangrene. In Fournier's original descriptions, the disease arose in healthy subjects without an obvious cause. Most contemporary studies, however, are able to identify definite urologic or colorectal etiologies in a majority of cases. To investigate disease presentation, treatment modalities, and overall mortality, a retrospective analysis of Fournier's gangrene from a single institution is presented. Since 1990, 26 cases of Fournier's gangrene have been diagnosed at the University of Tennessee. An evaluation of intercurrent disease revealed that 38 percent of the patients had diabetes mellitus, 35 percent manifested ethanol abuse, and 12 percent were systemically immunosuppressed. Fifteen patients (58 percent) presented with identifiable etiologies for their disease: 31 percent (8) urethral disease or trauma, 19 percent (5) colorectal disease, and 8 percent (2) penile prostheses. Management in all cases involved prompt surgical debridement with initiation of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Multiple debridements, orchiectomy, urinary diversion, and fecal diversion were performed as clinically indicated. Fourteen patients received hyperbaric oxygen as adjuvant therapy. Statistically significant results were noted with mortality rates of 7 percent in the group receiving hyperbaric oxygen (n = 14) versus 42 percent in the group not receiving hyperbaric oxygen (n = 12). Overall mortality was 23 percent. Controversy still surrounds disease pathogenesis in Fournier's gangrene, particularly in regard to etiology. Our study corroborates current trends in that a clear focus or origin was identified in a majority of the cases. Although a grim prognosis usually accompanies the diagnosis, this study shows significant improvement combining traditional surgical and antibiotic regimens with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Adult↗

Local recurrence of breast cancer after cytological evaluation of lumpectomy margins.

Successful breast conservation therapy with optimal cosmesis requires adequate tumor excision and negative tumor margins. Therefore, more sensitive techniques are being developed to identify lumpectomy margins intraoperatively with greater accuracy. Unidentified microscopic disease is seemingly responsible for a local recurrence rate of up to 25 per cent 3 to 5 years after lumpectomy and radiotherapy for breast cancer patients. As a result, Moffitt Cancer Center has routinely used an intraoperative touch preparation cytology (TPC) protocol to evaluate the entire resected surface of all lumpectomies. In addition, resection margins were also evaluated by gross examination and by standard histology. In rare instances frozen sections were used to evaluate tumor margins. In this study 701 consecutive lumpectomy specimens were evaluated by TPC during the period of 9 years with a mean follow-up of 3.5 years. Local cancer recurrence was 2.7 per cent (mean recurrence, 2.53 years), in women whose lumpectomy margins were evaluated by TPC. Of interest, a local recurrence rate of 14.6 per cent was observed in patients who had referral lumpectomies evaluated by conventional histopathology. This study suggests that accurate margin assessment with TPC plays an important role in the control of local recurrence after breast conservation therapy. Therefore, we conclude the routine use of intraoperative TPC provides rapid, reliable, topographically accurate identification of residual microscopic disease at lumpectomy margins.

Biopsy↗

Lymphatic mapping in the treatment of breast cancer.

Developed initially for the treatment of malignant melanoma, lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy have recently been introduced into the treatment of early breast cancer. In breast cancer patients, harvested sentinel lymph nodes are evaluated more thoroughly by detailed pathologic examination using serial sectioning, immunohistochemistry, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) techniques. This allows for the detection of smaller tumor volumes and leads to more accurate staging. Lymphatic mapping has a 68% to 98% success rate in identifying the sentinel lymph node. The false-negative rate (defined as a negative sentinel lymph node while a higher node or nodes in the axilla are positive) is between 0% and 2%. The morbidity associated with this procedure is minimal. We believe that lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy will ultimately lead to more conservative treatment of patients with breast cancer. This article describes the historical background and technical aspects of the procedure. This is followed by updated, prospectively collected outcomes data from 466 consecutive breast cancer patients who underwent lymphatic mapping at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, as well as an up-to-date review of the literature.

Biopsy↗

Cytologic evaluation of lumpectomy margins in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ: clinical outcome.

BACKGROUND: Breast conservation therapy is controversial for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) due to recently reported high recurrence rates. We believe that cytologic evaluation of lumpectomy margins improves efficiency and leads to a lower recurrence rate following lumpectomy for DCIS. METHODS: A prospectively accrued database of 1255 breast cancer patients at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute was found to have 218 patients with DCIS (17.4%). Of those 218 cases, 114 were treated with lumpectomy, axillary dissection, and radiation therapy; the remaining 104 patients were treated with mastectomy with or without reconstruction. Imprint cytology was used to evaluate all lumpectomy margins. Permanent sections and imprint cytology were reviewed by the same pathologist. RESULTS: All lumpectomy specimens (116 tumors in 114 patients) were evaluated. The median follow up was 57.5 months (range 2-110 months). One hundred and three patients with 104 tumors were selected on the basis of pure DCIS (with or without microinvasion), and treated with lumpectomy, axillary dissection and radiation therapy. Of the 104 tumors utilizing attempted breast conservation therapy, 7 (6.6%) required mastectomy. There were 6 recurrences (6.1%) with a median time for recurrence of 47.5 months (range 27-85 months); four recurrences were comedo and two were noncomedo at original diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The determination of lumpectomy margins in DCIS patients using imprint cytology leads to an overall recurrence rate of 6.1% with reduction in operative time, and re-excision rate. Significant recurrence rates were associated with microinvasion and multifocal tumors (28%) versus simple DCIS at 5 years. Breast conservation therapy and surgical margin determination with imprint cytology for DCIS is a cost-effective and reliable method of treatment for simple DCIS.

Adult↗

Importance of race on breast cancer survival.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer survival has been shown to be significantly less among black women than white women. The reason for this difference in survival is unclear. METHODS: Data were obtained retrospectively on 439 women seen between 1985 and 1993 based on a detailed chart audit. The impact of race and several known prognostic factors on overall survival, time to relapse, and survival after relapse were studied. RESULTS: Black women with breast cancer were found to have a greater risk of recurrence, shorter overall survival, and shorter survival after relapse than did white women. Black patients were found to be younger and have higher stage of disease and lower hormone receptor levels than were white patients. After adjustment for menopausal status and disease stage, a significant independent effect of race was observed on overall survival but not risk of recurrence. In multivariate analysis, a significant interaction was observed between race and age in some models. Survival after recurrence of disease was lower among black than white women after adjustment for menopausal status and estrogen receptor level. CONCLUSION: Black women experience shorter survival times than do white women, including a shorter survival time after disease recurrence. Breast cancer in black women is associated with younger age, higher stage at presentation, and low hormone receptor levels. After adjustment for known prognostic factors, race remains a significant independent predictor of breast cancer survival.

Adult↗

Weight gain associated with adjuvant tamoxifen therapy in stage I and II breast cancer: fact or artifact?

There is a perception that tamoxifen causes weight gain in breast cancer patients. The purpose of this research study was to determine if weight gain is associated with tamoxifen therapy and to observe the impact of weight gain on recurrence and survival. Prognostic indicators, changes in weight, and disease status from diagnosis to the end of treatment were studied in 200 consecutive Stage I and II breast cancer patients, not receiving systemic chemotherapy, admitted from 1986 to the present, with observation periods ranging from 3-5 years. A mean weight gain of 1.2 Kgs was seen in all patients; however, weight gain was not significantly different for those receiving tamoxifen vs. those not receiving tamoxifen, (P = 0.66, CI 95% for the difference -1.8 Kgs to +1.2 Kgs). Weight gain during treatment with tamoxifen was not correlated with treatment duration or with recurrence or survival. Age at diagnosis was positively correlated to weight gain in all groups. Our data failed to show that tamoxifen is associated with weight gain. The moderate weight gain observed in this patient population is comparable to the general aging disease-free population and may no be treatment-related. These findings may help to alleviate some concerns of both physicians and patients when tamoxifen is the drug of choice for adjuvant therapy.

Adult↗

Comparison of psychological symptoms of women requesting removal of breast implants with those of breast cancer patients and healthy controls.

Concern about the safety of silicone breast implants has led many women with numerous physical and psychological symptoms to seek breast implant removal. This retrospective group comparison study describes the psychological profile of women requesting breast implant removal compared with two control groups. The Brief Symptom Inventory was used to compare psychological symptoms of three groups of women: a preoperative breast implant group requesting removal of implants (n = 78), a postoperative breast cancer group without breast implants (n = 64), and a control group with no known breast disease and unknown breast implant status (n = 68). Scores were compared on the Global Severity Index of the Brief Symptom Inventory as well as on nine subscales: somatization, obsessive-compulsiveness, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism. The breast implant group had significantly elevated Global Severity Index scores, as well as somatization, obsessive-compulsiveness, depression, hostility, and anxiety subscale scores, when compared with the other groups. Post hoc data analysis revealed that women who had implants after subcutaneous mastectomy as prophylaxis for breast cancer (n = 18) had a significantly different symptom profile and higher Global Severity Index scores than women who had cosmetic augmentation (n = 53). Additionally, women who had subcutaneous mastectomy and implants had significantly higher subscales of interpersonal sensitivity, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism than the cosmetic implant subjects. Women requesting removal of silicone breast implants had greater psychological distress than women who were recently diagnosed with breast cancer or controls with no known breast disease and unknown implant status. Within the implant group, however, women who had subcutaneous mastectomy showed greater psychological disturbance than those who had augmentation mammaplasty.

Adult↗

Breast cancer patients' personality style, age, and treatment decision making.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that whereas nearly all cancer patients want information, far fewer wish to make treatment decisions. Although breast cancer patients who were given a choice of lumpectomy versus mastectomy and were encouraged to make the decision were believed to do better psychologically, a 1994 study refuted this. Some authors suggest that patient personality style is an important consideration in decisional preference. METHODS: Newly diagnosed breast cancer patients (n = 76) were surveyed within 6 months of surgery. They answered seven questions about patient and physician roles in the decision-making process. Additionally, they completed the Miller Behavioral Style Scale (MBSS), which categorizes "monitors," or information seekers, and "blunters," or information avoiders. Chi-square analyses were used to explore the relationship of personality style and age to treatment decision-making preferences. RESULTS: Although 80% of women wanted a role in decision making, 74% wanted their surgeons to make a recommendation and when given, 94% followed the recommended treatment plan. Monitors and blunters were equally likely to want physician recommendations. Younger women, particularly those under age 40, were more likely to want a physician's recommendation. Of those women who had specific fears about their cancer (76%), only half of them revealed such fears to their doctors. CONCLUSIONS: The notion that health care consumers, particularly younger ones, desire an independent choice of treatment was contradicted in this study. Physicians are encouraged to provide information and to probe regarding the fears of breast cancer patients in order to reduce anxiety while recognizing that treatment recommendations are desired by most women.

Adult↗

Comparison of analgesic effect of locally and systemically administered ketorolac in mastectomy patients.

BACKGROUND: Ketorolac is a parenteral nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID). Two features have limited its clinical utility: tendency to elicit kidney failure and inability to produce complete analgesia. Because most NSAIDs are weak acids (pKa 3-5) and become concentrated in acidic tissues, such as injured and inflamed tissues, we hypothesized that local administration may enhance its analgesic efficacy while lowering the potential for systemic complications. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled study of 60 group I-II (American Society of Anesthesiology criteria) mastectomy patients, 20 in each group. Near the end of surgery and every 6 h postoperatively, 20 ml of the study solution containing normal saline with or without 30 mg of ketorolac were administered simultaneously either via a Jackson-Pratt drain or intravenously in a double-blind fashion. The quality of pain control, the amount and character of the drain fluid, incidence of nausea and vomiting, length of stay in the postoperative care unit, and amount of morphine used for treatment of break-through pain were recorded. RESULTS: Intraoperative administration of ketorolac resulted in better quality of pain control in the immediate postoperative period regardless of route of administration. The incidence of nausea was significantly higher in the placebo group, and drain output in the ketorolac groups did not exceed the output in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Analgesic of the locally administered ketorolac is equally effective to the efficacy of ketorolac administered intravenously.

Administration, Topical↗

Prophylactic surgery for multiple endocrine neoplasia type IIa after genetic diagnosis: is parathyroid transplantation indicated?

Identification of germline mutations in the RET proto-oncogene predisposing to multiple endocrine neoplasia type IIa (MEN-IIa) has allowed a DNA-based approach to diagnosis and treatment by prophylactic thyroidectomy in children testing genetically positive. Although total thyroidectomy is the accepted operation for C cell disease, the necessity of routine total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation as previously described in these asymptomatic children is questionable, particularly given the low occurrence of hyperparathyroidism in MEN-IIa (10-20%). Thirty-six children (ages 1 month to 12 years) from four MEN-IIa kindreds at risk for disease underwent genetic testing. Mutational analysis was done using a highly sensitive PCR-based denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis technique. Parathyroid or serum calcium concentrations were determined preoperatively. Of the 36 children at risk, 18 were found to have a MEN-IIa mutation; 11 have undergone prophylactic thyroidectomy at ages ranging from 2 to 12 years (mean 7.5 years). In each case, there was no biochemical evidence of hypercalcemia preoperatively, and all parathyroid glands were identified and were found to be grossly normal at exploration. Glands were carefully dissected and left in situ. Postoperatively, 10 of the 11 children maintained normocalcemia, allowing discharge within 24 to 36 hours. Resected thyroid glands contained C cell hyperplasia in nine, medullary carcinoma in one, and normal histology in one. We conclude that an alternative to routine parathyroidectomy may be desirable for prophylactic treatment of MEN-IIa. In situ parathyroid preservation can be safely achieved without compromising the completeness of the thyroid resection. This conservative approach obviates the potential morbidity associated with total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation.

Calcium↗

Penetrating trauma to the penis: functional results.

PURPOSE: The erectile function, cosmetic appearance, indications for surgical exploration and need for specific diagnostic tests were evaluated in patients with penetrating penile trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 26 cases of penetrating penile trauma seen during a 4-year period. RESULTS: All patients with corporeal injuries who were followed (73%) were potent. Two patients with minimal corporeal injury who did not undergo exploration did well. Retrograde urethrography did not identify any previously unsuspected urethral injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Excellent functional results may be obtained after penetrating trauma to the penis. Select patients may not require retrograde urethrography and some with minimal wounds, even if involving the corpora, can be treated nonoperatively.

Adolescent↗

Risk factors for bladder tumors in spinal cord injury patients.

PURPOSE: We evaluated risk factors for the development of bladder tumors in spinal cord injury patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was done of all bladder tumors at 1 institution with matched controls for 7 years. RESULTS: We identified 17 malignant and 2 benign tumors. Indwelling bladder catheters and a history of bladder stones were statistically significant risk factors. Four patients with negative biopsies underwent repeat biopsy due to suspicious cytology and cancer was found. CONCLUSIONS: An indwelling urinary catheter and a history of bladder stones are statistically significant risk factors. Cytology and biopsy are complimentary in the evaluation of urothelial malignancy in this population. A high index of suspicion and thorough evaluation are needed in spinal cord injury patients.

Aged↗

Timing of weight gain and breast cancer risk.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and body-fat distribution have been associated with the incidence of breast and endometrial cancers. It may be critical to determine if the timing of weight gain during periods of hormonal change, such as menarche, pregnancy, or menopause, has different biologic effects, especially secondary to differences in the localization of body fat during these periods. The objective of the current study was to determine if excess weight in any particular decade of life or the timing of weight gain was more significant relative to breast cancer risk. METHODS: Anthropometric, medical, and hormonal histories were obtained from 218 consecutively recruited, newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer admitted to the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute (Tampa, FL) and 436 control subjects, matched in a two to one ratio for age and menopausal status. RESULTS: A weight gain of 15 pounds or more was observed for 63.8% of the patients compared with 49.3% control subjects (P = 0.0006) from age 30 to current age. Similarly, more than 48% of cases gained more than 15 pounds from ages 16 to 30 compared with 37% (P = 0.01) of the control population. Although weight gain from age 16 to adulthood was significantly higher in patients with breast cancer at each decade when compared with control subjects, a significant and independent association between weight at age 30 (P < 0.0001) and risk of breast cancer was noted. CONCLUSION: Women who progressively gain weight from puberty to adulthood, and specifically in the third decade of life, should be considered at a higher risk for developing breast cancer.

Adult↗

Analysis of residual cancer after diagnostic breast biopsy: an argument for fine-needle aspiration cytology.

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic breast biopsy (DxBx) requires an effective strategy for successful treatment of breast cancer by lumpectomy or mastectomy. Clearance of margins is required to achieve local control. METHODS: We reviewed 844 malignant diagnostic biopsies. The strategy was to perform DxBx on all nonpalpable lesions and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) on all palpable lesions. When FNA was equivocal, DxBx was performed. After positive DxBx, either the biopsy cavity or FNA-positive breast mass was excised, and margins were documented with touch preparation cytology analysis (TPC) and frozen section (FS) as necessary to achieve negative margins. RESULTS: Outside institutions referred 430 excisional biopsies. Two hundred twenty-five (52.3%) were found to have residual cancer at surgical excision. Our institution performed 414 biopsies: 169 were performed on nonpalpable lesions in which 58% had residual tumor at resection; 245 were diagnosed by FNA of palpable lesions. Residual disease was found in 12 (5%). CONCLUSIONS: Of patients who undergo DxBx, > 50% have residual breast cancer. It is recommended that (a) FNA be performed on all palpable masses or DxBx of nonpalpable masses; when cancer is diagnosed, proceed to surgical excision. (b) When lumpectomy is the option, margins should be reexcised and intraoperatively evaluated with TPC and FS at the time of axillary dissection.

Adenocarcinoma↗