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Adjuvant irradiation after mastectomy in women with one to three positive axillary nodes: then no; now yes.

The decision whether to offer women with one to three positive nodes postmastectomy radiation after adjuvant chemotherapy has been the subject of intense discussion since the publication of two major randomized prospective trials. Although radiotherapy after mastectomy was an established treatment for women with four or more positive axillary nodes, before these studies, existing data did not justify its use in patients with less extensive nodal involvement. Now with results from these studies showing improved survival after radiotherapy in all node-positive premenopausal and perimenopausal women, with perhaps its greatest benefit in women with one to three positive nodes, practice patterns are again shifting toward strong consideration of treatment in women with less tumor involvement. The arguments supporting this new treatment philosophy are presented.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Feasibility and Technical Considerations of Mammary Ductoscopy in Human Mastectomy Specimens.

Recent advances in endoscopic technology have made visualization of human mammary ducts possible. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and technical factors influencing the ability to successfully visualize the epithelium of the human mammary ductal system. Lacrimal duct probes were used to dilate nipple orifices to 1.2 mm on 42 mastectomy specimens. The Depth of Field Imaging Micro-Minimally Invasive (DOFI(R) MMI) system consisting of a 1.2 mm rigid ductoscope with a 350 &mgr;m working channel was introduced into mammary ducts under air insufflation or saline irrigation. At least one major duct could be dilated and cannulated in all 42 specimens. Visualization of the proximal duct was accomplished in 34 of 42 (81%) specimens, whereas more extensive navigation through the distal subsegmental ducts was achieved in 22 of 42 (52%) specimens. Ductoscopy into the terminal ducts was accomplished in all patients with a previous history of nipple discharge or discharge at the time of the procedure (10 of 10). In three patients with no history of nipple discharge prior to ductoscopy, incidental papillomas were discovered and confirmed by the pathologist. In conclusion, mammary ductoscopy is technically feasible and may have an application as an additional diagnostic modality for patients with pathologic nipple discharge.

Journal Article↗

Breast reconstruction by tissue expansion. A retrospective technical review of 197 two-stage delayed reconstructions following mastectomy for malignant breast disease in 189 patients.

Despite the advent of free tissue transfer, breast reconstruction by tissue expansion is an important technique in the armamentarium of the reconstructive breast surgeon. The concept is deceptively simple and yet in reality can produce difficult complications and poor results. A database was compiled of all the patients receiving tissue expanders and/or implants for cosmetic, congenital and reconstructive purposes between 1986 and 1998. 189 patients had 197 delayed two-stage tissue expansion breast reconstructions following mastectomies for malignant breast disease between 1986 and 1997. 103 breasts (52%) had two uncomplicated stages. The remainder had one or more complications, revisional procedures for complications or alterations to the reconstruction for size, position or shape. Overall each breast reconstruction required 2.9 procedures (range 2-9). The complications and additional procedures are discussed. In particular, capsular contracture of the definitive implant (12%) was related to implant type and not to the speed of tissue expansion or the degree or duration of over-expansion. Although 17% of patients received radiotherapy, none of those who developed contracture around the definitive implant had this adjuvant therapy, P< 0.05. Twelve reconstructions (6%) totally failed due to complications of which six underwent secondary flap reconstruction. Twenty-one patients have subsequently developed metastatic disease of which 15 have died to date. Breast reconstruction by tissue expansion is still an important technique. It should be used carefully and thoughtfully by surgeons trained to deal with any complications. Patients need to be carefully selected and counselled prior to undertaking this process.

Adult↗

Factors that influence volume and duration of wound drainage after mastectomy and level III axillary node clearance.

Factors influencing drainage after operations for breast cancer remain controversial. The total volume and duration of drainage was prospectively measured in 252 women undergoing mastectomy and level III axillary clearance, and compared to patient, operative and tumour factors, using multivariate analysis. The total drainage and duration, respectively, correlated with the weight of the patient (r=0.39, P<0.01; r=0.29, P<0.01) and breast weight (r=0.37, P<0.01; r=0.29, P<0.01), and was predicted by the volume on the first postoperative day (r=0.58, P<0.01; r=0.50, P<0.01). There was no correlation with age, blood loss, length of operation, tumour size, number of axillary nodes retrieved, or whether nodes were involved by cancer. The volume and duration of drainage appear thus to be simply a function of the area of tissue planes opened.

Journal Article↗

Choices and information offered to patients undergoing immediate post-mastectomy breast reconstruction: a survey of patient opinion and self-assessed outcome.

For those patients who request breast reconstruction after mastectomy, the immediate procedure is becoming increasingly common. Whilst this option results in resource cost savings, and may have benefits for patients, little is known about the information offered to patients who are faced with a mastectomy/reconstruction decision. To investigate these concerns, and also to determine patients' own assessment of their outcome after immediate reconstruction, we carried out a retrospective survey of all patients who underwent an immediate breast reconstruction at this Centre over a 3-year period, utilizing a detailed study-specific questionnaire, together with two widely used health status instruments. The response rate was 92% (57 patients). Nearly all patients were found to have been offered the choice of a delayed procedure, should they wish it, but information about type and choice of prosthesis was considered by patients to be inadequate. Steps to address this have been implemented. Scores from the SF-36 Health Survey Questionnaire showed that this patient group was comparable with a normal female population for the dimensions of physical function, mental health, energy, and general health. However, social function was found to be significantly lower, and a substantial minority (46%) exhibited some anxiety as assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) Scale.

Journal Article↗

Chemotherapy-induced histologic changes in mastectomy specimens and their potential significance.

The aim was to assess chemotherapy-induced histologic changes in breast cancer and to evaluate their relationship with tumour response, to treatment and patient survival. We examined paired pre- and post-chemotherapy tumour specimens from 57 patients with stages II and III breast cancers. All patients received three to four courses of anthracycline-containing preoperative treatment and subsequently underwent modified radical mastectomy 3-5 months after diagnosis. Histologic parameters evaluated included extent of residual disease and cytologic changes in residual tumour and in non-neoplastic breast tissue and lymph nodes. Correlation of pathologic changes with disease-free and overall survival was evaluated. Clinical evaluation indicated that 24% (n=14) of patients had a complete response, 53% (n=30) had a partial response, and 22% (n=13) had stable disease. Pathologic assessment revealed a complete response in 14% (n=8) of patients. Clinical and histologic complete responses were discordant in 35% of patients. Sixty-eight percent of tumours demonstrated moderate to severe cytologic changes in the cytoplasm and nucleus of neoplastic cells. These were characterized by increased overall cell size, cytoplasmic vacuolization, nuclear enlargement, multinucleation, and vesiculation of chromatin. Chemotherapy-induced histologic changes varied within a tumour and between patients. Tumour cytologic changes were significantly associated with histologic (p=0.03) as well as clinical (p=0.02) tumour response. Pathologic tumour response, but not histologic changes, was also a powerful predictor of overall survival and relapse-free survival. In the non-neoplastic glandular tissue, periductal and perilobular fibrosis and atrophy of lobular acini similar to those seen in postmenopausal breast tissue were noted. Changes in lymph nodes were characterized by lymphoid depletion and fibrosis with and without tumour metastasis. Chemotherapy-induced cytologic changes are frequently seen in neoplastic breast epithelium and correlate with response to treatment. Histologic confirmation of clinical tumour response to preoperative chemotherapy is necessary for accurate characterization of patients', response to treatment.

Journal Article↗

Women's perceptions of seroma and their drainage following mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection.

AIM: The aim of this research was to study the effect of seroma on women's perception of daily functional and emotional status after surgical treatment for breast cancer. Furthermore, the experiences of the actual drainage procedure of seroma was studied. METHOD: The study had a prospective and comparative design. A study specific questionnaire was developed and used. Eighty-two women operated with modified radical mastectomy completed the forms. Forty-one women with seroma were compared with the 41 without seroma. The items focused on women's perceptions of daily-life situations, postoperative pain, problems with the surgical scar, preoperative information, general health, levels of anxiety, depression, psychosocial support and contact with the registered nurse in the hospital. RESULTS: Overall the perceived emotional and functional status, pain and general health did not differ between the two groups. Women with seroma contacted the registered nurse in the hospital more frequently after hospital discharge. Most women with seroma had no or little pain and anxiety during the aspiration and found the procedure fully acceptable. Practical information concerning self-care and the aspiration procedure was considered insufficient. The return visit to the nurse for wound observation was important and provided psychosocial support. CONCLUSION: Seroma and its drainage is well accepted. Patients should be better informed about the possibility of a seroma and its treatment. Staff continuity and particularly the presence of a special trained nurse for wound control and for psychosocial support are much appreciated.

Journal Article↗

Breast reconstruction after mastectomy: problems in position, size, and shape.

Having learned that healed mastectomy wounds will stretch sufficiently to accommodate an implanted prosthesis, we must pay more attention to the position, and shape of the breast mound created by the prosthesis. We have briefly discussed our methods and the considerations we feel are important in this regard, but, even after extensive experience, we confess that the problems are still with us. Clearly, surgical methods and prostheses must improve.

Adult↗

Effectiveness of prophylactic mastectomy in the prevention of breast tumors in C3H mice.

The effectiveness of prophylactic mastectomy in the prevention of breast tumors was studied in spontaneous breast-tumor-forming C3H mice. Prolactin levels were assayed to determine if this hormone was related to the incidence of mammary tumors. Two-hundred and fifty-six 1-month-old C3H mice were divided into four groups (control, 1; sham surgery, 2; mammectomy 50 percent, 3; and mammectomy 100 percent, 4). At the time of sacrifice (0 to 1 year postoperatively) estrus cycles were determined, ventral skin (breast) and ovaries were removed for histology, and serum was collected for prolactin assays. Prolactin levels 24 hours postoperatively were significantly elevated (p less than 0.01) in groups 2 to 4 when compared with group 1. Six months postoperatively, prolactin levels were significantly higher (p less than 0.05) in mice with tumors compared with those without tumors in groups 3 and 4. There were no differences in tumor incidence between the four groups. At 12 months postoperatively, no differences in prolactin levels were noted, but group 2 animals had the highest incidence of mammary tumors (89 percent; p less than 0.01) when compared to groups 3 and 4. Mammary tumor incidence was not decreased by 50 percent or 100 percent mammectomy in C3H mice. Prolactin levels rose in response to surgery and/or anesthesia and remained elevated only in tumor-bearing mice who underwent mammectomy, an occurrence similar to that reported in humans.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Management of radiation dermatitis in a patient after mastectomy.

Women who are diagnosed with breast cancer and undergoing chemotherapy and radiation are at high risk of developing acute radiation dermatitis. The purpose of this case study is to explore an alternative topical therapy for skin toxicity in the post-radiation care of a patient with a history of breast cancer. The patient, a 54-year-old white female, was treated by modified radical mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. During post-radiation therapy the patient developed wet desquamation reaction over the midincision line into the right axilla. Balsam Peru, hydrogenated castor oil, trypsin (Xenaderm Healthpoint, San Antonio, Tex) was trialed to evaluate efficacy in providing wound healing to the denuded skin. Within 14 days of treatment, the area was completely healed and topical therapy stopped. This case study provides the basis for further research into the area of topical therapy for women with moist desquamation after radiation for breast cancer.

Balsams↗

Elective irradiation with the electron beam after mastectomy for breast cancer.

From 1963 to 1970, 380 patients have received elective treatment with the electron beam after radical mastectomy for breast cancer. One hundred and twenty-nine patients received treatment to the supraclavicular and internal mammary lymph node areas only, and 251 patients received treatment to the chest wall as well as to the areas of peripheral lymphatic drainage. Analysis of the results shows the value of elective irradiation of occult deposits of disease since the incidence of local recurrences is significantly less than would be anticipated in this group of patients.

Breast Neoplasms↗

The role of physical therapy in the rehabilitation of patients with mastectomy and breast reconstruction.

Women faced with breast cancer may develop musculoskeletal impairments following mastectomy and breast reconstruction. The purpose of this review is to highlight physical therapy considerations with these surgeries. Our experience at a large medical center is described, and suggested exercise guidelines are provided. Close communication between physician and physical therapist is emphasized. Physical therapists facilitate patient education, skillfully evaluate and treat musculoskeletal dysfunctions, and provide individualized patient exercise prescriptions. Physical therapists also serve as valuable members of a multidisciplinary breast cancer team.

Journal Article↗

Gynecomastia. Treatment by liposuction subcutaneous mastectomy.

Gynecomastia is a common finding in both adolescents and mature adult males. The previous surgical techniques of direct subcutaneous mastectomy were associated with high frequency of complications and unsatisfactory aesthetic results. Application of liposuction techniques to the prepectoral region has provided an effective and safe technique for reliably contouring and reducing the prepectoral region. The technique described in this article includes proper placement of the incision, the injection of low-dose Xylocaine and epinephrine, and the utilization of three different types of cannulas to significantly reduce the tissue mound. The author has operated upon 60 patients utilizing this technique without having a single operative complication.

Adult↗

Primary radiotherapy after tumour excision as an alternative to mastectomy for early breast cancer. Rationale and preliminary results of a prospective study.

A conservative approach to the management of breast cancer is gaining acceptance. The evidence from many retrospective and prospective studies indicates that breast-preserving surgery and radiation therapy give results equal to those of mastectomy. Relapse affecting the breast alone has been shown not to be detrimental to survival, while the psychological benefits to the patients have been gratifying. A prospective study of early breast cancer treated by conservative surgery and radiation was commenced at the Johannesburg Hospital in 1980. The results in 57 patients are reported. So far there have been 2 cases of local recurrence. In the majority of cases satisfactory cosmetic results were achieved. It is considered that lumpectomy with axillary dissection to establish nodal status followed by irradiation is the treatment of choice for stage I and II carcinoma of the breast.

Adult↗