Oncoplastic Breast-Conserving Surgery in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Training Surgeons and Bridging the Gap

Management of BRCA-associated breast cancer patients in low and middle-income countries: a review

Breast cancer poses a significant global health challenge, with higher incidence rates in developed countries. However, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) suffer from higher mortality rates due to various factors, including limited screening programs, delayed diagnosis and inadequate access to healthcare and advanced treatments. Approximately 5%-10% of breast cancer cases stem from germline mutations in BRCA-1/2 genes. A positive BRCA1/2 status obtained through genetic testing significantly influences surgical and medical treatment decisions. Therefore, genetic counseling, proper surveillance and customized interventions for BRCA1/2 carriers are essential to maximizing the benefits of monitoring, chemoprevention and risk-reducing surgeries for breast and ovarian cancers. Identification of BRCA mutations also impacts treatment strategies, leading to the integration of chemotherapeutic agents like platinum-based chemotherapy and PARP inhibitors. However, implementing these advanced treatment guidelines in LMICs with complex, fragmented and underfunded healthcare systems presents numerous challenges. In this review, we explore the current status and obstacles associated with managing BRCA1/2-associated breast cancer in LMICs.

Oncoplastic surgery for breast cancer: Global perspectives and trends

Oncoplastic surgery (OPS) is a form of breast conservation that combines definitive oncologic resection with optimal aesthetic outcomes. Various definitions exist, with most focusing on volume displacement techniques to close the lumpectomy defect and redistribute the remaining breast volume over the preserved breast. Although its oncologic safety has been well demonstrated, uptake into practice varies globally. This article details the definition, safety, training opportunities, and practice patterns of OPS on a global scale.

Aesthetic results were more satisfactory after oncoplastic surgery than after total breast reconstruction according to patients and surgeons

INTRODUCTION

Patient satisfaction after breast cancer surgery has an impact on body image, sexual function, self-esteem, and quality of life and may differ from the perception of the attending physician. This study aimed to compare the aesthetic outcomes and satisfaction with conservative oncoplastic surgeries, mastectomies, and total breast reconstruction.

METHODS

We included 760 women diagnosed with invasive breast carcinoma or phyllodes tumors who returned at least 6 months after surgery or radiotherapy at two public hospitals and a private clinic between 2014 and 2022. Data was collected prospectively from patients and retrospectively from their medical records using a specific form after obtaining their informed consent. Aesthetic outcomes and quality of life were assessed using the BREAST-Q©, Harris Scale, and BCCT.core software. Data were evaluated using the SPSS statistical software. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. This study was approved by the hospital ethics committees.

RESULTS

A total of 405 (53.29%) partial and 355 (46.71%) total reconstructions were included. Patients who underwent partial reconstruction were older and had higher body mass index. Patients who underwent total reconstruction had larger tumors with advanced clinical and pathological stages. Clinical and surgical complications occurred more frequently in the total reconstruction group. A greater number of reparative surgeries and lipofilling procedures were required for total reconstruction. According to the BREAST-Q, the partial reconstruction group showed significantly higher levels of women's satisfaction with their breasts, the surgical outcomes, psychosocial and sexual well-being, provision of information, and the reconstructive surgeon. Only physical well-being was slightly higher in the total reconstruction group. In most cases, the results were rated good or excellent. Physicians considered partial reconstructions to have better results than total reconstructions, although this difference was not perceived by the BCCT.core software.

CONCLUSION

Women who underwent partial breast reconstruction had higher levels of satisfaction in several domains, lower frequency of complications, and required fewer surgeries to complete their reconstruction than women who underwent total reconstruction. Physicians were also more satisfied with the results of partial reconstructions.

How well are Brazilian mastologists (breast surgeons) trained in breast reconstruction and oncoplastic surgery? A study of the impact of a breast reconstruction and oncoplastic surgery improvement course

Introduction

The breasts are a female symbol, impacts self-image and self-esteem. Breast reconstructive and oncoplastic surgeries have an important role in minimizing injuries. In Brazil less than a third of public health system (SUS) users have access to immediate reconstructive surgery. The low rate of breast reconstructions has multiple causes and the deficiency in availability and surgeons' technical qualification play a role. In 2010, the Breast Reconstruction and Oncoplastic Surgery Improvement Course was created by professors of the Mastology Department of Santa Casa de São Paulo and State University of Campinas (UNICAMP). The objectives of this study were to evaluate the impact of the techniques learned on patients' management by the surgeons enrolled in the Course, as well as to characterize their profile.

Methods

All students enrolled in the Improvement Course between 2010 and 2018 were invited to answer an online questionnaire. Students who did not agree to answer the questionnaire or answered them incompletely were excluded.

Results

Total students included: 59. The mean age: 48.9 years, male (72%) with more than 5 years of Mastology practice (82.2%), from all regions of Brazil, 1.7% from the North, 33.9% from the Northeast, 44.1% from the Southeast, and 12% from the South. Most of the students considered they had little or no knowledge of breast reconstruction (74.6%) and 91,5% did not consider they had enough aptitude to perform breast reconstructions after finishing residency. After the Course, 96.6% considered themselves apt to perform such surgeries. Over 90% of the students considered the Course had impacted their practice and changed their surgical strategy view. Before the Course, 84.8% of the students stated that less than half of their patients who were operated on for breast cancer had breast reconstruction, compared to 30.5% after the Course.

Conclusion

The Breast Reconstruction and Oncoplastic Surgery Improvement Course studied here positively impacted the mastologists' management of patients. New training centers worldwide can help a lot of women with breast cancer.

Oncoplastic Mammoplasty with disguised geometric compensation

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the results of a cohort of patients submitted to a new technique of oncoplastic mammoplasty, referred to as Disguised Geometric Compensation Mammoplasty (GCM), which is suitable for tumours involving the glandular tissue in the pillars of the mammoplasty.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-five breast tumours involving the pillars of the mammoplasty were included, 20 (80.0%) invasive ductal carcinomas, 3 (12.0%) phyllodes tumours, 1 (4.0%) invasive lobular carcinoma, and 1 (4.0%) in situ ductal carcinoma. Preoperative markings followed the "Wise-pattern" technique. The resection of the tumour in the pillar, preserving the overlying skin, was geometrically compensated with a corresponding area coming from the lower poles, which folded over itself and maintained the skin vascularity in the pillar. One patient was converted to classic GCM due to a positive skin margin in the frozen section. Another patient combined a Classic GCM for the inner quadrants and a Disguised GCM for the outer quadrants on the same breast. One patient decided to undergo a bilateral mastectomy after some months because of a BRCA 1 mutation. Immediate fat grafting was done in one case. Approval from the ethics committee: n. 2.322.212.

RESULTS

Mean age was 47.0 ± 9.5 years. Mean clinical tumour size was 47.2 ± 22.2mm before chemotherapy and 36.7 ± 22.5mm, after. There were 11 (44.0%) locally advanced and 1 (4.00%) multicentric tumours. Nine (36.0%) were submitted to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Adjuvant treatment was indicated according to the necessity. Ptosis was corrected in all cases. The aesthetic results were rated as excellent or good in 21 (95.5%) cases, by the Harris scale and the BCCT.core. The BREAST-Q scores for the satisfaction with the breasts and satisfaction with outcomes were 81.5 (±15.0) and 90.4 (±11.7), respectively. Intraoperative frozen sections were done in 12 (48%) cases. There was 1 (4.0%) focus of DCIS in the skin margin treated with radiotherapy. Minor complications occurred in 6 (24.0%) patients. There was 1 (4.0%) local recurrence treated with radical mastectomy, and 1 (4.0%) metastasis after 3 months. No deaths were observed within a mean follow-up time of 16.3 ± 11.4 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The disguised geometric compensation mammoplasty allowed breast conservation in situations requiring large resection in the pillars of the mammoplasty, with a high rate of free margins, correction of ptosis, satisfactory symmetry, and few complications.

Oncoplastic surgery: A suitable alternative to conventional breast conserving surgery in low - Middle income countries; a retrospective cohort study

Introduction

Breast Conserving Surgery (BCS) with whole breast radiation is now standard of care as a safer alternative to Mastectomy in terms of loco-regional recurrence and long-term survival. Despite this, a frequent pitfall of conventional BCS is positive surgical margins and need for second surgery with a reported frequency of 12-59 % in literature. Oncoplastic Surgery can be a safer, more cost effective alternate to conventional BCS owing to its higher rate of negative surgical margins (4-6% vs 12-59 %) and better cosmetic results. We aim to prove utility of Oncoplastic surgery for Low-Middle income countries.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine Oncoplastic Surgery as a more appropriate alternative to Conventional Breast Conserving Surgery for Low-Middle Income countries in terms of its lower positive margins and re-excision rates.

Methodology

A retrospective comparative single center study by reviewing patient's medical records from August 2016 to June 2020 was conducted. Rate of positive margins and re-excisions along with mean volume of resection specimen, mean tumor size and quadrant dealt by both surgical procedures were compared.

Results

Out of 421 patients 249 patients underwent oncoplastic surgery and were compared with 173 patients who had conventional breast conserving surgery. Positive margins were seen in 5 patients (2 %) in OPS group whereas in 31 (17.9 %) patients in BCS group (p value < 0.001). Therefore, 2 from OPS group and 17 from BCS group underwent re-excision (p value < 0.002).None in OPS group while 7 out of 17 patients in BCS group underwent mastectomy as second procedure. Mean tumor size in OPS group was 2.26 cm ± SD 1.66 and in BCS group was 1.94 cm ± SD 1.28. Majority of Lobular carcinoma and Ductal carcinoma in-situ, multifocal, upper inner and central quadrant tumors and those unresponsive to neo-adjuvant therapy were treated by Oncoplastic techniques.

Conclusion

Oncoplastic surgery has shown promising results as a safer tool to deal with large, complex tumors, lesions in difficult anatomical locations, multifocal or progressing on neo-adjuvant therapy. With its low Re-excision rates, it is a better alternative to traditional Breast Conserving approach for overburdened and resource limited health care system of Low-Middle Income countries. Multi-center, prospective trials are needed to determine its feasibility.

Insights on emotional distress following cancer, sources of support and the unmet needs in a setting with limited supportive care services for people living with cancer

INTRODUCTION

Delivery of supportive cancer care is often deemed a low priority in resource-limited settings. We aimed to explore the sources of emotional distress, the related support and the unmet needs of cancer survivors in Malaysia, where cancer survivorship services are presently limited.

METHOD

Twenty focus group discussions were conducted with 102 cancer patients from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Thematic analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Patient narratives suggested that emotional distress arose from direct and indirect stressors. Direct stressors comprised physical and cognitive side effects of cancer surgery and therapies, and fear of recurrence. Indirect stressors included worry over dependent family members, financial distress following cancer, working with cancer and lack of practical support at home. Distress from altered physical appearances, fear of recurrence and lack of practical support were mainly raised by women, implying that men and women may have disproportionate emotional needs. Emotional support largely came from informal sources including self, family, friends and religion. While formal emotional support from professional counsellors and cancer support groups was acknowledged as important, it appeared to be largely lacking. Unmet needs in coping with fear of recurrence, financial distress, workplace discrimination and household chores were particularly highlighted.

CONCLUSION

The unmet needs revealed in this study provide insights to initiate actionable changes to improve the emotional wellbeing of people living with cancer in settings where cancer survivorship services are still in its infancy.