Intraoperative ultrasound guidance in breast-conserving surgery shows superiority in oncological outcome, long-term cosmetic and patient-reported outcomes: Final outcomes of a randomized controlled trial (COBALT)

A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing breast-conserving surgery and mastectomy in terms of patient survival rate and quality of life in breast cancer

The study aimed to assess the effects of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) versus mastectomy on survival and quality of life in Stages I, II, and III breast cancer, providing solid evidence for clinical decisions. We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on breast cancer treatments, searching databases such as PubMed and the Cochrane Library to compare BCS, and mastectomy's effects on survival and quality of life. A combined total of 16 734 patients in the control group and 17 435 patients in the experimental group were included in this analysis. This meta-analysis used RevMan 5.3 (Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark) software for analysis. Our meta-analysis of 34 169 patients from 11 studies showed that BCS significantly reduced the overall recurrence rate at a median follow-up of 29 months, with a mean difference of 1.27 and a 95% confidence interval of 1.19-1.36, strongly supporting its effectiveness (P < .00001). Furthermore, our analysis found no significant increase in 5-year local recurrence rates for BCS versus mastectomy, indicating its long-term effectiveness with a mean difference of 1.13 (95% confidence interval: [1.03, 1.24], P = .01). Additionally, there was a notable decrease in tissue ischaemic necrosis among patients who had received BCS, with a mean difference of 0.37 (95% confidence interval: [0.33, 0.42], P < .00001), underscoring its benefits and long-term viability. BCS resulted in fewer cases of tissue ischaemic necrosis and higher body image scores compared with mastectomy, suggesting that it is a preferable option for better cosmetic outcomes and potentially favourable effects on prognosis and quality of life.

Specimen tomosynthesis provides no additional value to specimen ultrasound in ultrasound-visible malignant breast lesions

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and added value of specimen tomosynthesis (ST) to specimen ultrasound (SUS) in margin assessment of excised breast specimens in breast-conserving therapy for non-palpable US-visible breast lesions.

MATERIALS

Between January 2018 and August 2019, all consecutive patients diagnosed with non-palpable breast cancer visible by ultrasound (US), treated with breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and requiring radiological intraoperative breast specimen assessment, were included in this study. Excised breast specimens were examined with SUS by radiologists blinded to the ST results, and margins smaller than 10 mm were recorded. STs were evaluated retrospectively by experienced radiologists.

RESULTS

A total of 120 specimens were included. SUS showed a statistically significant correlation with pathological margin measurements, while ST did not and provided no additional information. The odds ratios (ORs) for SUS to predict a positive margin was 3.429 (confidence interval (CI) = 0.548-21.432) using a 10-mm cut-off point and 14.182 (CI = 2.134-94.254) using a 5-mm cut-off point, while the OR for ST were 2.528 (CI = 0.400-15.994) and 3.188 (CI = 0.318-31.998), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

SUS was superior in evaluating intraoperative resection margins of US-visible breast resection specimens when compared to ST. Therefore, ST could be considered redundant in applicable situations.

Reducing re-excision rates in breast conserving surgery with Margin Probe: systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Different intraoperative techniques with varying levels of evidence are available to decrease positive surgical margins during breast conserving surgery. The aim of this review is to assess the effectiveness of the MarginProbe® device as an intraoperative adjunct tool in reducing positive surgical margins, and subsequently exploring the effect on patient re-excision rates.

METHODOLOGY

A systematic review of the available medical literature was conducted from 2007 to March 2022. A literature search of Cochrane, PubMed and Embase by two independent reviewers reviwers was performed to identify eligible articles looking at the primary outcome of percentage reduction in patient re-excision rates using MarginProbe®. Secondary outcomes analysed were comparison of tissue volume removed, absolute and relative reduction in re-excision rate, cosmetic outcome, as well as MarginProbe® sensitivity and specificity.

RESULTS

A total of 12 full text articles were identified. An independent samples t-test using a total of 2680 patients found a 54.68 per cent reduction in re-excision rate with the use of MarginProbe®, which was statistically significant with a large effect size (P < 0.001; d = 1.826). Secondary outcomes showed a relatively higher sensitivity of the MarginProbe® device, at the expense of decreased specificity, and no significant impact on cosmesis and volume of breast tissue excised.

CONCLUSION

MarginProbe® is an effective intraoperative adjunct in breast-conservation surgery that reduces patient re-excision rates, with no adverse effects relating to breast cosmesis or increase in volume of excised tissue.

Intraoperative Ultrasound-Guided Conserving Surgery for Breast Cancer: No More Time for Blind Surgery

BACKGROUND

Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) still remains a blind surgery despite all available tumor localization methods. Intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) allows real-time visualization during all resection phases.

METHODS

This was a prospective observational cohort study conducted at the Veneto Institute of Oncology between January 2021 and June 2022. Patients with ductal carcinoma in situ, T1-2 invasive cancer, or post-neoadjuvant tumors, suitable for BCS, were recruited. All breast cancer lesion types were included, i.e. solid palpable, solid non-palpable, non-solid non-palpable, and post-neoadjuvant treatment residual lesions. Eligible participants were randomly assigned to either IOUS or traditional surgery (TS) in a 1:1 ratio. The main outcomes were surgical margin involvement, reoperation rate, closest margin width, main specimen and cavity shaving margin volumes, excess healthy tissue removal, and calculated resection ratio (CRR).

RESULTS

Overall, 160 patients were enrolled: 80 patients were allocated to the TS group and 80 to the IOUS group. IOUS significantly reduced specimen volumes (16.8 cm3 [10.5-28.9] vs. 24.3 cm3 [15.0-41.3]; p = 0.015), with wider closest resection margin width (2.0 mm [1.0-4.0] vs. 1.0 mm [0.5-2.0] after TS; p < 0.001). Tumor volume to specimen volume ratio was significantly higher after IOUS (4.7% [2.5-9.1] vs. 2.9% [0.8-5.2]; p < 0.001). IOUS yielded significantly better CRR (84.5% [46-120.8] vs. 114% [81.8-193.2] after TS; p < 0.001), lower involved margin rate (2.5 vs. 15%; p = 0.009) and reduced re-excision rate (2.5 vs. 12.5%; p = 0.032).

CONCLUSIONS

IOUS allows real-time resection margin visualization and continuous control during BCS. It showed clear superiority over TS in both oncological and surgical outcomes for all breast cancer lesion types. These results disfavor the paradigm of blind breast surgery.

Effectiveness of Carbon Localization for Invasive Breast Cancer: An Institutional Experience

Introduction

The final oncological and aesthetic results of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) are influenced by the precise localization of breast cancer (BC) tumors and by the quality of the intraoperative margin assessment technique. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the carbon localization (CL) technique by determining the success rate of BC identification and the proportion of adequate complete resection of BC lesions.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional retrospective study of patients treated with primary BCS for invasive BC who underwent CL of their BC lesion at the Jules Bordet Institute between January 2015 and December 2017. Descriptive statistics with categorical and continuous variables were used. The success rate of tumor identification and the rate of adequate excision were calculated using the test of percentages for independent dichotomous data.

Results

This study included 542 patients with 564 nonpalpable BC lesions. The median pathological tumor size was 12 mm. Of these, 460 were invasive ductal carcinomas. Most of the tumors were of the luminal subtype. CL was performed using ultrasound guidance in 98.5% of cases. The median delay between CL and surgery was 5 days, with 46% of the patients having CL one day before surgery. The lumpectomy weighed 38 g on average, with a median diameter of the surgical sample at 6 cm and a median volume of 44 cm³ (6-369). One-stage complete resection was successfully performed in 93.4% of cases. In 36% of cases, an intraoperative re-excision was performed, based on intraoperative macroscopic pathological margin evaluation. The tumor was identified in 98.9% of cases in the breast surgical specimen.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated high success rates for BC tumor identification (99%) and one-stage complete resection (93.4%) after BCS and CL. These results show that CL is an effective, simple, and inexpensive localization technique for successful excision of BC lesions during BCS.

Toward Intraoperative Margin Assessment Using a Deep Learning-Based Approach for Automatic Tumor Segmentation in Breast Lumpectomy Ultrasound Images

There is an unmet clinical need for an accurate, rapid and reliable tool for margin assessment during breast-conserving surgeries. Ultrasound offers the potential for a rapid, reproducible, and non-invasive method to assess margins. However, it is challenged by certain drawbacks, including a low signal-to-noise ratio, artifacts, and the need for experience with the acquirement and interpretation of images. A possible solution might be computer-aided ultrasound evaluation. In this study, we have developed new ensemble approaches for automated breast tumor segmentation. The ensemble approaches to predict positive and close margins (distance from tumor to margin ≤ 2.0 mm) in the ultrasound images were based on 8 pre-trained deep neural networks. The best optimum ensemble approach for segmentation attained a median Dice score of 0.88 on our data set. Furthermore, utilizing the segmentation results we were able to achieve a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 76% for predicting a close margin when compared to histology results. The promising results demonstrate the capability of AI-based ultrasound imaging as an intraoperative surgical margin assessment tool during breast-conserving surgery.

Localization Techniques for Non-Palpable Breast Lesions: Current Status, Knowledge Gaps, and Rationale for the MELODY Study (EUBREAST-4/iBRA-NET, NCT 05559411)

BACKGROUND

Surgical excision of a non-palpable breast lesion requires a localization step. Among available techniques, wire-guided localization (WGL) is most commonly used. Other techniques (radioactive, magnetic, radar or radiofrequency-based, and intraoperative ultrasound) have been developed in the last two decades with the aim of improving outcomes and logistics.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review on localization techniques for non-palpable breast cancer.

RESULTS

For most techniques, oncological outcomes such as lesion identification and clear margin rate seem either comparable with or better than for WGL, but evidence is limited to small cohort studies for some of the devices. Intraoperative ultrasound is associated with significantly higher negative margin rates in meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Radioactive techniques were studied in several RCTs and are non-inferior to WGL. Smaller studies show higher patient preference towards wire-free localization, but little is known about surgeons' and radiologists' attitudes towards these techniques.

CONCLUSIONS

Large studies with an additional focus on patient, surgeon, and radiologist preference are necessary. This review aims to present the rationale for the MELODY (NCT05559411) study and to enable standardization of outcome measures for future studies.

The Beneficial Impact of Intraoperative Ultrasound on Resection Margin Status during Breast Conserving Surgery

Background. Surgical resection with clear surgical cut margins is the mainstay of managing malignant breast neoplasms. Multiple techniques have been suggested to enhance resection status during breast-conserving surgery (BCS), including intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS). Herein, we conducted the current investigation to reveal the benefit of IOUS on the achievement of R0 resection. Patients and Methods. This retrospective investigation included 140 patients who underwent BCS. They were divided into two groups: the IOUS group (40 cases) and the control group (100 cases). Our primary objective was to determine the free resection margin status (R0). Results. Both study groups expressed statistically comparable demographic and clinical data. Additionally, histopathological examination revealed no significant difference between the two groups regarding the tumor type, stage, or grade. Nonetheless, the R0 resection margin was more frequently encountered in association with IOUS application (97.5% compared to 79% in the control group), and that difference was statistically significant ( $p=0.007$ ). Conclusion. The application of IOUS has a significant beneficial impact on the outcomes of BCS. It is associated with a marked decline in positive resection margins, and its application should be encouraged in the breast oncological practice.

AGO Recommendations for the Surgical Therapy of Breast Cancer: Update 2022

The recommendations of the AGO Breast Committee on the surgical therapy of breast cancer were last updated in March 2022 (www.ago-online.de). Since surgical therapy is one of several partial steps in the treatment of breast cancer, extensive diagnostic and oncological expertise of a breast surgeon and good interdisciplinary cooperation with diagnostic radiologists is of great importance. The most important changes concern localization techniques, resection margins, axillary management in the neoadjuvant setting and the evaluation of the meshes in reconstructive surgery. Based on meta-analyses of randomized studies, the level of recommendation of an intraoperative breast ultrasound for the localization of non-palpable lesions was elevated to "++". Thus, the technique is considered to be equivalent to wire localization, provided that it is a lesion which can be well represented by sonography, the surgeon has extensive experience in breast ultrasound and has access to a suitable ultrasound device during the operation. In invasive breast cancer, the aim is to reach negative resection margins ("no tumor on ink"), regardless of whether an extensive intraductal component is present or not. Oncoplastic operations can also replace a mastectomy in selected cases due to the large number of existing techniques, and are equivalent to segmental resection in terms of oncological safety at comparable rates of complications. Sentinel node excision is recommended for patients with cN0 status receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy after completion of chemotherapy. Minimally invasive biopsy is recommended for initially suspect lymph nodes. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, patients with initially 1 - 3 suspicious lymph nodes and a good response (ycN0) can receive the targeted axillary dissection and the axillary dissection as equivalent options.

Intraoperative Ultrasound-Guided Excision of Non-Palpable and Palpable Breast Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Wire-guided localization (WGL) is the most frequently used localization technique in non-palpable breast cancer (BC). However, low negative margin rates, patient discomfort, and the possibility of wire dislocation have been discussed as potential disadvantages, and re-operation due to positive margins may increase relapse risk. Intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS)-guided excision allows direct visualization of the lesion and the resection volume and reduces positive margins in palpable and non-palpable tumors. We performed a systematic review on IOUS in breast cancer and 2 meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials (RCTs). In non-palpable BC, 3 RCTs have shown higher negative margin rates in the IOUS arm compared to WGL. Meta-analysis confirmed a significant difference between IOUS and WGL in terms of positive margins favoring IOUS (risk ratio 4.34, p < 0.0001, I2 = 0%). 41 cohort studies including 3291 patients were identified, of which most reported higher negative margin and lower re-operation rates if IOUS was used. In palpable BC, IOUS was compared to palpation-guided excision in 3 RCTs. Meta-analysis showed significantly higher rates of positive margins in the palpation arm (risk ratio 2.84, p = 0.0047, I2 = 0%). In 13 cohort studies including 942 patients with palpable BC, negative margin rates were higher if IOUS was used, and tissue volumes were higher in palpation-guided cohorts in most studies. IOUS is a safe noninvasive technique for the localization of sonographically visible tumors that significantly improves margin rates in palpable and non-palpable BC. Surgeons should be encouraged to acquire ultrasound skills and participate in breast ultrasound training.

Evaluation of breast cosmetic changes with a computer-software; the breast cancer conservative treatment cosmetic results (BCCT. core) in hypofractionated whole breast irradiation after breast-conserving surgery-supplementary analysis of multicenter single-arm confirmatory trial: JCOG0906

BACKGROUND

A good cosmetic outcome has been defined as an important endpoint in breast-conserving therapy (BCT). Various evaluation methods have been studied, but the optimal method has yet to be identified. The present supplementary analysis of JCOG0906 focused on comparing evaluation methods for breast cosmetic outcomes following hypofractionated whole breast irradiation (HFWBI) to examine whether a computer-software (the Breast Cancer Conservative Treatment cosmetic results [BCCT. core])-based program evaluation (CE) can be used for Asian women in clinical trials of BCT.

METHODS

Of 306 women, 292 underwent institutional evaluation (IE) for breast cosmetic outcomes before (pre) and 3 years after (post) HFWBI using a 4-point scale (excellent/good/fair/poor), and they were evaluated by CE and a central panel evaluation (PE) on the same scale using 292 pairs of pre/post-HFWBI photographs. PE was performed twice by consensus of the same two experts with a 3-year interval. CE was assessed individually by two radiation oncologists, an expert and a non-expert. Intra-observer variability and inter-observer variability were calculated using the kappa (k) and weighted kappa (wk) statistics.

RESULTS

The agreement between the first and second PE using pre/post-HFWBI photographs was moderate (k = 0.60, wk = 0.64. k = 0.53, wk = 0.60). The agreement between the expert and non-expert on CE was substantial (k = 0.72, wk = 0.76. k = 0.72, wk = 0.77). The inter-observer variability of CE was smaller than the intra-observer variability of PE.

CONCLUSION

CE with BCCT. core was considered a reproducible and an appropriate evaluation method for Asian women in clinical trials of BCT, when breast cosmetic changes were compared between pre/post therapy.

Development of intraoperative assessment of margins in breast conserving surgery: a narrative review

OBJECTIVE

We intend to provide an informative and up-to-date summary on the topic of intraoperative assessment of margins in breast conserving surgery (BCS). Conventional methods as well as cutting-edge technologies are analyzed for their advantages and limitations in the hope that clinicians can turn to this for reference. This review can also offer guidance for technicians in the future design of intraoperative margin assessment tools.

BACKGROUND

Achieving negative margins during BCS is one of the vital factors for preventing local recurrence. Conducting intraoperative margin assessment can ensure negative margins to a large extent and possibly relieve patients of the anguish of re-interventions. In recent years, innovative methods for margin assessment during BCS are advancing rapidly. And there is a lack of summary regarding the development of intraoperative margin assessment in BCS.

METHODS

A PubMed search with keywords "intraoperative margin assessment" and "breast conserving surgery" was conducted. Relevant publications were screened manually for its title, abstract and even full text to determine its true relevance. Publications on neo-adjuvant therapy and intraoperative radiotherapy were excluded. References from the searched articles and other supplementary articles were also looked into.

CONCLUSIONS

Conventional methods for margin assessment yields stable outcome but its use is limited because of the demand on pathology staff and the trade-off between time and precision. Conventional imaging techniques pass the workload to radiologists at the cost of a significantly low duration of time. Involving artificial intelligence for image-based assessment is a further improvement. However, conventional imaging is inherently flawed in that occult lesions can't show on the image and the showing ones are ambiguous and open to interpretation. Unconventional techniques which base their judgment on cellular composition are more reassuring. Nonetheless, unconventional techniques should be subjected to clinical trials before putting into practice. And studies regarding comparison between conventional methods and unconventional methods are also needed to evaluate their relative efficacy.

Implementation of Intraoperative Ultrasound Localization for Breast-Conserving Surgery in a Large, Integrated Health Care System is Feasible and Effective

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative ultrasound (IUS) localization for breast cancer is a noninvasive localization technique. In 2015, an IUS program for breast-conserving surgery (BCS) was initiated in a large, integrated health care system. This study evaluated the clinical results of IUS implementation.

METHODS

The study identified breast cancer patients with BCS from 1 January to 31 October 2015 and from 1 January to 31 October 2019. Clinicopathologic characteristics were collected, and localization types were categorized. Clinical outcomes were analyzed, including localization use, surgeon adoption of IUS, day-of-surgery intervals, and re-excision rates. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate predictors of re-excision.

RESULTS

The number of BCS procedures increased 23%, from 1815 procedures in 2015 to 2226 procedures in 2019. The IUS rate increased from 4% of lumpectomies (n = 79) in 2015 to 28% of lumpectomies (n = 632) in 2019 (p < 0.001). Surgeons using IUS increased from 6% (5 of 88 surgeons) in 2015 to 70% (42 of 60 surgeons) in 2019. In 2019, 76% of IUS surgeons performed at least 25% of lumpectomies with IUS. The mean time from admission to incision was shorter with IUS or seed localization than with wire localization (202 min with IUS, 201 with seed localization, 262 with wire localization in 2019; p < 0.001). The IUS re-excision rates were lower than for other localization techniques (13.6%, vs 19.6% for seed localization and 24.7% for wire localization in 2019; p = 0.006), and IUS predicted lower re-excision rates in a multivariable model (odds ratio [OR], 0.59).

CONCLUSIONS

In a high-volume integrated health system, IUS was adopted for BCS by a majority of surgeons. The use of IUS decreased the time from admission to incision compared with wire localization, and decreased re-excision rates compared with other localization techniques.

Impact of deformation on a supine-positioned image-guided breast surgery approach

PURPOSE

To reduce reoperation rates for image-guided breast-conserving surgery, the enhanced sensitivity of magnetic resonance (MR) supine imaging may be leveraged. However, accurate tissue correspondence between images and their physical counterpart in the surgical presentation is challenging due to breast deformations (e.g., from patient/arm position changes, and operating room table rotation differences). In this study, standard rigid registration methods are employed and tissue deformation is characterized.

METHODS

On n = 10 healthy breasts, surface displacements were measured by comparing intraoperative fiducial locations as the arm was moved from conventional MR scanning positions (arm-down and arm-up) to the laterally extended surgical configuration. Supine MR images in the arm-down and arm-up positions were registered to mock intraoperative presentations.

RESULTS

Breast displacements from a supine MR imaging configuration to a mock surgical presentation were 28.9 ± 9.2 mm with shifts occurring primarily in the inferior/superior direction. With respect to supine MR to surgical alignment, the average fiducial, target, and maximum target registration errors were 9.0 ± 1.7 mm, 9.3 ± 1.7 mm, and 20.0 ± 7.6 mm, respectively. Even when maintaining similar arm positions in the MR image and mock surgery, the respective averages were 6.0 ± 1.0 mm, 6.5 ± 1.1 mm, and 12.5 ± 2.8 mm.

CONCLUSION

From supine MR positioning to surgical presentation, the breast undergoes large displacements (9.9-70.1 mm). The data also suggest that significant nonrigid deformations (9.3 ± 1.7 mm with 20.0 mm average maximum) exist that need to be considered in image guidance and modeling applications.

Outcomes of intraoperative versus preoperative ultrasound-guided wire localization of nonpalpable breast lesions

Background: Nonpalpable breast lesions require localization, the gold standard for which is preoperative ultrasound-guided wire localization (PUGWL). Our unit also employs intraoperative ultrasound-guided wire localization (IUGWL). Here we evaluate PUGWL and IUGWL outcomes between 2014 and 2018. Primary outcomes were reoperation rates, complication rates and average specimen weights. Trainee feedback and cost analysis assessed IUGWL viability. Methods: Prospectively recorded data were collected. 511 patients were included (241 PUGWL and 270 IUGWL). Results: Reoperation rates: PUGWL 17.7% versus IUGWL 13.9% (p = 0.28) . Complication rates: PUGWL 5.8% versus IUGWL 6.6% (p = 0.72) . Average specimen weight: PUGWL 34.2 g versus IUGWL 24.3 g (p < 0.0001) . Trainees needed 15 supervised cases to be IUGWL competent. Performing IUGWL saves £289 per localization. Conclusion: IUGWL outcomes are comparable to those of PUGWL. IUGWL is cost-effective, patient-friendly and easy to learn and replicate. IUGWL merits wider dissemination and further planned research.

Enhancing Self-Esteem and Body Image of Breast Cancer Women through Interventions: A Systematic Review

Breast Cancer (BC) is the most common neoplasm in women worldwide, considered a global public health problem. Among BC women, some of the most common psychological symptoms in the adaptation to the disease are reduction in self-esteem and distorted body image (BI). Although there are numerous studies with the goal of promoting different psychological variables, BI and self-esteem are often separately observed despite their relationship and their importance in the process of the illness. Moreover, there have been no reviews that have synthesized the findings related to interventions aimed at enhancing both self-esteem and BI in BC women. Therefore, the objective of this review was to identify and examine the implemented interventions aimed at boosting both variables in this population. For this purpose, a systematic review was implemented following the PRISMA statement. A thorough search was performed on the following databases: Web of Science, PubMed, PsychInfo, PsychArticles, and Scopus. Among 287 records, only eight articles met the eligibility criteria. Interventions were grouped into three types according to their characteristics: Group therapies, Physical activity therapies, and Cosmetic and beauty treatments. The levels of effectiveness of the different interventions varied between them, and within each, in their impact on self-esteem and BI. More interventions focused on developing BI and self-esteem in this population are needed due to their ability to predict psychological functioning and quality of life of women with breast cancer.

A decade of intraoperative ultrasound guided breast conservation for margin negative resection - Radioactive, and magnetic, and Infrared Oh My…

BACKGROUND

The oncologic goal of margin-negative breast conservation requires adequate localization of tumor. Intraoperative ultrasound remains most feasible but under-utilized method to localize the tumor and assess margins.

METHODS

A prospectively maintained breast cancer database over a decade was queried for margin status in breast cancer patients undergoing breast conservation. Techniques of tumor localization, margin re-excision and closest margins were analyzed. Rate of conversion to mastectomy was determined.

RESULTS

Of the 945 breast cancer patients treated at a university-based Breast Center of Excellence between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2018, 149(15.8%) had ductal carcinoma in situ; 712(75.3%) had invasive ductal carcinoma, and 63(6.7%) had invasive lobular carcinoma. Clinical stage distribution was: T1 = 372(39.4%); T2 = 257(27.2%); T3 = 87(9.2%). Five hundred and eighty three (61.7%) patients underwent breast conservation. The median (25th -75th centile) closest margin was 6(2.5, 10.0) mm. Thirty five (6.0%) patients underwent margin re-excision, of which 9(25%) were converted to mastectomy. Tumor localization was achieved with ultrasound in 521(89.4%) patients and with wire localization in 62(10.6%) patients. The median (25th-75th centile) closest margin with wire localization was 5.0(2.0, 8.5) mm versus 5.0 (2.0, 8.0) mm with ultrasound guidance [p = 0.6635]. The re-excision rate with wire localization was 14.5% versus 4.9% with ultrasound guidance [p = 0.0073]. The unadjusted Odds Ratio (95% CI) for margin revision in wire localized group compared with ultrasound was 3.2 (7.14, 1.42) [p = 0.0045]; multivariate adjusted OR (95%) was 4(9.09, 1.7) [p = 0.0013].

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound guidance for localization of breast cancer remains the most effective option for margin negative breast conservation.

Optimization of Wire-guided Technique With Bracketing Reduces Resection Volumes in Breast-conserving Surgery for Early Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

Wire-guided localization (WGL) of early breast cancer can be facilitated using multiple wires, which is called bracketing wire-guided localization (BWL). The primary aim of this study is to compare BWL and conventional WGL regarding minimization of resection volumes without compromising margin status. Secondly, BWL is evaluated as an alternative method for intraoperative ultrasound (US) guidance in poorly definable breast tumors on US.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, patients with preoperatively diagnosed breast cancer undergoing wide local excision between January 2016 and December 2018 were analyzed. Patients with multifocal disease or neoadjuvant treatment were excluded from this study. Optimal resection with minimal healthy breast tissue removal was assessed using the calculated resection ratio (CRR).

RESULTS

BWL was performed in 17 (9%) patients, WGL in 44 (22%), and US in 139 (70%). The rate of negative margins was comparable in all 3 groups. The CRR was significantly smaller for BWL (0.6) than WGL (1.3) in tumors larger than 1.5 cm. Additionally, BWL (0.8) led to smaller CRRs than US (1.7). This could be explained by the high number of small tumors (≤ 1.5 cm) in the US group for which greater CRRs are obtained than for large tumors (> 1.5 cm) (1.9 vs. 1.4; P = .005).

CONCLUSION

For breast tumors larger than 1.5 cm, BWL achieves more optimal resection volumes without compromising margin status compared with WGL. Moreover, BWL seems a suitable alternative to US in patients with poorly ultrasound-visible breast tumors and patients with a small tumor in a (large) breast.

Radio-guided and clip-guided preoperative localization for malignant microcalcifications offer similar performances in breast-conserving surgery

Obtaining a tailored breast resection is challenging in microcalcifications detected on screening mammography, and an accurate localization is required. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of radio-guided localization (ROLL) versus ultrasound localization of a titanium clip with collagen (TCC) in terms of clear margins, re-intervention rates, excess of resected breast tissue, and operative times in pure malignant microcalcifications detected on screening mammography. Two hundred and twenty-one consecutive patients with malignant microcalcifications detected on screening mammography from a tertiary breast unit were reviewed: 177 patients were localized by TCC and 44 patients by stereotactic ROLL. A propensity score-matched analysis was performed, followed by a logistic regression model, to avoid selection bias. Adequacy of resection was expressed as the calculated resection ratio considering lesion size. No differences were found in clear margins with ROLL versus TCC (77.3% vs 81.8%, adjusted OR 2, P = 0.27). Re-operation rates were similar, being 11.3% with ROLL and 7.4% with TCC (P = 0.627). Mean resection volume was 46.2 cm³ with ROLL versus 54.2 cm³ with TCC (P = 0.222). Adjusted mean calculated resection ratio was 1.8 with ROLL and 2.1 with TCC (P = 0.38). Surgery time was longer with TCC compared to ROLL (69.6 vs 52.7 minutes, P < 0.0001). ROLL and TCC are equally effective to excise malignant microcalcifications with clear margins, providing similar re-intervention rates and resection volumes.

Ultrasound-guided preoperative localization of breast lesions: a good choice

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to verify whether ultrasound (US)-guided preoperative localization of breast lesions is an adequate technique for correct and safe surgical resection and to contribute positively and effectively to this topic in the literature with our results.

METHODS

From June 2016 to November 2016, 155 patients with both benign and malignant breast lesions were selected from our institute to undergo US localization before surgery. The lesions included were: sonographically visible and nonpalpable lesions; palpable lesions for which a surgeon had requested US localization to better evaluate the site and extension; sonographically visible, multifocal breast lesions, both palpable and nonpalpable. US localization was performed using standard linear transducers (Siemens 18 L6, 5.5-8 MHz, 5.6 cm, ACUSON S2000 System, Siemens Medical Solutions). The radiologist used a skin pen to mark the site of the lesion, and the reported lesion's depth and distance from the nipple and pectoral muscle were recorded. The lesions were completely excised by a team of breast surgeons, and the surgical specimens were sent to the Radiology Department for radiological evaluation and to the Pathology Department for histological assessment.

RESULTS

In 155 patients who underwent to preoperative US localization, 188 lesions were found, and the location of each lesion was marked with a skin pen. A total of 181 lesions were confirmed by the final histopathologic exam (96.28%); 132 of them (72.92%) were malignant, and 124 of these (93.93%) showed free margins.

CONCLUSIONS

US-guided preoperative localization of sonographically visible breast lesions is a simple and nontraumatic procedure with high specificity and is a useful tool for obtaining accurate surgical margins.

Breast and Tumour Volume Measurements in Breast Cancer Patients Using 3-D Automated Breast Volume Scanner Images

BACKGROUND

The resection volume in relation to the breast volume is known to influence cosmetic outcome following breast-conserving therapy. It was hypothesised that three-dimensional ultrasonography (3-D US) could be used to preoperatively assess breast and tumour volume and show high association with histopathological measurements.

METHODS

Breast volume by the 3D-US was compared to the water displacement method (WDM), mastectomy specimen weight, 3-D MRI and three different calculations for breast volume on mammography. Tumour volume by the 3-D US was compared to the histopathological tumour volume and 3-D MRI. Relatedness was based on the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Bland-Altman plots were used to graphically display the agreement for the different assessment techniques. All measurements were performed by one observer.

RESULTS

A total of 36 patients were included, 20 and 23 for the evaluation of breast and tumour volume (ductal invasive carcinomas), respectively. 3-D US breast volume showed 'excellent' association with WDM, ICC 0.92 [95% CI (0.80-0.97)]. 3-D US tumour volume showed a 'excellent' association with histopathological tumour volume, ICC 0.78 [95% CI (0.55-0.91)]. Bland-Altman plots showed an increased overestimation in lager tumour volumes measured by 3-D MRI compared to histopathological volume.

CONCLUSIONS

3-D US showed a high association with gold standard WDM for the preoperative assessment of breast volume and the histopathological measurement of tumour volume. 3-D US is an patient-friendly preoperative available technique to calculate both breast volume and tumour volume. Volume measurements are promising in outcome prediction of intended breast-conserving treatment.

Intraoperative ultrasound in breast cancer surgery-from localization of non-palpable tumors to objectively measurable excision

Background

The utilization of intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) in breast cancer surgery is a relatively new concept in surgical oncology. Over the last few decades, the field of breast cancer surgery has been striving for a more rational approach, directing its efforts towards removing the tumor entirely yet sparing tissue and structures not infiltrated by tumor cells. Further progress in objectivity and optimization of breast cancer excision is possible if we make the tumor and surrounding tissue visible and measurable in real time, during the course of the operation; IOUS seems to be the optimal solution to this complex requirement. IOUS was introduced into clinical practice as a device for visualization of non-palpable tumors, and compared to wire-guided localization (WGL), IOUS was always at least a viable, or much better alternative, in terms of both precision in identification and resection and for patients’ and surgeons’ comfort. In recent years, intraoperative ultrasound has been used in the surgery of palpable tumors to optimize resection procedures and overcome the disadvantages of classic palpation guided surgery.

Objective

The aim of this review is to show the role of IOUS in contemporary breast cancer surgery and its changes over time.

Methods

A PubMed database comprehensive search was conducted to identify all relevant articles according to assigned key words.

Conclusion

Over time, the use of IOUS has been transformed from being the means of localizing non-palpable lesions to an instrument yielding a reduced number of positive resection margins, with a smaller volume of healthy breast tissue excided around tumor, by making the excision of the tumor optimal and objectively measurable.