Factors associated with local recurrence and cause-specific survival in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast treated with breast-conserving therapy or mastectomy

Reoperation rate of ductal carcinoma in situ: impact of tomosynthesis (3D) and spot magnification

BACKGROUND

Surgical planning depends on precise preoperative assessment of the radiological extent of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Despite different modalities used, reoperation rates for DCIS due to involved margins are high.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the impact of additional imaging views (spot magnification, tomosynthesis) on surgical reoperation rate of DCIS.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The retrospective single institute study includes 157 patients with biopsy-proven pure DCIS seen on mammogram as microcalcifications and treated with breast-conserving surgery. Patients have been divided into three groups according to additional imaging performed: spot magnification, tomosynthesis, and none. All breast images (mammograms, spot magnification, tomosynthesis) were reviewed and the maximum extent of pathological microcalcifications was recorded. Radiological size was compared to final histopathological size. Reoperation rate due to inadequate margins was recorded.

RESULTS

Reoperation rates (25%) due to inadequate margins were as follows: spot (18%), tomosynthesis (27%), none (31%); P = 0.488. Spot magnification, tomosynthesis, and digital zoom of full-field digital mammography predicted similarly the final histopathological size. Reoperation group had a significantly greater preoperative radiological median size (26 mm vs. 20 mm; P = 0.014) as well as median size of disease on final histopathological report (29 mm vs. 14 mm; P < 0.001). Discrepancy between radiological and final histopathological size became greater with increasing DCIS extent.

CONCLUSION

The main factors for reoperations are DCIS size and discordance between radiological and histopathological sizes. The use of additional imaging views (spot magnification, tomosynthesis) did not reduce reoperation rate.

Cutaneous Metastasis vs. Isolated Skin Recurrence of Invasive Breast Carcinoma after Modified Radical Mastectomy

Background

Five to ten percent of the patients with operable breast cancer develop a chest wall recurrence within 10 years following the mastectomy. One of the most distressing presentations of locally recurrent breast cancer is the appearance of cutaneous metastases. To the best of authors' knowledge, there is no study distinguishing skin metastasis from local recurrence, so the main aim of this report was to elucidate if these two features are important in the prognosis and management of the disease. Case Presentation. A 51-year-old woman referred to the breast clinic due to a painful mass in the left breast. The patient underwent the modified radical mastectomy (MRM) and left axillary lymph node dissection followed by 30 sessions of radiotherapy and 8 sessions of chemotherapy (T3N1M0, ER−, and HER2+). About 15 months after the surgery, she presented with redness and eruptive lesions over the mastectomy scar that increased in size within a three-month follow-up.

Conclusion

Mastectomy is not an absolute cure in the treatment of an invasive breast cancer because almost always, there is a recurrence risk and possibility of metastasis. It is vital to differentiate between local recurrence and skin metastasis because it would alter the overall treatment decision, prognosis, and patient outcomes.

HER2-Overexpressing Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Associated with Increased Risk of Ipsilateral Invasive Recurrence, Receptor Discordance with Recurrence

The impact of HER2 status in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) on the risk of progression to invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) has been debated. We aim to use a national database to identify patients with known HER2 status to elucidate the effect of HER2 overexpression on ipsilateral IDC (iIDC) development. We performed survival analysis on patient-level data using the U.S. NCI's Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results program. We identified patients diagnosed with DCIS who underwent lumpectomy and had known HER2 status. Competing risks analysis was performed. A total of 1,540 patients had known HER2 status and met inclusion criteria. Median age at diagnosis was 60, median follow-up time was 44.5 months. A total of 417 (27.1%) patients were HER2 positive and 1,035 (67.2%) were HER2 negative. Twenty-two (1.4%) patients developed iIDC and 27 (1.8%) developed ipsilateral in situ or contralateral disease. The estimated cumulative incidence of iIDC at 5 years was 1.9% for all patients, 1.2% for HER2-negative and borderline patients, and 3.9% for HER2-positive patients. On multivariate competing risks regression, two factors were significant for iIDC: radiation (protective) therapy within 24 months (HR, 0.05; P = 0.00006) and HER2 overexpression (increased likelihood; HR, 2.72; P = 0.044). Patients with HER2-positive DCIS were more likely to have recurrences with receptor discordance. HER2 may serve as a prognostic factor for invasive recurrence and was the only lesion-related factor to significantly relate to iIDC development. It may also be associated with receptor discordance of recurrences. Further large studies will be needed to confirm these results.

Postmastectomy radiation therapy in early breast cancer: Utility or futility?

Postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) has been shown to reduce the risk of locoregional recurrence (LRR), in patients with locally advanced breast cancer who are considered of high-risk because of large tumors (>5 cm) or presence of axillary lymph-node involvement, as well as to reduce breast cancer mortality. However, controversy still remains with respect to indication of PMRT in case of early-stages invasive tumors. This review aims to analyze the impact that PMRT has on final results in women with breast tumors in different scenarios that would otherwise be considered as early breast cancer, such as extensive DCIS, tumors without axillary lymph-node involvement or with minimal microscopic nodal-involvement. The existence of risk factors including young age, premenopausal status, and presence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI), high grade or tumor size >2 cm has been associated with an increased risk of LRR in these patients at early-stages and advises to consider PMRT in selected cases.

Ductal Carcinoma In Situ and Margins <2 mm: Contemporary Outcomes With Breast Conservation

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relationship between negative margin width and locoregional recurrence (LRR) in a contemporary cohort of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) patients.

BACKGROUND

Recent national consensus guidelines recommend an optimal margin width of 2 mm or greater for the management of DCIS; however, controversy regarding re-excision remains when managing negative margins <2 mm.

METHODS

One thousand four hundred ninety-one patients with DCIS who underwent breast-conserving surgery from 1996 to 2010 were identified from a prospectively managed cancer center database and analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models to determine the relationship between negative margin width and LRR with or without adjuvant radiation therapy (RT).

RESULTS

A univariate analysis revealed that age <40 years (n = 89; P = 0.02), no RT (n = 298; P = 0.01), and negative margin width <2 mm (n = 120; P = 0.005) were associated with LRR. The association between margin width and LRR differed by adjuvant RT status (interaction P = 0.02). There was no statistical significant difference in LRR between patients with <2 mm and ≥2 mm negative margins who underwent RT (10-yr LRR rate, 4.8% vs 3.3%, respectively; hazard ratio, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.2-3.2; P = 0.72). For patients who did not undergo RT, those with margins <2 mm were significantly more likely to develop a LRR than were those with margins ≥2 mm (10-yr LRR rate, 30.9% vs 5.4%, respectively; hazard ratio, 5.5; 95% CI, 1.8-16.8, P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Routine additional surgery may not be justified for patients with negative margins <2 mm who undergo RT but should be performed in patients who forego RT.

The Assisi Think Tank Meeting Survey of post-mastectomy radiation therapy in ductal carcinoma in situ: Suggestions for routine practice

BACKGROUND

Risk factors for local recurrence after mastectomy in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) emerged as a grey area during the second "Assisi Think Tank Meeting" (ATTM) on Breast Cancer.

AIM

To review practice patterns of post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) in DCIS, identify risk factors for recurrence and select suitable candidates for PMRT.

METHODS

A questionnaire concerning DCIS management, focusing on PMRT, was distributed online via SurveyMonkey.

RESULTS

142 responses were received from 15 countries. The majority worked in academic institutions, had 5-20 years work-experience and irradiated <5 DCIS patients/year. PMRT was more given if: surgical margins <1 mm, high-grade, multicentricity, young age, tumour size >5 cm, skin- or nipple- sparing mastectomy. Moderate hypofractionation was the most common schedule, except after immediate breast reconstruction (57% conventional fractionation).

CONCLUSIONS

The present survey highlighted risk factors for PMRT administration, which should be further evaluated.

Synchronous bilateral breast cancer patients submitted to conservative treatment and brachytherapy - The experience of a service

Introduction

The incidence of breast carcinoma (BC) has increased in the last years. Between 2 and 12% of patients diagnosed with BC will develop bilateral breast carcinoma (BBC). The treatment of these carcinomas is more aggressive than unilateral BC.

Purpose

To perform a retrospective qualitative analysis of BBC patients whose treatment has included brachytherapy (BT) and to present a revised literature on this issue.

Material and methods

The cases of BBC whose treatment included brachytherapy were revised. The literature on this issue was refreshed.

Results

Five women, aged between 54 and 78 at the time of the diagnosis, submitted to conservative surgery followed by external radiotherapy (RT) with boost of BT or exclusive BT (APBI), in the IPO-P BT Service between 2003 and 2016.

Discussion

The patients with BBC have slightly higher rates of local recurrences, mostly in the tumor bed, where there is a higher risk of local recurrence. Patients treated with BT had lower rates of recurrences than those treated with photons and electrons.

Conclusions

BBC represents a complex challenge for doctors, because in some cases there is a tendency to use more aggressive treatments and, at the same time, it is not easy to achieve the timing for the correct treatment.

Risk of death from breast cancer after treatment for ductal carcinoma in situ

Background

Studies to date have failed to demonstrate any survival benefit from preventing local recurrence after treatment for ductal breast carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Patient- and tumour-related risk factors for death from breast cancer in women with a primary DCIS were analysed here in a large case–control study.

Methods

A nested case–control study was conducted in a population-based cohort of women with primary DCIS between 1992 and 2012. Women who later died from breast cancer were identified. Four controls per case were selected randomly by incidence density sampling. Medical records and pathology reports were retrieved. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95 per cent confidence intervals for risk of death from breast cancer.

Results

From a cohort of 6964 women, 96 who died from breast cancer were identified and these were compared with a group of 318 controls. Tumour size over 25 mm or multifocal DCIS (OR 2·55, 95 per cent c.i. 1·53 to 4·25), a positive or uncertain margin status (OR 3·91, 1·59 to 9·61) and detection outside the screening programme (OR 2·12, 1·16 to 3·86) increased the risk of death from breast cancer. The risks were not affected by age or type of treatment. In the multivariable analysis, tumour size (OR 1·95, 1·06 to 3·67) and margin status (OR 2·69, 1·15 to 7·11) remained significant.

Conclusion

In the present study, large tumour size and positive or uncertain margin status were associated with a higher risk of death from breast cancer after treatment for primary DCIS. More extensive treatment was not associated with lower risk, which may be due to confounding by indication, or indicate that some DCIS has an inherent potential for metastatic spread.

Radiopathological features predictive of involved margins in ductal carcinoma in situ

INTRODUCTION Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) usually manifests as microcalcification on mammography but may be uncalcified. Consequently, a quarter of patients undergoing excision of a presumed pure DCIS require further surgery to re-excise margins. Patients at highest risk of margin involvement may benefit from additional preoperative assessment. METHODS A retrospective review was carried out of patients treated for screen detected, biopsy proven DCIS in a single centre over a ten-year period (1999-2009). Logistic regression analysis identified factors predictive of need for further surgery to clear margins. RESULTS Overall, 248 patients underwent surgery for DCIS (low/intermediate grade: 82, high grade: 155) and 49 (19.8%) required further surgery. High grade disease was associated with greater mammographic extent (mean: 32mm [range: 5-120mm] vs 25mm [range: 2-100mm]), p=0.009) and higher incidence of mastectomy (38% vs 24%, p=0.034). Factors predictive of involvement of surgical margins necessitating further surgery included negative oestrogen receptor status (OR: 5.2, 95% CI: 2.1-12.8, p<0.001) and mammographic extent (odds ratio [OR]: 1.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-2.1, p=0.004). Once size exceeded 30mm, more than 50% of patients required secondary breast surgery for margins. CONCLUSIONS Reoperation rates for DCIS increase with preoperative size on mammography and negative oestrogen receptor status on core biopsy. Patients with these risk features should be counselled accordingly and consideration should be given to the role of additional preoperative imaging.

Image-guided hypofractionated proton beam therapy for low-risk prostate cancer: Analysis of quality of life and toxicity, PCG GU 002

AIM

This interim analysis evaluated changes in quality of life (QOL), American Urological Association Symptom Index (AUA), or adverse events (AEs) among prostate cancer patients treated with hypofractionation.

BACKGROUND

Results for hypofractionated prostate cancer with photon therapy are encouraging. No prior trial addresses the role of proton therapy in this clinical setting.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-nine patients with low-risk prostate cancer received 38-Gy relative biologic effectiveness in 5 treatments. They received proton therapy at 2 fields a day, magnetic resonance imaging registration, rectal balloon, and fiducial markers for guidance pre-beam. We evaluated AEs, Expanded Prostate Index Composite (EPIC) domains, and AUA at pretreatment and at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. An AUA change >5 points and QOL change of half a standard deviation (SD) defined clinical significance.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 18 months; 17 patients reached follow-up of ≥24 months. For urinary function, statistically and clinically significant change was not seen (maximum change, 3). EPIC urinary QOL scores did not show statistically and clinically significant change at any end point (maximum, 0.45 SD). EPIC bowel QOL scores showed small but statistically and clinically significant change at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months (SD range, 0.52-0.62). EPIC sexual scores showed small but statistically and clinically significant change at 24 months (SD, 0.52). No AE grade ≥3 was seen.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients treated with hypofractionated proton therapy tolerated treatment well, with excellent QOL scores, persistently low AUA, and no AE grade ≥3.

Ductal Carcinoma In Situ of the Breast: Evaluating the Role of Radiation Therapy in the Management and Attempts to Identify Low-risk Patients

Ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast has rapidly increased in incidence over the past several decades secondary to an increased use of screening mammography. Local treatment options for women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ include mastectomy or breast-conserving therapy. Although several randomized trials have confirmed a >50% reduction in the risk of local recurrence with the administration of radiation therapy (RT) compared with breast-conserving surgery alone, controversy persists regarding whether or not RT is needed in selected "low-risk" patients. Over the past two decades, two prospective single-arm studies and one randomized trial have been performed and confirm that the omission of RT after surgery is associated with higher rates of local recurrence even after selecting patients with optimal clinical and pathologic features. Importantly, these trials have failed to consistently and reproducibly identify a low-risk cohort of patients (based on clinical and pathologic features) that does not benefit from RT. As a result, adjuvant RT is still advocated in the majority of patients, even in low-risk cases. Future research is moving beyond traditional clinical and pathologic risk factors and instead focusing on approaches such as multigene assays and biomarkers with the hopes of identifying truly low-risk patients who may not require RT. However, recent studies confirm that even low-risk patients identified from multigene assays have higher rates of local recurrence with local excision alone than would be expected with the addition of RT.

Microcalcifications in 1657 Patients with Pure Ductal Carcinoma in Situ of the Breast: Correlation with Clinical, Histopathologic, Biologic Features, and Local Recurrence

PURPOSE

This study was designed to determine the relationship of microcalcification morphology and distribution with clinical, histopathologic, biologic features, and local recurrence (LR) in patients with pure ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast.

METHODS

All patients with pure DCIS who underwent preoperative mammography at our institution from 1996 through 2009 were identified. Mammographic findings were classified according to the ACR BI-RADS lexicon. Associations between mammographic findings and clinical, histopathologic, biologic characteristics, and LR were analyzed. Statistical inference used multiple logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression adjusted for age and confounding due to bias from nonrandomized selection of radiation therapy.

RESULTS

We identified 1657 patients with microcalcifications visualized on mammography. The mean age at diagnosis was 55 years (SD, 11). The mean follow-up was 7 years (range 1-16). Ipsilateral LR was 4 % in segmentectomy (987) and 1.5 % in mastectomy (670) patients. Increased LR risk was seen in patients with dense breast tissue (p < 0.05) and larger DCIS size (p < 0.01). Radiation therapy was associated with a 2.8-fold decrease in the LR risk. Fine linear (branching) microcalcifications were associated with 5.2-fold increase in LR. Extremely dense breast tissue was associated with positive/close margins (p = 0.04) and multicentricity (p < 0.01). Younger women were more likely to have extremely dense breast tissue (p < 0.0001), multicentric disease (p < 0.0004), and undergo mastectomy (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Dense breast tissue, large DCIS size, and fine linear (branching) microcalcifications were associated with increased LR, yet overall LR rates remained low. Extremely dense breast tissue was a risk factor for multicentricity and positive margins in DCIS.

Close or positive resection margins are not associated with an increased risk of chest wall recurrence in women with DCIS treated by mastectomy: a population-based analysis

Mastectomy is effective treatment for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) but some women will develop chest wall recurrence. Most chest wall recurrences that develop after mastectomy are invasive cancer and are associated with poorer prognosis. Past studies have been unable to identify factors predictive of chest wall recurrence. Therefore, it remains unclear if a subset exists of women with DCIS treated by mastectomy experience a high rate of recurrence in whom more aggressive treatment may be of benefit. We report outcomes of all women in Ontario (N = 1,546) diagnosed with pure DCIS from 1994 to 2003 treated with mastectomy without radiotherapy and evaluate factors associated with the development of chest wall recurrence. Treatments and outcomes were validated by chart review. Proportional differences were compared using Chi square analyses. Survival analyses were used to study the development of chest wall recurrence in relation to patient and tumor characteristics. Median follow-up was 10.1 years. Median age was 57.1 years. 36 patients (2.3%) developed chest wall recurrence. The 10-year actuarial chest wall recurrence-free survival rates and invasive chest wall recurrence-free survival rates were 97.6 and 98.6%, respectively. There was no difference in cumulative 10 year rates of chest wall recurrence by age at diagnosis (<40 years = 5.2%, 40–44 years = 1.3%, 45–50 years = 2.9%, >50 years = 2.1%; p = 0.19), nuclear grade (high = 3.0%, intermediate = 1.4%, low = 1.0%, unreported = 2.5%; p = 0.41), or among women with close or positive resection margins (positive = 3.0%, 2 mm or less = 1.4%, >2 mm = 1.5%, unreported = 2.8%; p = 0.51). On univariate and multivariable analysis, none of the factors were significantly associated with the development of chest wall recurrence. In this population cohort, individuals treated by mastectomy experienced low rates of chest wall recurrence. We did not identify a subset of patients with a high rate of chest wall recurrence, including those with positive margins.

Tumor intrinsic subtype is reflected in cancer-adjacent tissue

INTRODUCTION

Overall survival of early-stage breast cancer patients is similar for those who undergo breast-conserving therapy (BCT) and mastectomy; however, 10% to 15% of women undergoing BCT suffer ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence. The risk of recurrence may vary with breast cancer subtype. Understanding the gene expression of the cancer-adjacent tissue and the stromal response to specific tumor subtypes is important for developing clinical strategies to reduce recurrence risk.

METHODS

We utilized two independent datasets to study gene expression data in cancer-adjacent tissue from invasive breast cancer patients. Complementary in vitro cocultures were used to study cell-cell communication between fibroblasts and specific breast cancer subtypes.

RESULTS

Our results suggest that intrinsic tumor subtypes are reflected in histologically normal cancer-adjacent tissue. Gene expression of cancer-adjacent tissues shows that triple-negative (Claudin-low or basal-like) tumors exhibit increased expression of genes involved in inflammation and immune response. Although such changes could reflect distinct immune populations present in the microenvironment, altered immune response gene expression was also observed in cocultures in the absence of immune cell infiltrates, emphasizing that these inflammatory mediators are secreted by breast-specific cells. In addition, although triple-negative breast cancers are associated with upregulated immune response genes, luminal breast cancers are more commonly associated with estrogen-response pathways in adjacent tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

Specific characteristics of breast cancers are reflected in the surrounding histologically normal tissue. This commonality between tumor and cancer-adjacent tissue may underlie second primaries and local recurrences.

IMPACT

Biomarkers derived from cancer-adjacent tissue may be helpful in defining personalized surgical strategies or in predicting recurrence risk.

Ductal carcinoma in situ: how should we treat it?

SUMMARY The observed incidence of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) has increased because of the increasing use of sensitive imaging modalities. While the clinical course of DCIS is quite variable, it is considered a precursor lesion to invasive breast cancer. The current focus of DCIS treatment is on the prevention of progression to invasive disease. However, at present, validated diagnostic tests to predict progression accurately are lacking. Additionally, important clinical questions arise during DCIS management. For example, optimal margins of excision or axillary lymph node sampling have not been addressed in randomized clinical trials. May whole-breast radiation after lumpectomy be omitted in selected patients? What is the role of adjuvant tamoxifen if it does not impact overall survival rates? This review aims to describe the natural history of DCIS and highlights the current therapeutic options and challenges in patient management.

Radiotherapy in the management of early breast cancer

Radiotherapy is an indispensible part of the management of all stages of breast cancer. In this article, the common indications for radiotherapy in the management of early breast cancer (stages 0, I, and II) are reviewed, including whole-breast radiotherapy as part of breast-conserving treatment for early invasive breast cancer and pre-invasive disease of ductal carcinoma in situ, post-mastectomy radiotherapy, locoregional radiotherapy, and partial breast irradiation. Key clinical studies that underpin our current practice are discussed briefly.

Outcomes in patients treated with mastectomy for ductal carcinoma in situ

PURPOSE

To examine, in a large, population-based cohort of women, the risk factors for recurrence after mastectomy for pure ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and to identify which patients may benefit from postmastectomy radiation therapy.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Data were analyzed for 637 subjects with pure DCIS, diagnosed between January 1990 and December 1999, treated initially with mastectomy. Locoregional relapse (LRR), breast cancer-specific survival, and overall survival were described using the Kaplan-Meier method. Reported risk factors for LRR (age, margins, size, Van Nuys Prognostic Index, grade, necrosis, and histologic subtype) were analyzed by univariate (log-rank) and multivariate (Cox modeling) methods.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 12.0 years. Characteristics of the cohort were median age 55 years, 8.6% aged ≤ 40 years, 30.5% tumors >4 cm, 42.5% grade 3 histology, 37.7% multifocal disease, and 4.9% positive margins. At 10 years, LRR was 1.0%, breast cancer-specific survival was 98.0%, and overall survival was 90.3%. All recurrences (n=12) involved ipsilateral chest wall disease, with the majority being invasive disease (11 of 12). None of the 12 patients with recurrence died of breast cancer; all were successfully salvaged (median follow-up of 4.4 years). Ten-year LRR was higher with age ≤ 40 years (7.5% vs 1.5%; P=.003).

CONCLUSION

Mastectomy provides excellent locoregional control for DCIS. Routine use of postmastectomy radiation therapy is not justified. Young age (≤40 years) predicts slightly higher LRR, but possibly owing to the small number of cases with multiple risk factors for relapse, a subgroup with a high risk of LRR (ie, approximately 15%) was not identified.

Conservative treatment of breast ductal carcinoma in situ: results of an Italian multi-institutional retrospective study

Background

The incidence of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) has increased markedly in recent decades. In the past, mastectomy was the primary treatment for patients with DCIS, but as with invasive cancer, breast-conserving surgery followed by radiation therapy (RT) has become the standard approach. We present the final results of a multi-institutional retrospective study of an Italian Radiation Oncology Group for the study of conservative treatment of DCIS, characterized by a very long period of accrual, from February 1985 to March 2000, and a median follow-up longer than 11 years.

Methods

A collaborative multi-institutional study was conducted in Italy in 10 Radiation Oncology Departments. A consecutive series of 586 women with DCIS histologically confirmed, treated between February 1985 and March 2000, was retrospectively evaluated. Median age at diagnosis was 55 years (range: 29–84); 32 patients were 40 years old or younger. All women underwent conservative surgery followed by whole breast RT. Irradiation was delivered to the entire breast, for a median total dose of 50 Gy; the tumour bed was boosted in 295 cases (50%) at a median dose of 10 Gy.

Results

After a median follow-up of 136 months (range: 16–292 months), 59/586 patients (10%) experienced a local recurrence: invasive in 37 cases, intraductal in 20 and not specified in two. Salvage mastectomy was the treatment of choice in 46 recurrent patients; conservative surgery in 10 and it was unknown in three patients. The incidence of local recurrence was significantly higher in women younger than 40 years (31.3%) (p= 0.0009). Five patients developed distant metastases. Furthermore 40 patients developed a contralateral breast cancer and 31 a second primary tumour in a different site. The 10-year actuarial overall survival (OS) was 95.5% and the 10-year actuarial disease-specific survival (DSS) was 99%.

Conclusions

Our results are consistent with those reported in the literature. In particular it has been defined the importance of young age (40 years or less) as a relevant risk factor for local recurrence. This retrospective multi-institutional Italian study confirms the long term efficacy of breast conserving surgery with RT in women with DCIS.

Ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast: a surgical perspective

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast is a heterogeneous neoplasm with invasive potential. Risk factors include age, family history, hormone replacement therapy, genetic mutation, and patient lifestyle. The incidence of DCIS has increased due to more widespread use of screening and diagnostic mammography; almost 80% of cases are diagnosed with imaging with final diagnosis established by biopsy and histological examination. There are various classification systems used for DCIS, the most recent of which is based on the presence of intraepithelial neoplasia of the ductal epithelium (DIN). A number of molecular assays are now available that can identify high-risk patients as well as help establish the prognosis of patients with diagnosed DCIS. Current surgical treatment options include total mastectomy, simple lumpectomy in very low-risk patients, and lumpectomy with radiation. Adjuvant therapy is tailored based on the molecular profile of the neoplasm and can include aromatase inhibitors, anti-estrogen, anti-progesterone (or a combination of antiestrogen and antiprogesterone), and HER2 neu suppression therapy. Chemopreventive therapies are under investigation for DCIS, as are various molecular-targeted drugs. It is anticipated that new biologic agents, when combined with hormonal agents such as SERMs and aromatase inhibitors, may one day prevent all forms of breast cancer.

Biology, treatment, and outcome in very young and older women with DCIS

BACKGROUND

This study examines a modern cohort of women with ductal carcinoma-in-situ (DCIS) in order to identify potential differences in clinical presentation, treatments, and outcome based on age.

METHODS

From 1996 to 2009, a total of 2037 patients with pure DCIS were treated. Clinical presentation, pathologic factors, type of surgery and adjuvant therapy, and local recurrence rates among age groups were compared and analyzed. Median follow-up was 5.2 years.

RESULTS

There were 132 patients (6.5 %) aged <40, 1,690 (83 %) aged 40-70, and 215 (10.5 %) aged >70. Younger patients (<40) were significantly more likely to have a family history of breast cancer, present with clinical symptoms, undergo mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, and have a contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (P < 0.05). Older patients (>70) were significantly less likely to use adjuvant radiotherapy and tamoxifen (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in DCIS size, estrogen receptor status, necrosis, or contralateral breast cancer based on age. Among women <40, 29.3 % had evidence of multicentric disease versus 17.7 and 13.3 % in the women aged 40-70 and those >70, respectively (P = 0.004). On multivariate analysis, younger age (<40), larger-size DCIS (≥1.5 cm), and no use of radiotherapy were significant independent predictors of locoregional recurrence. The 5 year rates of local recurrence were 10.1 % in women <40 compared with 3.2 % in older women (P = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Younger patients with DCIS more often have multicentric disease, present with clinical findings, and opt for or require mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. Conservative surgery is only appropriate for younger patients if adjuvant radiotherapy is delivered.

Radiotherapy after conservative surgery in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast: a review

Several large prospective and retrospective studies have demonstrated excellent long-term outcomes after breast conservative treatment with radiation in invasive breast cancer. Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) followed by radiotherapy (RT) is an accepted management strategy for patients with DCIS. Adding radiation treatment after conservative surgery enables to reduce, without any significant risks, the rate of local recurrence (LR) by approximately 50% in retrospective and randomized clinical trials. As about 50% of LRs are invasive and have a negative psychological impact, minimizing recurrence is important. Local and local-regional recurrences after initial breast conservation treatment with radiation can be salvaged with high rates of survival and freedom from distant metastases.

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast: perspectives on biology and controversies in current management

The incidence of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) has increased because of increasing use of sensitive imaging modalities. MRI is commonly used for the detection of breast cancer but has not yet been validated in randomized trials. There have not been randomized trials addressing optimal margins of excision or axillary sampling. Whole breast radiation after lumpectomy decreases the risk of recurrence but may be omitted in selected patients. Adjuvant Tamoxifen reduces the risk of recurrence but has no impact on overall survival rates.

Local recurrence after partial mastectomy: relation to initial surgical margins

BACKGROUND

Local recurrence (LR) after partial mastectomy (PM) has been associated with inadequate surgical margins. We assessed LR association with initial margins after PM in patients receiving postoperative radiation therapy (RT).

METHODS

Initial margins, re-excision status, and ipsilateral LR were identified for all patients having initial PM from 2003 to 2008.

RESULTS

Seven hundred twelve patients underwent PM as their final procedure, and 598 (84.0%) had adjuvant RT. Initial margins were positive or <1-mm margins in 166 patients (27.8%). Re-excision was performed for all positive and 20.2% of patients with margins <1 mm. We observed 10 LRs (1.7%) at the 3.4-year mean follow-up. For patients with initial margins <1 mm, the LR rate was 4.2% (7/167) and just .7% for margins ≥1 mm (P = .006).

CONCLUSIONS

We report lower LR rates than traditionally reported. The surgical practice of re-excision to achieve margins of 1 to 5 mm needs closer scrutiny because it may have no impact on LR.

Tumor characteristics as predictors of local recurrence after treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ: a meta-analysis

While ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is seldom life threatening, the management of DCIS remains a dilemma for patients and their physicians. Aggressive treatment reduces the risk of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR), but has never been proven to improve survival. There is interest in identifying the prognostic factors for determining low-risk DCIS patients, but a comprehensive review of high-quality evidence on tumor characteristics in predicting local recurrence has never been carried out. We examined the following tumor characteristics: biomarkers, comedonecrosis, focality, surgical margin, method of detection, tumor grade, and tumor size. For this systematic review we restricted the analyses to the results of subgroup analyses from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and multivariate analyses from RCTs and observational studies. We identified 44 eligible articles. The pooled random-effects risk estimates for IBTR are comedonecrosis 1.71(95% CI, 1.36-2.16), focality 1.95(95% CI, 1.59-2.40), margin 2.25(95% CI, 1.77-2.86), method of detection 1.35(95% CI, 1.12-1.62), tumor grade 1.81(95% CI, 1.53-2.13), and tumor size 1.63(95% CI, 1.30-2.06). Limited evidence indicated that women whose DCIS is ER-negative, PR-negative, or HER2/neu receptor positive have an IBTR higher than those whose DCIS is ER-positive, PR-positive, and HER2/neu receptor negative. A variety of tumor characteristics are significant predictors for IBTR. These results are important for both clinicians and patients to interpret the risk of local recurrence and to decide on a course of treatment.

Association between patient and tumor characteristics with clinical outcomes in women with ductal carcinoma in situ

We synthesized the evidence of the association between patient and tumor characteristics with clinical outcomes in women with ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast. We identified five randomized controlled clinical trials and 64 observational studies that were published in English from January 1970 to January 2009. Younger women with clinically presented ductal carcinoma in situ had higher risk of ipsilateral recurrent cancer. African Americans had higher mortality and greater rates of advanced recurrent cancer. Women with larger tumor size, comedo necrosis, worse pathological grading, positive surgical margins, and at a higher risk category, using a composite prognostic index, had worse outcomes. Inconsistent evidence suggested that positive HER2 receptor and negative estrogen receptor status were associated with worse outcomes. Synthesis of evidence was hampered by low statistical power to detect significant differences in predictor categories and inconsistent adjustment practices across the studies. Future research should address composite prediction indices among race groups for all outcomes.

Local control of ductal carcinoma in situ based on tumor and patient characteristics: the surgeon's perspective

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a disease whose manifestations are largely confined to in-breast pathology. Management strategies therefore focus on various combinations of local therapy: mastectomy, lumpectomy alone, and lumpectomy followed by breast irradiation. Although DCIS does not carry an inherent risk of distant organ metastasis, optimal local control is essential because any in-breast or chest wall recurrence may occur as an invasive lesion. Local recurrence has been reported following breast-conserving surgery as well as mastectomy. Breast radiation is therefore generally recommended following breast-conserving surgery, and in selected circumstances, mastectomy may be the preferred treatment strategy. This article reviews the surgical and associated clinicopathologic issues related to initial biopsy and perioperative planning that should be considered for all DCIS cases to optimize local control.

Local outcomes in ductal carcinoma in situ based on patient and tumor characteristics

The term ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) encompasses a heterogeneous group of lesions that differ in their clinical behavior. Clinical factors such as symptomatic presentation and young age are associated with an increased risk of local recurrence in patients with DCIS managed with breast-conserving therapy. Treatment factors such as wider surgical margins, the use of radiation therapy, and the use of tamoxifen reduce the local recurrence risk. Pathological characteristics such as larger lesion size, high nuclear grade, comedo necrosis, and involved margins are associated with an increased risk of local recurrence in many studies. However, there are complex interactions between these pathological risk factors and other parameters such as treatment and length of follow-up. In fact, the magnitude of the effect of these pathological features on local recurrence risk is modified by these other factors. Analysis of genetic and molecular alterations as well as study of the microenvironment associated with DCIS are important avenues of research that may provide new insights into DCIS recurrence and progression risk, and this in turn may lead to new strategies for treatment and prevention.

Comparative effectiveness of ductal carcinoma in situ management and the roles of margins and surgeons

BACKGROUND

The high incidence of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and variations in its treatment motivate inquiry into the comparative effectiveness of treatment options. Few such comparative effectiveness studies of DCIS, however, have been performed with detailed information on clinical and treatment attributes.

METHODS

We collected detailed clinical, nonclinical, pathological, treatment, and long-term outcomes data from multiple medical records of 994 women who were diagnosed with DCIS from 1985 through 2000 in Monroe County (New York) and the Henry Ford Health System (Detroit, MI). We used ipsilateral disease-free survival models to characterize the role of treatments (surgery and radiation therapy) and margin status (positive, close [<2 mm], or negative [≥2 mm]) and logistic regression models to characterize the determinants of treatments and margin status, including the role of surgeons. All statistical tests were two-sided.

RESULTS

Treatments and margin status were statistically significant and strong predictors of long-term disease-free survival, but results varied substantially by surgeon. This variation by surgeon accounted for 15%-35% of subsequent ipsilateral 5-year recurrence rates and for 13%-30% of 10-year recurrence rates. The overall differences in predicted 5-year disease-free survival rates for mastectomy (0.993), breast-conserving surgery with radiation therapy (0.945), and breast-conserving surgery without radiation therapy (0.824) were statistically significant (P(diff) < .001 for each of the differences). Similarly, each of the differences at 10 years was statistically significant (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our work demonstrates the contributions of treatments and margin status to long-term ipsilateral disease-free survival and the link between surgeons and these key measures of care. Although variation by surgeon could be generated by patients' preferences, the extent of variation and its contribution to long-term health outcomes are troubling. Further work is required to determine why women with positive margins receive no additional treatment and why margin status and receipt of radiation therapy vary by surgeon.

Rates of second malignancies after definitive local treatment for ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast

PURPOSE

We analyzed the risk of second malignancies developing in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) undergoing surgery and radiotherapy (S+RT) vs. surgery alone.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The S+RT cohort consisted of 256 women treated with breast-conserving therapy at William Beaumont Hospital. The surgery alone cohort consisted of 2,788 women with DCIS in the regional Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database treated during the same time period. A matched-pair analysis was performed in which each S+RT patient was randomly matched with 8 surgery alone patients (total of 2,048 patients). Matching criteria included age±2 years. The rates of second malignancies were analyzed overall and as contralateral breast vs. non-breast cancers and by organ system.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 13.7 years for the S+RT cohort and 13.3 years for the surgery alone cohort. The overall 10-/15-year rates of second malignancies among the S+RT and surgery alone cohorts were 14.2%/24.2% and 16.4%/22.6%, respectively (p=0.668). The 15-year second contralateral breast cancer rate was 14.2% in the S+RT cohort and 10.3% in the surgery alone cohort (p=0.439). The 15-year risk of a second non-breast malignancy was 14.2% for the S+RT cohort and 13.4% for the surgery alone cohort (p=0.660). When analyzed by organ system, the 10- and 15-year rates of second malignancies did not differ between the S+RT and surgery alone cohorts for pulmonary, gastrointestinal, central nervous system, gynecologic, genitourinary, lymphoid, sarcomatoid, head and neck, or unknown primary tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with surgery alone, S+RT is not associated with an overall increased risk of second malignancies in women with DCIS.

Incorporating margin status information in treatment decisions for women with ductal carcinoma in situ: a decision analysis

To integrate margin status information into the decision to undergo radiation therapy (RT) following breast-conserving surgery (BCS) for women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). We developed a decision-analytic Markov model to project quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for a hypothetical cohort of 55-year-old women with DCIS over a lifetime horizon treated with or without RT following BCS. We estimated the transition probabilities of local DCIS and invasive recurrences based on the margin status (free, close, or positive) from a systematic literature review. Other probability estimates and utilities were collected from the published literature. Using the conditions defined in this model, expected QALYs after BCS alone were better than those after BCS with RT under the free-margin scenario (15.72 vs. 15.58) and worse in the close-margin (15.44 vs. 15.50) and positive-margin scenarios (15.20 vs. 15.33). The probability of receiving a salvage mastectomy varied from 10 to 28%, depending on margin status and treatment. One-way sensitivity analyses showed that the optimal treatment was sensitive to patients' preferences and RT side effects. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses revealed that BCS alone would be the best strategy in 54% of the cases under the free-margin scenario, 48% under the close-margin scenario, and 44% under the positive-margin scenario. This study illustrates that margin status is able to provide supplementary information on the decision of DCIS treatment. Our analyses also highlight the importance of patients' preferences in decision making. Our findings suggest that RT is not necessary for all patients with DCIS undergoing BCS.

Second conservative treatment for ipsilateral breast cancer recurrence using high-dose rate interstitial brachytherapy: preliminary clinical results and evaluation of patient satisfaction

PURPOSE

To assess early clinical results and evaluate patient satisfaction in case of second conservative treatment (2nd CT) combining lumpectomy plus high-dose rate (HDR) interstitial brachytherapy for patients (pts) presenting with ipsilateral breast cancer recurrence (IBCR).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

From June 2005 to July 2009, 42 pts presenting with an IBCR underwent a second lumpectomy with intraoperative implantation of plastic tubes in the tumor bed. After performing the dose distribution analysis on the postimplant CT scan, a total dose of 34 Gy in 10 fractions over 5 consecutive days was delivered. Toxicity evaluation was based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v3.0 criteria. Applying a visual analogic scale (VAS) analysis, patient satisfaction regarding cosmetic result and 2nd CT possibility was performed after the end of brachytherapy.

RESULTS

Median followup was 21 months (range, 6-50 months) and median age at the time of local recurrence was 65 years (range, 30-85 years). Median delay between primary and recurrence was 11 years (range, 1-35 years). Median recurrence tumor size was 12 mm (range, 2-30 mm). Median number of plastic tubes and planes were nine (range, 5-12) and two (range, 1-3), respectively. Median clinical target volume was 68 cc (range, 31.2-146 cc). Second local control rate was 97%. Twenty-two pts (60%) developed complications. Cutaneous and subcutaneous fibrosis was the most frequent side effect. Median VAS satisfaction score regarding cosmetic result was 7 of 10 (range, 4-9), whereas median VAS satisfaction score for 2nd CT was 10 of 10 (range, 8-10).

CONCLUSION

A 2nd CT for IBCR using high-dose rate brachytherapy seems feasible with encouraging results in terms of second local control with an acceptable toxicity. Patient satisfaction regarding the possibility of second breast preservation should be considered.

Is radiation indicated in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ and close or positive mastectomy margins?

PURPOSE

Resection margin status is one of the most significant factors for local recurrence in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) treated with breast-conserving surgery with or without radiation. However, its impact on chest wall recurrence in patients treated with mastectomy is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine chest wall recurrence rates in women with DCIS and close (<5 mm) or positive mastectomy margins in order to evaluate the potential role of radiation therapy.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between 1985 and 2005, 193 women underwent mastectomy for DCIS. Fifty-five patients had a close final margin, and 4 patients had a positive final margin. Axillary surgery was performed in 17 patients. Median follow-up was 8 years. Formal pathology review was conducted to measure and verify margin status. Nuclear grade, architectural pattern, and presence or absence of necrosis was recorded.

RESULTS

Median pathologic size of the DCIS in the mastectomy specimen was 4.5 cm. Twenty-two patients had DCIS of >5 cm or diffuse disease. Median width of the close final margin was 2 mm. Nineteen patients had margins of <1 mm. One of these 59 patients experienced a chest wall recurrence with regional adenopathy, followed by distant metastases 2 years following skin-sparing mastectomy. The DCIS was high-grade, 4 cm, with a 5-mm deep margin. A second patient developed an invasive cancer in the chest wall 20 years after her mastectomy for DCIS. This cancer was considered a new primary site arising in residual breast tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of chest wall recurrence in this series of patients is 1.7% for all patients and 3.3% for high-grade DCIS. One out of 20 (5%) patients undergoing skin sparing or total skin-sparing mastectomy experienced a chest wall recurrence. This risk of a chest wall recurrence appears sufficiently low not to warrant a recommendation for postmastectomy radiation therapy for patients with margins of <5 mm. There were too few patients with positive margins to draw any firm conclusions.

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): pathological features, differential diagnosis, prognostic factors and specimen evaluation

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a heterogeneous, unicentric precursor of invasive breast cancer, which is frequently identified through mammographic breast screening programs. The lesion can cause particular difficulties for specimen handling in the laboratory and typically requires even more diligent macroscopic assessment and sampling than invasive disease. Pitfalls and tips for macroscopic handling, microscopic diagnosis and assessment, including determination of prognostic factors, such as cytonuclear grade, presence or absence of necrosis, size of the lesion and distance to margins are described. All should be routinely included in histopathology reports of this disease; in order not to omit these clinically relevant details, synoptic reports, such as that produced by the College of American Pathologists are recommended. No biomarkers have been convincingly shown, and validated, to predict the behavior of DCIS till date.

Surgical margins in breast conservation therapy: how much should we excise?

BACKGROUND

Breast conservation therapy (BCT) has become the standard of treatment for early stage breast cancer, and the surgical margin was one of the important factors that affected risk of local recurrence. This review looks at the safe margin for BCT in early stage invasive breast cancer and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

METHODS

Published literature abstracted in Medline was searched using the gateway site from the US National Library of Medicine.

CONCLUSIONS

A positive margin is associated with increased risk of local recurrence after BCT for invasive breast cancer and DCIS. However there was no cut off for the margin width and the significance of a close margin remains controversial. It was generally accepted that the risk of local recurrence was low if the margin was >or=10 mm while margins that were <2 mm were considered inadequate. The surgeon needs to balance the risk between local recurrence and cosmesis in planning BCT so that the prognosis is not compromised.

Local and systemic outcomes in DCIS based on tumor and patient characteristics: the radiation oncologist's perspective

Four randomized clinical trials have shown unanimously the benefit of 50 Gy whole-breast radiotherapy in breast-conserving therapy (BCT) for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The risk of both DCIS and invasive local recurrence is reduced with about 50%, and this effect is similar for all clinical and histological subgroups analyzed. Younger age and involved margin status are the most important factors for an increased risk of local recurrence. In these subgroups, even with radiotherapy, the observed local recurrence rates are more than 20% at 10 years, which is considerably higher than reported local recurrence rates after BCT for invasive breast cancer. The optimal radiotherapy dose in BCT for DCIS has yet to be established. Also, at present, a subgroup of lesions in which the recurrence rate is so low that radiotherapy can be safely omitted has not yet been identified.

Relationship between clinical and pathologic features of ductal carcinoma in situ and patient age: an analysis of 657 patients

Prior studies have shown that young patient age at diagnosis is associated with an increased risk of local recurrence among women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) treated with breast-conserving therapy. Whether this can be explained by differences in clinical or pathologic features of DCIS according to age is an unresolved issue. We compared clinical and pathologic features of DCIS among 657 women in 4 age groups: <45 years (n=111), 45 to 54 years (n=191), 55 to 64 years (n=160), and 65+ years (n=195). DCIS presented as a mammographic abnormality less often in younger than in older women (68%, 82%, 81%, and 86% for women <45, 45 to 54, 55 to 64, and 65+ y, respectively; P=0.003). Among the pathologic features analyzed, DCIS extent as determined by the number of low power fields was greater in younger than in older women (mean number of low power fields were 18.6, 14.2, 10.8, and 11.3 in women <45, 45 to 54, 55 to 64 and 65+ y; P<0.001). In addition, cancerization of lobules was present more often in younger than in older women (77%, 73%, 66%, and 50% for women <45, 45 to 54, 55 to 64 and 65+ y, respectively; P<0.0001). Of note, we found no statistically significant relationship between age and DCIS architectural pattern, nuclear grade, comedo necrosis or expression of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. We conclude that DCIS in younger women is more often symptomatic, is more extensive, and more often shows cancerization of lobules than DCIS in older women. Whether these features contribute to the higher local recurrence risk in young women with DCIS treated with the breast-conserving therapy requires further study.