De-escalation in breast cancer surgery

Optimizing Axillary Management in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

INTRODUCTION

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) often shows significant response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), creating opportunities for axillary de-escalation. This study investigates axillary de-escalation and the factors influencing its use in TNBC.

METHODS

Patients with cT1-cT2, cN1 TNBC treated between 2012 and 2020 were identified from the National Cancer Database. Nodal response rates, including achievement of ypN0, were analyzed. Logistic regression identified clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with axillary management.

RESULTS

Among 12,742 patients undergoing axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), 31.7% achieved nodal pathologic complete response (pCR). These patients were more also likely to achieve breast tumor pCR. Treatment across multiple facilities was associated with a higher likelihood of attempted axillary de-escalation. ALND rates steadily declined between 2014 and 2020.

CONCLUSION

Despite achieving nodal pCR after NACT, many patients with TNBC underwent ALND. These findings underscore the need to refine criteria and increase adoption of axillary de-escalation strategies in TNBC.

Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Breast: A Narrative Review and Update on Management

Rare breast malignancies represent a challenge for treatment decision making given the lack of evidence-based guidelines. As a particularly uncommon tumor, adenoid cystic carcinomas are especially challenging. Although, histopathologically, they share the same tumor molecular profile as hormone receptor-negative and HER2 nonamplified carcinomas with aggressive physiology, adenoid cystic carcinomas generally have a favorable prognosis. Thus, there is evidence to suggest that more aggressive treatment regimens may not provide better therapeutic effects. In this review, we discuss ACCB with the goal of highlighting pathophysiology, clinical features, and treatment strategies. Existing data support consideration for adjuvant radiation with the omission of axillary staging and systemic therapies.

Evaluation of Hologic LOCalizer™ RFID Tags for Preoperative Localization of Breast Lesions: A Single-Center Experience

Background: The increasing detection of non-palpable breast lesions necessitates accurate preoperative localization to ensure complete excision while preserving healthy tissue and optimizing cosmetic outcomes. Traditional wire-guided localization (WL) has been the gold standard; however, it has several drawbacks, including patient discomfort and scheduling challenges. This study evaluates the accuracy and feasibility of radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag localization using the Hologic LOCalizer™ system as an alternative technique. Methods: This retrospective study included 258 consecutive patients who underwent image-guided RFID tag localization from March 2021 to February 2023 from a single-center London breast unit. The primary outcome measured was the accuracy of RFID tag placement, defined as within 10 mm of the target lesion on post-clip mammograms. Secondary outcomes included type and size of lesions, re-excision rates, review of post-operative specimen radiographs, and patient demographics. Results: A total of 297 RFID tags were placed, with 95.6% accurately positioned within the target range. The median target size was 29 mm, with the most common abnormalities being mass lesions (64%). Among the 13 inaccurately placed RFID tags (4.4%), all were identified preoperatively, with two requiring additional wire placements. RFID tags were successfully identified in 92% of specimen radiographs, and 8% of patients required re-excision due to positive or close margins. Notably, patients with multiple RFID tags showed a higher incidence of re-excision. Conclusions: The LOCalizer™ RFID system demonstrated a high accuracy rate for preoperative localization of breast lesions, presenting a viable alternative to WL. This technique improves surgical scheduling flexibility and enhances patient comfort. Comparative studies with other wire-free localization technologies, such as magnetic seeds and radar reflectors, are needed to determine the optimal approach for clinical practice.

Implementation of Choosing Wisely guidelines: Omission of lymph node surgery

OBJECTIVES

In 2016, the Choosing Wisely campaign published guidelines recommending omission of sentinel lymph node biopsy in clinically node-negative women ≥70 years with early-stage (cT1-2), hormone receptor-positive, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative breast cancers. This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of this guideline.

METHODS

The National Cancer Database was queried from 2017 to 2020. All patients who met criteria for lymph node surgery omission were included and compared with those who underwent lymph node surgery.

RESULTS

Of 138,648 patients who met criteria for lymph node surgery omission, 26,070 (21.0%) had lymph node surgery omission and 109,482 (79.0%) underwent lymph node surgery. Those who had lymph node surgery omission were older (median 79 [75-84] vs 75 [72-79] years, P < .01) and had increased comorbidities (28.3% with Charlson/Deyo score ≥3 had lymph node surgery omission vs 20.2% with score 0, P < .01). Academic/research institutions most frequently practiced lymph node surgery omission (25.8% vs 16.5% community cancer programs, 19.3% comprehensive community cancer programs, and 20.6% integrated network cancer programs, P < .01). A greater percentage of lymph node surgery omission was noted with ductal carcinoma (21.4% vs 17.6% lobular and 19.4% mixed, P < .01) and lower-grade tumors (21.7% of grade 1 vs 19.4% of grade 2 and 17.8% of grade 3, P < .01). Throughout the period studied, the overall rate of lymph node surgery omission increased from 17.7% in 2017 to 23.1% in 2020 (P < .01).

CONCLUSION

Despite the evidence-based Choosing Wisely guideline recommending lymph node surgery omission in selected patients with breast cancer, more than 75% of patients meeting criteria were still being subjected to lymph node surgery as of 2020. Future work is warranted to determine factors affecting implementation of the Choosing Wisely guideline.

Influence of Complete Lesion Removal During Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy on the Upgrade Rate of B3 Lesions Presenting as Microcalcifications

Background: B3 lesions of the breast, for which vacuum-assisted biopsy (VABB) represents the standard tissue sampling approach, have different risks of upgrade to malignancy at surgery and/or follow-up. This study aimed to investigate if complete or partial lesion removal during VABB of B3 lesions presenting as microcalcifications influences their subsequent upgrade rate. Methods: For this retrospective single-center study, we retrieved 165 lesions diagnosed as B3 at VABB that presented solely as microcalcifications categorized as Breast Imaging Reporting & Data System (BI-RADS) 4 or 5 at mammography between January 2016 and December 2020. Surgical pathology or at least 3-year follow-up were obtained to determine potential lesion upgrade to malignancy. χ2, Fisher's, and Mantel-Haenszel tests were performed to assess if complete lesion removal influenced upgrade rates overall and among different B3 subtypes. Results: Complete lesion removal was achieved in 99/165 cases (60.0%) and did not differ among B3 subtypes (p = 0.092). The overall upgrade rate was 8.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.1-13.7%, 14/165), without statistically significant differences among B3 subtypes (p = 0.562). Conversely, completely removed lesions (4.0%, 95% CI 1.6-9.9%) had a statistically significant lower upgrade rate compared to partially removed lesions (15.2%, 95% CI 8.4-25.7%, p = 0.019). According to stratified analysis according to B3 subtypes, the odds ratio of upgrade among completely and partially removed flat epithelial atypia (0.13, 95% CI 0.00-1.45) was lower (Mantel-Haenszel test p = 0.016) than those of atypical ductal hyperplasia (0.31, 95% CI 0.02-3.17) and of lobular neoplasia (0.73, 95% CI 0.01-60.62). Conclusions: The upgrade rate of B3 lesions is significantly influenced by complete lesion removal, both overall and among different B3 subtypes.

Significance of Residual Nodal Disease in Clinically Node-Negative Breast Cancer After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Trials evaluating omission of axillary dissection (ALND) in patients with cN0 breast cancer with positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) have excluded neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). It remains unclear whether the data can be extrapolated to cN0 patients undergoing NACT. This study sought to identify factors associated with positive SLNs and additional disease on ALND in cT1-2N0 disease after NACT.

METHODS

The authors queried their database for cT1-2N0 patients treated with NACT followed by SLN biopsy from 1996 to 2022. Physical examination and ultrasound determined clinical nodal status. Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with positive SLNs and disease on ALND.

RESULTS

Of 1930 patients, 234 (12.1%) had positive SLNs. Positive SLNs were predicted by hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) status (odds ratio [OR] 2.5; p < 0.0001), lobular histology (OR 1.8; p = 0.007), multifocality (OR 2; p = 0.001), grade 1 tumors (OR 2.5; p = 0.002), and cT2 category (OR 1.9; p = 0.004). Of the 234 patients with positive SLNs and known SLN metastasis size, 148 (63.2%) underwent ALND, and 39 (26.4%) had additional positive nodes. Increasing patient age predicted disease on ALND (OR 1.03; p = 0.02). No additional positive nodes on ALND were identified in patients with only isolated tumor cells compared with 12.3% who had micrometastases and 37.6% who had macrometastases (p = 0.01). During a 5-year median follow-up period of the SLN-positive patients, three (1.3%) experienced axillary recurrence and two of the three underwent ALND at the initial surgery with no additional positive nodes.

CONCLUSIONS

In cT1-2N0 breast cancer, HR+/HER2- status, lobular histology, multifocality and cT2 category predicted positive SLNs after NACT. Older age predicted positive nodes on ALND. Patients with positive SLNs had low axillary recurrence rates. These findings support investigation into omission of ALND in cN0 breast cancer and a low volume of SLN disease after NACT.

Surgical Deescalation Within Gynecologic Oncology

Importance

The goal of surgical deescalation is to minimize tissue damage, enhance patient outcomes, and reduce the adverse effects often associated with extensive or traditional surgical procedures. This shift toward less invasive techniques has the potential to revolutionize surgical practices, profoundly impacting the methods and training of future surgeons.

Objective

To evaluate adoption of surgical deescalation within the field of gynecologic oncology using The National Cancer Database.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study used prospectively collected data from the National Cancer Database from January 2004 to December 2020. Eligible participants included women in the US who received a diagnosis of clinical stage I to IV endometrial, ovarian, cervical, or vulvar cancer within this time frame. Data were analyzed between January and June 2024.

Exposure

Diagnosis of stage I to IV endometrial, ovarian, cervical, or vulvar cancer.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was surgical deescalation, which included evaluation of receipt of surgical intervention, the surgical approach, the type of lymph node assessment, and salvage interventions for disease-affected organs. A Poisson model was applied to estimate the average annual percentage change (AAPC) in the receipt of surgical treatment.

Results

A total of 1 218 490 patients (mean [SD] age at diagnosis, 61.2 [13.7] years) were included. Over the study period, the percentage of patients undergoing surgery decreased from 47.4% to 39.9% for those with cervical cancer (AAPC, -1.3%; 95% CI, -1.6% to -1.1%), from 72.0% to 67.9% for those with ovarian cancer (AAPC, -0.5%; 95% CI, -0.6% to -0.4%), from 83.7% to 79.1% for those with endometrial cancer (AAPC, -0.5%; 95% CI, -0.7% to 11 -0.4%), and from 81.1% to 72.6% for those with vulvar cancer (AAPC, -1.3%; 95% CI, -1.6% to -0.9%). The use of minimally invasive surgery increased from 45.8% to 82.2% for those with endometrial cancer (AAPC, 4.6%; 95% CI, 4.5% to 4.8%) and from 13.3% to 37.0% for those with ovarian cancer (AAPC, 9.4%; 95% CI, 9.0% to 9.7%). Sentinel lymph node dissection increased from 0.7% to 39.6% for patients with endometrial cancer (AAPC, 51.8%; 95% CI, 50.5% to 53.2%), from 0.2% to 10.6% for patients with cervical cancer (AAPC, 44.0%; 95% CI, 39.3% to 48.9%), and from 12.3% to 36.9% for patients with vulvar cancer (AAPC, 10.7%; 95% CI, 8.0% to 13.5%) cancers, whereas the rate of complete lymphadenectomies decreased in all 3 groups. The rate of fertility-sparing surgery for patients with cervical cancer younger than 40 years rose from 17.8% to 28.1% (AAPC, 3.1%; 95% CI, 2.3%-3.9%).

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings suggest that over the past 15 years, the field of gynecologic oncology has moved toward surgical deescalation through an overall reduction in the number of patients who undergo surgery, increased use of minimally invasive surgical techniques, and increased use of sentinel lymph node techniques. Future research should focus not only on understanding the impact of surgical escalation on patients (including disease outcomes, quality of life, and equitable access to these services), but also on surgical training.

Overtreatment and Undertreatment of Early-Stage Breast Cancer in Older Women: Evaluating the POWER Trial

INTRODUCTION

Radiation therapy (RT) omission is acceptable in older women with early-stage estrogen receptor + breast cancer treated with breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET). However, RT rates in this population remain high, causing concern for overtreatment. Conversely, patients who omit RT and do not complete a course of AET are at risk of undertreatment. In the Pre-Operative Window of Endocrine Therapy to Inform Radiation Therapy Decisions (POWER) trial, participants receive 90 days of preoperative endocrine therapy to assess tolerance before deciding about RT. This study aimed to determine the rates of undertreatment and overtreatment institutionally and among POWER trial participants.

METHODS

Data were retrospectively collected from medical records of women aged ≥ 65 years diagnosed with invasive, estrogen receptor +/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2- breast cancer, ≤ 3 cm, who had BCS between 2012 and 2022. Patients were categorized as undertreated (BCS alone), overtreated (BCS + RT + AET), or appropriately treated (BCS + RT or BCS + AET).

RESULTS

The cohort included 478 patients, of whom 62 (12.97%) were undertreated, 202 (42.26%) were overtreated, and 214 (44.77%) were appropriately treated. Appropriately treated patients were more likely to be aged 70-79 years (P < 0.0001) and have high health literacy (P = 0.0003). Of the 37 patients (7.71%) in the POWER trial, more were appropriately treated than patients not in the POWER trial (81.1% versus 44.8%) (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite long-standing guideline changes, RT utilization remains high. This study highlights how a novel patient-centered approach to guide adjuvant therapy decisions may increase the number of appropriately treated patients.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy versus axillary lymph node dissection in breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy

Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) has been a cornerstone of breast cancer (BC) treatment, traditionally ensuring loco-regional control but associated with significant morbidity. Recent advancements suggest sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) as a less invasive alternative. This review examines the outcomes of omitting ALND in BC patients with positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) undergoing mastectomy. We conducted a comprehensive review of historical comparative studies and pivotal randomized clinical trials. Key sources included the ACOSOG Z0011 and SINODAR-ONE trials, alongside retrospective studies and ongoing trials like SENOMAC and POSNOC. Historical studies predominantly focused on patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery, revealing low recurrence rates and comparable survival outcomes between SLNB alone and ALND. Retrospective analyses of mastectomy patients indicated that omitting ALND did not significantly impact recurrence-free survival (RFS) or overall survival (OS). The SINODAR-ONE trial sub-analysis, involving 218 mastectomy patients, found no significant differences in 5-year OS and RFS between ALND and SLNB groups. The SENOMAC trial similarly showed non-inferior outcomes for mastectomy patients treated without ALND. The ongoing POSNOC trial aims to provide further insights, particularly focusing on the subgroup of mastectomy patients. Emerging evidence supports the feasibility of omitting ALND in BC patients with positive SLNs undergoing mastectomy, potentially reducing surgical morbidity without compromising oncological outcomes. However, further randomized clinical trials are essential to confirm these findings and refine treatment guidelines, ensuring optimal patient care.

New Insight for Axillary De-Escalation in Breast Cancer Surgery: "SoFT Study" Retrospective Analysis

Background: The SOUND study demonstrated that an axillary de-escalation may be sufficient in locoregional and distant disease control in selected early breast cancer (EBC) patients. To establish any preoperative variables that may drive sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) omission, a study named sentinel omission risk factor (SOFT) 1.23 was planned. Methods: A single-center retrospective study from a prospectively maintained database was designed, aiming at underlying preoperative prognostic factors involved in sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis (lymph node involvement (LN+) vs. negative lymph node (LN-) group). Secondary outcomes included surgical room occupancy analysis for SLNB in patients fulfilling the SOUND study inclusion criteria. The institutional ethical committee Area Territoriale Lazio 2 approved the study (n° 122/23). Results: Between 1 January 2022 and 30 June 2023, 160 patients were included in the study and 26 (%) were included in the LN+ group. Multifocality, higher cT stage, and larger tumor diameter were reported in the LN+ group (p = 0.020, p = 0.014, and 0.016, respectively). Tumor biology, including estrogen and progesterone receptors, and molecular subtypes showed association with the LN+ group (p < 0.001; p = 0.001; and p = 0.001, respectively). A total of 117 (73.6%) patients were eligible for the SOUND study and the potential operating room time saved was 2696.81 min. Conclusions: De-escalating strategies may rationalize healthcare activities. Multifactorial risk stratification may further refine the selection of patients who could benefit from SLNB omission.

Intraductal photothermal ablation: a noninvasive approach for early breast cancer treatment and prevention

Background: Innovative treatment strategies for early-stage breast cancer (BC) are urgently needed. Tumors originating from mammary ductal cells present an opportunity for targeted intervention. Methods: We explored intraductal therapy via natural nipple openings as a promising non-invasive approach for early BC. Using functional Near-infrared II (NIR-II) nanomaterials, specifically NIR-IIb quantum dots conjugated with Epep polypeptide for ductal cell targeting, we conducted in situ imaging and photothermal ablation of mammary ducts. Intraductal administration was followed by stimulation with an 808 nm laser. Results: This method achieved precise ductal destruction and heightened immunological responses in the microenvironment. The technique was validated in mouse models of triple-negative BC and a rat model of ductal carcinoma in situ, demonstrating promising therapeutic potential for localized BC treatment and prevention. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated the effectiveness of NIR-II nanoprobes in guiding non-invasive photothermal ablation of mammary ducts, offering a compelling avenue for early-stage BC therapy.

Bridging frontiers: The role of a Global Breast Research Working Group

Breast cancer remains a significant cause of death for women globally, despite advancements in detection and treatment, low- and middle-income countries face unique obstacles. Role of Research Working Group (RWG) can expedite research progress by fostering collaboration between scientists, clinicians, and stakeholders. Benefits of a Global RWG include pooling resources and expertise to develop new research ideas, addressing disparities, and building local research capacity, with the potential to improve breast cancer research and outcomes.

Personalizing Locoregional Therapy in Patients With Breast Cancer in 2024: Tailoring Axillary Surgery, Escalating Lymphatic Surgery, and Implementing Evidence-Based Hypofractionated Radiotherapy

The management of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer is continually evolving. Recent data now support omitting axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in most patients with metastases in up to two sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) during upfront surgery and those with residual isolated tumor cells after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). In the upfront surgery setting, ALND is still indicated, however, in patients with clinically node-positive breast cancer or more than two positive SLNs and, after NACT, in case of residual micrometastases and macrometastases. Omission of the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) can be considered in many postmenopausal patients with small luminal breast cancer, particularly when axillary ultrasound is negative. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are currently aiming at eliminating the remaining indications for ALND and also establishing omission of SLNB in a broader patient population. The movement to deescalate axillary staging is in part because of the association between ALND and lymphedema, which is swelling of an extremity because of lymphatic damage and obstructed lymphatic drainage. To reduce the risk of developing this condition, patients undergoing ALND can undergo reverse mapping of the axilla and immediate reconstruction or bypass of the lymphatics from the involved extremity. Decongestion and compression are the foundation of conservative treatment for established lymphedema, while lymphovenous bypass and lymph node transfer are surgical procedures to address the physiologic dysfunction. Radiotherapy is an essential component of breast locoregional therapy: more than three decades of radiation research has optimized treatment according to patient's risk of local recurrence while substantially reducing the number of treatment visits. High-quality RCTs have shown the efficacy and safety of hypofractionation-more than 2Gy radiation dose per treatment (fraction)-significantly reducing the burden of radiotherapy treatment for many patients with breast cancer. In 2024, guidelines recommend no more than 15-16 fractions for whole-breast and nodal radiotherapy, with some recommending five fractions for whole-breast radiotherapy. In addition, simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) has been shown to be noninferior to sequential boost with regards to ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence with similar or reduced long-term side effects, also reducing overall treatment length. Further RCTs are underway investigating other indications for five fractions, including SIB and regional node irradiation, such that, in future, it may be possible for the majority of breast radiotherapy patients to be treated with a 1-week course. This manuscript serves to outline the latest updates on axillary surgical staging, lymphatic surgery, and evidence-based radiotherapy in the treatment of breast cancer.

Preoperative breast MRI positively impacts surgical outcomes of needle biopsy-diagnosed pure DCIS: a patient-matched analysis from the MIPA study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the influence of preoperative breast MRI on mastectomy and reoperation rates in patients with pure ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

METHODS

The MIPA observational study database (7245 patients) was searched for patients aged 18-80 years with pure unilateral DCIS diagnosed at core needle or vacuum-assisted biopsy (CNB/VAB) and planned for primary surgery. Patients who underwent preoperative MRI (MRI group) were matched (1:1) to those who did not receive MRI (noMRI group) according to 8 confounding covariates that drive referral to MRI (age; hormonal status; familial risk; posterior-to-nipple diameter; BI-RADS category; lesion diameter; lesion presentation; surgical planning at conventional imaging). Surgical outcomes were compared between the matched groups with nonparametric statistics after calculating odds ratios (ORs).

RESULTS

Of 1005 women with pure unilateral DCIS at CNB/VAB (507 MRI group, 498 noMRI group), 309 remained in each group after matching. First-line mastectomy rate in the MRI group was 20.1% (62/309 patients, OR 2.03) compared to 11.0% in the noMRI group (34/309 patients, p = 0.003). The reoperation rate was 10.0% in the MRI group (31/309, OR for reoperation 0.40) and 22.0% in the noMRI group (68/309, p < 0.001), with a 2.53 OR of avoiding reoperation in the MRI group. The overall mastectomy rate was 23.3% in the MRI group (72/309, OR 1.40) and 17.8% in the noMRI group (55/309, p = 0.111).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to those going directly to surgery, patients with pure DCIS at CNB/VAB who underwent preoperative MRI had a higher OR for first-line mastectomy but a substantially lower OR for reoperation.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

When confounding factors behind MRI referral are accounted for in the comparison of patients with CNB/VAB-diagnosed pure unilateral DCIS, preoperative MRI yields a reduction of reoperations that is more than twice as high as the increase in overall mastectomies.

KEY POINTS

• Confounding factors cause imbalance when investigating the influence of preoperative MRI on surgical outcomes of pure DCIS. • When patient matching is applied to women with pure unilateral DCIS, reoperation rates are significantly reduced in women who underwent preoperative MRI. • The reduction of reoperations brought about by preoperative MRI is more than double the increase in overall mastectomies.

How to Optimize Deimplementation of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy?

Background

The omission of sentinel lymph node biopsy in low-risk elderly breast cancer patients has been introduced in several guidelines. Despite evidence to support its safety, this recommendation has not been implemented by many clinicians. We have examined two aspects of this recommendation that may explain why sentinel lymph node biopsy continues to be performed in most of these patients. Firstly, we quantified the proportion of patients diagnosed with axillary metastases postoperatively. Secondly, we examined adherence to antihormonal therapy in the same group of patients.

Methods

In this single-centre retrospective cohort study, the study population comprised 98 patients with breast cancer. Patients were aged ≥70 years and diagnosed with hormone receptor positive breast cancers less than 20 mm (T1). All patients underwent surgery and were subsequently prescribed five years of adjuvant antihormonal treatment.

Results

Axillary lymph node metastases, as confirmed by the postoperative histology report, were seen in 36.3%. Nonadherence was seen in 33.7% of the patients. Primary nonadherence, that is, patients that never collect their first or subsequent prescriptions at the pharmacy, comprised 11.2% of the total study population.

Conclusion

The high proportion of axillary metastases demonstrated suggests that clinical examination of the axilla alone is not sufficient in the preoperative assessment of the axilla. The less-than-optimal adherence rates show that adherence in these patients cannot be taken for granted. We suggest that these factors reflect some of the reluctance among clinicians to omit the sentinel lymph node procedure in these patients.

Use of Natural Language Understanding to Facilitate Surgical De-Escalation of Axillary Staging in Patients With Breast Cancer

PURPOSE

Natural language understanding (NLU) may be particularly well equipped for enhanced data capture from the electronic health record given its examination of both content-driven and context-driven extraction.

METHODS

We developed and applied a NLU model to examine rates of pathological node positivity (pN+) and rates of lymphedema to determine whether omission of routine axillary staging could be extended to younger patients with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+)/cN0 disease.

RESULTS

We found that rates of pN+ and arm lymphedema were similar between patients age 55-69 years and ≥70 years, with rates of lymphedema exceeding rates of pN+ for clinical stage T1c and smaller disease.

CONCLUSION

Data from our NLU model suggest that omission of sentinel lymph node biopsy might be extended beyond Choosing Wisely recommendations, limited to those older than 70 years and to all postmenopausal women with early-stage ER+/cN0 disease. These data support the recently reported SOUND trial results and provide additional granularity to facilitate surgical de-escalation.

Axillary Surgery for Breast Cancer in 2024

Axillary surgery for patients with breast cancer (BC) in 2024 is becoming increasingly specific, moving away from the previous 'one size fits all' radical approach. The goal is to spare morbidity whilst maintaining oncologic safety. In the upfront surgery setting, a first landmark randomized controlled trial (RCT) on the omission of any surgical axillary staging in patients with unremarkable clinical examination and axillary ultrasound showed non-inferiority to sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy (SLNB). The study population consisted of 87.8% postmenopausal patients with estrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative BC. Patients with clinically node-negative breast cancer and up to two positive SLNs can safely be spared axillary dissection (ALND) even in the context of mastectomy or extranodal extension. In patients enrolled in the TAXIS trial, adjuvant systemic treatment was shown to be similar with or without ALND despite the loss of staging information. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), targeted lymph node removal with or without SLNB showed a lower false-negative rate to determine nodal pathological complete response (pCR) compared to SLNB alone. However, oncologic outcomes do not appear to differ in patients with nodal pCR determined by either one of the two concepts, according to a recently published global, retrospective, real-world study. Real-world studies generally have a lower level of evidence than RCTs, but they are feasible quickly and with a large sample size. Another global real-world study provides evidence that even patients with residual isolated tumor cells can be safely spared from ALND. In general, few indications for ALND remain. Three randomized controlled trials are ongoing for patients with clinically node-positive BC in the upfront surgery setting and residual disease after NACT. Pending the results of these trials, ALND remains indicated in these patients.

Defining breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) prevalence and risk factors: A pragmatic approach to lymphedema surveillance

Introduction

We presented the key findings from Singapore's Changi General Hospital Breast Centre's lymphedema surveillance strategy that used patients' reported symptoms, standard arm circumference measurements and clinical assessment in the diagnosis of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). Our secondary aim was to highlight and discuss important elements of a surveillance strategy that can be implemented to track this outcome measure of breast cancer treatment for future research.

Method

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 511 breast cancer patients to assess the prevalence of BCRL and its associated risk factors. We defined BCRL prevalence rates based on patients' self-reporting, objective arm circumference measure-ments and clinical diagnosis based on International Society of Lymphology (ISL) staging.

Results

The median follow-up of patients was 88.8 months. The cumulative prevalence rate in the cohort was 30.9%. The cohort of BCRL patients were older (58.4 versus [vs] 54.9 years), had higher mean Body Mass Index (27.7 vs 25.2), higher proportion of mastectomy (77% vs 64.3%), axillary clearance, less likely breast reconstruction, higher-grade tumour, more lymph nodes excised, more advanced nodal disease, and had undergone adjuvant chemotherapy. However, clinically apparent BCRL was only 6.5% (33 out of 511 patients). The proportion of clinically significant BCRL in patients undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) or axillary sampling was 1.7% compared to 9.9% in patients who had undergone axillary clearance. Majority of the BCRL were subclinical or mild in severity.

Conclusion

Our study showed that our rates of BCRL were comparable to international rates and highlighted similar patient profiles who were at risk of developing the disease. Having a comprehensive lymphedema surveillance strategy is paramount in paving the way for future studies.

Reevaluating Axillary Lymph Node Dissection in Total Mastectomy for Low Axillary Burden Breast Cancer: Insights from a Meta-Analysis including the SINODAR-ONE Trial

Complete axillary lymph node dissection (cALND) was previously the standard of care for breast cancer (BC) patients with axillary node disease or macro-metastases found via sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). However, due to significant morbidity, contemporary management now considers a more selective approach, influenced by studies like ACOSOG Z0011. This trial showed that cALND could be omitted without compromising local control or survival in patients with low axillary nodal disease burden undergoing breast-conserving therapy, radiotherapy, and systemic therapy. The relevance of this approach for women with low axillary nodal burden undergoing total mastectomy (TM) remained unclear. A PubMed search up to September 2023 identified 147 relevant studies, with 6 meeting the inclusion criteria, involving 4184 patients with BC and low-volume axillary disease (1-3 positive lymph nodes) undergoing TM. Postmastectomy radiotherapy receipt was similar in both groups. After a mean 7.2-year follow-up, both the pooled results and the meta-analysis revealed no significant differences in overall survival. The combined analysis of the published studies, including the subgroup analysis of the SINODAR-One trial, indicates no survival advantage for cALND over SLNB in T1-T2 breast cancer patients with 1-3 positive sentinel lymph nodes (pN1) undergoing mastectomy. This suggests that, following a multidisciplinary evaluation, cALND can be safely omitted. However, the impact of other patient, tumor, and treatment factors on survival requires consideration and therefore further prospective trials are needed for conclusive validation.

Use of natural language understanding to facilitate surgical de-escalation of axillary staging in patients with breast cancer

Natural language understanding (NLU) may be particularly well-equipped for enhanced data capture from the electronic health record (EHR) given its examination of both content- and context-driven extraction. We developed and applied a NLU model to examine rates of pathological node positivity (pN+) and rates of lymphedema to determine if omission of routine axillary staging could be extended to younger patients with ER+/cN0 disease. We found that rates of pN+ and arm lymphedema were similar between patients 55-69yo and ≥70yo, with rates of lymphedema exceeding rates of pN+ for clinical stage T1c and smaller disease. Data from our NLU model suggest that omission of SLNB might be extended beyond Choosing Wisely recommendations, limited to those over 70 years old, to all postmenopausal women with early-stage ER+/cN0 disease. These data support the recently-reported SOUND trial results and provide additional granularity to facilitate surgical de-escalation.

Assessment of Pathological Complete Response Using Vacuum-Assisted Biopsy in Breast Cancer Patients Who Have Clinical and Radiological Complete Response After Neo-Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Background

Any treatment protocol that leads to complete elimination of surgery may lead to a better patient acceptance of breast cancer treatments.

Objectives

We conducted this study to assess the feasibility of preoperative vacuum-assisted biopsies in identifying pathological complete response (pCR) and its accuracy in correlation to final histopathology report (HPR), in an Indian setting.

Methods

This was a prospective study conducted between October 1, 2019, and March 31, 2021. Patients with early breast cancer, estrogen and progesterone receptors negative and either Her2 positive or negative, and who were fit to undergo marker placement at the centre of the tumour and to receive third-generation chemotherapy (4 cycles of 3 weekly doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by 4 cycles of 3 weekly docetaxel) were included in the study. Following the enrolment, a tissue marker was placed at the centre of the tumour and appropriate chemotherapy was started. Patients who achieved clinical complete response were subjected to ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB) from the tumour bed before surgery. Pathology results of the VAB and resected specimen were then compared. Descriptive statistics were used in the study.

Results

Eighteen patients were enrolled in the study, with a mean age of 43.6 ± 9.8 years. However, only 10 were eligible for VAB procedure, and sensitivity and specificity were calculated based on the results of these 10 patients only. Vacuum-assisted biopsy showed sensitivity of 50% and specificity of 100% in identifying pCR. Combination of mammography, ultrasonography, and VAB showed sensitivity of 77.8% and specificity of 66.7% in identifying pCR.

Conclusion

Vacuum-assisted biopsy of tumour bed may not be sensitive enough to eliminate surgery even in patients who have had exceptional response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy.

Socioeconomic Impact of OncotypeDX on Breast Cancer Treatment: Preliminary Results

BACKGROUND/AIM

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent oncological diagnosis worldwide. Molecular subtyping has provided valuable insights for treatment decisions, but challenges remain in adjuvant treatment for hormone receptor (HR)-positive/HER2-negative luminal BC (LBC). Multigene markers like Oncotype DX have emerged to provide more precise prognostic information. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of gene expression panels on fear of cancer recurrence (FCR), quality of life (QoL), and healthcare-related greenhouse emissions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A monocentric retrospective analysis was conducted using a prospective database of patients undergoing Oncotype DX. QoL assessments were performed using the Short Breast Health Perception Questionnaire (BHPQ) and Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LSQ-32). Reductions in hospital visits and travel distance were analyzed.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight patients underwent Oncotype DX testing. Of these, 17.85% received adjuvant chemotherapy based on the recurrence score (RS). The implementation of Oncotype DX resulted in a significant reduction in hospital visits, travel distance, and healthcare-related greenhouse gas emissions. QoL assessments using BHPQ and LSQ-32 showed lower levels of FCR and improved QoL in various domains for patients who received hormone therapy (HT) alone.

CONCLUSION

The implementation of Oncotype DX in clinical practice has the potential to reduce overtreatment, decrease healthcare-related greenhouse gas emissions, and improve QoL. Lower levels of FCR and improved QoL were observed in patients who received HT-only based on the RS score.

Ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence after breast-conserving surgery: insights into biology and treatment

Despite modern surgical and irradiation techniques, ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) accounts for 5-15% of all cancer recurrence in women treated with breast conservative treatment. Historically, this event has been treated definitively with salvage mastectomy and completion axillary clearance. However, many local recurrences are small and without nodal involvement at presentation. Thus, there has been an interest in performing a surgical de-escalation procedure in the breast and the axilla. The current guidelines do not provide detailed descriptions and treatment suggestions for these selected patients, resulting in inconsistent treatment strategies. Moreover, the methods to define true recurrence (TR) and new primary tumor (NP) for IBTR remain controversial. Most developed classification methods mainly rely on clinical and pathological criteria, limiting the accuracy of the discerption and causing misclassification. In this editorial, we will discuss the current trends in surgical de-escalation for patients with IBTR. Moreover, we will focus on recent IBTR innovations, highlighting molecular-integrated classification and multimodal staging methods for clinical practice and postoperative surveillance strategies.

Use of sentinel lymph node biopsy in elderly patients with breast cancer - 10-year experience from a Swiss university hospital

BACKGROUND

The Choosing Wisely initiative recommended the omission of routine sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients ≥ 70 years of age, with clinically node-negative, early stage, hormone receptor (HR) positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2) negative breast cancer in August 2016. Here, we assess the adherence to this recommendation in a Swiss university hospital.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective single center cohort study from a prospectively maintained database. Patients ≥ 18 years of age with node-negative breast cancer were treated between 05/2011 and 03/2022. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients in the Choosing Wisely target group who underwent SLNB before and after the initiative went live. Statistical significance was tested using chi-squared test for categorical and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests for continuous variables.

RESULTS

In total, 586 patients met the inclusion criteria with a median follow-up of 2.7 years. Of these, 163 were ≥ 70 years of age and 79 were eligible for treatment according to the Choosing Wisely recommendations. There was a trend toward a higher rate of SLNB (92.7% vs. 75.0%, p = 0.07) after the Choosing Wisely recommendations were published. In patients ≥ 70 years with invasive disease, fewer received adjuvant radiotherapy after omission of SLNB (6.2% vs. 64.0%, p < 0.001), without differences concerning adjuvant systemic therapy. Both short-term and long-term complication rates after SLNB were low, without differences between elderly patients and those < 70 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Choosing Wisely recommendations did not result in a decreased use of SLNB in the elderly at a Swiss university hospital.

Evaluating the Necessity for Routine Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Postmenopausal Patients Being Treated for Clinically Node Negative Breast Cancer the Era of RxPONDER

INTRODUCTION

Traditionally, sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) was performed to inform adjuvant chemotherapy prescription and prognosis in breast cancer. Following RxPONDER, the OncotypeDX Recurrence Score (RS) guides adjuvant chemotherapy prescription for all postmenopausal patients with estrogen receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 negative (ER+/HER2-) breast cancer with 0 to 3 positive lymph nodes (0-3 + LN).

AIMS

To establish the oncological safety of omitting SLNB in postmenopausal patients with ER+/HER2- breast cancer indicated to undergo SLNB and to evaluate the primary determinants of chemotherapy prescription for these patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was undertaken. Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed. Data analytics was performed using SPSS v26.0.

RESULTS

Five hundred and seventy five consecutive patients were included (mean age: 66.5 years, range: 45-96). The median follow-up was 97.2 months (range: 3.0-181.6). Of the 575 patients, just 12 patients had positive SLNB (SLNB+) (2.1%). Using Kaplan-Meier analyses, SLNB+ failed to impact recurrence (P = .766) or mortality (P = .310). However, using Cox regression analyses, SLNB+ independently predicted poorer disease-free survival (hazard ratio: 1.001, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.000-1.001, P = .029). Logistic regression analysis identified RS as the sole predictor of chemotherapy prescription (odds ratio: 1.171, 95% CI: 1.097-1.250, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Omitting SLNB may be safe and justifiable in postmenopausal patients with ER+/HER2- breast cancer with clinically negative axillae. Following RxPONDER, RS is the most important guide of chemotherapy use in these patients and SLNB may be less important than previously perceived. Prospective, randomized clinical trials are required to fully establish the oncological safety of omitting SLNB in this setting.

Real de-escalation or escalation in disguise?

The past two decades have seen an unprecedented trend towards de-escalation of surgical therapy in the setting of early BC, the most prominent examples being the reduction of re-excision rates for close surgical margins after breast-conserving surgery and replacing axillary lymph node dissection by less radical procedures such as sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). Numerous studies confirmed that reducing the extent of surgery in the upfront surgery setting does not impact locoregional recurrences and overall outcome. In the setting of primary systemic treatment, there is an increased use of less invasive staging strategies reaching from SLNB and targeted lymph node biopsy (TLNB) to targeted axillary dissection (TAD). Omission of any axillary surgery in the presence of pathological complete response in the breast is currently being investigated in clinical trials. On the other hand, concerns have been raised that surgical de-escalation might induce an escalation of other treatment modalities such as radiation therapy. Since most trials on surgical de-escalation did not include standardized protocols for adjuvant radiotherapy, it remains unclear, whether the effect of surgical de-escalation was valid in itself or if radiotherapy compensated for the decreased surgical extent. Uncertainties in scientific evidence may therefore lead to escalation of radiotherapy in some settings of surgical de-escalation. Further, the increasing rate of mastectomies including contralateral procedures in patients without genetic risk is alarming. Future studies of locoregional treatment strategies need to include an interdisciplinary approach to integrate de-escalation approaches combining surgery and radiotherapy in a way that promotes optimal quality of life and shared decision-making.

Complete Surgical Excision Is Necessary following Vacuum-Assisted Biopsy for Breast Cancer

Vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) has been replacing excisional biopsy in the treatment of benign breast lesions. Complete surgical excision is still needed for the lesions occasionally diagnosed with breast cancer after VABB. We aimed to characterize residual tumors after VABB and define a subset of patients who do not need surgical excision after VABB. From a retrospective database, we identified patients diagnosed with breast cancer after VABB guided with ultrasonography. Patients who underwent stereotactic biopsies were excluded. We reviewed clinicopathologic data and radiologic findings of the sample. We identified 48 patients with 49 lesions. After surgical excision, the residual tumors were identified in 40 (81.6%) lesions, and there was no residual tumor in nine (18.3%) patients. Imaging studies could not accurately locate residual tumors after VABB. A small tumor size on a VABB specimen was associated with no residual tumor on final pathology. However, residual tumors were identified in four (40%) of 10 lesions with a pathologic tumor size less than 0.5 cm. In conclusion, complete surgical excision remains the primary option for most of the patients diagnosed with breast cancer after VABB. Imaging surveillance without surgery should be carefully applied for selected low-risk patients.