Major surgical postoperative complications and survival in breast cancer: Swedish population-based register study in 57 152 women

Recurrence Patterns and Long-Term Results After Curative Surgery for Patients With Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

The current study aimed to examine second breast cancer (SBC) risks associated with breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and unilateral mastectomy among breast cancer (BC) survivors.

METHODS

The study enrolled patients with diagnoses of stages I to III BC who underwent surgery between 2000 and 2019. Fine-Gray competing risk regression models were used to estimate the cumulative incidence of SBC and to evaluate the associations between clinical factors and SBC development. Poisson regression analysis was performed to assess the risk for SBC after BCS compared with mastectomy by age and latency period. The Kaplan-Meier method was applied to examine survival between patients undergoing breast-conserving therapy (BCT) and those undergoing mastectomy for SBC.

RESULTS

Among 740,349 patients, 467,480 underwent BCS, and 272,869 underwent mastectomy. The 10-year cumulative incidence of mastectomy was 3.77% for SBC and 2.11% for BCS. Compared with mastectomy, BCS was associated with a significantly higher risk of LR and a modestly elevated risk of contralateral breast cancer (CBC). The significant risk factors for SBC were age at initial BC diagnosis, race, marital status, year of diagnosis, tumor size, histology, molecular subtype, cancer stage, metropolitan status, type of surgery, and radiotherapy. Dynamic risk assessments showed that the relative risk of SBC after BCS versus mastectomy decreased with advancing age, but increased with longer follow-up periods.

CONCLUSIONS

This cohort study showed that BC survivors undergoing BCS have a higher risk of SBC than those undergoing mastectomy. With the ongoing evolution of surgical options, achieving optimal long-term outcomes necessitates a more comprehensive assessment that balances oncologic efficacy with patient-centered outcomes.

Survival after standard or oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery versus mastectomy for breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Recent evidence suggests a survival advantage after breast-conserving surgery compared with mastectomy. Previous studies have compared survival outcomes after standard breast-conserving surgery, but no studies have compared survival outcomes after oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery. The aim of this study was to compare survival outcomes after breast-conserving surgery + radiotherapy (and an oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery + radiotherapy subgroup) with those after mastectomy ± radiotherapy.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with primary invasive breast cancer between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2019 were identified from a prospectively maintained National Cancer Registry. Overall survival and breast cancer-specific survival outcomes were analysed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression analysis adjusting for patient demographics, tumour characteristics, and treatment adjuncts.

RESULTS

A total of 14 182 patients were eligible (8537 patients underwent standard breast-conserving surgery + radiotherapy, 360 patients underwent oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery + radiotherapy, 2953 patients underwent mastectomy + radiotherapy, and 2332 patients underwent mastectomy - radiotherapy). The median follow-up was 7.27 (range 0.2-13.6) years. Superior 10-year survival was observed after breast-conserving surgery + radiotherapy (overall survival: 81.2%; breast cancer-specific survival: 93.3%) compared with mastectomy + radiotherapy (overall survival: 63.4%; breast cancer-specific survival: 75.9%) and mastectomy - radiotherapy (overall survival: 63.1%; breast cancer-specific survival: 87.5%). Ten-year overall survival and breast cancer-specific survival after oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery + radiotherapy were 86.1% and 90.2% respectively. After adjusted analysis, breast-conserving surgery + radiotherapy was associated with superior survival outcomes compared with mastectomy + radiotherapy (overall survival: HR 1.34 (95% c.i. 1.20 to 1.51); breast cancer-specific survival: HR 1.62 (95% c.i. 1.38 to 1.90)) and mastectomy - radiotherapy (overall survival: HR 1.57 (95% c.i. 1.41 to 1.75); breast cancer-specific survival: HR 1.70 (95% c.i. 1.41 to 2.05)). Similar survival outcomes were observed amongst patients treated with oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery + radiotherapy compared with mastectomy + radiotherapy (overall survival: HR 1.72 (95% c.i. 1.62 to 2.55); breast cancer-specific survival: HR 1.74 (95% c.i. 1.06 to 2.86)) and mastectomy - radiotherapy (overall survival: HR 2.21 (95% c.i. 1.49 to 3.27); breast cancer-specific survival: HR 1.89 (95% c.i. 1.13 to 3.14)).

CONCLUSION

Breast-conserving surgery + radiotherapy and oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery + radiotherapy are associated with superior overall survival and breast cancer-specific survival compared with mastectomy ± radiotherapy. The findings should inform discussion of surgical treatment options for patients with breast cancer.

Current approaches to breast reconstruction: A scoping review of outcomes and factors influencing core outcome sets

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women worldwide. Surgery is part of the standard treatment for most new breast cancer patients. Surgical options include breast conserving surgery and mastectomy. Breast reconstruction is commonly offered to patients undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer. The aim of this review was to evaluate current approaches to breast reconstruction and factors influencing core outcome sets for breast reconstruction. This review focused to identify keywords pertaining to the review aim such as: "breast reconstruction" AND "breast cancer" AND "outcomes" through Medline. There were 49 relevant manuscripts identified between the July 2018 to July 2023. Additionally, we identified based on the literature review manuscripts on topics of oncological outcomes after breast reconstruction. Preference was given to the sources published in the last five years. Available research indicates that although general quality of life post-reconstruction is comparable across surgical methods, variations exist in postoperative satisfaction, complications, and recovery. Autologous reconstruction is often associated with higher patient satisfaction and well-being across physical, psychosocial, and aesthetic domains compared to implant-based reconstruction. Key risk factors for complications include diabetes, obesity, and smoking, which impact postoperative recovery and readmission rates. Additionally, postmastectomy radiation therapy to breast cancer management increases risks of infection, necrosis, and aesthetic dissatisfaction. However, autologous techniques are somewhat less affected of this risk than implant based techniques. The review underscores the need for enhanced patient education tools and precision-based approaches that address both aesthetic and oncological concerns, setting a foundation for more informed, data-supported decision-making in breast reconstruction.

High-impact complications after breast cancer surgery in the Dutch national quality registry: evaluating case-mix adjustment for hospital comparisons

BACKGROUND

Comparison of quality indicators can improve quality of care. However, case-mix adjustment is deemed essential. The aim of this study was to develop and validate case-mix adjustment models and to evaluate the effect of case-mix adjustment for the quality indicators related to complications after breast cancer surgery.

METHODS

Multivariable logistic regression with backward selection (P < 0.1) was used to develop case-mix models in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery (all types, breast-conserving surgery, mastectomy with or without immediate reconstruction) in the Netherlands (NABON Breast Cancer Audit). High-impact complications were defined as Clavien Dindo grade ≥3. Model performance was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), corrected for optimism with bootstrap validation. Observed-to-expected plots were used to visualize the difference between unadjusted and case-mix adjusted hospital performance (hospital shifts).

RESULTS

In total 32 084 patients from 72 hospitals treated in 2021-2022 were included. A between-hospital variation in complication rates was observed for all surgeries (interquartile range 2.4-6.0%), breast-conserving surgery (interquartile range 1.4-3.4%), and mastectomy with (interquartile range 9.4-9.1%) and without reconstruction (interquartile range 3.3-9.7%). Of the considered variables, body mass index, smoking, multifocality and neoadjuvant therapy were weakly associated with complications. However, surgery type was strongly related to complications (AUC 0.70), resulting in noticeable hospital shifts in the quality indicator scores comprising all surgeries. After stratification for surgery type, no evident hospital shifts were observed after case-mix correction.

CONCLUSION

For valid comparison of complication rates after breast cancer surgery between hospitals, stratification by surgery type is crucial. Subsequently, the evaluated patient and tumour characteristics have a negligible effect on the hospital variation.

Mobile Applications in Breast Cancer Postoperative Care: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

The utilization of mobile application in postoperative care for breast cancer patients has seen a significant rise in recent years. This study aimed to synthesize the literature to identify the features of breast cancer postoperative care mobile applications.

METHODS

This scoping review was conducted using the framework developed by Arksey and O'Malley. All articles published from inception until July 25, 2024, were searched in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE, and Cochrane databases. The quality of publications was evaluated using the mixed-methods appraisal tool (MMAT).

RESULTS

A total of 999 publications were found, of which 28 studies were considered in this review. Out of these studies, 14 used native apps, 14 used hybrid apps. Nine features were used in applications, and Tracker, Tailored Education, and Community Forum were the most repetitive features. In five studies, various devices and sensors, like Bluetooth and GPS, were utilized in mobile applications to monitor physical activity, stress levels, heart rate, sleep patterns, and calorie intake.

CONCLUSIONS

Mobile applications for postoperative breast cancer care encompass a range of features. In a co-design approach, understanding patients' required features could help to develop usable applications to improve the postoperative care for breast cancer patients.

Impact of neoadjuvant compared to adjuvant chemotherapy on prognosis in patients with hormone-receptor positive / HER2-negative breast cancer: A propensity score matching population-based study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this population-based cohort study was to investigate the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) compared to adjuvant chemotherapy in prognosis among patients with HR+/HER2 negative breast cancer.

METHOD

This population-based study utilized data from the research database BCBaSe 3.0, based on the Swedish National Quality breast cancer register, including all patients with breast cancer diagnosis in Sweden between 2008 and 2019. Propensity score matching approach was applied. The outcomes of interest consisted of distant-disease free (DDFS), breast-cancer specific (BCSS), and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

In total, 14 459 patients were included in the study cohort of whom 2086 received NACT. After 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM), 1539 patients in each study group were available for analyses. No statistically significant difference in survival outcomes were observed between patients treated with NACT compared to those treated with adjuvant chemotherapy (Hazard Ratio (HR) for DDFS: 1.20; 95 % CI: 0.80-1.79; HR for BCSS: 1.16; 95 % CI: 0.54-2.49; HR for OS: 1.14; 95 % CI: 0.64-2.05).

CONCLUSION

In this population-based cohort study of patients with HR+/HER2-breast cancer, the use of NACT seems to be comparable to adjuvant chemotherapy in terms of prognosis, although non-inferiority cannot be proven by this study design. Until further evidence suggesting a survival benefit in favor of either treatment is available, NACT can be pursued when surgical-de-escalation is intended.

Physical activity for cancer prehabilitation: A scoping review

This scoping review aims to synthesize the current landscape of physical activity in cancer prehabilitation and identify knowledge gaps. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS and WEB OF SCIENCE for exercise interventions and observational studies that measured exercise or physical activity before cancer treatment from inception to January 20, 2023. Fifty-one articles from 44 unique studies were reviewed, including 32 intervention and 12 observational studies. Surgery is the only treatment modality that has been investigated. Included studies used heterogeneous exercise interventions and measures for physical activity. Colorectal and other gastrointestinal, lung, and urologic cancers are the most studied cancer types. Exercise intervention in cancer prehabilitation is highly feasible. The evidence for improved fitness, functional, psychosocial, and clinical outcomes is promising yet limited. Although research has increased recently, prehabilitation exercise remains a relatively under-investigated area in oncology. We have provided research directions towards an ideal cancer prehabilitation design in the real-world setting.

The impact of rural structural and community health factors on postmastectomy complications among south central Appalachian breast cancer patients

PURPOSE

The study examined how structural and community health factors, including primary care physicians (PCP), food insecurity, diabetes, and mortality rate per county, are linked to the number and severity of postmastectomy complications among south central Appalachian breast cancer patients depending on rural status.

METHODS

Data was obtained through a retrospective review of 473 breast cancer patients that underwent a mastectomy from 2017 to 2021. Patient's ZIP Code was used to determine their rural-urban community area code and their county of residence for census data. We conducted a zero inflated Poisson regression.

FINDINGS

Results demonstrated that patients in small rural/isolated areas with low (B = -4.10, SE = 1.93, OR = 0.02, p = 0.03) to average (B = -2.67, SE = 1.32, OR = 0.07, p = 0.04) food insecurity and average (B = -2.67, SE = 1.32, OR = 0.07, p = 0.04) to high (B = -10.62, SE = 4.71, OR = 0.00, p = 0.02) PCP have significantly fewer postmastectomy complications compared to their urban counterparts. Additionally, patients residing in small rural/isolated areas with high (B = 4.47, SE = 0.49, d = 0.42, p < 0.001) diabetes and low mortality (B = 5.70, SE = 0.58, d = 0.45, p < 0.001) rates have significantly more severe postmastectomy complications.

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate that patients who reside in small/rural isolated areas may experience fewer and less severe postmastectomy when there is certain optimal structural and community health factors present compared to their urban counterparts. Oncologic care teams could utilize this information in routine consult for risk assessment and mitigation. Future research should further examine additional risks for postmastectomy complications.

'PartBreCon' study. A UK multicentre retrospective cohort study to assess outcomes following PARTial BREast reCONstruction with chest wall perforator flaps

BACKGROUND

Partial breast reconstruction with a pedicled chest wall perforator flap (CWPF) enables breast conservation in a higher tumour: breast volume ratio scenario. Since there is limited evidence, this retrospective cohort study aimed to ascertain immediate (30-days) and medium-term (follow-up duration) surgical outcomes.

METHODS

STROBE-compliant protocol ascertained CWPF outcomes between March 2011-March 2021. UK centres known to perform CWPF were invited to participate if they performed at least 10 cases. Data were retrospectively collected, including patient demographics, tumour and treatment characteristics, and surgical and oncological outcomes. Statistical analysis (R™) included multivariable logistic regression and sensitivity analysis.

RESULTS

Across 15 centres, 507 patients with median age (54 years, IQR; 48-62), body mass index (25.4 kg/m2, IQR; 22.5-29), tumour size (26 mm, IQR; 18-35), and specimen weight (62 g, IQR; 40-92) had following flap types: LiCAP (54.1%, n = 273), MiCAP/AiCAP (19.6%, n = 99), LiCAP + LTAP (19.8%, n = 100) and TDAP (2.2%, n = 11). 30-days complication rates were in 12%: haematoma (4.3%, n = 22), wound infection (4.3%, n = 22), delayed wound healing (2.8%, n = 14) and flap loss (0.6%, n = 3; 1 full) leading to readmissions (2.6%, n = 13) and re-operations (2.6%, n = 13). Positive margins (n = 88, 17.7%) led to 15.9% (n = 79) re-excisions, including 7.5% (n = 37) at the planned 2nd of 2-stage surgery and 1.8% (n = 9) mastectomy. At median 23 months (IQR; 11-39) follow-up, there were 1.2% (n = 6) symmetrisations; recurrences: local (1%), regional/nodal (0.6%) and distant (3.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

This large multicentre cohort study demonstrates acceptable complication and margin re-excision rates. CWPF extends the range of breast conservation techniques. Further studies are required for long-term oncological outcomes.

Quality of life and satisfaction of patients after oncoplastic or traditional breast-conserving surgery using the BREAST-Q (BCT module): a prospective study

INTRODUCTION

The oncoplastic conservative surgery was developed as a natural evolution of traditional surgery, attempting to improve the therapeutic and aesthetic outcomes where tumor resection could be followed by not-adequate results. Our primary aim is to evaluate how patient satisfaction and quality-of-life after conservative oncoplastic surgery, using BREAST-Q (BCT Module), change pre- and post-operatively. The secondary aim is to compare patient-reported outcome after oncoplastic or traditional conservative surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We enrolled 647 patients who underwent traditional conservative surgery or oncoplastic surgery from January 2020 to December 2022. Only 232 women (35.9%) completed the BREAST-Q questionnaire on a web-based platform, at the preoperative phase and 3 months after treatment.

RESULTS

The average score of "Psychosocial well-being" and "Satisfaction with Breasts" 3 months after surgery showed a statistically significant improvement, while the average score for "Physical well-being: Chest" at 3 months showed a worsening compared to the baseline. "Sexual well-being" did not show statistically significant change. A significant difference between the post-operative outcome of oncoplastic surgery and traditional surgery was observed only for Physical well-being (better for traditional surgery).

CONCLUSIONS

The study showed significant improvement in patient-reported outcomes 3 months after the surgery, except for physical discomfort that increases especially after oncoplastic surgery. Furthermore, our data, as well as many others, point to the appropriateness of using OCS where there is an effective indication, while the perspective of patients cannot find significant superiority over TCS in any of the areas analyzed.

Sometimes it is better to just make it simple. De-escalation of oncoplastic and reconstructive procedures

Simple breast conservation surgery (sBCS) has technically advanced onto oncoplastic breast procedures (OBP) to avoid mastectomy and improve breast cancer patients' psychosocial well-being and cosmetic outcome. Although OBP are time-consuming and expensive, we are witnessing an increase in their use, even for cases that could be managed with sBCS. The choice between keeping it simple or opting for more complex oncoplastic procedures is difficult. This review proposes a pragmatic approach in assisting this decision. Medical literature suggests that OBP and sBCS might be similar regarding local recurrence and overall survival, and patients seem to have higher satisfaction levels with the aesthetic outcome of OBP when compared to sBCS. However, the lack of comprehensive high-quality research assessing their safety, efficacy, and patient-reported outcomes hinders these supposed conclusions. Postoperative complications after OBP may delay the initiation of adjuvant RT. In addition, precise displacement of the breast volume is not effectively recorded despite surgical clips placement, making accurate dose delivery tricky for radiation oncologists, and WBRT preferable to APBI in complex OBP cases. With a critical eye on financial toxicity, patient satisfaction, and oncological outcomes, OBP must be carefully integrated into clinical practice. The thoughtful provision of informed consent is essential for decision-making between sBCS and OBP. As we look into the future, machine learning and artificial intelligence can potentially help patients and doctors avoid postoperative regrets by setting realistic aesthetic expectations.

Impact of Surgical Care Bundle on Surgical Site Infection after Non-Reconstructive Breast Cancer Surgery: A Single-Centre Retrospective Comparative Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Surgical-site infections (SSIs) are the commonest cause of healthcare-related infections. Although a surgical care bundle (SCB), defined as a group of preventative measures, is effective in reducing SSIs, it has not been well documented in breast cancer surgery. We aimed to investigate the impact of SCB on SSI.

METHODS

A single-centre retrospective comparative cohort study between 2016 and 2020 was carried out. An SCB including eight different measures was implemented in October 2018 at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden. Patients who underwent non-reconstructive breast cancer surgery were included for analysis. The primary endpoint was SSI within 30 days after surgery.

RESULTS

Overall, 10.4% of patients (100/958) developed SSI. After SCB implementation, the overall SSI rate reduced from 11.8% to 8.9% (p = 0.15). The largest SSI rate reduction was seen in the subgroup that underwent breast conservation and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), from 18.8% to 9.8% (p = 0.01). In this multivariable analysis adjusting for patient and treatment factors, the implementation of SCB resulted in a statistically significant reduction in SSI risk (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.40-0.99, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of a SCB could reduce the incidence of SSI in breast cancer surgery.