Do patients with invasive lobular breast cancer benefit in terms of adequate change in surgical therapy from a supplementary preoperative breast MRI?

BACKGROUND

Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been introduced in the preoperative management of invasive lobular breast cancer (ILC). We analysed if MRI leads to adequate changes in surgical management.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We carried out a single-centre retrospective confirmatory analysis of 92 patients with ILC and a preoperative breast MRI. By applying a blinded tumour board method, we analysed if surgical procedures were altered due to breast MRI. In case of alteration, we analysed whether the change was adequate according to the postoperative pathology findings. We considered an adequate rate of change>5% to be a clinically relevant benefit.

RESULTS

A change in surgical therapy due to the MRI findings occurred in 23 of 92 patients (25%). According to the postoperative pathology findings, this change was adequate for 20 of these patients (22%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 14%-31%, P<0.0001). An overtreatment occurred for three patients (3%; 95% CI 0%-6%) who underwent a mastectomy following the results of breast MRI. Patients with larger tumours did likely benefit more from preoperative breast MRI.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with ILC might benefit from a preoperative breast MRI. Possible harm from overtreatment should be minimised by diligent use of preoperative histological clarification.

[Indications and contraindications for contrast-enhanced MRI and CT during pregnancy]

There are no reports about negative effects on the fetus of the application of gadolinium-containing contrast media to pregnant mothers. Iodine-containing contrast media may lead to a transient hypothyroidism in the newborn. This will be detected with certainty by the neonatal TSH screening. Iodine- or gadolinium-containing contrast media may be used in pregnant women if indispensable. In the gut of breastfed children less than 1% of the recommended pediatric doses of contrast media are found after both types of contrast media have been given to their mothers. Therefore there are no reasons against the use of contrast media during the nursing period.

Neoadjuvante Chemotherapie des Mammakarzinoms

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether quantitative changes in contrast enhancement (CE) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC) are associated with histological signs of tumor regression and whether quantitative dynamic MRI (dMRI) is capable of accurately assessing preoperative tumor size compared to mammography (MG) and ultrasound (US).

METHODS

Thirty-one patients with breast cancer underwent MRI before and after NC. Dynamic CE was measured using a turbo-FLASH sequence and quantified by a two-compartment model, where two parameters, k(ep) (distribution constant rate) and A (amplitude), were calculated and color mapped.

RESULTS

When tumors had signs of histological regression in the operative specimen (n=17) decrease of the parameters A and k(ep) was significantly more marked compared to tumors without regression (n=12). The correlation between tumor size measured by dMRI and histopathology was 0.81 when areas of unspecific CE were included; when they were not included the correlation was 0.66 and tumor size was systematically underestimated. In 26 patients dMRI was retrospectively compared with MG (r=0.51; dMRI, r=0.80) and in 22 patients with US (r=0.60; dMRI, r=0.75).

CONCLUSION

Changes in dynamic CE are associated with histological tumor regression. Quantitative dMRI enables a valid assessment of tumor residue and is superior to MG and US. Remaining unspecific CE within the original tumor site should be considered as potentially malignant.

Accuracy of tumor size measurement in breast cancer using MRI is influenced by histological regression induced by neoadjuvant chemotherapy

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether regressive changes after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer affect the accuracy of preoperative MRI measurements of tumor size. Thirty-one patients with breast cancer underwent MRI before and after neoadjuvant treatment. Besides pre- and post-contrast T1-weighted MRI, dynamic MRI with high temporal resolution (turbo-FLASH) was performed. Contrast enhancement in dynamic MRI was quantified using a pharmacokinetic two-compartment model, where two parameters, amplitude and k(ep), were calculated and color coded on transversal parameter maps. Considering the conventional MR images, tumor diameters were measured on the color maps and compared with histological tumor size. Histological regression was scored on a five-point scale regarding cytopathic effects, reactive changes, and tumor cell reduction. The correlation between tumor sizes measured by MRI and histopathology was 0.83 ( p<0.0007) in 12 tumors without regressive changes (score 0), and 0.48 ( p<0.051) in 17 tumors with regressive changes scored 1 or 2, without any tendency for systematic over- or underestimation. In two cases without residual tumor (score 4), MRI likewise showed no signs of persistent tumor. The decrease of the contrast enhancement parameters was significantly more marked in tumors with signs of histological regression than in those without. Whenever MRI is used to judge the response of breast cancer to chemotherapy, the reader must be aware that therapy-induced changes may cause significant over- or underestimation of tumor size. We saw a high precision only when there was either no response - according to histological criteria - or when the tumor had regressed completely.

Evaluation of neoadjuvant chemotherapeutic response of breast cancer using dynamic MRI with high temporal resolution

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in both size and contrast enhancement of breast tumors during neoadjuvant chemotherapy, using dynamic MRI with high temporal resolution. Patients with advanced breast cancer (n=21) underwent a 1.5-T MRI scan prior to and following neoadjuvant chemotherapy with four cycles. Dynamic contrast enhancement was measured using a fast turbo-FLASH sequence and quantified using a two-compartment model with the parameters k(ep) and amplitude. Image analysis was done on images overlayed with a color map of parameters. The correlation between tumor diameter measured by histopathology and MRI was 0.7 (p<0.003). A reduction of tumor size after chemotherapy of more than 25% was associated with a decrease of both analyzed contrast enhancement parameters (k(ep): p<0.002; amplitude: p<0.006), where k(ep) began to drop already after the first cycle of chemotherapy (p<0.008). A clear reduction of tumor size was only noted after the third cycle (p<0.008). In patients without tumor regression there was also a trend towards an early reduction of contrast enhancement. We assume that MRI with high temporal resolution and color mapping is a novel tool to assess therapeutic effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast tumors, which deserves further prospective evaluation.

Comparison of pharmacokinetic MRI and [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose PET in the diagnosis of breast cancer: initial experience

It was the aim of this methodology-oriented clinical pilot study to compare the potential of dynamic MRI and 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) for the detection and characterization of breast cancer. Fourteen women with suspicious breast lesions were examined. The MRI data were acquired with a turbo fast low-angle shot sequence and analyzed using a pharmacokinetic model. Emission data were detected in the sensitive 3D modus, iteratively reconstructed, and superimposed onto corresponding transmission images. In the 14 patients, 13 breast masses with a suspicious contrast enhancement and FDG uptake were detected. For these lesions, no statistically significant correlation between evaluated MR and PET parameters was found. Of the 9 histologically confirmed carcinomas, 8 were correctly characterized with MRI and PET. Two inflammatory lesions were concordantly classified as cancer. Moreover, dynamic MRI yielded another false-positive finding. In 6 patients, PET detected occult lymph node and/or distant metastases. Although both functional imaging techniques provide independent tissue information, the results concerning the diagnosis of primary breast lesions were almost identical. An advantage of PET, however, is its ability to localize lymph node involvement and distant metastases as an integral part of the examination.

[Comparison of methods for quantifying contrast enhancement exemplified by dynamic MRI mammography]

AIM

Aim of this study was to demonstrate and compare different quantification techniques to assess contrast enhancement in dynamic MRI studies. The diagnostic potential of dynamic MRI studies is increasingly appreciated and already used in different organ systems.

METHOD

A patient population of 314 histologically verified breast lesions (138 malignant, 176 benign) were evaluated using a high temporal resolved dynamic sequence. Different quantification techniques such as the use of a cutoff line, time dependent and pharmacokinetic assessment were comparatively evaluated.

RESULTS

Time dependent quantification methods revealed higher diagnostic potential which was further improved by in vivo normalization of the contrast availability in the vascular system. Significant differences in the enhancement characteristics were determined between malignant and benign as well within the different histological entities.

CONCLUSION

Time dependent quantification methods enable an angiogenic characterization of lesions to improve diagnostic interpretation as well as monitoring during therapy. They are also the basis for automated, color-coded visualization of dynamic studies.

Immunoscintigraphy with positron emission tomography: gallium-68 chelate imaging of breast cancer pretargeted with bispecific anti-MUC1/anti-Ga chelate antibodies

Pretargeting techniques that are based on the sequential administrations of bispecific antitumor/antimetal chelate antibodies (BS-MAbs), a blocker to saturate the anti-chelate binding sites of the BS-MAb still present in the circulation, and the radiolabeled chelate are suitable to increase tumor-to-normal tissue contrasts and enable positron emission tomography (PET) as an imaging method. As demonstrated in the nude mouse model, a combination of pretargeted immunoscintigraphy and PET markedly improved the detection of tumor xenografts. With the presented preliminary clinical trial, we attempted to assess the efficacy of pretargeting and PET for breast cancer localization in patients. The BS-MAb used for pretargeting was synthesized from the F(ab')(2) fragments of the anti-MUC1 MAb 12H12, which reacts with the vast majority of breast tumors, and the F(ab') fragments of an anti-gallium (Ga) chelate MAb via a mixed functional chemical linker. For labeling of the Ga-chelate, we used the short-lived positron emitter Ga-68 (t(1/2), 68 min; beta(+), 88%). The dose and time schedule of pretargeting was deduced from previous animal experiments. Ten patients with biopsy-proven, primary breast carcinoma were infused with 10 mg of the BS-MAB: Eighteen h later, they received i.v. injections of 10.7 mg of a blocker and, 15 min later, 9.6 microg of the Ga chelate labeled with 230-300 MBq of (68)GA: PET imaging was started 60-90 min after injection of the (68)Ga chelate. Average tumor-to-blood and tumor:normal breast tissue ratios were 0.9 and 3.0 at 1 h postinjection. Tumor uptake amounted to approximately 0.003% iD/g corresponding to a standard uptake value of approximately 2. Blood clearance of the (68)Ga chelate showed a t(1/2) beta of approximately 100 min. Fourteen of 17 known lesions, averaging 25 +/- 16 mm in size, were clearly visualized as foci of increased activity with PET. No false-positive but three false-negative readings were obtained. An enhanced, bilateral activity uptake in the whole breast parenchyma, found in 4 of the 10 patients, compromised the recognition of these tumor sites. Although the shedding of the MUC1 antigen and the comparatively low tumor affinity of the BS-MAb, common to all anti-mucin MAbs, proved not to be optimal for increasing tumor:tissue ratios with a pretargeting technique, PET imaging offered better sensitivity for the detection of breast cancer at low tumor contrasts than conventional immunoscintigraphy. This could be demonstrated by the clear visualization of tumor sites 10 mm in size, which contrasted only by a factor of 2 from surrounding normal breast tissue.

[Concept and implementation of model projects for mammography screening in Germany]

The carriers of the German Statutory Health Care System have recognized that only mammographic screening according to the European Guidelines for the Quality Assurance of Mammography Screening will permit early detection of breast cancer with an acceptable risk/benefit ratio. In the German pilot projects, regional mammography screening programmes according to the European guidelines are being tested in the framework of the German health care system. The European guidelines require comprehensive quality assurance of all relevant steps in the chain of events involved in screening, from invitation on to therapy and follow-up. Such comprehensive quality assurance involves several medical specialities and other professional groups dealing with out-patient and in-patient health care and requires long-term cooperation with public institutions (population registries, cancer registries). The objective of the pilot projects is to test the organizational and legal conditions essential to introduction of a mammographic screening programme according to the European quality assurance guidelines in Germany.

Pathophysiologic basis of contrast enhancement in breast tumors

While the diagnostic benefits of gadolinium (Gd)-chelate contrast agents are firmly established in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of tumors, the pathophysiologic basis of the enhancement observed and its histopathologic correlate remained vague. Tumor angiogenesis is fundamental for growth and metastasis and also of interest in new therapeutic concepts. By correlative analysis of a) histology; b) vascular density (CD31); and c) vascular permeability (vascular permeability factor/vascular endothelial growth factor [VPF/VEGF]), we found a) significantly (P < 0.001) faster exchange rates in malignant compared with benign breast lesions; b) distinct differences in enhancement characteristics between the histologic types (invasive ductal carcinoma, invasive lobular carcinoma, and ductal carcinoma in situ); and c) dependence of enhancement kinetics on the VPF/VEGF expression. The pathophysiologic basis for the differences in contrast enhancement patterns of tumors detectable by MRI is mainly due to vascular permeability, which leads to more characteristic differences than vascular density. MRI is able to subclassify malignant breast tumors due to their different angiogenetic properties.

Colour Doppler sonography in breast tumours: an update

The aim of our study was to reassess the diagnostic performance of image-based, computer-assisted colour Doppler quantification under routine conditions. We used a computer-assisted protocol that quantitatively characterises a colour Doppler image by the relative amount of colour pixels (colour pixel density, CPD) and the colour hues (numerically expressed by the mean colour value, MCV) in 44 patients with breast carcinoma and 49 patients with benign breast lesions. Studies were carried out over two periods by two examiners, subsequently in charge of breast ultrasound. During the first period, the sensitivity of the MCV was 92 %, the specificity 75 %; the sensitivity of the CPD was 80 %, the specificity 81 %. During the second period, the sensitivity of the MCV was 58 %, the specificity 77 %; the sensitivity of the CPD was 68 %, the specificity 71 %. Despite measures to create uniform examination conditions, the diagnostic performance of this method may decline under routine conditions.

[Multiple reader analysis for evaluation of functional MR mammography]

The diagnostic impact and reproducibility of the different methods used within the concept of functional MR-Mammography (FMRM) was assessed by a multi-reader-analysis. By four experienced readers, 100 histologically confirmed cases were evaluated in six different sessions. Per session, one of the following components was analyzed: clinical history (I), static MRM (II), color-coded projection images (III), time-signal curves of contrast enhancement within a large ROI (IV) and the strongest enhancing pixel (V) obtained from the histologically confirmed lesion and the complete FMRM reading (VI). The functional methods (IV-VI) revealed significantly (p < 0.05) higher specificities than the others (I-III). The highest reproducibility between the readers was observed for (IV) phi chi = 0.80, (V) phi chi = 0.76 and FMRM (VI) phi chi = 0.63. These three methods also presented the best ROC-curves and showed the highest complementarity with respect to the false positive classifications in x-ray mammography. FMRM is a reader independent, reproducible method. The analysis of the contrast enhancement time-intensity curves with high temporal resolution allows an improved differentiation of malignant and benign findings.

[Imaging methods for evaluating the response of breast carcinoma to preoperative chemotherapy]

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with epirubicin and cyclophosphamide makes breast conserving therapy possible in patients with large tumors, which are primarily not suited for this treatment. The regression of the tumor can be followed by mammography, ultrasound and MRI. Mammography is reproducible and easily available. Tumors, which cannot be measured mammographically, usually can be followed with ultrasound. MR allows imaging of the tumor independent of structure and density of the parenchyma. In addition the measurement of functional parameters is possible. All methods are restricted in the imaging of tumor residuals after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, because imaging of small microscopic foci of invasive or even non invasive tumorresiduals is hardly possible. Of special concern are tumor specific microcalcifications, which only can be shown on mammograms, in this respect. They do not regress under chemotherapy, even if the invasive tumor regresses, and they typically hint for non invasive tumor residuals. For planning surgery the pretherapeutic tumor extent always has to be taken into account, because of the restricted ability to image small tumor residuals.

[Histologic regression of breast cancer after primary (neoadjuvant) chemotherapy]

Primary (neoadjuvant) chemotherapy of locally advanced breast carcinomas is performed to locally reduce the tumour mass and to improve the operability. Recently, the indication for primary chemotherapy has been extended for preoperative treatment in breast conserving surgery. In an ongoing clinical trial we examined the resection specimens of 51 mammary carcinomas after primary chemotherapy. These patients had received a neoadjuvant therapy with epirubicin/cyclophosphamide for size reduction of large (> 3 cm) but operable tumours (pretreatment median tumour size 4.5 cm by mammography). The tumour response was evaluated pathologically and compared with the clinical tumour regression that was observed in over two-thirds of all cases. We classified the regressive changes using a semiquantitative scoring system from 0 to 4 (0 = no effect, 1 = resorption and tumour sclerosis, 2 = minimal residual invasive tumour [< 0.5 cm], 3 = residual noninvasive tumour only, 4 = no tumour detectable). The aim of this study was to evaluate the improvement of operability objectively and to correlate the histology of the primary tumour with the response to treatment. With invasive lobular carcinomas, the tumour size after therapy was reduced less than average and irrespective of the amount of histological tumour cell reduction, largely due to the stromal content of these neoplasms. Invasive ductal carcinomas with extensive or predominant intraductal component also underwent only a slight decrease in tumour size; this was because of the lack of tumour response with the intraductal component. Well differentiated tubular carcinomas were particularly resistant to primary chemotherapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Breast tumors: computer-assisted quantitative assessment with color Doppler US

PURPOSE

To compare quantified measurements with color Doppler ultrasonography (US) with those obtained with conventional duplex US in the differential diagnosis of suspect lesions in the breast.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A computer-assisted protocol was used to calculate the color pixel density (CPD) and the mean color value (MCV) in US images of breast lesions. These results were compared with conventional results in the examination of 25 patients (aged 29-78 years) with carcinomas and 32 patients (aged 23-73 years) with benign lesions of the breast.

RESULTS

The sensitivity of maximum flow velocity in helping identify carcinomas was 60% and the specificity was 70%. In color Doppler US, the sensitivity for MCV in helping identify carcinomas was 92% and the specificity was 78%; for CPD the sensitivity was 64% and the specificity was 91%. Combining MCV and CPD did not improve differentiation.

CONCLUSION

Computer-assisted image analysis may be superior to conventional duplex US in helping differentiate between carcinomas and benign lesions.

[A pharmacokinetic analysis of Gd-DTPA enhancement in MRT in breast carcinoma]

Dynamic Gd-DTPA enhanced MR of the breast was performed in one single slice in 27 patients with suspicious nodular lesions. The results could be histologically verified in all cases. A rapid spin-echo sequence with a time resolution of 8.75 s was used for the dynamic examination. The signal changes were analysed using a pharmacokinetic model which allowed parametrization of the contrast enhancement and transformation of the data into colour coded parameter images. The parameters allowed reliable distinction of 9 benign from 18 malignant lesions (p < 0.05 for "amplitude", p < 0.001 for "k21"). One fibroadenoma could not be distinguished from the carcinomas. Lymph node metastases and the pharmacokinetic parameter amplitude correlated significantly (p < 0.05).

[Clarification of breast lesions using core-cut, drill and fine needle biopsy]

Interest in needle biopsy methods (core cut-, drill-, and fine-needle biopsy) has recently increased considerably because of the rise in screening mammography and new developments in the therapy of breast cancer. In order to achieve adequate results using needle biopsy and to avoid complications, certain technical details must be strictly adhered to. An experienced surgeon can achieve a sensitivity of above 90% in the diagnosis of breast carcinoma with all three methods. Considering the advantages and disadvantages of these three methods of needle biopsy, we prefer--based on our own experience--high-speed core-cut biopsy for the morphological evaluation of breast lesions.

[Localization of non-palpable lesions by mammography for preoperative marking and tissue removal]

Mammography screening can increase survival by 15-50%. Minute nonpalpable breast carcinomas can be detected and surgically removed using precise localization techniques. Various techniques are shown, including localization by means of grid mammography and conventional localization with several needles. Stereotactic localization is recommended if the focus cannot be detected by sonography--a procedure now almost always possible if mammography units have the necessary additional equipment. In future it will often become necessary, following a good response to pre-operative chemotherapy, for the tumor, which as a result has become nonpalpable, to be marked prior to surgery (e.g. remaining microcalcifications). This is essential if a representative area of tissue is to be made available for histological examination.

[Breast cancer screening. State of the art and introduction to preventive measures]

Carcinoma of the breast is the most frequent cause of death in women aged between approximately 38 and 50 years. At present, 1 out of 14 women in Germany and 1 out of 9 in America suffer from breast cancer within a life time. To date, modern methods of treatment and hormone therapy have only been able to increase long-term survival by about 12%. Trials have shown that early diagnosis alone has been able to increase survival from 20% to 50%. Early diagnosis proved to be most effective when clinical examination plus mammography in two planes was carried out annually. An increase in survival has been achieved in post-menopausal women as a result of screening. 22 percent of breast cancers were detected at a curable in situ stage by means of screening. Even after a limited screening program of 4 examination cycles the increase in survival rate over 15-20 years was significant.

[Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of breast cancer]

Conservative therapeutic concepts with initial chemotherapy for patients with breast cancer represent a challenge to non-invasive techniques for monitoring response to therapy. Experimental magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies have been able to show exemplary applications for therapy monitoring of breast cancer patients. The characteristic phosphomonoester resonances and their changes during therapy are possible clinical parameters. The additional information which can be obtained from proton and carbon spectroscopy increases the amount of detectable metabolites. On-going studies are investigating clinical applications of multinuclear spectroscopic studies in patients with breast cancer.

[Recurrences, the surgical and radiological side effects and new developments in the breast-preserving treatment of breast carcinoma]

In the Department for Gynecology and the Department for Gynecologic Radiology, University of Heidelberg, breast conserving therapy was carried out in 1,330 patients with breast cancer between 1975 and 1990. The tumor size was up to 3 cm, 28% showed positive nodes. The medium age was 47.6 years, segmental resection was the standard operation, whole breast irradiation with 50 Gy and an additional boost of 10 Gy was standard irradiation schedule. After five years (n = 307) the following results were observed: local failure 6.8%, regional lymph node recurrence 2.1%, overall survival 88.3%, disease-free survival 81.2%. Five out of 36 of the death-cases died without recurrence. Significant factors for local failure were following: 1. lymphangiosis of more than 1 cm in size around the tumor (p = 0.03); 2. intra-ductal non-invasive cancer of more than 1 cm in size around the primary (p = 0.01); 3. intra-ductal non-invasive cancer reaches the margin of resection (p less than 0.00001). With segmental resection (2 cm margin macroscopically free of tumor) showed in 19% histologically tumor beyond the margins so-called residuals. In the other three quadrants additional second primaries of (multicentric cancers) macroscopical size could be confirmed in an additional study. In case of high risk for local failure more radicality in operation as well as in irradiation is recommended.

Nocturnal myocardial ischemia and cardiac arrhythmia in patients with sleep apnea with and without coronary heart disease

To study the effect of apnea and hypoventilation-induced hypoxemia on the heart, we carried out polysomnographic recordings over 4 nights with electrocardiographic tracings in 30 patients with and without coronary heart disease. Evaluations of the data were based on the 2nd and 4th nights. In six subjects, five with coronary heart disease, we found 85 episodes of nocturnal ischemia, mainly during REM sleep (83.5%), high apnea activity, and sustained and progressive hypoxemia. Complex ventricular ectopy was observed in 14/13 patients (nights 2/4) and repetitive ventricular ectopy in 5/3. There was no significant difference in the quality and quantity of ventricular ectopy during wake and sleep states between the CHD group and the control group. In one patient ventricular bigeminy was observed only at a threshold of SaO2 below 60%. Bradyarrhythmia was made evident in four subjects from the CHD group and correlated mainly with apnea activity. We suppose that patients with sleep apnea and CHD are at cardiac risk because coronary heart disease can be aggravated by insufficient arterial oxygen supply due to cumulative phase of apnea and hypoventilation. The reduced hypoxic tolerance of the heart may lead to myocardial ischemia and increased electrical instability.

[Systemic therapy in recurrent and primary advanced cervix cancer]

Therapeutic results in advanced cervical cancer have not been showing any progress for more than 30 years. Only by means of systemic therapy does it seem possible, that further treatment results may be obtained similar to those in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Therefore, between 1985 and 1990 we tried to apply an aggressive polychemotherapy regimen for 5 days with cisplatinum and 5-fluorouracil with supportive treatment in 47 patients with either primary advanced inoperable (n = 25) or recurrent (n = 22) cervix carcinomas. Complete (n = 12) and partial remissions (n = 24) could be obtained in 36 out of 47 cases (= 77%). However, this high response rate conceals the fact, that this aggressive palliative treatment in case of recurrence and/or distant metastases means a considerable deterioration of quality of life with a median survival time of only 9.5 months. Although primary therapy with combined chemoradiotherapy shows good results, it is, however, only a real advantage for patients with complete response. Taking into account the short period of observation (median 25 months), the overall survival of all primary advanced cervix carcinomas is 13 + months, in case of complete remission 20 + months. It remains to be seen, whether sequential or simultaneous chemoradiotherapy will prove superior. Due to severe haematoxicity (WHO grade IV) after the first 3 treated patients, a dose reduction of 20% of chemotherapy was necessary. No further severe toxicities occurred. By means of supportive care, other side effects could also be well controlled, so that this effective polychemotherapy regimen is not only efficacious but also practicable. Prospective randomised studies are required to determine the importance of exclusive or combined chemoradiotherapy in advanced as well as in operable cancer of the cervix.

[Sleep-related respiratory disorders and coronary heart disease]

A review of the literature shows that more than 50% of examined patients suffering from coronary heart disease were also suffering from sleep-related apnea. We were able to diagnose a pathological sleep apnea in 9 out of 25 patients (36%) suffering from an angiographically confirmed coronary 2-vessel and 3-vessel disorder. Patients with this combination--this is the hypothesis derived from our study--are at risk due to nocturnal apnea-induced myocardial ischaemia and rhythmic disorders. In 15 patients with sleep apnea and coronary heart disease or small vessel disease, nocturnal polysomnography was conducted, in parallel a 6-channel ECG was recorded. The apnea index (second night) was on the average 33 phases/h, the maximal duration of an apnea phases being 120 seconds. The minimal blood gas saturation recorded during sleep was between 46 and 89% (median 76.0%). In 4 of the 15 patients it was possible to confirm myocardial ischaemia (correlated via REM and also via NREM) with a maximum duration of 60 seconds, mainly during the phases of maximal apnea activity and blood gas desaturation. On comparing the ventricular arrhythmias waking/sleep, the Lown class did not change in 12 patients; there was deterioration in 2 patients and in one patient a qualitative improvement during the sleep phase. Patients suffering from sleep-related respiratory disorders and coronary heart disease are at cardiac risk, the more so since long-lasting apneas can lead to conditions of hypoxia at the heart in pre-existing changes in the coronary arteries, restricted coronary reserves and reduced tolerance to hypoxia. Such hypoxia can in turn induce enhanced electrical instability and a disturbance of the contractile function.

[New methods for treating surgically incomplete or inoperable recurrences of gynecologic malignancies]

Following radical or subradical surgery or an inoperable situation of recurrences of gynaecological tumours of the vaginal vault or the pelvic wall we suggest two different techniques of irradiation: 1. transtumoural afterloading-methods with a) flexible probes, and b) non-flexible probes 2. The application of iodine seeds. The objectives of these procedures are direct irradiation of the tumour or tumour-bed with limited irradiation volume, as well as the possibility of a simultaneous spacing and therefore protection of nearby pelvic and abdominal organs, which should not be irradiated and damaged. Examples of the various techniques of the distinguished operative and radiological procedures are presented.

Hormonal and non-hormonal medical therapy of benign breast disease

Mastopathy or nodular painful breast can be managed by several non-hormonal and hormonal treatments. Little data exist for effectiveness of the former. Whilst the hormonal treatments are considered to be very effective, their use can be limited by unpleasant side effects.

Endocrinology of benign breast disease in relation to the severity of radiological dysplasia

A link between benign breast disease and hormonal imbalance has not been conclusively determined. In women suffering from severe radiological dysplasia, it was found to be correlated with slightly raised serum hormone binding globulin (SHBG) binding capacity. SHBG is an oestrogen-sensitive protein, which may be a marker of enhanced oestrogen bioactivity. Such abnormality was not, however, detected by the measurement of peripheral steroid hormones.

[Current status of radiotherapy following ablative and breast-sparing treatment of breast cancer]

After a total mastectomy in cases of a high risk of loco-regional recurrence the postoperative irradiation of the chest wall is indicated in the following situations: Inflammatory type of carcinoma, tumor stage T3-T4, extended multifocal and multicentric primary tumor. After radical axillary surgery even in patients with positive nodes irradiation is not necessary except in cases where all axillary nodes are involved or with invasion of the axillary tissue. The supra- and infraclavicular lymph drainage regions caudal to the operated area (clip) should be irradiated with 50 Gy providing both an enlarged or subtotal involvement can be diagnosed. The irradiation of the retrosternal lymph-drainage system with 45-50 Gy is indicated as follows: Medial or central tumor site, extensive involvement of the axillary nodes and advanced stages of the primary tumor (T2-T4). Axillary irradiation alone cannot serve as a substitute for surgery. After segmental mastectomy without postoperative radiotherapy a local failure rate of 30% is to be expected during a 5 year period. After surgery with adjuvant postoperative irradiation the local failure rate can be reduced to about 5%: 50-60 Gy should be applied. In case of an unfavourable histology an additional boost dose is recommended. The objective of breast cancer irradiation is to achieve freedom of loco-regional recurrence. The survival can be improved occasionally after local irradiation, theoretically improvement of survival can be achieved in 7-10% at the most.