Prognostic Predictors of Mortality in Male Breast Cancer: Outcomes in an Urban Population

INTRODUCTION

Male breast cancer (MBC) accounts for 0.5% to 1% of all breast cancers diagnosed annually. The purpose of this study is to evaluate prognostic factors in MBC.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with MBC between 2010 and 2021. Demographics, comorbidities, cancer characteristics, recurrence, and mortality were collected. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to determine prognostic factors. A Kaplan-Meier curve was used to plot survival probabilities.

RESULTS

A total of 47 male patients were identified. The mean age at presentation was 64.1 y. Twenty eight (59.6%) patients were African American and 14 patients (29.8%) were Caucasian. Most patients had invasive ductal carcinoma (89.4%) and presented with T1 or T2 tumors (40.4% and 38.3%, respectively). Three patients (6.4%) had a recurrence and eight patients (17%) died. Using mortality as an end point, age (≥ 76.1 y) indicated a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.13 (P = 0.004), diabetes mellitus (HR = 5.45, P = 0.023), atrial fibrillation (HR = 8.0, P = 0.009), end-stage renal disease (HR 6.47, P = 0.023), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 3 (HR = 7.92, P = 0.024), poorly differentiated grade (HR = 7.21, P = 0.033), and metastatic disease (HR = 30.94, P = 0.015) had an increased risk of mortality. Overall survival at 3 y was 79.2%.

CONCLUSIONS

Advanced age, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, end-stage renal disease, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score of 3, poorly differentiated tumors, and metastatic disease are unfavorable prognostic factors in MBC. Compared to female breast cancer, MBC showed poorer overall survival.

Triple negative breast cancer and reconstruction: Predictors of recurrence, complications, and mortality

BACKGROUND

Only 42% of all breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy elect for breast reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluate factors impacting complications, recurrence, and mortality in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients undergoing reconstruction.

METHODS

Reconstructive TNBC patients at a single institution from 2010 to 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, cancer characteristics, reconstruction choice, and complications were collected. Statistical significance was defined at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

A total of 131 patients were identified. Average age was 47.8 years, 50.4% were Caucasian and 36.4% were African American. Most patients had invasive ductal carcinoma (90.8%), and most underwent nipple-sparing (41.2%) or skin-sparing (38.9%) mastectomies. Twenty-one patients (16.0%) experienced postoperative complications. Patients with complications tended to be older (52.1 versus 46.9 years, p = 0.052). At mean follow-up of 52.1 months, 14.5% experienced cancer recurrence and 5.3% died. Deceased patients were significantly younger at diagnosis (42.2 versus 48.5 years, p = 0.008) and had a lower BMI compared to surviving patients (21.2 versus 26.9 kg/m2; p = 0.014). Patients younger than age 45 years had higher Ki-67 than those older than 45 years (80.0% versus 60.0%, p = 0.013). Outcomes in autologous- versus implant-based reconstruction were not significantly different.

CONCLUSIONS

In TNBC post-mastectomy reconstruction patients, age and BMI were predictors of mortality while race, smoking history, reconstruction choice, or type of implant-based reconstruction had no significant effect on these outcomes.

SYNOPSIS

The purpose of this study is to evaluate factors that impact complications, recurrence, and mortality in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients undergoing reconstruction. We identified BMI, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and age as predictors of complications, recurrence, and mortality in TNBC.

Hospital System Adoption of Magnetic Seeds for Wireless Breast and Lymph Node Localization

BACKGROUND

As an alternative to traditional wire localization, an inducible magnetic seed system can be used to identify and remove nonpalpable breast lesions and axillary lymph nodes intraoperatively. We report the largest single-institution experience of magnetic seed placement for operative localization to date, including feasibility and short-term outcomes.

METHODS

Patients who underwent placement of a magnetic seed in the breast or lymph node were identified from July 2017 to March 2019. Imaging findings, core needle biopsy, surgical pathology results, and type of surgery were collected. Outcomes included procedural complications, magnetic seed and biopsy clip retrieval rates, and need for additional surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 842 magnetic seeds were placed by nine radiologists in 673 patients and retrieved by six surgeons at six operative locations. The majority of breast lesions were malignant (395/659, 59.9%); 136 seeds were placed for lymph node localization. The overall magnetic seed retrieval rate was 98.6%, whereas the biopsy clip retrieval rate was 90.9%. Only six patients (0.7%) experienced a complication from magnetic seed placement. Reexcision was performed in 15.2% of patients with breast cancer; 9.6% of benign/high risk lesions were upgraded to malignancy at surgical excision.

CONCLUSIONS

The magnetic seed technique is safe, effective, and accurate for localization of breast lesions and lymph nodes, and importantly uncouples surgery from the localization procedure. The high magnetic seed retrieval rate and low reexcision rate may reflect the accuracy of magnetic marker placement as a "second chance" localization procedure, especially in cases with biopsy clip migration.

Critical evaluation of factors contributing to time to mastectomy within a single health care system

Increased time to mastectomy (TTM) has significant implications for mortality, well-being, and satisfaction. However, certain populations are subject to disparities that increase TTM. This study examines vulnerable populations and the patient-, disease-, provider-, and system-level factors related to treatment delays. Patients undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer from 2014 to 2018 across 8 hospitals in a single health care system were retrospectively reviewed. Demographics, disease characteristics, and provider- and system-level information were collected. Time from biopsy-proven diagnosis to mastectomy was calculated. Univariate analysis identified variables for inclusion in the multivariable model. One thousand, three hundred thirty patients met inclusion. Median TTM was 55.0 days. Factors from all levels-patient, disease, provider, and systemic-were significantly related to disparities. African-American patients had 11.6% longer TTM compared to white patients (69.0 vs 56.0 days, P < .0001). TTM was 15.5% longer for low-income patients when compared to high-income patients (65.0 vs 49.0 days, P = .0014). Preoperative plastic surgery visits led to 19.3% longer TTM (P = .0012); oncologic appointments for neo-adjuvant chemotherapy led to a 231.0% increase (P < .0001). Average time from last neo-adjuvant treatment to mastectomy was 44.4 days (SD 26.5); average TTM from diagnosis for patients not receiving neo-adjuvant chemotherapy was 58.5 days (SD 13.3). Patients with Medicaid waited 14.5% longer compared to patients with commercial insurance (94.0 vs 62.0 days, P = .0005). In our review of care across a large health care system, we identified multiple levels contributing to disparities in TTM. Identification of these disparities offers valuable insight into process improvement and intervention.

Contralateral axillary sentinel lymph node in breast cancer recurrence

The rare but significant reports of aberrant lymph node drainage outside of the ipsilateral axilla in patients with breast cancer necessitate a review of the staging and treatment strategies for these patients. Current staging modalities continue to describe this phenomenon as a stage IV cancer, which could have profound implications for clinical management. We report a case of a patient with recurrent right breast invasive ductal carcinoma whose preoperative lymphoscintigraphy revealed sentinel lymph node drainage to the contralateral axilla. This discovery subsequently altered surgical planning and her ultimate stage.