How do I follow patients with early breast cancer after completing adjuvant therapy

Early stage breast cancer follow-up in real-world clinical practice: the added value of cell free circulating tumor DNA

Purpose

Physical examinations and annual mammography (minimal follow-up) are as effective as laboratory/imaging tests (intensive follow-up) in detecting breast cancer (BC) recurrence. This statement is now challenged by the availability of new diagnostic tools for asymptomatic cases. Herein, we analyzed current practices and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in monitoring high-risk BC patients treated with curative intent in a comprehensive cancer center.

Patients and methods

Forty-two consecutive triple negative BC patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy and surgery were prospectively enrolled. Data from plasma samples and surveillance procedures were analyzed to report the diagnostic pattern of relapsed cases, i.e., by symptoms, follow-up procedures and ctDNA.

Results

Besides minimal follow-up, 97% and 79% of patients had at least 1 non-recommended imaging and laboratory tests for surveillance purposes. During a median follow-up of 5.1(IQR, 4.1–5.9) years, 13 events occurred (1 contralateral BC, 1 loco-regional recurrence, 10 metastases, and 1 death). Five recurrent cases were diagnosed by intensive follow-up, 5 by symptoms, and 2 incidentally. ctDNA antedated disseminated disease in all evaluable cases excepted two with bone-only and single liver metastases. The mean time from ctDNA detection to suspicious findings at follow-up imaging was 3.81(SD, 2.68), and to definitive recurrence diagnosis 8(SD, 2.98) months. ctDNA was undetectable in the absence of disease and in two suspected cases not subsequently confirmed.

Conclusions

Some relapses are still symptomatic despite the extensive use of intensive follow-up. ctDNA is a specific test, sensitive enough to detect recurrence before other methods, suitable for clarifying equivocal imaging, and exploitable for salvage therapy in asymptomatic BC survivors.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00432-022-03990-7.

Filling the Gap for Early-Stage Breast Cancer Follow-Up: An Overview for Primary Care Providers

Earlier detection and newer treatments now make breast cancer highly survivable, and breast cancer survivors are the largest female cancer survivor group in the United States. With earlier detection, more women are being diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and need follow-up care. With the increasing number of breast cancer survivors, there is a projected shortage in the workforce of oncology specialists to care for these women. The American Society of Clinical Oncology recommends that breast cancer follow-up care can be provided by an oncologist or primary care provider, as long as the primary care provider has spoken to the oncologist about appropriate follow-up care. Several studies have shown that primary care providers and oncologists have comparable outcomes for follow-up care of women with early-stage breast cancer. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) are considered the gold standard for breast cancer treatment and follow-up. These guidelines are clear and straightforward. Using knowledge of the NCCN Guidelines, primary care providers can fill the gap for follow-up care of women with early-stage breast cancer.

The Efficiency of Diffusion Weighted MRI and MR Spectroscopy On Breast MR Imaging

The main purpose of breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in radiologically routine is to establish an imaging protocol that will create high quality images with a short period of time. Fort this purpose, an imaging protocol should include a conventional breast MRI and contrast enhanced sequences. Proton MR spectroscopy (MRS) and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) are important MR techniques for evaluation to complicated breast lesions. In this article, we will evaluate that technical properties of the MRS and DWI as additional MR imaging.

Sustainable medical research by effective and comprehensive medical skills: overcoming the frontiers by predictive, preventive and personalized medicine

Background

Clinical research and practice require affordable objectives, sustainable tools, rewarding training strategies and meaningful collaboration.

Method

Our unit delivers courses on project design and management promoting ideas, useful skills, teaching and exploring implementation of networks and existing collaborations. We investigated the effectiveness of a sustainable approach of comprehensive diagnosis and care and its usefulness within concrete models of research project teaching methodology.

Results

The model of predictive, preventive and personalized medicine (PPPM) of adolescent hypertension, developed since 1976 and still active, was displayed. This is a paradigm of comprehensive PPPM aimed at the management of a recognized, but actually neglected, societal and clinical problem. The second model was addressed to the analysis of performance of an outpatient diagnostic and therapy unit and its relationship with the emergency department. Part of the patients, 4,057 cancer patients presenting at the emergency care, were addressed to the outpatient diagnostic and therapy unit for further assessment, treatment and follow-up. The stay in DH was 6.3 ± 2.1 non-consecutive days, with shortage of costs, vs. in-hospital stays. Research planning courses, based on these models, ensued in an increase of competitive project submission and successful funding.

Discussion

Active promotion of interdisciplinary knowledge and skills is warranted. Misleading messages and information are detrimental not only to healthy and sick people but, equally, to all health professionals: efforts for basing on evidence by research any statement are needed. The actual pre-requisite of personalized medicine is the coherent and articulated promotion of the professional quality of staff. Health professionals should and can be skilled in sustainable non-invasive diagnostic procedures, in non-pharmacological intervention, in translational research (from epidemiology to personalized therapy) and in timely dissemination of the information.

Conclusion

Recommendations are provided according to PPPM: proposed models are based on financial sustainability and patient's satisfaction criteria and are addressed to research projects and dissemination also by e-learning. The guidelines of the EU calls in personalized medicine are able to provide a critical added value by accurate planning, transparency of assessment and unbiased reports, dissemination and exploitation.