The locoregional recurrence post-mastectomy for ductal carcinoma in situ: Incidence and risk factors

Prophylactic mastectomy for the prevention of breast cancer: Review of the literature

The high incidence and recurrence rate of breast cancer has influenced multiple strategies such as early detection with imaging, chemoprevention and surgical interventions that serve as preventive measures for women at high risk. Prophylactic mastectomy is one of the growing strategies of breast cancer risk reduction that is of a special importance for breast cancer gene mutation carriers. Women with personal history of cancerous breast lesions may consider ipsilateral or contralateral mastectomy as well. Existing data showed that mastectomy effectively reduces breast cancer risk. However, careful risk estimation is necessary to wisely select individuals who will benefit from preventing breast cancer.

Superficial margins in skin sparing and nipple sparing mastectomies for DCIS: A margin of potential concern

Skin-sparing and nipple-sparing mastectomies with immediate reconstruction for breast cancer are increasing. The superficial fascia is considered a natural border and the superficial margin may not be evaluated. We emphasize the need for reporting of the superficial margin status in these procedures to obtain valid information on its association with local recurrence risks.

Palpable Lumps after Mastectomy: Radiologic-Pathologic Review of Benign and Malignant Masses

Patients who have undergone mastectomy, with or without reconstruction, are not universally screened with mammography or US. Therefore, clinical breast examination by the physician and patient-detected palpable abnormalities are crucial for detecting breast cancer or recurrence. Diagnostic US is the first-line modality for evaluation of postmastectomy palpable masses, with occasional adjunct use of diagnostic mammography for confirming certain benign masses. In the setting of a negative initial imaging evaluation with continued clinical concern, diagnostic MRI may aid in improving sensitivity. Knowledge of the typical multimodality imaging appearances and locations of malignant palpable abnormalities-such as invasive carcinoma recurrence, cancer in residual breast tissue, radiation-induced sarcoma, and metastatic disease-is crucial in diagnosis and treatment of these entities. In addition, familiarity with the range of benign palpable postmastectomy processes-including fat necrosis, fat graft, seroma, granuloma, neuroma, fibrosis, and infection-may help avoid unnecessary biopsies and reassure patients. The authors review common and rare benign and malignant palpable masses in mastectomy patients, describe multimodality diagnostic imaging evaluation of each entity, review radiologic and pathologic correlation, and acquaint the radiologist with management when these findings are encountered. ^©RSNA, 2021.

Postmastectomy radiation therapy in early breast cancer: Utility or futility?

Postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) has been shown to reduce the risk of locoregional recurrence (LRR), in patients with locally advanced breast cancer who are considered of high-risk because of large tumors (>5 cm) or presence of axillary lymph-node involvement, as well as to reduce breast cancer mortality. However, controversy still remains with respect to indication of PMRT in case of early-stages invasive tumors. This review aims to analyze the impact that PMRT has on final results in women with breast tumors in different scenarios that would otherwise be considered as early breast cancer, such as extensive DCIS, tumors without axillary lymph-node involvement or with minimal microscopic nodal-involvement. The existence of risk factors including young age, premenopausal status, and presence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI), high grade or tumor size >2 cm has been associated with an increased risk of LRR in these patients at early-stages and advises to consider PMRT in selected cases.

The Assisi Think Tank Meeting Survey of post-mastectomy radiation therapy in ductal carcinoma in situ: Suggestions for routine practice

BACKGROUND

Risk factors for local recurrence after mastectomy in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) emerged as a grey area during the second "Assisi Think Tank Meeting" (ATTM) on Breast Cancer.

AIM

To review practice patterns of post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) in DCIS, identify risk factors for recurrence and select suitable candidates for PMRT.

METHODS

A questionnaire concerning DCIS management, focusing on PMRT, was distributed online via SurveyMonkey.

RESULTS

142 responses were received from 15 countries. The majority worked in academic institutions, had 5-20 years work-experience and irradiated <5 DCIS patients/year. PMRT was more given if: surgical margins <1 mm, high-grade, multicentricity, young age, tumour size >5 cm, skin- or nipple- sparing mastectomy. Moderate hypofractionation was the most common schedule, except after immediate breast reconstruction (57% conventional fractionation).

CONCLUSIONS

The present survey highlighted risk factors for PMRT administration, which should be further evaluated.

Comparison of Local Recurrence After Simple and Skin-Sparing Mastectomy Performed in Patients with Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

Background

The incidence of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is increasing with the use of screening mammography, and approximately 30% of all women diagnosed with DCIS are treated by mastectomy. There is increasing use of a skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) approach to surgically excise DCIS as this facilitates immediate breast reconstruction. The rates of locoregional recurrence (LRR) after simple mastectomy performed for pure DCIS are historically reported as 1%; however, international data suggest that LRR after SSM may be higher.

Methods

To determine our rates of LRR and compare the effect of the type of mastectomy performed, we undertook a retrospective review of all patients who underwent a mastectomy for pure DCIS at our institution between 2000 and 2010.

Results

In total, 199 patients underwent a mastectomy for pure DCIS (with eight local recurrences), all of which were invasive ductal carcinoma. The recurrences all occurred after SSM, which was associated with a higher 5-year LRR of 5.9% (5/102) compared with 0% in the simple mastectomy group (0/97; p = 0.012), log-rank. Univariate analysis showed the two factors that predicted the risk of recurrence were a young age at mastectomy and close or involved margins.

Conclusions

These data highlight the importance of achieving clear margins, especially in young women with estrogen receptor-negative DCIS who have a higher risk of invasive recurrence. Women undergoing a mastectomy for DCIS should be counseled as to the importance of achieving clear margins and the potential increased need for further excision, post-mastectomy radiotherapy and post-reconstruction mammography in order to prevent LRR after SSM.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1245/s10434-016-5673-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.