Failure pattern and survival after breast conserving therapy. Long-term results of the Danish Breast Cancer Group (DBCG) 89 TM cohort

Potential of the postoperative lymphocyte-to-monocyte and monocyte-to-red blood cell ratio in predicting locoregional and distant metastases after breast cancer resection - Retrospective study

PURPOSE

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy with high recurrence and mortality rates in women. There are still insufficient biomarkers to predict disease prognosis. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of postoperative hematologic parameters and their derivatives in patients with breast cancer who underwent tumor resection.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The clinicopathological and laboratory data of 90 female breast cancer patients who underwent surgical treatment in the Greater Poland Cancer Center in Poznan from December 2015 to November 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Postoperative hematologic parameters, including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-red blood cell ratio (MRR), lymphocyte-to-red blood cell ratio (LRR), platelet-to-red blood cell ratio (PRR) were evaluated in recurrence and non-recurrence group. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the optimal cutoff value of postoperative hematologic parameters for tumor recurrence. The association of postoperative hematologic parameters with disease-free survival (DFS) was investigated by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

Patients with local, regional, or distant metastases accounted for 14% of the total. The postoperative monocyte count and MRR were significantly elevated, whereas postoperative LMR was statistically decreased in the recurrence group. Univariate and multivariate Cox analysis revealed that postoperative LMR ≤3.044 and postoperative MRR >0.1398 were associated with significantly shorter DFS.

CONCLUSION

Our results revealed that both postoperative LMR and MRR are independent predictors of DFS in breast cancer patients. Large-scale prospective investigations are needed to validate our findings.

Breast Cancer in Young Women: Is It Different? A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study

Introduction

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the commonest cancers among women worldwide. Differences regarding tumor biology, presentation, genetics, and molecular subtypes may contribute to the relatively poorer prognosis among younger women. Limited information exists regarding pathologic characteristics and long-term outcomes among this group.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included 695 BC patients diagnosed over a 10-year period and investigated the clinicopathological characteristics and long-term disease outcomes among patients diagnosed at age less than or equal to 40 years compared with older ones. Cox regression analysis was performed, and Kaplan-Meier curves were generated to assess overall survival (OS).

Results

Compared with the younger patients (⩽40 years) estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression was mainly positive in older patients (>40 years) (76.2% vs 61.3% and 64.2% vs 49.6%, respectively). The most common molecular subtype in both age groups was luminal B (44.1% in older and 40.3% in younger). A clinical complete remission after neoadjuvant therapy was observed more frequently in older patients (76.7%; N = 442) in comparison with the younger patients (66.4%; N = 79) (P = .018). Recurrence and disease progression were significantly more likely to occur among younger patients accounting for 12.6% and 29.4% of the cases, compared with 6.3% and 18.2% in older patients (P = .016 and P = .006, respectively). The overall mortality was 132 (19%) of 695, with 88% cancer-related deaths. Estrogen receptor and PR expression (P ⩽ .001 and P = .003, respectively), molecular subtype (P = .002), tumor grade (P = .002), and N stage (P = .038) were the variables that were found to be significantly influenced by age. The OS was not statistically different among 2 age groups, but younger patients with luminal A molecular subtype showed significantly poor outcome (P = .019).

Conclusion

Overall survival in women diagnosed with BC at age less than or equal to 40 years is not significantly worse than older patients. However, among patients with luminal A subtype, younger women had relatively poor survival. Further research is needed to understand this age-based disparity in outcomes.

The Incidence of Breast Cancer Recurrence 10-32 Years after Primary Diagnosis

Background

Extended, more effective breast cancer treatments have increased the prevalence of long-term survivors. We investigated the risk of late breast cancer recurrence (BCR), 10 years or more after primary diagnosis, and associations between patient and tumor characteristics at primary diagnosis and late BCR up to 32 years after primary breast cancer diagnosis.

Methods

Using the Danish Breast Cancer Group clinical database, we identified all women with an incident early breast cancer diagnosed during 1987-2004. We restricted to women who survived 10 years without a recurrence or second cancer (10-year disease-free survivors) and followed them from 10 years after breast cancer diagnosis date until late recurrence, death, emigration, second cancer, or December 31, 2018. We calculated incidence rates per 1000 person-years and cumulative incidences for late BCR, stratifying by patient and tumor characteristics. Using Cox regression, we calculated adjusted hazard ratios for late BCR accounting for competing risks.

Results

Among 36 924 women with breast cancer, 20 315 became 10-year disease-free survivors. Of these, 2595 developed late BCR (incidence rate = 15.53 per 1000 person-years, 95% confidence interval = 14.94 to 16.14; cumulative incidence = 16.6%, 95% confidence interval = 15.8% to 17.5%) from year 10 to 32 after primary diagnosis. Tumor size larger than 20 mm, lymph node–positive disease, and estrogen receptor–positive tumors were associated with increased cumulative incidences and hazards for late BCR.

Conclusions

Recurrences continued to occur up to 32 years after primary diagnosis. Women with high lymph node burden, large tumor size, and estrogen receptor–positive tumors had increased risk of late recurrence. Such patients may warrant extended surveillance, more aggressive treatment, or new therapy approaches.

Timing of Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy Following Breast-Conserving Surgery for Early-Stage Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis

Purpose

To investigate the effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy timing after breast conserving surgery (BCS) on recurrence and survival of women with early-stage breast cancer.

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 900 patients who underwent BCS followed by both adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Of these, 488 women received chemotherapy first (CT-first group) while the other 412 received radiotherapy first (RT-first group). Locoregional recurrence (LRR), distant metastasis (DM), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and further confirmed with propensity-score matching (PSM) and the Cox proportional hazards model. The optimal cut-off value of interval time from surgery to the start of chemotherapy was calculated by Maxstat.

Results

The median follow-up was 7.1 years. In pre-match analysis, the CT-first group had a significantly higher 8-year DFS than the RT-first group (90.4% vs. 83.1%, P = 0.005). PSM analysis of 528 patients indicated that the 8-year DFS (91.0% vs. 83.3%, P = 0.005) and DM (8.6% vs. 14.6%, P = 0.017) were significantly better in the CT-first group, but that the OS (P = 0.096) and LRR (P = 0.434) were similar. We found the optimal cut-off value of interval from surgery to chemotherapy was 12 weeks. Patients starting chemotherapy later than 12 weeks after surgery had significantly inferior survival outcomes.

Conclusion

For women with breast cancer who require both chemotherapy and radiotherapy after BCS, adjuvant chemotherapy should be started within 12 weeks. Delaying the initiation of radiotherapy, for administration of long-course chemotherapy, does not compromise outcomes.

Breast conserving surgery versus mastectomy: overall and relative survival-a population based study by the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group (DBCG)

BACKGROUND

Observational studies have pointed at a better survival after breast conserving surgery (BCS) compared with mastectomy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether this remains true when more extensive tumor characteristics and treatment data were included.

METHODS

The cohort included patients registered after primary surgery for early invasive breast cancer in the database of the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group, in the period 1995-2012. The cohort was divided into three groups: (i) patients who primarily had a mastectomy, (ii) patients treated by BCS, and (iii) patients who primarily had BCS and then mastectomy [intention to treat (ITT) by BCS]. The association between overall mortality and standard mortality ratio (SMR) and risk factors was analyzed in univariate and multivariate Poisson regression models.

RESULTS

A total of 58,331 patients were included: 27,143 in the mastectomy group, 26,958 in the BCS group, and 4230 in the BCS-ITT group. After adjusting for patient and treatment characteristics, the relative risk (RR) was 1.20 (95% CI: 1.15-1.25) after mastectomy and 1.08 (95% CI: 1.01-1.15) after BCS first and then mastectomy, as compared to BCS. Statistically significant interactions were not observed for age, period of treatment, and nodal status, but patients with Charlson's Comorbidity Index (CCI) score 2+ had no increased mortality after mastectomy, as opposed to patients with CCI 0-1. Loco-regional radiation therapy (RT) in node positive patients did not reduce the increased risk associated with mastectomy [RR = 1.28 (95% CI 1.19-1.38)].

CONCLUSION

Patients assigned to BCS have a better survival than patients assigned to mastectomy. Residual confounding after adjustment for registered characteristics presumably explained the different outcomes, thus consistent with selection bias. Diversities in RT did not appear to explain the observed difference in survival after BCS and mastectomy.

Forty years of landmark trials undertaken by the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group (DBCG) nationwide or in international collaboration

BACKGROUND

Over the past 40 years the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group (DBCG) has made significant contributions to improve outcome and to make treatment of patients with early breast cancer more tolerable through nationwide and international trials evaluating loco-regional and systemic treatments. These trials have been instrumental to establish standards for the treatment of early breast cancer.

METHODS

The DBCG 82 trials had a global impact by documenting that the significant gain in loco-regional recurrence from postmastectomy radiation added to systemic therapy was associated with a reduction in distant recurrence and mortality in high-risk pre- and postmenopausal patients. The DBCG trials comparing breast conserving surgery and radiotherapy with mastectomy and more recently the trial of internal mammary node irradiation also had a major impact of practice. The trials initiated by the DBCG 40 years ago on tamoxifen and cyclophosphamide based chemotherapy became instrumental for the development of adjuvant systemic therapy not only due to their positive results but by sharing these important data with other members of the Early Breast Cancer Trialist' Collaborative Group (EBCTCG). Trials from the DBCG have also been important for highlighting the relative importance of anthracyclines and taxanes in the adjuvant setting. Furthermore, DBCG has made a major contribution to the development of aromatase inhibitors and targeted adjuvant treatment for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive breast cancers.

RESULTS

The substantial impact of these treatment improvements is illustrated by a 46.7% 10-year overall survival of early breast cancer patients treated in 1978-1987 compared to 71.5% for patients treated 2008-2012.

CONCLUSIONS

The trials conducted and implemented by the DBCG appear to have a major impact on the substantial survival improvements in breast cancer.

Cyanoacrylate Adhesive Reduces Seroma Production After Modified Radical Mastectomy or Quadrantectomy With Lymph Node Dissection-A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial

INTRODUCTION

The accumulation of fluid, a seroma, is a frequent complication after modified radical mastectomy or quadrantectomy with lymph node dissection. The aim of the present study was to examine whether a new adhesive material made of cyanoacrylate can effectively provide a sealing coat to tissues and thus reduce the incidence of seroma significantly.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The present prospective, randomized case-control study included 128 women with a breast cancer diagnosis and scheduled for modified radical mastectomy or quadrantectomy with lymph node dissection in Thessaloniki, Greece. In 64 patients (cases), a cyanoacrylate adhesive was applied at the operative field after removal of the tumor and lymph nodes; the remaining 64 patients served as the controls.

RESULTS

Seroma production (P = .001), drainage duration (P = .001), and drainage amount (P = .001) were all significantly less for cases than for controls. The results from a stepwise multiple regression model incorporating the use of adhesive, body mass index, tumor size, and number of infiltrated lymph nodes were significant and able to explain 51.6% of the variability in seroma amount.

CONCLUSION

The results of our study have demonstrated that the cyanoacrylate adhesive can contribute to the reduction of seromas produced after mastectomy and subsequently decrease the duration of postoperative drainage and the frequency of seroma aspirations. However, because the pathogenesis of seroma formation is multifaceted and complex, further research of larger sample sizes is required to confirm the results of our study.

Impact of age, intrinsic subtype and local treatment on long-term local-regional recurrence and breast cancer mortality among low-risk breast cancer patients

AIM

To evaluate the long-term prognostic impact of age, local treatment and intrinsic subtypes on the risk of local-regional recurrence (LRR) and breast cancer mortality among low-risk patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cohort study with prospectively collected data, balanced five-year age groups, including 514 Danish lymph node negative breast cancer patients diagnosed between 1989 and 1998, treated with mastectomy (N = 320) or breast-conserving therapy (BCT) (N = 194) and without systemic treatment. Intrinsic subtype approximation was performed by combining information on estrogen-, progesterone-, HER2 receptor and Ki67.

RESULTS

The majority of the tumors had a luminal subtype: 70% Luminal-A (LumA), 16% Luminal-B (LumB), and 10% Luminal-HER2 + (Lum-HER2+). The distribution of intrinsic subtypes between younger (≤45 years) and older (>45 years) patients was similar. Intrinsic subtypes had no prognostic impact on the 20-year LRR risk, regardless of age. A distinct 20-year mortality pattern was observed among the younger patients: 11% of patients with LumB tumor died of breast cancer within the first five years after primary surgery, 23% of patients with Lum-HER2+ tumor died within a 5-10-year period, whereas patients with LumA tumor died with a constant low rate throughout the 20-year period. After 20 years of follow-up, patients with LumA tumor had breast cancer mortality comparable to that of patients with LumB tumor (20%) and lower than Lum-HER2+ tumor (39%). Among the older patients, no distinct mortality pattern was observed, and the 20-year breast cancer mortality was not associated with intrinsic subtypes.

CONCLUSION

Among low-risk patients, 96% of the tumors were Luminal and the distribution of intrinsic subtypes between younger (≤45 years) and older (>45 years) patients was similar. The observed higher frequency of LRR among younger low-risk BCT patients was not associated intrinsic subtype. The 20-year breast cancer mortality was non-significant for LumA tumors among the older patients, whereas among the younger patients, LumA tumors had a comparable mortality with LumB, but lower than for Lum-HER2 + tumors.