Dendritic Cell Subpopulations Are Associated with Morphological Features of Breast Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is the preinvasive form of breast cancer (BC). It is disputed whether all cases of DCIS require extensive treatment as the overall risk of progression to BC is estimated at 40%. Therefore, the crucial objective for researchers is to identify DCIS with significant risk of transformation into BC. Dendritic cells (DC) are professional antigen presenting cells and as such play a pivotal role in the formation of immune cells that infiltrate in breast tumors. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the density of DCs with different superficial antigens (CD1a, CD123, DC-LAMP, DC-SIGN) and various histopathological characteristics of DCIS. Our evaluation indicated that CD123⁺ and DC-LAMP⁺ cells were strongly associated with maximal tumor size, grading and neoductgenesis. Together with CD1a⁺ cells, they were negatively correlated with hormonal receptors expression. Furthermore, the number of DC-LAMP⁺ cells was higher in DCIS with comedo necrosis, ductal spread, lobular cancerization as well as comedo-type tumors, while CD1a⁺ cells were abundant in cases with Paget disease. We concluded that different subpopulations of DCs relate to various characteristics of DCIS. Of the superficial DCs markers, DC-LAMP seems particularly promising as a target for further research in this area.

Secondary reconstruction of the orbit and conjunctival sac - a case report

The authors present a novel modification of vastus lateralis muscle free flap based orbital reconstruction in a 41-year-old patient, with a secondary defect to an injury with technical oil under high pressure. The patient underwent multiple reconstructive procedures in different medical centers with poor functional and esthetic results including simple local plasty techniques. The patient underwent simultaneous reconstruction of the soft tissues of the orbit, and conjunctival sac based on a prelaminated vastus lateralis free flap. The two-stage reconstruction of these structures is beneficial both for the patient's psychical and mental condition and for health system finances. Therefore, whenever it's possible, we should try to decrease the number of required procedures. The authors believe that their technique can significantly improve the quality of life of patients after exenteration but simultaneously they emphasize the need to carry out more procedures in order to refine it.

Comparison of two minimally invasive biopsy techniques - Breast Lesion Excision System and vacuum-assisted biopsy - for diagnosing and treating breast lesions

INTRODUCTION

The vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB) and the Breast Lesion Excision System (BLES) are minimally invasive biopsy techniques, both used as diagnostic and therapeutic tools. The aim of the study is to compare these two methods and assess them in the context of discomfort, early and late complications and their diagnostic and therapeutic potential.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study involved 173 patients who underwent a VAB or a BLES breast biopsy in the period between 2009 and 2016. Approximately 3 months after the biopsy, the patients completed a questionnaire in which they assessed the procedure for discomfort associated with the procedure and the final cosmetic outcome. The cosmetic effect of the biopsy was also assessed by a surgeon.

RESULTS

The BLES and the VAB breast biopsies did not differ in terms of pain, duration, and discomfort of the procedure, breast bruising, breast tenderness about 24 h after the procedure or pain lasting over 3 months after the biopsy. Subsequently, the biopsies were evaluated in terms of the cosmetic effect assessed by the patient and by a surgeon and no differences were observed. There were no significant differences between the VAB and the BLES breast biopsies in the course of the procedure, early and late complications and cosmetic effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Since the BLES breast biopsy makes it possible to evaluate the margins, it is a good alternative to the open breast biopsy.

Underestimation of breast cancer in intraductal papillomas treated with vacuum-assisted core needle biopsy

OBJECTIVES

The aims of the study were as follows: 1) to determine the applicability of vacuum-assisted core needle biopsy in the diagnosis and management of intraductal papillomas of the breast; 2) to define factors which increase the risk for underestimation of breast cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between 2002-2017, a total of 222 cases of intraductal papillomas were diagnosed in one center (201 using vacuum-assisted core-needle ultrasound-guided biopsy and 21 using stereotactic biopsy). All patients under- went scheduled follow-up imaging.

RESULTS

Pure papillomas were diagnosed in 158 women, whereas papillomas with atypia, in this case atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), were found in 29 subjects. In the latter group, 3 cases of invasive carcinoma and 5 cases of ductal carci- noma in situ (DCIS) were detected using open surgical biopsy. Breast cancer underestimation in that group of patients was 20%. Overall, ADH, whose presence increases the risk for BC by thirteen-fold as compared to other accompanying lesions, proved to be the most important predictive factor. Also, age, non-radical biopsy excision, and high BI-RADS ultrasound and mammogram scores increased the probability of malignancy. During the control follow-up, no cases of IP recurrence in the primary localization were observed in the group without open surgical biopsy.

CONCLUSIONS

Vacuum-assisted core needle biopsy is an efficient tool in the diagnosis and management of intraductal papillomas of the breast. Surgical excision is not indicated in cases when a pure intraductal papilloma, and data correlation between the diagnosis and the clinical presentation were confirmed. Regardless, caution is advised if residual lesions were left and in older populations. Open surgical biopsy should remain the standard of care in cases with atypia and discordance between clinical and pathology data.

Triple negative breast cancer with ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome - case report

INTRODUCTION

Endocrine and metabolic paraneoplastic syndromes in the course of malignant tumors result from ectopic production of hormones or hormone precursors in tumor cells. Production of hormones by endocrine tumors is relatively frequent, while such production by adenocarcinoma cells is definitely rare. The study presents a case of triple-negative invasive breast cancer, with the ectopic secretion of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), which provokes serious metabolic disorders.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The patient was admitted to hospital with symptoms of Cushing`s syndrome. Diagnostic tests revealed that the cause of metabolic disorders was breast cancer. After proper preparation, the patient was qualified for surgery.

RESULTS

After the mastectomy, the patient's metabolism stabilized. The patient underwent adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Four months after the last cycle of systemic treatment, cancer dissemination was found. The patient was treated with second-line chemotherapy, however, control CT revealed progression. The patient died 20 months after surgery and two months after the last cycle of chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The case reported in this study - triple-negative invasive breast cancer, responsible for ectopic production of ACTH and causing Cushing's syndrome - is a rare phenomenon. Treatment of patients with breast cancer showing hormonal activity should not differ from general rules applied for breast cancer. However, due to accompanying metabolic disturbances, the patients need individualized oncological approach, precise diagnostic tests, and adequate preoperative preparation.

Clinical predictors of malignancy in patients diagnosed with atypical ductal hyperplasia on vacuum-assisted core needle biopsy

INTRODUCTION

Atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) is a benign lesion, which due to the risk of coexisting cancer is classified as a lesion of uncertain malignant potential.

AIM

To identify clinical predictors of cancer underestimation in patients with ADH diagnosed after vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between 2001 and 2016, a total of 3804 vacuum-assisted core needle biopsies were performed at the First Chair of General Surgery of the Jagiellonian University Medical College in Krakow, including 2907 ultrasound (US)-guided biopsies and 897 digital stereotactic procedures. Seventy-six women were diagnosed with ADH and 72 of them underwent subsequent surgical excision. Demographic factors, medical history, family history, clinical symptoms, type and size of lesion determined in imaging scans, size of biopsy needle, and presence of coexisting lesions in VABB specimens were analysed as potential predictors of malignancy underestimation.

RESULTS

Underestimation of breast carcinoma occurred in 21 (29.2%) patients. The upgrade rate was significantly higher only in patients with a lesion visible both in mammography (MMG) and US examinations and combined BIRADS-5.

CONCLUSIONS

Vacuum-assisted core needle biopsy is a minimally invasive technique used in diagnosing ADH. As the risk of breast malignancy underestimation is relatively high, open surgical biopsy remains the recommended procedure, especially in patients with lesions detected both in mammography and US examination. As we could not identify the factors that preclude cancer underestimation, all the women diagnosed with ADH should be informed about the risk of cancer underestimation.

Preoperative serum chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 levels and prognosis in colorectal cancer

INTRODUCTION

Chemokines are cytokines with chemotactic functions in the initiation and maintenance of immune reactions. They have also been shown to regulate other processes such as cancer progression and cancer cell migration.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic role of serum levels of chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5) in patients with colorectal cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included a group of 45 patients with colorectal cancer. The serum concentrations of CCL2 and CCL5 were measured preoperatively. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients' blood were isolated and cultured alone or with cancer cells. The concentrations of chemokines in serum and culture supernatants were measured using the cytometric bead array method. The cut-off points for serum chemokine levels were set based on the receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis at a level of 103.6 pg/ml for CCL2 and of 11933.2 pg/ml for CCL5. The survival analysis and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors were performed.

RESULTS

The 5-year survival was 57.5% for the group with low CCL2 levels and 23.87% for the group with high CCL2 levels. For the groups with low and high CCL5 levels, the survival was 18.3% and 49.3%, respectively. For CCL2, the survival of the low-level group was significantly better than that of the highlevel group (P = 0.0028). In the Cox proportional hazard model, radicality of resection (P = 0.001) and CCL2 levels (P = 0.029) were independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The serum level of CCL2 in patients with colorectal cancer may have prognostic value. One of the possible mechanisms of CCL2 production is the interaction of PBMC with cancer cells.

[Perioperative risk assessment tailored to elderly patients]

Proper preparation of the patient for surgery has a crucial impact on the outcome. Due to the continuous increase in life expectancy more and more often the problem of proper perioperative preparation of the patients over 65 years of age burdened with a higher risk of perioperative complications is undertaken. Proper assessment of the health condition and physical capacity allows to optimize treatment and thus minimize the risk of complications. In many countries, the recommended procedure is to perform the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), which, however, due to the need to carry out a number of additional diagnostic tests and consultations is too expensive for the vast majority of hospitals. Therefore the search for more convenient methods of abbreviated assessment is undertaken, the methods that will identify patients at greatest risk of complications. The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment includes a series of tests and scales assessing, interalia, cognitive functions, motor efficiency, dependency, nutrition and mood. Applied abbreviated methods of perioperative assessment also have limitations in predicting the course of hospitalization. So far, there is no general practice guidelines for patients over 65 years of age. But it seems reasonable to perform the CGA in case of an unfavorable outcome of abbreviated assessment or when the threat of frailty syndrome is suspected. This procedure enables to select the best method of treatment, the implementation of appropriate prevention, thus improving the outcome of treatment and quality of life.