Oncologic outcomes after breast-conserving surgery with radiotherapy versus mastectomy in patients with Paget's disease of the breast: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The conventional approach to treatment for Paget's disease of the breast has been mastectomy, but there is an increasing trend to consider breast-conserving surgery (BCS) followed by radiotherapy (RT) in these patients. This study aimed to provide an updated systematic review and meta-analysis comparing outcomes after BCS with RT versus mastectomy in the treatment of Paget's disease of the breast.

METHODS

Studies before May 2021 were included. Primary outcomes were overall survival and local recurrence. Separate analyses of Paget's disease associated with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) were undertaken. Meta-regression was used to adjust for imbalance in the proportion of IDC among patients selected to undergo BCS versus mastectomy.

RESULTS

Overall survival in patients with Paget's disease who underwent BCS with RT was higher than for those who underwent mastectomy with pooled mortality hazard ratio (HR) of 0.68, (95% per cent c.i. 0.45 to 1.01). Patients with Paget's disease with DCIS had higher overall survival after BCS with or without RT versus mastectomy, with adjusted HR of 0.14 (0.10 to 0.20) and 0.28 (0.22 to 0.36), respectively. For patients with Paget's disease and IDC, overall survival was lower for BCS with or without RT versus mastectomy, with adjusted HR of 0.84 (0.57 to 1.25) and 1.64 (1.04 to 2.58), respectively. In Paget's disease and IDC, local recurrence risk was much higher for BCS with RT, RR 26.8 (1.60 to 456) versus without RT, RR 51.8 (6.80 to 391). In patients with Paget's disease and DCIS, risk of local recurrence versus mastectomy was lower for BCS with RT 0.72 (0.11 to 4.50) but slightly higher for BCS alone 1.38 (0.09 to 21.20).

CONCLUSION

BCS with RT may be a comparable treatment alternative to mastectomy for patients with Paget's disease with DCIS, and for selected patients with Paget's disease and IDC.

Presentation of breast cancer, help seeking behaviour and experience of patients in their cancer journey in Singapore: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the presentation, help seeking behaviour for breast cancer in Singapore. Nor was there a study exploring the experience of patients in their breast cancer journey.

METHODS

A qualitative interview study with thematic analysis, conducted with 36 patients.

RESULTS

There is no clear pattern of presentation for breast cancer by cancer stage at diagnosis, age and ethnicity in the cancer journey of this group of patients. Patients were diagnosed with early to advanced stages cancer regardless of when they presented or took up treatment in their cancer journey. The reasons patients sought medical attention also did not appear to differ between the stages of cancer diagnosed, ethnic and age. Without setting a measure to define early and late presentation, we found that women shared similar experience in their breast cancer journey, regardless of age, ethnicity and stage of cancer at diagnosis. Poor knowledge of breast cancer (symptoms and causes); few practised regular BSE; denial of symptom; fear of hospitalisation, diagnosis and treatment; worries and stress over financial burden of treatment; misinformation in magazine and online sources; diet; stress; caring responsibility; support network; and use of alternative medicine before and after diagnosis were identified in patients' narratives. Strong social support; fear of being an emotional and financial burden for the family; and financial worries during treatment were also the recurring themes after diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

A measure of breast cancer presentation - that accounts for the patient's experience in the cancer journey, the time interval and tumour biology - that is meaningful to patients, clinicians and researchers is needed. For research on late and delayed presentation, details on BSE practice - how often, when and was it done correctly - will improve the accuracy of time delay interval. For the public, concerted efforts to improve knowledge of breast cancer, survival and prognosis for early-diagnosed cancer, and the importance of regular and correct technique to perform BSE, are critical and urgent to address the rising breast cancer incidence in the country.

Maintaining breast cancer care in the face of COVID-19

The battle of COVID-19 is currently at different levels of intensity in each country and even each city. The authors have prepared succinct recommendations regarding the care of patients with breast cancer, divided into phases that can easily be adapted to each units' needs and resources, and stepped up or stepped down according to escalating and de-escalating circumstances. The structure can also be transposed easily to different cancer types, enabling continued provision of best standards of care despite unprecedented stressors. Surgery must go on.