Gian Paolo Andreoletti, MD, Editor-in-Chief  -  paolo.andreoletti@senology.it

Best Study of the Month

• Choi YJ et al.: "High-resolution ultrasonographic features of axillary lymph node metastasis in patients with breast cancer", Breast. 2009 Apr; 18(2): 119-22

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Literature Selection

• Keen JD et al.: "What is the point: will screening mammography save my life?", BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. 2009 Apr 2;9(1):18. [Epub ahead of print]
• Rakha EA et al.: "Screen-detected breast lesions with malignant needle core biopsy diagnoses and no malignancy identified in subsequent surgical excision specimens (potential false-positive diagnosis", Eur J Cancer. 2009 May;45(7):1162-7
• Elsamaloty H et al.: "Increasing accuracy of detection of breast cancer with 3-T MRI", AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2009 Apr;192(4):1142-8
• Schell AM et al.: "Role of breast MRI in the preoperative evaluation of patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer", AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2009 May;192(5):1438-44
• Susini T et al.: "Predicting the status of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer: A multiparameter approach including axillary ultrasound scanning", Breast. 2009 Apr; 18(2): 103-8
• Anderson PR et al.: "Postmastectomy chest wall radiation to a temporary tissue expander or permanent breast implant--is there a difference in complication rates?", Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2009 May 1;74(1):81-5
• van Geel AN et al.: "Chest wall resection for internal mammary lymph node metastases of breast cancer", Breast. 2009 Apr; 18(2): 94-99
• Beatty JD et al.: "Axillary-conserving surgery is facilitated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy of breast cancer", Am J Surg. 2009 May;197(5):637-41
• Veronesi U et al.: "Axillary metastases in breast cancer patients with negative sentinel nodes: A follow-up of 3548 cases", Eur J Cancer. 2009 Apr 28; 45(8):181-88
• Turanli S: "The role of surgery in breast cancer patients with isolated bone metastases at the time of diagnosis", J Surg Oncol. 2009 Apr 21. [Epub ahead of print]
• Untch M et al.: "Intensive Dose-Dense Compared With Conventionally Scheduled Preoperative Chemotherapy for High-Risk Primary Breast Cancer", J Clin Oncol. 2009 Apr 13. [Epub ahead of print]

Comment

• "Routine dissection of the internal mammary chain sentinel node is safe and assists treatment planning for both chemotherapy and radiation therapy" - John Boyages, New South Wales Breast Cancer Institute,  Westmead Hospital, New South Wales, Australia
   
  "We recently reported a study, which described the results of internal mammary chain (IMC) biopsy, identifying factors that predict 'hot spots' and nodal metastases for patients in whom mapped IMC nodes were routinely dissected. Ninety of 490 patients (18.4%) had IMC sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) identified by lymphatic mapping and dissected, and 20 of these (22.2%) were found to have metastases. Predictors of IMC positivity included age <35 years (p=0.063), grade 3 histology (p=0.018) and lymphatic vascular invasion (LVI) (p=0.032). Although IMC positivity was more likely with positive axillary nodes, this trend was not significant. Our policy of dissecting the IMC sentinel node allows for improved staging, potential improvements in regional control, and the potential to increase long-term survival and the identification of patients who may benefit from IMC radiation. Although the incidence of a recurrence in the IMC region is uncommon, the morbidity associated with extension of a recurrent node into the sternum or adjacent rib is significant and subsequent disease control can be difficult. Routine dissection of the IMC sentinel node is safe and assists treatment planning for both chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Where IMC hot spots are not dissected, we predict IMC positivity of 50% or more for young women (<35 years) or women with high grade or LVI positive tumours, and these women may benefit from more intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy to the IMCt"
  (Comment on: Coombs NJ et al.: "Internal mammary sentinel nodes: Ignore, irradiate or operate?", Eur J Cancer. 2009; 45(5): 789-794)

Clinical Guidelines

• "Endoscopic mastectomy and endoscopic wide local excision for breast cancer" - NICE - National Institute For Clinical Excellence, London, UK - www.nice.org.uk

Clinical Trials

• "Update of the HERA trial at 4 years' median folllow-up" - HERA trial study team, St Gallen, March 2009

Images

Fibroadenoma

Stefano Ciatto, - CSPO - Istituto Scientifico Prevenzione Oncologica, Florence, Italy

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Calendar of Events

• MPAKT Breast Cancer Conference, May 7-9, 2009, Brussels, Belgium
• 11th Milan Breast Cancer Conference, Jun 17-19, 2009, Milan, Italy
• Great Debates and Updates in Breast Cancer, Jun 19-20, 2009, San Francisco, California, USA
• VIII Madrid Breast Cancer Conference, Jun 24-26, 2009, Madrid, Spain

• Eighth International Congress on the Future of Breast Cancer, Jul 22-25, 2009, Wailea, Maui, HI,  USA

• 15th Annual Perspectives in Breast Cancer, Aug 21-22, 2009, New York, NY, USA

Best Study of the Month

• Takeyama H et al.: "Sentinel node biopsy for follicular tumours of the thyroid gland", Br J Surg. 2009 May;96(5):490-5

Vote for your favourite study

Literature Selection

• Van Cutsem E et al.: "Cetuximab and chemotherapy as initial treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer", N Engl J Med. 2009 Apr 2;360(14):1408-17
• Eloy JA et al.: "The Significance and Management of Incidental [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose-Positron-Emission Tomography Uptake in the Thyroid Gland in Patients with Cancer", AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2009 Apr 2. [Epub ahead of print]
• Kim SJ et al.: "Clinical implication of F-18 FDG PET/CT for differentiated thyroid cancer in patients with negative diagnostic iodine-123 scan and elevated thyroglobulin", Eur J Radiol. 2009 Apr;70(1):17-24
• Koc M et al.: "Thyroid Dysfunction in Patients Treated With Radiotherapy for Neck", Am J Clin Oncol. 2009 Apr; 32(2) 150-153
• Richardson DB et al.: "Positive associations between ionizing radiation and lymphoma mortality among men", Am J Epidemiol. 2009 Apr 15;169(8):969-76
• McCann SE et al.: "Higher regular coffee and tea consumption is associated with reduced endometrial cancer risk", Int J Cancer. 2009 Apr 1;124(7):1650-3