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Sexual Medicine Reviews Mar 2024Considering the increasing women's awareness of health promotion and disease prevention programs, mutation carriers are inevitably asked to face important decisions...
INTRODUCTION
Considering the increasing women's awareness of health promotion and disease prevention programs, mutation carriers are inevitably asked to face important decisions concerning the possibility of undergoing prophylactic mastectomy. Risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM) has become increasingly more common, although it has a significant impact on women's quality of life and sexual well-being.
OBJECTIVES
The systematic review aims to evaluate the impact of RRM on the sexuality of women with breast cancer.
METHODS
According to Cochrane Collaboration guidelines and the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement, the study quantified the effects of frontline work on the mental health of healthcare workers. This review followed the PRISMA guidelines. Three databases were systematically searched from inception to December 2022. The expression ("sexuality" OR "sexual" OR "sex") AND ("prophylactic mastectomy" OR "risk-reducing mastectomy") was searched in PubMed, Ovid Medline, and Embase. Twenty-two articles published in English until 2022 were selected.
RESULTS
Two studies investigated sexual experience after risk-reducing surgeries as a single outcome, while other studies analyzed the relationship between sexuality and psychosocial outcomes, risk perception, and satisfaction. In all of the included studies, significant findings in sexual dysfunction were found. The most reported problems were related to sexual satisfaction and attractiveness, body image, and loss of femininity. Last, women reported changes in the relationship with their partners.
CONCLUSION
RRM has a major impact on body image that affects sexual functioning and quality of life. These implications must be considered during treatment selection.
Topics: Female; Humans; Mastectomy; Prophylactic Mastectomy; Breast Neoplasms; Quality of Life; Sexuality
PubMed: 38185919
DOI: 10.1093/sxmrev/qead054 -
Journal of Breast Imaging Jan 2024Patients with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations are at high risk for the development of breast cancer. This article reviews the current evidence for breast cancer screening... (Review)
Review
Patients with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations are at high risk for the development of breast cancer. This article reviews the current evidence for breast cancer screening of patients with BRCA1 or BRCA2 pathogenic gene mutations if they have not undergone prophylactic mastectomy. It will review the current evidence-based imaging recommendations for different modalities and ages of screening initiation in screening this patient population at high risk. Special considerations in transgender BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers are also discussed.
Topics: Humans; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Mammography; Mastectomy; Mutation; Genes, BRCA2
PubMed: 38166173
DOI: 10.1093/jbi/wbad093 -
Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive &... Feb 2024Many patients with unilateral breast cancer opt for contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) at the time of therapeutic mastectomy (immediate CPM) or following...
BACKGROUND
Many patients with unilateral breast cancer opt for contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) at the time of therapeutic mastectomy (immediate CPM) or following completion of adjuvant therapy. Studies show that immediate CPM increases the risk of surgical complications related to unilateral mastectomy (UM) alone, which may lead to delays in adjuvant therapy initiation. However, it is unclear if these complications cause clinically significant delays in initiating adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or hormonal therapy.
METHODS
A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients with breast cancer who underwent immediate CPM versus UM alone at Columbia University Medical Center from January 2000 to December 2020. Patient demographic and oncologic characteristics; complications; and timing of adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and/or hormonal therapy relative to therapeutic mastectomy were collected.
RESULTS
In this study, 239 UM alone patients were propensity score matched to 239 immediate CPM patients. No significant difference in complication rates was found between the index and contralateral breasts in CPM patients. A similar percentage of CPM and UM patients experienced postoperative complications (19% vs. 17%, p = 0.64). No significant difference in time to adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or hormonal therapy was found between CPM patients with complications and all CPM patients or all UM patients.
CONCLUSIONS
There is a lack of clear guidance for clinical decision-making regarding timing of CPM relative to adjuvant therapy. Our study suggests that immediate CPM does not significantly increase the risks of postoperative complications or complication-related delays in the initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or hormonal therapy. This information may help patients and providers to plan, select, and schedule breast cancer treatment options.
Topics: Humans; Female; Mastectomy; Breast Neoplasms; Prophylactic Mastectomy; Retrospective Studies; Postoperative Complications
PubMed: 38118362
DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2023.11.040 -
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.... Dec 2023Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has emerged as an adjunct to reduce wound complication rates in many surgical domains. This study investigated the prophylactic...
BACKGROUND
Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has emerged as an adjunct to reduce wound complication rates in many surgical domains. This study investigated the prophylactic use of PICO NPWT in high-risk patients undergoing oncoplastic and reconstructive breast surgery.
METHODS
This was a prospective multicenter national audit. The findings were compared against Association of Breast Surgery/British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (ABS/BAPRAS) Oncoplastic Guidelines for best practice.
RESULTS
Data from 267 patients were included from seven centers. All patients had at least one high-risk factor for postoperative wound complications, whereas 78 patients (29.2%) had more than one. Thirty-six patients (13.5%) developed postoperative wound complications. An estimated 16 (6%) developed skin flap necrosis, wound dehiscence occurred in 13 patients (4.9%), and 15 patients (5.6%) developed postoperative wound infection. Eleven patients (4.1%) required further surgery due to wound complications. In total, 158 patients underwent mastectomy with immediate implant reconstruction. Postoperative wound complication rate was comparable in this subgroup (n = 22; 13.9%). Implant loss rate was 3.8%, which was within the 5% target mentioned in the ABS/BAPRAS guidelines. The estimated total cost saving was US $105,600 (£84,613) and US $395.50 (£316.90) per patient. Wound infection rate (5.6%) was much lower than the 25% reported by both iBRA study and National Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction Audit.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggests that prophylactic use of NPWT in oncoplastic and reconstructive breast surgery results in low rates of wound-related complications with associated healthcare cost benefits in patients with high-risk factors for wound-related complications. However, a prospective randomized control trial is required.
PubMed: 38115832
DOI: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000005488 -
JAMA Network Open Dec 2023Young patients with breast cancer have higher risk for developing contralateral breast cancer (CBC) and have epidemiologic characteristics different from those of older...
IMPORTANCE
Young patients with breast cancer have higher risk for developing contralateral breast cancer (CBC) and have epidemiologic characteristics different from those of older patients.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the incidence and peak occurrence of CBC according to age at primary breast cancer (PBC) surgery.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This cohort study included patients who were diagnosed with and underwent surgery for unilateral nonmetastatic breast cancer at Asan Medical Center, Korea, between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2013, with follow-up through December 31, 2018. Data were analyzed from December 1, 2021, through April 30, 2023. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their age at surgery for PBC: younger (≤35 years) vs older (>35 years).
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The main outcomes were cumulative incidence and hazard rate of CBC in the entire study population and in subgroups divided by cancer subtype, categorized according to hormone receptor (HR) and ERBB2 status.
RESULTS
A total of 16 251 female patients with stage 0 to III breast cancer were analyzed; all patients were Korean. The mean (SD) age was 48.61 (10.06) years; 1318 patients (8.11%) were in the younger group, and 14 933 (91.89%) were in the older group. Median follow-up was 107 months (IQR, 79-145 months). Compared with the older group, the younger group had significantly higher incidence of CBC (10-year cumulative incidence, 7.1% vs 2.9%; P < .001) and higher risk (hazard ratio, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.62-2.74) of developing CBC. The hazard rate, which indicates risk for developing CBC at a certain time frame, differed according to the subtype of primary cancer. In patients with the HR+/ERBB2- subtype, the risk increased continuously in both age groups. In patients with the triple negative subtype, the risk increased until approximately 10 years and then decreased in both age groups. Meanwhile, in the HR-/ERBB2+ subtype, risk peaked earlier, especially in the younger group (1.7 years since first surgery in the younger group and 4.8 years in the older group).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In this cohort study, patients aged 35 years or younger with breast cancer had a higher risk of developing CBC than older patients. Moreover, young patients with the HR-/ERBB2+ subtype tended to have a shorter interval for developing CBC. These findings might be useful in guiding treatment decisions, such as contralateral prophylactic mastectomy.
Topics: Humans; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Incidence; Mastectomy; Cohort Studies; Breast
PubMed: 38100108
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.47511 -
Best Practice & Research. Clinical... Dec 2023Childhood and young adult survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma are at an elevated risk of developing breast cancer. Breast cancer risk is felt to originate from chest wall... (Review)
Review
Childhood and young adult survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma are at an elevated risk of developing breast cancer. Breast cancer risk is felt to originate from chest wall radiation exposure prior to the third decade of life, with incidence beginning to rise approximately eight to ten years following Hodgkin lymphoma treatment. Although incidence varies according to age at radiation exposure, dosage, and treatment fields, cohort studies have documented a cumulative incidence of breast cancer of 10-20% by 40 years of age. Women with a history of chest radiation for Hodgkin lymphoma are counselled to begin screening with bilateral breast MRI at 25 years of age, or eight years after radiation, whichever occurs later. Outside of high-risk surveillance, the optimal management approach for women with prior radiation exposure continues to evolve. When diagnosed with breast malignancy, evidence supports consideration of unilateral therapeutic and contralateral prophylactic mastectomy, although breast conserving surgery may be considered following multidisciplinary assessment. This review will address the epidemiology, characteristics, screening and management guidelines, and breast-cancer prevention efforts for Hodgkin lymphoma survivors treated with radiation therapy in adolescence and young adulthood.
Topics: Young Adult; Adolescent; Female; Humans; Adult; Child; Breast Neoplasms; Hodgkin Disease; Early Detection of Cancer; Mastectomy; Survivors; Hematology; Neoplasms, Second Primary
PubMed: 38092481
DOI: 10.1016/j.beha.2023.101525 -
Genes and Environment : the Official... Dec 2023The number of breast cancer patients is increasing worldwide. Furthermore, breast cancer often develops in young people, even those only in their 30s, who play a central... (Review)
Review
The number of breast cancer patients is increasing worldwide. Furthermore, breast cancer often develops in young people, even those only in their 30s, who play a central role in their families and society. Results from many cohort studies suggest that dietary factors, alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, obesity, nulliparity, breastfeeding, oral contraceptive use, fertility treatment and hormone replacement therapy are risk factors for breast cancer. However, the effects of lifestyle habits on the human body are complexly intertwined with various factors, and the effects vary from person to person depending on their constitution, etc., so there is no basis for this. Therefore, primary prevention of breast cancer is still not being implemented appropriately and efficiently. Furthermore, advances in genomic technology make it possible to assess the risk of developing breast cancer in some individuals. As a result, the establishment of breast cancer prevention methods has become a health priority for high-risk individuals.Drugs such as tamoxifen and raloxifene are known to prevent the development of breast cancer, based on the results of multiple randomized controlled trials, but there are concerns regarding the side effects of these powerful agents. In addition, several clinical studies have shown that prophylactic mastectomy for women who have BRCA mutations or who are identified as being at high risk reduces the incidence of breast cancer development. However, many issues, such as changes in long-term quality of life after preventive surgery, the optimal timing of surgery and the identification of women who are at high risk but will not develop breast cancer, remain uncertain. In other words, although many researchers have focused on chemoprevention and surgical prevention and clear preventive effects of these strategies have been confirmed, it cannot be said that they are widely accepted. Therefore, the current evidence for chemoprevention and surgical prevention, as well as highlights of several interesting lines of research currently underway, are summarized in this article.
PubMed: 38082340
DOI: 10.1186/s41021-023-00287-0 -
Cancers Dec 2023Germline pathogenic variants (PV) in and genes, which account for 20% of familial breast cancer (BC) cases, are highly penetrant and are associated with Hereditary...
BACKGROUND
Germline pathogenic variants (PV) in and genes, which account for 20% of familial breast cancer (BC) cases, are highly penetrant and are associated with Hereditary Breast/Ovarian Cancer Syndrome. Previous studies, mostly including higher numbers of BC patients, yielded conflicting results regarding BC outcomes. In the Portuguese population, BC is diagnosed more frequently than BC. We aimed to compare clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis between BC patients with and mutations and a control group without germline PV (). Furthermore, we explored the frequency and outcomes of risk-reducing surgeries in -mutated patients.
METHODS
Prospective follow-up was proposed for patients with a diagnosed PV. For this study, a matched control group (by age at diagnosis, by decade, and by stage at diagnosis) included BC patients without germline PV. We compared overall survival (OS) and invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) within the three groups, and the use of risk-reducing surgeries among the cohort.
RESULTS
For a mean follow-up time of 113.0 months, -wt patients showed longer time to recurrence ( = 0.002) and longer OS ( < 0.001). Among patients with mutations, no statistical differences were found, although patients with BC had longer iDFS and OS. Uptake of risk-reducing surgeries (contralateral prophylactic mastectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy) were negative predictors of invasive disease and death, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Testing positive for a PV is associated with a higher risk of relapse and death in patients with BC in the Portuguese population. Risk-reducing mastectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy were associated with lower incidence of relapse and longer median iDFS and OS, respectively.
PubMed: 38067403
DOI: 10.3390/cancers15235699 -
Annali Italiani Di Chirurgia 2023Gynecomastia is a benign proliferation of the glandular tissue of the male breast that causes considerable emotional distress due to restriction of daily activity,...
AIM
Gynecomastia is a benign proliferation of the glandular tissue of the male breast that causes considerable emotional distress due to restriction of daily activity, especially in young men. In patients with severe gynecomastia, a new approach is described with liposuction combined with circumareolar subcutaneous mastectomy with minimal periareolar scarring, including the elimination of the excess skin. Prospectively recorded data in a period of fifteen-month were evaluated retrospectively for aesthetic outcomes and early and late complications.
MATERIAL-METHOD
A total of 18 patients (36 breasts) were treated between September 2021 and December 2022. The patient was marked preoperatively while standing up. Under general anesthesia, power assisted liposuction and deepithelialization of excess skin were performed. A superiorly based nipple areola complex (NAC) flap was created with attention to blood supply intact. The excess fibroglandular tissue was resected. The wound was approximated with pursestring suture and the NAC was positioned in its new location. The wound was closed after the insertion of a hemovac drain into the liposuction port.
RESULTS
The ages of patients with bilateral grade 3 gynecomastia ranged from 17 to 34. Follow-ups ranged from 5 months to 1 year. The prophylactic antibiotic treatment administered to all patients. Liposuction was performed again on one patient due to an aesthetic problem. Minimal areola enlargement was observed in 2 patients.
CONCLUSIONS
This new circumareolar approach with liposuction is a good method for wide excision of breast tissue in the surgical management of severe gynecomastia with minimal scarring and very good cosmetic results.
KEY WORDS
Breast, Gynecomastia, Periareolar incision, Power assisted liposuction, Surgical Technique, Subcutaneous mastectomy.
Topics: Humans; Male; Gynecomastia; Retrospective Studies; Lipectomy; Cicatrix; Breast Neoplasms; Mastectomy; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38051508
DOI: No ID Found -
Psychology & Health Dec 2023Observe patient-clinician communication to gain insight about the reasons underlying the choice of patients with unilateral breast cancer to undergo contralateral...
Patient-driven decisions and perceptions of the 'safest possible choice': insights from patient-provider conversations about how some breast cancer patients choose contralateral prophylactic mastectomy.
OBJECTIVE
Observe patient-clinician communication to gain insight about the reasons underlying the choice of patients with unilateral breast cancer to undergo contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM), despite lack of survival benefit, risk of harms, and cautions expressed by surgical guidelines and clinicians.
METHODS & MEASURES
WORDS is a prospective study that explored patient-clinician communication and patient decision making. Participants recorded clinical visits through a downloadable mobile application. We analyzed 44 recordings from 22 patients: 9 who chose CPM, 8 who considered CPM but decided against it, and 5 who never considered CPM. We used abductive analysis combined with constructivist grounded theory methods.
RESULTS
Decisions to undergo CPM are patient-driven and motivated by perceptions that CPM is the most aggressive, and therefore safest, treatment option available. These decisions are shaped not primarily by the content of conversations with clinicians, but by the history of cancer in patients' families, their own first-hand experiences with cancers among loved ones, fear for their children, and anxiety about cancer recurrence.
CONCLUSION
The perception that CPM is the safest, most aggressive option strongly influences patients, despite scientific evidence to the contrary. Future efforts to address high CPM rates should focus on patient-driven decision making and cancer-related fears.
PubMed: 38044547
DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2023.2290170