-
Current Oncology (Toronto, Ont.) Apr 2024Post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS), characterized by persistent pain lasting at least three months following mastectomy, affects 20-50% of breast surgery patients,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS), characterized by persistent pain lasting at least three months following mastectomy, affects 20-50% of breast surgery patients, lacking effective treatment options. A review was conducted utilizing EMBASE, MEDLINE, and all evidence-based medicine reviews to evaluate the effect of fat grafting as a treatment option for PMPS from database inception to 29 April 2023 (PROSPERO ID: CRD42023422627). Nine studies and 812 patients in total were included in the review. The overall mean change in visual analog scale (VAS) was -3.6 in 285 patients following fat grafting and 0.5 in 147 control group patients. There was a significant reduction in VAS from baseline in the fat grafting group compared to the control group, = 395, mean difference = -2.17 (95% CI, -2.95 to -1.39). This significant improvement was also noted in patients who underwent mastectomy without reconstruction. Common complications related to fat grafting include capsular contracture, seroma, hematoma, and infection. Surgeons should consider fat grafting as a treatment option for PMPS. However, future research is needed to substantiate this evidence and to identify timing, volume of fat grafting, and which patient cohort will benefit the most.
Topics: Female; Humans; Adipose Tissue; Breast Neoplasms; Mammaplasty; Mastectomy; Pain, Postoperative; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38668055
DOI: 10.3390/curroncol31040152 -
Clinical Breast Cancer Jul 2024Locoregional radiotherapy play an important role in controlling the disease after surgery in patients with breast cancer. Radiotherapy schedules vary from conventional... (Review)
Review
Locoregional radiotherapy play an important role in controlling the disease after surgery in patients with breast cancer. Radiotherapy schedules vary from conventional fraction to hypofractionation. The purpose of this review is to get an insight into the data on regional nodal irradiation (RNI) with hypofractionation in patients with breast cancer. This systematic review was constructed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) framework. Electronic databases such as PubMed, Cochrane and EMBASE were searched from January 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023 to identify studies published in English language on hypofractionated RNI in post mastectomy patients. The search was carried out with the National Library of Medicine's Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms like "regional nodal irradiation," "hypofractionated" and "hypofractionation in breast cancer" with different Boolean operators (and/or). A manual search of reference lists of included articles was also performed to make sure there were no additional cases unidentified from the primary search. Studies deemed potentially eligible were identified and assessed by same independent reviewers to confirm eligibility. RNI data are mainly from a randomized study from Beijing and pooled data from START trials. There are also data from retrospective and single institutional studies and a few phase II studies with limited number of patients using different dose fractionations and techniques of radiotherapy. Doses used in these trials ranged from 26-47.7 Gy in 5-19 fractions over 1-4 weeks. Grade ≥ 2 pulmonary fibrosis and lymphedema rate ranged from 2%-7.9% and 3%-19.8% respectively. Grade ≥ 2 shoulder dysfunction and brachial plexopathy ranged from 0.2%-28% and 0%-< 1%, respectively. Late effects with a dose range of 26-40 Gy delivered in 5 to 15 fractions over 1-3 weeks were less/similar to conventional fraction. Current data showed lower/similar rates of toxicity with hypofractionated RNI compared with conventional fractionation RNI. Doses of 26 Gy to 40 Gy delivered in 5 to 15 fractions over 1-3 weeks are safe for RNI. With limited data, ultra-hypofractionation 26 Gy/5 fractions/1 week also seems to be safe. However, long-term outcome is awaited and many trials are going on to address its efficacy and safety.
Topics: Humans; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Radiation Dose Hypofractionation; Mastectomy; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; Lymphatic Irradiation; Lymph Nodes
PubMed: 38614852
DOI: 10.1016/j.clbc.2024.03.007 -
European Journal of Breast Health Apr 2024The advent of taxane-based chemotherapy has revolutionized breast cancer care. This advance has helped improve the response to downstaging tumors that might otherwise be...
Does Post-Mastectomy Radiotherapy Confer Survival Benefits on Patients With 1-3 Clinically Positive Lymph Nodes Rendered Pathologically Negative After Neoadjuvant Systemic Chemotherapy: Consensus from A Pooled Analysis?
The advent of taxane-based chemotherapy has revolutionized breast cancer care. This advance has helped improve the response to downstaging tumors that might otherwise be inoperable. It has also helped in rendering clinically (cN+) positive lymph nodes (LNs) pathologically negative (ypN0). The standard of care for cN+ patients included post-mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT), regardless of the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. However, PMRT in patients with 1-3 positive LNs still lacks definitive guidelines. Numerous retrospective results have been inconclusive about the benefit of PMRT on survival in patients with 1-3 positive LNs. This pooled analysis attempts to reach a consensus. The PubMed database was searched through October 2023. The search yielded 27 papers, of which 11 satisfied the inclusion criteria. The locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) for each study were tabulated when given, and two groups were created, the PMRT and NO PMRT, respectively. The results were then pooled for analysis. The total number of patients was 8340, 4136 in the PMRT group, and 4204 in the NO PMRT group, respectively. The LRRFS, DFS, and OS were 96.9%, 82.1%, and 87.3% for the PMRT group and 93.2%, 79.6%, and 84.8% for the NO PMRT group, respectively. There was no statistical significance in LRRFS, DFS, or OS between the two groups ( = 0.61, = 0.61, and = 0.38, respectively). PMRT does not seem to confer survival benefits in patients with pN1 rendered ypN0 for stages T1-3. This pooled analysis's findings should be confirmed prospectively with a longer period of follow-up.
PubMed: 38571693
DOI: 10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2024.2023-12-14 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2024Cancer-related distress can be described as a complex and unpleasant combination of psychological (such as cognitive, behavioral, and emotional), social, and spiritual... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Cancer-related distress can be described as a complex and unpleasant combination of psychological (such as cognitive, behavioral, and emotional), social, and spiritual challenges that may impact an individual's ability to effectively cope with the physical symptoms of cancer and its treatment. Existing literature has confirmed psychological distress (PD) as an important sequela of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, the incidence and risk factors for PD in adult female patients with breast cancer remain unclear; therefore, focusing on the PD of female breast cancer patients is meaningful, as they are at highest risk of contracting breast cancer, and might differ in their coping styles from men.
OBJECTIVE
This review aimed to identify the incidence and risk factors for PD in adult woman patients with breast cancer, and to help guide targeted intervention to prevent distress.
METHOD
PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAL, PsycINFO, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, Wanfang Database, the Chinese Biomedical Database, and Weipu Database were searched for data regarding the incidence and risk factors of PD in adult women with breast cancer.
RESULTS
The prevalence of PD, assessed using the distress thermometer, ranged between 11.2%-86.7%, and a meta-analysis of 47 studies with 15,157 adult female breast cancer patients showed that the pooled prevalence was 52.0%. Further, this study identified 40 risk factors. However, owing to the inclusion of at least two studies for a certain risk factor, 10 risk factors were merged for the meta-analysis. Independent risk factors included higher education level, late-stage tumor, emotional concerns, no medical insurance, modified radical mastectomy, and history of depression; age and neuroticism were not associated with PD; and higher monthly income was revealed as a protective factor against it.
CONCLUSION
The incidence of PD in female patients with breast cancer is high and it involves 10 risk factors, though some are controversial owing to insufficient evidence. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms of PD and develop risk factor-based holistic intervention programs to reduce its incidence.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
The protocol of this study has been registered in the database PROSPERO (registration ID: CRD42023433578).
PubMed: 38544846
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1309702 -
Annals of Surgical Oncology Jun 2024It is unknown whether the identification of additional tumors in the breast using preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (pMRI) results in a lower risk of in-breast... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
It is unknown whether the identification of additional tumors in the breast using preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (pMRI) results in a lower risk of in-breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) after breast-conserving surgery (BCS).
METHODS
A systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant studies were performed. The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
RESULTS
From 768 citations, 20 studies met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review. The 20 studies consisted of 14 retrospective reviews, 3 matched cohorts, and 3 randomized controlled trials. Whereas 2 studies reported a statistically significant lower rate of IBTR with pMRI, 18 studies showed no difference, and no studies reported a higher rate. Of the 18 studies showing no significant difference, 12 demonstrated a trend toward a lower IBTR rate in the pMRI group. The criteria for meta-analysis were met by 16 studies. A meta-analysis of 11 studies that reported hazard ratios (HR) for IBTR showed a trend toward a lower rate of IBTR for patients who received preoperative MRI (hazard ratio (HR), 0.89; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.74-1.05). A meta-analysis of five studies that reported event rates and had similar follow-up duration for both groups demonstrated a lower relative risk (RR) of IBTR (RR, 0.45; 95% CI 0.25-0.81).
CONCLUSIONS
Although some evidence supports the hypothesis that identification of additional tumors in the breast using pMRI results in lower rates of IBTR after BCS, the main meta-analysis in this study did not confirm this hypothesis.
Topics: Humans; Breast Neoplasms; Mastectomy, Segmental; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Female; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Preoperative Care; Prognosis
PubMed: 38520578
DOI: 10.1245/s10434-023-14746-z -
Psycho-oncology Mar 2024This review aimed to identify, characterize, map, and summarize existing knowledge about the relationship of perceived body image with the quality of life (QoL) of women... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
This review aimed to identify, characterize, map, and summarize existing knowledge about the relationship of perceived body image with the quality of life (QoL) of women who have undergone surgical treatment for breast cancer.
METHODS
A scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. PubMed, PsycINFO and Scopus databases were searched, and articles published until August 2022 were included.
RESULTS
The search resulted in 796 records, and 51 articles were included for analysis. A significant negative impact on body image perception and QoL after surgical treatment for breast cancer was found in the majority of studies. Sociodemographic variables such as age, education, socioeconomic status, unstable attachment styles and time after the surgery may have an effect on a worsening of the overall body image and QoL score of women. It was found that there was greater dissatisfaction with body image in women who underwent mastectomy compared to those who underwent conservative surgery.
CONCLUSION
Evidence has shown that breast cancer surgery affects the perceived body image and QoL of patients worldwide. Age, education, socioeconomic status, and the type of surgery are potential factors influencing these outcomes. It is worth noting that the review encompassed articles from various countries, reflecting a significant cultural diversity among the studied populations. However, most of these articles did not delve into an analysis of these cultural disparities. This review also indicated insufficient details regarding the assessment instruments used to assess perceived body image.
Topics: Humans; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Quality of Life; Mastectomy; Body Image; Educational Status
PubMed: 38502048
DOI: 10.1002/pon.6329 -
Free Tissue Transfer for Reconstruction After Bilateral Skin Sparing Mastectomy-A Systematic Review.Annals of Plastic Surgery Apr 2024Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignant neoplasia in females worldwide. Overall survival and patients' choice for bilateral mastectomy have increased. It...
BACKGROUND
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignant neoplasia in females worldwide. Overall survival and patients' choice for bilateral mastectomy have increased. It is therefore important to offer breast reconstructive procedures to improve patient quality of life and self-esteem. The aim of this systematic literature review is to quantify the outcome and sustainability of bilateral breast reconstruction using autologous, vascularized free tissue transfer.
METHODS
A systematic literature review of PubMed, Cochrane, and the Web of Science databases was performed. A total of 5879 citations were identified, and 12 studies met the inclusion criteria.
RESULTS
A total of 1316 patients were included, with a mean age of 47.2 years. Overall, 32.5% of patients experienced a complication after breast reconstruction. If reported, 7.45% of patients experienced major complications, while 20.7% had minor complications.The following flaps were used for breast reconstruction, in order of reducing frequency: DIEP (45.45%), TRAM (22.73%), SIEA (9.09%), SGAP (9.09%), TUG (4.55%), TMG (4.55%), and LD/MLD (4.55%).
CONCLUSIONS
Current studies indicate that bilateral breast reconstruction using autologous, vascularized free tissue transfer is a safe procedure for postmastectomy reconstruction and offers stable long-term results. This is particularly in comparison to implant-based breast reconstruction.
Topics: Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Mastectomy; Breast Neoplasms; Quality of Life; Mammaplasty; Surgical Flaps; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 38470816
DOI: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000003828 -
Journal of Medical Internet Research Feb 2024Virtual reality-based exercise rehabilitation (VRER) is a promising intervention for patients with cancer-related dysfunctions (CRDs). However, studies focusing on VRER... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Virtual reality-based exercise rehabilitation (VRER) is a promising intervention for patients with cancer-related dysfunctions (CRDs). However, studies focusing on VRER for CRDs are lacking, and the results are inconsistent.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to review the application of VRER in patients with CRDs.
METHODS
This scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) checklist framework. Publications were included from the time of database establishment to October 14, 2023. The databases were PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane, Web of Science, ProQuest, arXiv, IEEE Xplore, MedRxiv, CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP, and SinoMed. The population included patients with cancer. A virtual reality (VR) system or device was required to be provided in exercise rehabilitation as an intervention. Eligible studies focused on VRER used for CRDs. Study selection and data extraction were performed by 2 reviewers independently. Extracted data included authors, year, country, study type, groups, sample size, participant age, cancer type, existing or potential CRDs, VR models and devices, intervention programs and durations, effectiveness, compliance, satisfaction, and safety.
RESULTS
We identified 25 articles, and among these, 12 (48%) were randomized clinical trials, 11 (44%) were other experimental studies, and 2 (8%) were observational studies. The total sample size was 1174 (range 6-136). Among the 25 studies, 22 (88%), 2 (8%), and 1 (4%) included nonimmersive VR, immersive VR, and augmented reality, respectively, which are models of VRER. Commercial game programs (17/25, 68%) were the most popular interventions of VRER, and their duration ranged from 3 to 12 weeks. Using these models and devices, VRER was mostly applied in patients with breast cancer (14/25, 56%), leukemia (8/25, 32%), and lung cancer (3/25, 12%). Furthermore, 6 CRDs were intervened by VRER, and among these, postmastectomy syndromes were the most common (10/25, 40%). Overall, 74% (17/23) of studies reported positive results, including significant improvements in limb function, joint range of motion, edema rates, cognition, respiratory disturbance index, apnea, activities of daily living, and quality of life. The compliance rate ranged from 56% to 100%. Overall, 32% (8/25) of studies reported on patient satisfaction, and of these, 88% (7/8) reported satisfaction with VRER. Moreover, 13% (1/8) reported mild sickness as an adverse event.
CONCLUSIONS
We found that around half of the studies reported using VRER in patients with breast cancer and postmastectomy dysfunctions through nonimmersive models and commercial game programs having durations of 3-12 weeks. In addition, most studies showed that VRER was effective owing to virtualization and interaction. Therefore, VRER may be an alternate intervention for patients with CRDs. However, as the conclusions were drawn from data with acknowledged inconsistencies and limited satisfaction reports, studies with larger sample sizes and more outcome indictors are required.
Topics: Humans; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Activities of Daily Living; Quality of Life; Mastectomy; Medicine
PubMed: 38407951
DOI: 10.2196/49312 -
Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive &... Mar 2024Flap neurotisation is a promising solution to restore the diminished or complete loss of sensation following mastectomy. This systematic review compared sensory outcomes... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Flap neurotisation is a promising solution to restore the diminished or complete loss of sensation following mastectomy. This systematic review compared sensory outcomes in neurotised versus non-neurotised abdominal-based autologous breast reconstructions to establish its benefit in routine clinical practice.
METHODS
A literature search was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were queried for relevant studies. Pressure sensitivity, measured using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments (SWM) or the pressure-specified sensory device (PSSD), was the primary outcome measure.
RESULTS
A total of 12 studies comprising 367 neurotised and 295 non-neurotised flap reconstructions were included, with 8 studies included in the meta-analysis. Neurotised flaps demonstrated superior sensory outcomes over non-neurotised flaps, with significant differences in SWM scores (mean difference [MD], -1.552 95% CI, -2.351 to -0.7535; p = 0.0001) and PSSD (MD -13.36; 95% CI, -26.41 to -0.3117; p = 0.0448) at follow-up (range 8 to 77 months). The differences in total skin sensation (native and flap skin combined) were statistically significant in the SWM group (p = 0.0010) but not in the PSSD group (p = 0.0649). Investigation on the factors impacting sensation recovery in neurotised flaps yielded inconclusive outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
Neurotised flaps consistently demonstrated superior sensation outcomes compared with non-neurotised flaps, irrespective of flap type or neurotisation technique. However, further research is essential to elucidate the factors that impact sensory recovery and standardise neurotisation practices for more optimal post-mastectomy reconstruction outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Female; Mastectomy; Breast Neoplasms; Mammaplasty; Sensation; Surgical Flaps
PubMed: 38401199
DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2024.01.045 -
Journal of Clinical Anesthesia Jun 2024To identify whether adding ketamine to the local anesthetics (LA) in the regional anesthesia could prolong the duration of analgesia. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
STUDY OBJECTIVE
To identify whether adding ketamine to the local anesthetics (LA) in the regional anesthesia could prolong the duration of analgesia.
DESIGN
A Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
SETTING
The major dates were obtained in the operating room and the postoperative recovery ward.
PATIENTS
A total of 1011 patients at ASA physical status I and II were included in the analysis. Procedure performed including cesarean section, orthopedic, radical mastectomy, urological or lower abdominal surgery and intracavitary brachytherapy implants insertion.
INTERVENTIONS
After an extensive search of the electronic database, patients received regional anesthesia combined or not combined general anesthesia and with or without adding ketamine to LA were included in the analysis. The regional anesthesia includes spinal anesthesia, brachial plexus block, pectoral nerve block, transversus abdominis plane block and femoral and sciatic nerve block.
MEASUREMENT
The primary outcome was the duration of analgesia. Secondary outcomes were the duration and onset time of motor and sensory block as well as the ketamine-related adverse effect. Data are expressed in mean differences in continuous data and odds ratios (OR) for dichotomous data with 95% confidence intervals. The risk of bias of the included studies was evaluated using the revised Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized trials. The quality of evidence for each outcome was rated according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) Working Group system.
MAIN RESULT
Twenty randomized controlled trials were included in the analysis. When ketamine was used as an adjuvant to LA, the duration of analgesia could be prolonged(172.21 min, 95% CI, 118.20 to 226.22; P<0.00001, I = 98%), especially in the peripheral nerve block(366.96 min, 95% CI, 154.19 to 579.74; P = 0.0007, I = 98%). Secondary outcomes showed ketamine could prolong the duration of sensory block(29.12 min, 95% CI, 10.22 to 48.01; P = 0.003, I = 96%) but no effect on the motor block(6.94 min, 95% CI,-2.65 to 16.53;P = 0.16, I = 84%), the onset time of motor and sensory block (motor onset time, -1.17 min, 95% CI, -2.67 to 0.34; P = 0.13, I = 100%; sensory onset time, -0.33 min, 95% CI,-0.87 to 0.20; P = 0.23, I = 96%) as well as the ketamine-related adverse effect(OR, 1.97, 95% CI,0.93 to 4.17;P = 0.08, I = 57%).
CONCLUSION
This study indicates that ketamine could be an ideal adjuvant to local anesthetics regardless of the types of anesthesia. Overall, the quality of the evidence is low.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Anesthesia, Conduction; Anesthetics, Local; Brachial Plexus Block; Breast Neoplasms; Cesarean Section; Ketamine; Mastectomy; Pain, Postoperative; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 38394922
DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2024.111415