De-escalation of Axillary and Breast Cancer Surgery in the Setting of Neo-Adjuvant Chemotherapy

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Therapy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 November 2024 | Viewed by 665

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Breast Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
2. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20090 Milan, Italy
Interests: breast; breast neoplasm; breast cancer; surgery; breast cancer surgery; axilla; axillary surgery

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Breast Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
2. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20090 Milan, Italy
Interests: breast; breast neoplasm; breast cancer; surgery; breast cancer surgery; axilla; axillary surgery

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the paradigm of breast cancer (BC) treatment has witnessed significant shifts, especially in the approach to surgical intervention following neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Historically, radical surgeries like mastectomy and extensive axillary lymph node dissection were the cornerstones of BC management. However, the introduction and success of NAC have opened avenues for less aggressive surgical techniques, marking a transition towards de-escalation in surgical management. This shift not only aligns with the principles of conservative surgery but also addresses the physical and psychological burdens experienced by patients. The efficacy of NAC in downstaging tumors has provided a compelling rationale for re-evaluating the necessity and extent of subsequent surgeries. In patients exhibiting a favorable or complete response to NAC, the feasibility of less invasive procedures like breast-conserving surgery, sentinel lymph node biopsy, or the omission of surgery altogether is being increasingly considered. The central tenet of this discussion lies in the careful balance between ensuring oncological safety and reducing the morbidity associated with traditional surgical approaches.

Prof. Dr. Corrado Tinterri
Dr. Damiano Gentile
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • breast neoplasm
  • breast cancer
  • surgery
  • breast cancer surgery
  • systemic therapy
  • neo-adjuvant chemotherapy
  • axilla
  • axillary surgery
  • sentinel lymph node biopsy
  • de-escalation surgery

Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

12 pages, 900 KiB  
Article
De-Escalation Surgery in cT3-4 Breast Cancer Patients after Neoadjuvant Therapy: Predictors of Breast Conservation and Comparison of Long-Term Oncological Outcomes with Mastectomy
by Corrado Tinterri, Erika Barbieri, Andrea Sagona, Alberto Bottini, Giuseppe Canavese and Damiano Gentile
Cancers 2024, 16(6), 1169; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16061169 - 16 Mar 2024
Viewed by 552
Abstract
Background: Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) has become increasingly employed for the treatment of cT3-4 breast cancer (BC), enabling breast-conserving surgery (BCS) in cases traditionally considered for mastectomy. This study aims to identify predictors for breast conservation post-NAT and to evaluate whether BCS influences long-term [...] Read more.
Background: Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) has become increasingly employed for the treatment of cT3-4 breast cancer (BC), enabling breast-conserving surgery (BCS) in cases traditionally considered for mastectomy. This study aims to identify predictors for breast conservation post-NAT and to evaluate whether BCS influences long-term oncological outcomes. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from patients with cT3-4 BC who received NAT at the Breast Unit of IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy, from October 2009 to April 2020. Surgical outcomes and long-term oncological results, such as disease-free survival (DFS), distant DFS (DDFS), overall survival (OS), and BC-specific survival (BCSS), were compared between the BCS and mastectomy groups. Results: Among 114 patients analyzed, 37 (32.5%) underwent BCS, and 77 (67.5%) had a mastectomy. The key predictors for opting for BCS included absence of vascular invasion, reduced tumor size post-NAT, and achieving ypT0 status. No significant differences in DFS, DDFS, OS, and BCSS were observed between the two surgical groups (log-ranks, p = 0.520, p = 0.789, p = 0.216, p = 0.559, respectively). Conclusions: BCS after NAT is a feasible and safe option for patients with cT3-4 BC, without adversely affecting long-term oncological outcomes. Identifying predictors of breast conservation can guide surgical decision-making, ensuring that patients receive optimal treatment. Full article
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