The predictive and prognostic role of metabolic and volume-based parameters of positron emission tomography/computed tomography as non-invasive dynamic biological markers in early breast cancer treated with preoperative systemic therapy.

Introduction: The role of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in early breast cancer treated with preoperative systemic therapy (PST) is not yet established in clinical practice. PET parameters have aroused great interest in the recent years, as non-invasive dynamic biological markers for predicting response to PST.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we included 141 patients with stage II-III breast cancer who underwent surgery after PST.

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy and hypofractionated volumetric modulated arc therapy for elderly patients with breast cancer: comparison of acute and late toxicities.

Purpose: To evaluate the differences between conventional fractionated intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and hypofractionated (HypoRT) volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in elderly women affected by early-stage breast cancer (BC) in terms of RT-related acute/late side effect.

Materials And Methods: Between October 2011 and July 2015, 80 consecutive elderly BC patients were treated with IMRT for 5 weeks (40 patients) or HypoRT-VMAT for 3 weeks (40 patients). Inclusion criteria were: age ≥ 70 years, early BC (pT1-2 pN0-1), no prior neoadjuvant chemotherapy and non-metastatic disease.

When and how to treat women with HER2-positive, small (pT1a-b), node-negative breast cancer?

Small (pT1a-b), node-negative (pN0) breast cancer generally has a good prognosis. However, HER2-positive status is associated with an increased risk of relapse and decreased survival even in these tumors. Although there are only few data from prospective randomized trials, results of retrospective studies suggest adjuvant chemotherapy plus trastuzumab may improve outcomes of patients with pT1a-b pN0 HER2-positive breast cancer.

Comorbidities and intensity-modulated radiotherapy with simultaneous integrated boost in elderly breast cancer patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of comorbidity assessment on compliance to intensity modulated radiotherapy with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB-IMRT) in elderly patients affected by early stage breast cancer (BC).

Materials And Methods: 40 consecutive patients were treated with SIB-IMRT (50 Gy in 25 fractions to the whole breast, and simultaneously 60 Gy to the surgical bed) for invasive BC after conserving surgery. Inclusion criteria were: age ≥ 70 years, pT1-2 disease, pN0-1, no neoadjuvant chemotherapy, non-metastatic disease.

Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Breast: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives.

Unlabelled: : Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast is considered a rare entity, and for this reason there are no data from prospective clinical trials on its optimal management. Early stage tumors are usually treated with the same strategy used for the other types of invasive breast cancer. Anthracycline- and taxane-based regimens represent the most frequently administered chemotherapy in neoadjuvant and adjuvant setting, as well as for metastatic disease, although combinations of platinum compounds and etoposide have been widely used, in particular for small-cell histology and tumors with a high proliferation index.