Publications by authors named "Alexandra Bartal"

Tumor hypoxia promotes neoangiogenesis and contributes to the radio- and chemotherapy resistant and aggressive phenotype of cancer cells. However, the migratory response of tumor cells and the role of small GTPases regulating the organization of cytoskeleton under hypoxic conditions have yet to be established. Accordingly, we measured the proliferation, migration, RhoA activation, the mRNA and protein levels of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1α) and three small G-proteins, Rac1, cdc42 and RhoA in a panel of five human tumor cell lines under normoxic and hypoxic conditions.

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Background: According to European guidelines, breast cancer patients requiring mastectomy should be informed about available options regarding breast reconstruction. There are clear differences in the quality standards of oncoplastic care throughout Europe, with slight improvements in Central European countries like Hungary. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate patients' knowledge and demand for postmastectomy breast reconstruction, as well as their psychosocial background regarding decision-making.

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A 2D model was previously presented that describes the gliding motility of human fibrosarcoma cells. The model was based on the observation that adhesions are present only on the outer rim of the leading lamella of the semicircular cell. The present model describes the organization of adhesions and the cytoskeleton of migrating HT1080 fibrosarcoma and LX2 hepatic stellate cells in three dimensions.

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Oncoplastic surgical techniques seem to be suitable for realizing the goal of retaining cosmesis following radical removal of breast tumors. The purpose of the present study is to provide a clinical and pathological comparison of conventional (BCS) and oncoplastic (OPS) breast-conserving surgeries, supplemented by a subjective assessment of cosmesis and quality of life of patients, the first time on a Hungarian sample. The authors performed a retrospective assessment of clinicopathological data of 60 advanced oncoplastic and 60 conventional breast-conserving surgery cases, and following adjuvant radiotherapy, the authors also surveyed patients for cosmetic results and quality of life (EORTC BR23).

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Due to the aging population of Western countries and the high-quality health care system, breast cancer in the elderly generally affects women of good or satisfactory performance status pursuing active lifestyle. Over the last decade, it became evident that, in contrast to previous dogmas, age alone cannot be the contraindication to standard oncological treatment, and adequate multidisciplinary therapy aiming full recovery rather than compromise treatment is required. A number of specific aspects needs to be taken into account regarding surgery, such as life expectancy, co-morbidities, individual mobility, mental and emotional status as well as family background, which may result in changes to the individual treatment plan.

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The incidence of pregnancy-associated breast cancer is rising. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is the method of choice in clinically node negative cases as the indicated minimally invasive regional staging procedure. Some reports have linked radioisotope and blue dye required for lymphatic mapping to teratogenic effects, the idea of which has become a generalized statement and, until recently, contraindication for these agents was considered during pregnancy.

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Autologous fat transplantation is often used in aesthetic plastic surgery, and is recently becoming increasingly popular in the reconstruction of soft tissue defects following oncological surgery. A still not standardized technique of fat transplantation for breast cancer reconstruction is rapidly getting popular. The procedure is not a passive volume replacement, but transplantation of biologically active tissue bearing endocrine, paracrine, exocrine functions and containing fat-derived stem cells, which in the tumorous environment raises many questions in relation to the oncological safety and diagnostic follow-up.

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The uniform European structure and professional standards for high quality breast cancer care were established in conjunction with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment, the European Society of Mastology and the European Breast Cancer Coalition with the support of the European Parliament. Well-prepared professional teams including a new member called the breast care nurse serve as ground for special breast cancer centers with international accreditation that provide modern, evidence based, patient centered multidisciplinary oncological care. The responsibilities of the new qualified professional staff member include the psycho-social support of the patient and carers from the moment of diagnosis throughout the whole oncological treatment, the fostering of delivering information and communication between patients and specialists.

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Each aspect of oncological care is widely affected by the spread of oral anticancer agents, which raises several questions in terms of safe medication use and patient adherence. Over the past decade targeted therapies have appeared in clinical practice and revolutionized the pharmacological treatment of malignancies. Regular patient - doctor visits and proper patient education is crucial in order to comply with the therapy previously agreed upon with the oncologist, to increase patient adherence, to detect and to treat adverse effects in early stages.

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Despite its ever increasing popularity, there is no evidence-based confirmation so far on the results of skin-sparing mastectomy, introduced 20 years ago. However, the results of countless published retrospective, long-term trials seem to underpin the ability of the precisely implemeted procedure in early stage invasive and in situ breast cancers to yield the oncological results of modified radical mastectomy. As a result of the procedure involving special surgical techniques, the skin not affected by cancer can be preserved, which facilitates immediate reconstruction and improves cosmetic outcome.

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Breast augmentation surgery involving the use of implants has been one of the most popular plastic surgical procedures for decades. As the multi-million female population who received breast implants ages, the risk of cancer is increasing rapidly, therefore the incidence of malignant disease in association with breast implants will increase as well. Although there is no relationship between tumor development and implants, these cases require special considerations in diagnostics, therapy and follow-up methods.

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Mammary ductoscopy is a modern, minimally invasive procedure that enables direct, in vivo observation of the mammary ductal system, primarily by nipple discharge. The rapidly developing device is suitable for aimed biopsy for further cytological or molecular examinations. High-tech equipments facilitate polypectomy or laser vaporization of certain intraluminal lesions, and play an important role in the direct surgical excision of the duct or the so-called terminal duct-lobular unit.

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Recently an increasing number of reports of clinical experience have been published on nipple-sparing mastectomy. By the preservation of uninvolved skin and the nipple areola complex, this surgical technique greatly facilitates immediate reconstruction and optimal aesthetic outcome. However, the procedure raises serious oncologic concerns regarding the risk of an occult or a newly formed primary tumor due to parenchyma left behind in the nipple and the retroareola.

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Hand-foot syndrome is a highly unpleasant adverse reaction caused by treatment protocols containing capecitabine (an orally administered drug), docetaxel, liposomal doxorubicin infusions or continuously infused 5-fluorouracil. It affects the skin of the palms and soles manifesting characteristic symptoms like erythema, inflammation, dysesthesia, pain, thickening, desquamation and cracking of the skin that may progress to cause wounds and ulceration, negatively influencing quality of life, psychological state and belief in recovery, which often result in the need of permanent or temporary interruption of the oncologic treatment and are potential sources of danger to the completion of the therapy. Adequate provision of the syndrome is of particular importance since a decline in adherence due to adverse events endangers precise maintenance of the self-sufficient oral treatment at home.

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The indication of neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been recently extended; it is now applied not only in locally advanced breast cancer but in primarily resecable tumours as well, in order to promote breast conservation. Based on recent clinical results, the reconsideration of traditional lymph node dissection in axillary staging is timely in patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Precise axillary staging needs surgical removal of lymph nodes.

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Extravasation of cytostatics occurs when an infusion containing a cytotoxic drug leaks into the surrounding perivascular and subcutaneous tissues. Incidence of cytostatic extravasation is found to be 0.1-6% according to the literature.

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Regional lymph node status is the most important prognostic factor in breast cancer. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is the standard method of axillary staging in early breast cancer patients with clinically negative nodes. Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy might support refining biopsy findings by determining the number and location of sentinel lymph nodes.

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Chest wall desmoids are rare, borderline tumors. Radical surgical excision is considered to be the primary treatment. Tendency of desmoids to infiltrate the chest wall, the shoulder girdle, lung parenchyma, brachial plexus and vital components of the mediastinum provides a difficult surgical challenge in the efforts of achieving microscopically negative margins.

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Central breast neoplasms account for 5 to 20% of breast cancer cases. For decades, they have been traditionally treated with mastectomy. The high incidence of involvement associated with these tumors necessitates nipple and areola resection.

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Unlabelled: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a low or moderate grade malignant, uncommon soft tissue tumor. The tumor is characterized by slow, but locally aggressive growth, low metastatic potential and high recurrence rate. Initial treatment is the radical surgical excision, using traditional wide excision or Mohs surgery.

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Mohs' micrographic surgery is an approach to selected skin cancer removal that aims to achieve the best prospect of total tumor excision simultaneously with maximal functional and cosmetic preservation. The advantage of the technique is that 100% of the surgical margin of the specimen, including the periphery and deep surface, can be examined intraoperatively by horizontally oriented frozen sections. This method offers cure rates significantly higher than conventional excision or other modalities.

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