Cancer in pregnancy: disentangling treatment modalities.

Pregnancy-associated cancer constitutes an uncommon and difficult to manage clinical situation. It is defined as the cancer diagnosed from the first day of childbearing to 1 year post partum. Coexistence of cancer with pregnancy adds complexity to treatment recommendations, as both the mother and the fetus may be affected.

Adding the power of iodinated contrast media to the credibility of mammography in breast cancer diagnosis.

Dual-energy contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) represents a relatively new diagnostic tool adjunct to mammography. The aim of this study was to strengthen the breast imaging-reporting and data system (BIRADS) classification score in order to improve early breast cancer diagnosis. For this reason, we propose a sum score, termed malignancy potential score (MPS), incorporating the standard BIRADS score and our proposed CESM score.

Breast Elastography: How We Do It.

In recent years, the use of elastography in addition to sonography has become a routine clinical tool for the characterization of breast masses. Studies have investigated the improvement of specificity in differentiating benign from malignant breast masses. Therefore, additional use of elastography could help reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies in benign breast lesions especially in category IV lesions of the ultrasound breast imaging reporting data system.

Cumulative BRCA mutation analysis in the Greek population confirms that homogenous ethnic background facilitates genetic testing.

Screening for BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 mutations has long moved from the research lab to the clinic as a routine clinical genetic testing. BRCA molecular alteration pattern varies among ethnic groups which makes it already a less straightforward process to select the appropriate mutations for routine genetic testing on the basis of known clinical significance. The present report comprises an in depth literature review of the so far reported BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 molecular alterations in Greek families.

Expression of ARs in triple negative breast cancer tumors: a potential prognostic factor?

Background/aim: In light of the controversial published literature, this study aims to examine the potential prognostic role of AR immunohistochemical expression in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Patients And Methods: Ninety patients with TNBC were included in this study; the associations between AR expression (Allred score), clinicopathological variables (stage, grade, histological subtype, tumor size, nodal status, age at diagnosis, Ki67 expression, and p53 expression), and overall survival were evaluated.

Results: AR expression was not associated with stage, grade, histological subtype, tumor size, nodal status, age at diagnosis, Ki67 expression, and p53 expression.

Breast disorders in girls and adolescents. Is there a need for a specialized service?

Introduction: Minor breast concerns in childhood and adolescence are common and lead to increased anxiety among young patients and their families, particularly due to high correlation with breast cancer. However, most breast services aim at managing adults and triaging patients with breast cancer, whereas adolescent medicine specialists or pediatricians are usually not appropriately trained to identify and treat breast pathology.

Methods: We reviewed hospital records of all patients attending a pediatric and adolescent gynecology or breast clinic of a tertiary referral hospital, with a breast related symptom, between January 2009 and December 2011.

Discrepancies between ESMO and NCCN breast cancer guidelines: An appraisal.

An ever growing number of medical organizations, societies, working groups and governmental agencies issue algorithms i.e. guidelines, of decision making flowcharts in diagnosis and treatment in a variety of diseases.

Low protein expression of MET in ER-positive and HER2-positive breast cancer.

Aim: The mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET) is a receptor tyrosine kinase that plays a key role in cell survival, growth, angiogenesis and metastasis. Because its expression is frequently altered in tumors, MET is currently under investigation as a potential target for anticancer therapy. The purpose of the present study was to determine the prognostic value of tumor MET expression levels in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer, in order to strengthen the rationale for targeted therapy using MET inhibitors in this breast cancer subpopulation.

Does pregnancy-associated breast cancer imply a worse prognosis? A matched case-case study.

Background: Significant controversy exists in the literature regarding the role of pregnancy in the prognosis of breast cancer. We designed a matched case-case study, matching pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) cases with breast cancer cases for stage, age, and year of diagnosis.

Patients And Methods: 39 consecutive cases of PABC were matched with 39 premenopausal cases of breast cancer.

Breast cancer in women aged 25 years and younger.

Objective: To evaluate breast cancer characteristics in women aged 25 years and younger.

Methods: This was a retrospective, nested, within-cases matched study. The study design was based on a two-phase protocol.

MMP-2 -1306C>T polymorphism in breast cancer: a case-control study in a South European population.

This case control study aims to investigate the role of MMP-2 -1306C>T polymorphism as a potential risk factor and possible prognostic marker for breast cancer in a South European population. 113 consecutive incident cases of histologically confirmed ductal breast cancer and 124 healthy controls were recruited. MMP-2 -1306C>T polymorphism was genotyped; multivariate logistic regression as well as Cox regression analysis were performed.

Taxanes for breast cancer during pregnancy: a systematic review.

Landmark studies have established taxanes in the treatment of patients with breast cancer; however, recommendations regarding their administration during pregnancy are controversial. The present systematic review aims to synthesize all available data that stem exclusively from breast cancer case series to evaluate the efficacy and safety of taxanes during pregnancy. Overall, 16 studies (50 pregnancies) were eligible for the systematic review according to prisma guidelines.

HSP90, HSPA8, HIF-1 alpha and HSP70-2 polymorphisms in breast cancer: a case-control study.

This case control study aims to investigate the role of HSP90 Gln488His (C > G), HSP70-2 P1/P2, HIF-1 alpha C1772T and HSPA8 intronic 1541-1542delGT polymorphisms as potential risk factors and/or prognostic markers for breast cancer. 113 consecutive incident cases of histologically confirmed ductal breast cancer and 124 healthy cases were recruited. The above mentioned polymorphisms were genotyped; multivariate logistic regression was performed.

HTERT MNS16A polymorphism in breast cancer: a case-control study.

This case-control study aims to investigate the role of HTERT MNS16A polymorphism as a potential risk factors and/or a prognostic marker for breast cancer. 113 consecutive incident cases of histologically confirmed ductal breast cancer and 124 healthy controls were recruited. HTERT MNS16A polymorphism was genotyped (L: long allele, S: short allele); multivariate logistic regression was performed.

Low salivary testosterone levels in patients with breast cancer.

Background: Correlation between circulating sex steroid levels and breast cancer has been controversial, with measurement of free, or bioavailable hormone rarely available. Salivary hormone levels represent the bioavailable fraction. To further elucidate the role of endogenous hormones in breast cancer, we aimed to assess correlation between salivary sex steroid levels and breast cancer prevalence.

What have we really learned from 'LIBERATE' trial?

LIBERATE trial reports that Tibolone use increases the risk of recurrence in breast cancer patients with vasomotor symptoms. However, there are some uncertainties and weak points in the study. Emerged questions are if interpretation of the results could be extrapolated to all breast cancer patients or there are specific subgroups that could use Tibolone without increasing relapse rate.

Reinforced iliotibial tenodesis for chronic anterolateral instability of the knee: a 6-year follow-up.

Reinforced iliotibial tenodesis is an extra-articular procedure to eliminate anterolateral instability of an anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knee. The procedure carries a low complication rate and offers an easy rehabilitation program. This study evaluated the use of reinforced iliotibial tenodesis in a select group of 52 patients with a mean age of 41 years (range: 38-50 years).