Publications by authors named "Ashleigh M Francis"
Purpose: Breast cancer surgery, even with reconstruction, can make it difficult for patients to find a bra that fits properly, is comfortable, and meets their aesthetic standards. We explored breast cancer survivors' experiences with bras over time to identify preferences, needs, and challenges throughout their journeys.
Methods: Fifteen women who had undergone mastectomy and either delayed or immediate breast reconstruction participated in the study.
Purpose: To inform bra design by analyzing 3D surface images of breast cancer patients who underwent autologous breast reconstruction.
Methods: We computed bra design measurements on 3D surface images of patients who underwent unilateral and bilateral autologous breast reconstruction. Breast measurements and right-left symmetry between preoperative baseline and postoperative time points were compared using either paired Student t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test, depending on the data's distribution.
Purpose: To inform bra design by analyzing 3D surface images of breast cancer patients who underwent autologous breast reconstruction.
Methods: We computed bra design measurements on 3D surface images of patients who underwent unilateral and bilateral autologous breast reconstruction. Breast measurements and right-left symmetry between preoperative baseline and postoperative time points were compared using either paired Student test or Wilcoxon signed rank test, depending on the data's distribution.
Objective: Clinical predictors of pathological complete response have not reliably identified patients for whom an organ-sparing approach following neoadjuvant chemoradiation be undertaken for esophageal cancer patients. We sought to identify high-risk predictors of residual carcinoma that may preclude patients from a selective surgical approach.
Background: Patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by esophagectomy for esophageal adenocarcinoma were identified.
Background: Pathologic complete response (pCR) has been shown to be associated with favorable outcomes in breast cancer. Predictors of pCR could be useful in guiding treatment decisions regarding neoadjuvant therapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate cyclin E as a predictor of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFResearch into the biology of soft tissue sarcomas has uncovered very few effective treatment strategies that improve upon the current standard of care which usually involves surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Many patients with large (>5 cm), high-grade sarcomas develop recurrence, and at that point have limited treatment options available. One challenge is the heterogeneity of genetic drivers of sarcomas, and many of these are not validated targets.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Tracking world cases of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is currently limited to patient registries at a few academic centers, dependent upon patient referral and case reports in the literature. The purpose of this study was to review and compare federal database adverse event reports of breast implant-associated ALCL encompassing the major breast implant markets worldwide.
Methods: Federal implantable device regulatory bodies were contacted and database queries were performed for 40 countries.
Background: Positive sentinel lymph node (SLN) findings in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) range from 1 to 22 % but have unknown biologic significance. This study sought to identify predictors of positive SLNs and to assess their clinical significance for patients with an initial diagnosis of DCIS.
Methods: The study identified 1234 patients with an initial diagnosis of DCIS who underwent SLN dissection (SLND) at our institution from 1997 through 2011.
Objective: Our aim was to validate the effect of histopathologic tumor viability (HTV) on extended survival outcomes and assess the prognostic ability of the current staging system in patients receiving preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT).
Background: The American Joint Committee on Cancer, 7th Edition, esophageal carcinoma staging system is derived from patients treated with surgery alone and does not account for the treatment effect of CRT. The extent of HTV after CRT is based on response to neoadjuvant therapy and has been shown to correlate with patient outcome.
Impact of tumor length on long-term survival of pT1 esophageal adenocarcinoma.
J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg
October 2009
Introduction: The impact of esophageal tumor length on pT1 esophageal adenocarcinoma has not been well evaluated.
Methods: Case histories of all patients (n = 133) undergoing esophageal resection from 1979 to 2007 with pT1 adenocarcinoma of the esophagus were reviewed. Univariate and multivariate analyses of esophageal tumor length and other standard prognostic factors were performed.
Background: Cervical recurrence occurs in up to 30% of patients after surgical treatment for papillary thyroid cancer. This study sought to determine an appropriate algorithm for followup evaluation.
Study Design: Patients undergoing total thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid cancer were identified.