Ultrasensitive Detection and Monitoring of Circulating Tumor DNA using Structural Variants in Early-Stage Breast Cancer.

Purpose: The detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) after curative-intent therapy in early breast cancer (EBC) is highly prognostic of disease recurrence. Current ctDNA assays, mainly targeting single nucleotide variants (SNVs), vary in sensitivity and specificity. While increasing the number of SNVs in tumor-informed assays improves sensitivity, structural variants (SVs) may achieve similar or better sensitivity without compromising specificity.

Robotics in Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Cancer: A Perspective View.

This perspective article aims to summarize and provide an outlook for developments around the use of robotics in the screening, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. We searched existing literature on the design and development of new systems and the current use of pre-existing surgical robotic systems. Robotic interventions for breast palpation and biopsy under ultrasound and MRI guidance are being developed and tested on simulated breast phantoms.

The Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Investigation and Management of Invasive Lobular Carcinoma-A 3-Year Retrospective Study in Two District General Hospitals.

Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) accounts for 5-15% of breast cancers. In comparison to other types of breast cancer, ILC is more likely to be associated with multifocal and contralateral breast involvement as well as a tendency to a diffuse infiltrative growth pattern which can represent a diagnostic challenge. The National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines in 2009 recommended the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the preoperative assessment of ILC.

Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia: a case report.

Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia (PASH) is a rare benign proliferating breast condition. It was first reported in 1986 when Vuitch, Rosen, and Erlandson described nine cases of benign well-circumscribed, breast masses that simulated vascular lesions consisting of mammary stromal proliferations (Vuitch et al. (1986)).

Primary lymphoma of the breast involving both axillae with bilateral breast carcinoma.

Background: Primary Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (PHNL) of the breast is a rare entity, while secondary involvement of the breast with diffuse disease of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is more common. However, PNHL is the most frequent haematopoietic tumour of the breast. Diagnostic criteria for PNHL of the breast are presence of technically adequate pathologic specimens, close association of mammary tissue and lymphomatous infiltrate, no prior diagnosis of an extarammamary lymphoma, and no evidence of concurrent widespread disease, except for ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes if concomitant with the primary lesion.

The Bair Hugger patient warming system in prolonged vascular surgery: an infection risk?

Introduction: Use of the Bair Hugger forced-air patient warming system during prolonged abdominal vascular surgery may lead to increased bacterial contamination of the surgical field by mobilization of the patient's skin flora.

Methods: This possibility was studied by analyzing bacterial content in air and wound specimens collected during surgery in 16 patients undergoing abdominal vascular prosthetic graft insertion procedure, using the Bair Hugger patient warming system. The bacterial colony counts from the beginning and the end of surgery were compared, and the data analyzed using the Wilcoxon matched pairs test.