Neoadjuvant chemotherapy of breast cancer: tumor markers as predictors of pathologic response, recurrence, and survival.

This study reports the value of the tumor markers estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in predicting the response of breast cancer to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. A community cancer center prospectively maintained breast cancer database containing over 8,000 patient records was used. Since 1989, 464 patients were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgical resection and were tested for ER and PR.

Axillary-conserving surgery is facilitated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy of breast cancer.

Background: This study examines the downstaging of breast cancer axillary lymph node (ALN) metastasis by neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) and the potential facilitation of axillary-conserving surgery.

Methods: Records of breast cancer patients treated with NCT, breast surgery, and pathological ALN assessment were reviewed using the institutional breast cancer database.

Results: Of 473 cases, 309 (65%) were clinically ALN-positive (cN+) and 164 (35%) were clinically ALN-negative (cN-).

Bronchial obstruction due to Teflon pledgets migration 13 years after lobectomy.

Bronchopleural fistula is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after pulmonary resection. Different techniques of reinforcing the bronchial stump to prevent this complication have been described. Pledgeted sutures have been suggested for this purpose but have the potential to erode into the bronchus years after resection.