Quality-of-life impact of sentinel lymph node biopsy versus axillary lymph node dissection in breast cancer patients.

Objectives: Controversy about quality-of-life (QOL) benefits of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) versus axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in patients with breast cancer remains. Our aim was to compare the impact of SLNB and ALND on QOL and arm symptoms of patients with early breast cancer, using generic (short form 36 health survey) and tumor site-specific (FACT-B+4) instruments.

Methods: This was a prospective longitudinal observational study of 93 patients (64 SLNB, 29 ALND).

Are ER+PR+ and ER+PR- breast tumors genetically different? A CGH array study.

The estrogen receptor (ER) is a well-known predictor of breast cancer response to endocrine therapy. ER+ progesterone receptor (PR)- breast tumors have a poorer response to endocrine therapy and a more aggressive phenotype than ER+PR+ tumors. A comparative genomic hybridization array technique was used to examine 25 ER+PR+ and 23 ER+PR- tumors.

[Results of a multidisciplinary and multifocal project to reduce bacteraemia caused by central venous catheters in non critical patients in a university hospital].

Objective: To evaluate a multidisciplinary and multifocal intervention in order to reduce catheter related bloodstream infections (CRBI), based on previously identified risk factors in non-critical patients.

Methods: A pre-post-intervention study, 2004-2006.

Population: patients with a central venous catheter (CVC).

[Stability: a factor to consider in antibiotic-lock solutions].

Antibiotic-lock therapy (ALT) has been related to a reduction in the need for catheter withdrawal in patients with catheter-related infection. The stability of the antimicrobial solutions used in ALT has not been sufficiently investigated. A systematic literature review was performed to identify articles including studies on the stability of ALT solutions.

[Impact of the availability of an external nuclear medicine service in the application of sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer surgery].

Introduction: To perform sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), nuclear medicine services that have previously undergone a validation phase are required. The aim of the present study was to analyze the possibility of performing this technique with a previously validated, external nuclear medicine service and to study its impact on the indication for radical axillary lymphadenectomy (RAL) and on length of postoperative hospital stay.

Patients And Methods: We performed a prospective study in a cohort of patients with breast cancer starting from the introduction of SLNB in our center, which was made possible by collaboration with an external nuclear medicine service that performed lymphoscintigraphy and sentinel node detection.