Trastuzumab emtansine in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive metastatic breast cancer: an integrated safety analysis.

Purpose: The antibody-drug conjugate trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) combines the cytotoxic activity of DM1 with the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) -targeted, antitumor properties of trastuzumab. T-DM1 has shown activity in phase I and II single-arm studies in patients with pretreated HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and has demonstrated superior efficacy and improved tolerability versus standard MBC treatments in randomized phase II and III studies. This analysis, combining available data from all single-agent T-DM1 studies to date, was conducted to better define the T-DM1 safety profile.

Dose-volume characteristics of a 50-kV electronic brachytherapy source for intracavitary accelerated partial breast irradiation.

Purpose: To describe dose-volume data from a 50-kV electronic brachytherapy source in intracavitary accelerated partial breast irradiation.

Methods And Materials: Three spherical balloon applicators were imaged on a CT scanner in a water phantom and inflated throughout their suggested fill volume range. The planning target volume (PTV) was defined as a 1-cm margin around the balloon surface.

Association of clinical and pathologic variables with lumpectomy surgical margin status after preoperative diagnosis or excisional biopsy of invasive breast cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of preoperative diagnosis in obtaining negative lumpectomy margins.

Materials And Methods: Five hundred and thirty five patients who underwent breast conserving therapy for stage I/II cancer from 1971 to 1996 were included in this IRB-approved retrospective analysis. Three hundred and ninety five patients had a defined inked margin status after initial excision.

Predictors of local recurrence after breast-conservation therapy.

Breast-conserving therapy (BCT) is a proven local treatment option for select patients with early-stage breast cancer. This paper reviews pathologic, clinical, and treatment-related features that have been identified as known or potential predictors for ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence in patients treated with BCT. Pathologic risk factors such as the final pathologic margin status of the excised specimen after BCT, the extent of margin involvement, the interaction of margin status with other adverse features, the role of biomarkers, and the presence of an extensive intraductal component or lobular carcinoma in situ all impact the likelihood of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence.

Selection criteria for accelerated partial-breast irradiation: impact on applicability.

This study examines the potential applicability of accelerated partial-breast irradiation (APBI) based on clinical and pathologic selection criteria in patients with stage I/II breast cancer. The records of 535 patients treated with breast-conserving surgery and radiation were reviewed. The patient database was analyzed for the following factors: age, extensive intraductal carcinoma (EIC), lymphovascular invasion (LVI), margin status, histologic type, pathologic nodal status, and pathologic tumor size.

Predictors of reexcision findings and recurrence after breast conservation.

Purpose: To identify predictors of reexcision findings and local recurrence in the setting of breast-conserving therapy with radiation.

Methods: The records of 535 patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery followed by radiation for Stage I or II cancer between 1972 and 1996 were reviewed. The mean follow-up period for surviving patients without evidence of recurrence is 6 years.

Metaplastic breast cancer.

A case of metaplastic breast cancer in a patient with a history of infiltrating ductal carcinoma is presented, including representative mammographic and pathologic findings. The correlation between coarse calcifications on mammography and heterologous osseous elements on histologic review is noted. A brief summary of the typical clinical and pathologic features, as well as clinical studies relating to metaplastic breast cancer, are presented.