Commission on Cancer Center Performance with the New Breast Cancer Quality Measures: A Review of Historical Data.

Background: Since 2022, the Commission on Cancer (CoC) has developed three new breast cancer quality measures (QMs): time to surgery (BCSdx) and radiation (BCSRT) and the use of neoadjuvant therapy for triple negative and HER2/neu positive breast cancer (BneoCT). This study assesses CoC center historical performance for these measures and facility factors associated with low performance.

Methods: We examined the median number of days for time to surgery and radiation, and the proportion of facilities that achieved an estimated performance rate (EPR) of 70%, 80%, and 90% from 2004 to 2020 for all three measures.

Immunohistochemical Status Predicts Pathologic Complete Response to Neoadjuvant Therapy in HER2-Overexpressing Breast Cancers.

Background: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression (HER2+) is defined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH) as IHC3+ or IHC2+/ISH+. Response differences to neoadjuvant anti-HER2 therapy (NT) in IHC3+ versus IHC2+/ISH+ breast cancer patients are poorly characterized. We explored whether pathologic complete response (pCR) varies by HER2 IHC status.

Evolving Economics: The Erosion of Medicare Reimbursement in Breast Surgery (2003-2023).

Introduction: Medicare significantly influences reimbursement rates, setting a standard that impacts private insurance policies. Despite declining rates in various specialties, the magnitude of these trends has not been examined in breast surgery. This study examines Medicare reimbursement trends for breast surgery operations.

Should Palpable Nodes Be Exclusionary in Patients Who Are Otherwise Candidates for ACOSOG Z0011-Type Trials?

Background: Palpable nodes were exclusionary in American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) Z0011, while SINODAR-ONE excluded those with positive axillary nodes by palpation and ultrasound. To determine whether clinical nodal status should be exclusionary in those fulfilling pathologic criteria for ACOSOG Z0011 and similar trials, this study analyzed the accuracy and implications of clinical nodal positivity.

Methods: Patients ≥ 18 years old with cT1-T2, cN0-cN1, M0 breast cancer were identified in the National Cancer Database between 2004 and 2019.

Nodal Surgery for Patients ≥ 70 Undergoing Mastectomy for DCIS? Choose Wisely.

Background: Routine sentinel lymphadenectomy (SLNB) for early-stage HR+/HER2- breast cancer in women ≥70 is discouraged by Choosing Wisely, but whether SLNB can be routinely omitted in women ≥70 with DCIS undergoing mastectomy is unclear. This study aims to evaluate rates of axillary surgery and nodal positivity (pN+) in this population to determine the impact of axillary surgery on treatment decisions.

Methods: Females ≥70 with DCIS undergoing mastectomy were identified from the National Cancer Database (2012-2020).

What Proportion of BRCA-Associated Breast Cancer Is Human Epidermal Growth Factor 2-Low and Eligible for Additional Targeted Therapy?

Introduction: DESTINY B04 provided clinical meaning to a new classification of human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) expression in breast cancer: HER2-low. Patients with germline breast cancer type 1 gene pathogenic variants (gBRCA1) often develop triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), but the proportion who could be classified as HER2-low and qualify for an additional targeted therapy option is unknown. This study aims to characterize the proportion of gBRCA1 or germline breast cancer type 2 gene pathogenic variants patients for whom these novel targeted therapies may be an option.

"Cancer's a demon": a qualitative study of fear and multilevel factors contributing to cancer treatment delays.

Purpose: Delays initiating cancer therapy are increasingly common, impact outcomes, and have implications for health equity. However, it remains unclear (1) whether patients' beliefs regarding acceptable diagnostic to treatment intervals align with current guidelines, and (2) to what degree psychological factors contribute to longer intervals. We conducted a qualitative study with patients and cancer care team members ("providers").

Should patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer and one or two positive sentinel nodes undergo axillary dissection to determine candidacy for adjuvant abemaciclib?

Background: The monarchE trial demonstrated improved outcomes with the use of adjuvant abemaciclib in patients with high-risk hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/HER2-) breast cancer defined as ≥4 positive lymph nodes (+LNs) or one to three +LNs with one or more additional high-risk features (HRFs). The proportion of patients with one or two positive sentinel lymph nodes (+SLNs) without HRFs who had ≥4 +LNs at the time of completion axillary lymph node dissection (cALND), and who therefore qualified for receipt of abemaciclib, was investigated.

Methods: Females with pathologically node-positive nonmetastatic HR+/HER2- breast cancer stratified by the number of +SLNs and +LNs and the presence of one or more HRFs were identified from the National Cancer Database (2018-2019).

Using Pointwise Mutual Information for Breast Cancer Health Disparities Research With SEER-Medicare Claims.

Identification of procedures using International Classification of Diseases or Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System codes is challenging when conducting medical claims research. We demonstrate how Pointwise Mutual Information can be used to find associated codes. We apply the method to an investigation of racial differences in breast cancer outcomes.

The Impact of an Electromagnetic Seed Localization Device Versus Wire Localization on Breast-Conserving Surgery: A Matched-Pair Analysis.

Background: For breast-conserving surgery (BCS), several alternatives to wire localization (WL) have been developed. The newest, electromagnetic seed localization (ESL), provides three-dimensional navigation using the electrosurgical tool. This study assessed operative times, specimen volumes, margin positivity, and re-excision rates for ESL and WL.

Benefits versus drawbacks of delaying surgery due to additional consultations in older patients with breast cancer.

Background: Additional evaluations, including second opinions, before breast cancer surgery may improve care, but may cause detrimental treatment delays that could allow disease progression.

Aims: We investigate the timing of surgical delays that are associated with survival benefits conferred by preoperative encounters versus the timing that are associated with potential harm.

Methods And Results: We investigated survival outcomes of SEER Medicare patients with stage 1-3 breast cancer using propensity score-based weighting.

Clinicopathologic and sociodemographic factors associated with late relapse triple negative breast cancer in a multivariable logistic model: A multi-institution cohort study.

Background: Most metastatic recurrences of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) occur within five years of diagnosis, yet late relapses of TNBC (lrTNBC) do occur. Our objective was to develop a risk prediction model of lrTNBC using readily available clinicopathologic and sociodemographic features.

Methods: We included patients diagnosed with stage I-III TNBC between 1998 and 2012 at ten academic cancer centers.

Factors Associated with Reconstruction Failure and Major Complications After Postmastectomy Radiation to a Reconstructed Breast.

Purpose: Postmastectomy radiation therapy is known to increase risk of complications in the reconstruction setting. We aim to identify the variables associated with reconstruction failure and other major complications.

Methods And Materials: A prospectively collected institutional database was queried for patients with up to stage IIIC breast cancer treated from 2000 to 2017, undergoing mastectomy, immediate implant or autologous tissue reconstruction, and radiation to the reconstructed breast within 1 year of surgery.

A tool to predict disparities in the timeliness of surgical treatment for breast cancer patients in the USA.

Purpose: Breast cancer outcomes are impaired by both delays and disparities in treatment. This study was performed to assess their relationship and to provide a tool to predict patient socioeconomic factors associated with risk for delay.

Methods: The National Cancer Database was reviewed between 2004 and 2017 for patients with non-metastatic breast cancer managed with upfront surgery.

Neoadjuvant Endocrine Therapy and Delays in Surgery for Ductal Carcinoma in Situ: Implications for the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Background: Surgical delays are associated with invasive cancer for patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). During the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NET) was used as a bridge until postponed surgeries resumed. This study sought to determine the impact of NET on the rate of invasive cancer for patients with a diagnosis of DCIS who have a surgical delay compared with those not treated with NET.