Publications by authors named "Sue K Down"

Introduction: Breast conserving surgery of impalpable breast lesions requires safe and effective localisation techniques. Wire localisation has traditionally been used, but has limitations. Newer techniques are now being introduced to mitigate this.

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PREDICT is an online prognostication tool for early-stage breast cancer, which incorporates human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) status and stratifies absolute treatment benefits for hormone therapy, chemotherapy and trastuzumab. The present study compared historical multidisciplinary team (MDT) decisions regarding adjuvant treatment with PREDICT estimates, to determine whether certain patients are being over- or undertreated, particularly when stratified by age and oestrogen-receptor (ER) status. HER2-positive early-stage breast cancer cases over a five-year period at the Cambridge Breast Unit (Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK) were retrospectively reviewed.

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Oncoplastic breast surgery has evolved to become a distinct subspecialty within the field of general surgery. The oncoplastic breast surgeon requires comprehensive knowledge and understanding of all aspects of breast oncology, in addition to technical proficiency in operative procedures to remodel and reconstruct the breast. This article describes current educational resources available for the training of oncoplastic breast surgeons both within the UK and internationally.

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The standard approach to breast-conserving surgery is wide local excision of the tumor and radiotherapy. However, a significant number of patients require further surgery to obtain oncologically clear margins, and may obtain a poor cosmetic result following adjuvant radiotherapy. Oncoplastic techniques may result in improved cosmesis, but few studies have investigated the oncological advantage of this approach.

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Introduction: Re-admission rate following laparoscopic cholecystectomy is currently defined as within 30 days of the initial operation. This may underestimate the true incidence and financial cost of postoperative morbidity. This study aimed to analyse re-admissions within 90 days of elective and emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy at a district general hospital, and to compare outcomes to larger teaching centres.

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