Computerized quantification of ultrasonic heterogeneity in thyroid nodules.

To test whether computerized quantification of ultrasonic heterogeneity can be of help in the diagnosis of thyroid malignancy, we evaluated ultrasonic heterogeneity with an objective and quantitative computerized method in a prospective setting. A total of 400 nodules including 271 benign thyroid nodules and 129 malignant thyroid nodules were evaluated. Patient clinical data were collected, and the grading of heterogeneity on conventional gray-scale ultrasound images was retrospectively reviewed by a thyroid specialist.

MicroRNA-regulated protein-protein interaction networks and their functions in breast cancer.

MicroRNAs, which are small endogenous RNA regulators, have been associated with various types of cancer. Breast cancer is a major health threat for women worldwide. Many miRNAs were reported to be associated with the progression and carcinogenesis of breast cancer.

Multimodel assessment of BRCA1 mutations in Taiwanese (ethnic Chinese) women with early-onset, bilateral or familial breast cancer.

Although evidence suggests an importance of genetic factors in the development of breast cancer in Taiwanese (ethnic Chinese) women, including a high incidence of early-onset and secondary contralateral breast cancer, a major breast cancer predisposition gene, BRCA1, has not been well studied in this population. In fact, the carcinogenic impacts of many genetic variants of BRCA1 are unknown and classified as variants of uncertain significance (VUS). It is therefore important to establish a method to characterize the BRCA1 VUSs and understand their role in Taiwanese breast cancer patients.

Activation of regulatory T cells instigates functional down-regulation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in human breast cancer.

Regulatory T (Treg) cells are a subpopulation of T cells with the ability to control the responses of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. A case-control study was conducted in order to determine the functional attributes of Treg cells within the breast cancer milieu. Triple-color flow cytometry was utilized to study the phenotype expression of CD4+CD25+ Treg cells and CD8+ T cells in autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) derived from 33 patients with stage I-III breast cancer.

Prediction of breast cancer and lymph node metastatic status with tumour markers using logistic regression models.

Aims: Early detection of breast cancer can improve disease mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of serum biomarkers in the detection of primary breast cancer and lymph node metastatic status.

Methods: Serum samples were obtained from 55 female patients with breast cancer and 39 women without breast cancer.

Should adjuvant radiotherapy to the supraclavicular fossa be routinely given in patients with breast conservative treatment?

Background: To analyze the overall outcome, supraclavicular fossa (SCF) recurrence rate, and pattern of failure in breast cancer patients treated with conservative surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy excluding SCF treatment.

Methods: A total of 143 patients were enrolled in the study. Ninety-two percent of patients were stages I and II, and 8% were stage III.

Intraductal papillary carcinoma of bilateral breasts: a case report.

We report a 59-year-old woman presenting with a 2-month history of occasional bloody discharge from her right nipple and a palpable right breast mass on self-examination. The mammography revealed heterogeneously dense fibroglandular stromas of bilateral breasts, a lobulated mass in her right breast associated with faint pleomorphic microcalcifications, and, in addition, very faint focal granular microcalcifications in the left breast. Breast ultrasound revealed a lobulated and heterogeneous hypoechoic tumor with irregular margins at the right breast and a well-circumscribed tumor with heterogeneous echotexture at the left breast.

Quality of life of breast cancer patients in Taiwan: validation of the Taiwan Chinese version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-BR23.

The objective of this study was to test the reliability and validity of the Taiwan Chinese version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 (version 3) and EORTC QLQ-BR23. The authors followed the guidelines of translation and pilot testing of the questionnaires. The questionnaires were given to 35 breast cancer patients under active treatment and 54 under follow-up at the National Taiwan University Hospital from November 2000 to October 2001.