The Breast : official journal of the European Society of Mastology
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Multicenter Study
Patient age and positive margins are predictive factors of residual tumor on mastectomy specimen after conservative treatment for breast cancer.
To determine factors predictive of the presence of residual tumor on the specimen from mastectomy performed after conservative treatment for breast cancer in order to limit potentially unnecessary mastectomies (free of residual lesions). ⋯ Young age of patients (under 45-years-old) and presence of positive margins on the operative specimen are independent risk factors of residual tumor after conservative treatment of breast cancer.
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Preliminary results of ultrasound studies do exist in the literature on the successful use of the MammoSite Radiation Therapy System (RTS), a new device for delivering brachytherapy following breast-conserving surgery. In Europe, some groups started a prospective multicentre trial to investigate the use of the MammoSite RTS. In this early publication, we analysed the surgical procedure and placement of the MammoSite, treatment planning and radiation delivery complications, and early cosmesis, as well as the comfort of the patients. ⋯ The main advantage of the system is the necessity of only one applicator for the delivery of fractionated radiotherapy over a 5-day treatment period. In addition, patient tolerance of the procedure is high. Based on this early experience, the method may serve as a successful alternative to conventional multicatheter brachytherapy for a highly select group of patients, but we have to bear in mind the higher level of acute toxicity.