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Postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) improves locoregional control (LRC) in patients with high-risk features after mastectomy. Young age continues to evolve as a potentially important risk factor. The objective of this study was to assess the benefits of PMRT in patients35 years old treated with doxorubicin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy for Stage II-III breast cancer.We retrospectively analyzed 107 consecutive breast cancer patients35 years old with Stage IIA-IIIC disease treated at our institution with doxorubicin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy and mastectomy, with or without PMRT. The treatment groups were compared in terms of LRC and overall survival.Despite more advanced disease stages, the patients who received PMRT (n = 80) had greater rates of LRC (5-year rate, 88% vs. 63%, p = 0.001) and better overall survival (5-year rate, 67% vs. 48%, p = 0.03) than patients who did not receive PMRT (n = 27).Among breast cancer patients35 years old at diagnosis, the use of PMRT after doxorubicin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy and mastectomy led to a statistically greater rate of LRC and overall survival compared with patients without PMRT. The benefit seen for PMRT in young patients provides valuable data to better tailor adjuvant, age-specific treatment decisions after mastectomy.

Feathers of selected bird species are used as pollution integrating biomonitors in areas of the German Environmental Specimen Bank. Lead, cadmium and mercury are analysed by Zeeman Solid Sampling AAS in feather vanes of selected bird species with different ecologies. In feather vanes there are quite different distribution patterns of lead and cadmium on the one hand and mercury on the other: lead and cadmium show strong gradients with respect to feather parts with high exposure to atmospheric influences. In contrast to this, mercury is distributed homogeneously. These different distribution patterns of lead and cadmium in feather vanes, in contrast to mercury, show that there are quite different incorporation paths. Cadmium and lead are deposited exogenously and indicate atmospheric pollution. Mercury in feathers is caused endogenously by food and physiology. Most of the mercury analysed in bird's feathers is in the ecotoxic methylated form and the contents in feathers depend on bioaccumulation in food chains. Feathers are suitable indicators for monitoring heavy metal pollution and give us information about incorporation paths and ecotoxic effects.