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We aimed to investigate the prognostic influence of primary tumor site on the survival of patients with breast cancer.Data of 63,388 patients with primary breast cancer from the Korean Breast Cancer Registry were analyzed. Primary tumor sites were classified into 5 groups: upper outer quadrant, lower outer quadrant, upper inner quadrant, lower inner quadrant (LIQ), and central portion. We analyzed overall survival (OS) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) according to primary tumor site.Central portion and LIQ showed lower survival rates regarding both OS and BCSS compared with the other 3 quadrants (all P .05) and hazard ratios were 1.267 (95% CI, 1.180-1.360, P .001) and 1.215 (95% CI, 1.097-1.345, P .001), respectively. Although central portion showed more unfavorable clinicopathologic features, LIQ showed more favorable features than the other 3 quadrants. Primary tumor site was a significant factor in univariate and multivariate analyses for OS and BCSS (all P .001). For lymph node-negative patients, LIQ showed a worse OS than the other primary tumor sites in the subgroup with no chemotherapy (P .001), but that effect disappeared in the subgroup with chemotherapy (P = .058).LIQ showed a worse prognosis despite having more favorable clinicopathologic features than other tumor locations and it was more prominent for lymph node-negative patients who received no chemotherapy. The hypothesis of possible hidden internal mammary node metastasis could be suggested to play a key role in LIQ lesions.

Purpose In this trial, we investigated the efficacy and safety of adjuvant letrozole for hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer. Here, we report the clinical outcome in postmenopausal women with HR-positive breast cancer treated with adjuvant letrozole according to estrogen receptor (ER) expression levels. Methods In this multi-institutional, open-label, observational study, postmenopausal patients with HR-positive breast cancer received adjuvant letrozole (2.5 mg/daily) for 5 years unless they experienced disease progression or unacceptable toxicity or withdrew their consent. The patients were stratified into the following 3 groups according to ER expression levels using a modified Allred score (AS): low, intermediate, and high (AS 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8, respectively). ER expression was centrally reviewed. The primary objective was the 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate. Results Between April 25, 2010, and February 5, 2014, 440 patients were enrolled. With a median follow-up of 62.0 months, the 5-year DFS rate in all patients was 94.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 91.8-96.6). The 5-year DFS and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates did not differ according to ER expression; the 5-year DFS rates were 94.3% and 94.1%in the low-to-intermediate and high expression groups, respectively (p = 0.6), and the corresponding 5-year RFS rates were 95.7% and 95.4%, respectively (p = 0.7). Furthermore, 25 patients discontinued letrozole because of drug toxicity. Conclusion Treatment with adjuvant letrozole showed very favorable treatment outcomes and good tolerability among Korean postmenopausal women with ER-positive breast cancer, independent of ER expression. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01069211.

The purpose of this study was to investigate prospectively whether the apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) of both breast cancer and normal fibroglandular tissue vary with the menstrual cycle and menopausal status. Institutional review board approval was obtained, and informed consent was obtained from each participant. Fifty-seven women (29 premenopausal, 28 postmenopausal) with newly diagnosed breast cancer underwent diffusion-weighted imaging twice (interval 12-20 days) before surgery. Two radiologists independently measured ADC of breast cancer and normal contralateral breast tissue, and we quantified the differences according to the phases of menstrual cycle and menopausal status. With normal fibroglandular tissue, ADC was significantly lower in postmenopausal than in premenopausal women (P = 0.035). In premenopausal women, ADC did not differ significantly between proliferative and secretory phases in either breast cancer or normal fibroglandular tissue (P = 0.969 and P = 0.519, respectively). In postmenopausal women, no significant differences were found between ADCs measured at different time intervals in either breast cancer or normal fibroglandular tissue (P = 0.948 and P = 0.961, respectively). The within-subject variability of the ADC measurements was quantified using the coefficient of variation (CV) and was small: the mean CVs of tumor ADC were 2.90 % (premenopausal) and 3.43 % (postmenopausal), and those of fibroglandular tissue ADC were 4.37 % (premenopausal) and 2.55 % (postmenopausal). Both intra- and interobserver agreements were excellent for ADC measurements, with intraclass correlation coefficients in the range of 0.834-0.974. In conclusion, the measured ADCs of breast cancer and normal fibroglandular tissue were not affected significantly by menstrual cycle, and the measurements were highly reproducible both within and between observers.

Purpose There are few reports from Asian countries about the long-term results of aromatase inhibitor adjuvant treatment for breast cancer. This observational study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of letrozole in postmenopausal Korean women with operable breast cancer. Methods Self-reported quality of life (QoL) scores were serially assessed for 3 years during adjuvant letrozole treatment using the Korean version of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast questionnaires (version 3). Changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and serum cholesterol levels were also examined. Results All 897 patients received the documented informed consent form and completed a baseline questionnaire before treatment. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 684 (76.3%) subjects, and 410 (45.7%) and 396 (44.1%) patients had stage I and II breast cancer, respectively. Each patient completed questionnaires at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months after enrollment. Of 897 patients, 749 (83.5%) completed the study. The dropout rate was 16.5%. The serial trial outcome index, the sum of the physical and functional well-being subscales, increased gradually and significantly from baseline during letrozole treatment (p

Purpose To retrospectively investigate the relationship between the kinetic features of breast cancer assessed with computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) at preoperative magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and disease-free survival in patients with primary operable invasive breast cancer. Materials and Methods This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board. The requirement to obtain informed consent was waived. The authors identified 329 consecutive women (mean age, 52.9 years; age range, 32-88 years) with newly diagnosed invasive breast cancer who had undergone preoperative MR imaging and surgery between January 2012 and February 2013. All MR images were retrospectively reviewed by using a commercially available CAD system, and the following kinetic parameters were noted for each lesion: peak enhancement (highest pixel signal intensity in the first series obtained after administration of contrast material), angio-volume (total volume of the enhancing lesion), and delayed enhancement profiles (the proportions of washout, plateau, and persistently enhancing component within a tumor). Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to identify the relationship between CAD-generated kinetics and disease-free survival after adjusting for clinical-pathologic variables. Results A total of 36 recurrences developed at a median follow-up of 50 months (range, 15-55 months). CAD-measured peak enhancement at preoperative MR imaging enabled differentiation between patients with and patients without recurrence (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.728; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.676, 0.775; P < .001). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that a higher peak enhancement (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.001; 95% CI: 1.000, 1.002; P = .004), a higher washout component (HR = 1.029; 95% CI: 1.005, 1.054; P = .017), and lymphovascular invasion at histopathologic examination (HR = 3.011; 95% CI: 1.302, 6.962; P = .010) were associated with poorer disease-free survival. Conclusion Higher values of CAD-measured peak enhancement and washout component at preoperative MR imaging were significantly associated with poorer disease-free survival of patients with primary operable breast cancer. © RSNA, 2017.

The primary aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of BRCA1/2 mutations among familial breast cancer (BC) patients in Korea. We analyzed 775 familial BC patients who were enrolled in the Korean Hereditary Breast Cancer (KOHBRA) study and treated at 36 institutions between May 2007 and May 2010. Patients with familial BC were defined as BC patients with family histories of BC or ovarian cancer (OC) in any relatives. All probands received genetic counseling and BRCA genetic testing was performed after obtaining informed consent. The mean age of BC diagnosis was 43.6 years. The numbers of probands with family histories of BC only and OC only were 682 and 93, respectively. The overall prevalence of the BRCA mutation among familial BC patients was 21.7 % (BRCA1 9.3 % and BRCA2 12.4 %). Subgroup analyses observed prevalences of the BRCA mutation as follows: 19.6 % among patients with BC family history only (BRCA1 7.6 % and BRCA2 12.0 %) and 36.6 % among patients with OC family history only (BRCA1 21.5 % and BRCA2 15.1 %). Most of the subgroups satisfied the 10 % probability criteria to undergo BRCA testing. However, the prevalence of the BRCA mutations among subgroups that had 2 BC patients in a family with both age at diagnosis of more than 50 years old did not reach the 10 % criteria (4.1 %). Korean familial BC patients are good candidates for BRCA testing even when they have family histories of single breast cancers. However, proband age at diagnosis should be carefully considered when selecting patients for testing.

Purpose : Not only oncologic safety but also satisfactory cosmetic results can be achieved by oncoplastic breast surgery. Authors applied thorcoepigastirc fasciocutaneous flap as oncoplastic surgery for patient with lower or cental portion of breast cancer, to assess the usefulness of this procedure. Patients and methods : A total of thirty-eight patients with lower or central portion of breast cancer underwent a partial mastectomy with immediate thorcoepigastirc fasciocutaneous flap reconstruction. The clinicopathologic factors were analyzed retrospectively and the cosmetic outcomes were evaluated based on 4-point scoring system. Results : The mean follow-up period was 12.2 months and mean tumor size was 1.8 cm. The mean excised breast volume was 67.9 mm and the cosmetic result showed excellent in 21 (55.3%) and good in 13 (34.2%). Conclusion : The partial mastectomy with immediate thoracoepigastric fasciocutaneous flap would be a useful oncoplastic surgery for breast cancers which are located in lower or central portion of the breast.

To evaluate any association between tumor apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM) in early-stage invasive ductal carcinoma.Records of 270 invasive ductal carcinoma patients with stages T1 and T2 disease who underwent breast magnetic resonance imaging, including diffusion-weighted imaging with b values of 0 and 1000s/mm(2) were reviewed retrospectively. The tumor ADC values were analyzed for their utility in predicting ALNM using multivariate regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.Of the 270 patients, 58 (21.5%) experienced ALNM. The mean tumor ADC values were significantly lower in patients with ALNM than in those without metastasis (0.880 × 10(-3) vs. 0.999 × 10(-3)mm(2)/s, P0.001). A ROC curve demonstrated a tumor ADC value of 0.991 × 10(-3)mm(2)/s to be the optimal cut-off for predicting ALNM. In a multivariate analysis, lower tumor ADC (≤ 0.991 × 10(-3)mm(2)/s; adjusted odds ratio (OR)=5.861, P0.001), large tumor size (2 cm; adjusted OR=3.156, P=0.002) and the presence of lymphovascular invasion (adjusted OR=4.125, P0.001) were independent variables associated with ALNM. When tumor ADC value was added to known risk factors (i.e., tumor size and lymphovascular invasion), a significant improvement in the accuracy of risk prediction for axillary node metastasis was shown (c-statistic=0.758 vs. 0.816, P=0.026).In early-stage invasive ductal carcinoma, lower tumor ADC values are associated with the presence of ALNM.

To evaluate the association between tumour FDG uptake on preoperative PET/CT and axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM) according to breast cancer subtype.The records of 671 patients with invasive breast cancer who underwent (18) F-FDG PET/CT and surgery were reviewed. Using immunohistochemistry, tumours were divided into three subtypes: oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, HER2-positive, and triple-negative. Tumour FDG uptake, expressed as maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), and clinicopathological variables were analysed.ALNM was present in 187 of 461 ER-positive/HER2-negative, 54 of 97 HER2-positive, and 38 of 113 triple-negative tumours. On multivariate analysis, high tumour SUVmax (≥4.25) (P 0.001), large tumour size (2 cm) (P = 0.003) and presence of lymphovascular invasion (P 0.001) were independent variables associated with ALNM. On subset analyses, tumour SUVmax maintained independent significance for predicting ALNM in ER-positive/HER2-negative (adjusted odds ratio: 3.277, P 0.001) and HER2-positive tumours (adjusted odds ratio: 14.637, P = 0.004). No association was found for triple-negative tumours (P = 0.161).Tumour SUVmax may be an independent prognostic factor for ALNM in patients with invasive breast cancer, especially in ER-positive/HER2-negative and HER2-positive subtypes, but not in those with triple-negative subtype.• Tumour SUVmax could be an imaging biomarker for predicting ALNM • Tumour SUVmax predicting ALNM is effective in ER-positive/HER2-negative and HER2-positive subtypes • Tumour SUVmax predicting ALNM is inaccurate in triple-negative subtypes • Accurate prognostic prediction based on molecular subtype may facilitate individualized management.

Purpose Increased technologic capabilities have allowed for the expanded use of ultrasound beyond simple differentiation of a lesion as solid versus cystic nature, allowing us to classify lesions into various categories based on a number of descriptive features. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether to predict the preoperative prognosis of breast cancer through the correlation between ultrasonographic images and the grade of malignancy. Materials and methods The patient population for this study consisted of 107 patients with infiltrative ductal carcinoma who were evaluated using ultrasound technology. Ultrasonographic findings were divided as follows: Type I, round or oval shape and regular border; Type II, partially round or oval shape and partially irregular border; and Type III, irregular shape and irregular border. Results 1. The frequency of grade 1 (G1) was significantly higher in the Type I group than the othergroups. 2. In the 2.0 cm sized mass, the lymph node metastasis rate was significantly lower in the Type I group than the other groups. 3. In all the groups, Estrogen receptor (ER) positivity was insignificant regardless of tumor size and type. 4. In the 2.0 cm sized mass, c-erbB-2 positivity was significantly lower in the Type I than the other groups. There was no clear difference among the three groups in tumors greater than 2.0 cm in size. Conclusion These results show that our classification of ultrasonographic images reflect the grade of malignancy in terms of clinicopathological features in breast cancers less than 2.0 cm in size. Therefore, ultrasonographic findings may help predict the preoperative prognosis in T1 size breast cancer, although further study is required.

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic role of 99mTc-tetrofosmin in the detection of primary breast cancer and axillary lymph node metastasis and to compare the findings with those of 99mTc-MIBI. Methods: Forty-eight patients with clinically palpable masses or abnormal radiologic findings had 99mTc-MIBI and 99mTc-tetrofosmin scintimammographies (SMMs) after intravenous injections of 925 MBq of radiopharmaceuticals. The SMMs were correlated with histopathologic findings. Results: Thirty-three patients were diagnosed with breast cancer and 15 patients with benign breast diseases. The number of true positive, true negative, false positive, and false negative cases of 99mTc-tetrofosmin SMM were 31, 10, 5, and 2, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 99mTc-tetrofosmin SMM were 93.9, 66.7, 86.1 and 73.3%, respectively. The number of true positive, true negative, false positive, and false negative cases of 99mTc-MIBI SMM was 29, 10, 5, and 4, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 99mTc-MIBI SMM were 87.8, 66.7, 85.3 and 73.3%, respectively. In assessment of axillary lymph node involvement, 99mTc tetrofosmin SMM demonstrated 31.8, 100, 100, and 42.3% sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of 99mTc-MIBI SMM was 22.7 and 100%. Positive and negative predictive values were 100 and 39.3%, respectively. One patient was false negative in both 99mTc-MIBI and 99mTc-tetrofosmin SMMs with a tumor size of 0.5 cm. Conclusion:99mTc-tetrofosmin and 99mTc-MIBI SMMs were noninvasive and useful in the detection of primary breast cancer and 99mTc tetrofosmin was comparable to 99mTc-MIBI in the detection of primary breast cancer. However, both radiopharmaceuticals had limited values in the assessment of axillary lymph node involvement.

We investigated the effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and its derivative, HS-1030, on the proliferation of human MCF-7 breast cancer cells. UDCA had no significant effect on cell proliferation at the concentration range tested. The derivative HS-1030 inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner in the MTT assay. To test if HS-1030 could induce apoptosis, we treated MCF-7 cells with HS-1030 for 48 h and then examined the levels of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2 and Bax). At higher concentrations of HS-1030, the levels of apoptosisrelated proteins were not significantly changed. However, HS-1030 induced specific cleavage of certain proteins, such as lamin B, protein kinase C δ, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). The effect of HS-1030 on the cell cycle was analysed by flow cytometry. HS-1030 increased the G2/M fraction and showed changes in G2/M-related cyclins A and B1. These results suggest that HS-1030 may be an attractive lead compound for further development as a chemotherapeutic agent for breast cancer.

Patients with breast cancer have a relatively high prevalence of diffuse thyroid uptake of (18)F-FDG related to thyroid autoimmunity. It is postulated that the presence of thyroid autoimmunity has prognostic implications for breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of incidental diffuse thyroid uptake in breast cancer patients.This was a retrospective observational cohort study in a tertiary referral hospital. We evaluated a total of 564 patients who had undergone surgery for primary breast cancer between January 2006 and December 2009. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their diffuse thyroid uptake. The main outcome measure was disease-free survival.Of the 564 patients, 108 (19.1%) showed diffuse thyroid uptake. The median follow-up period was 36.0 mo (range, 1.0-77.0 mo). Both thyroperoxidase and thyroglobulin antibody titers were higher in patients with thyroid uptake than in those without (P0.001 for both). Of the 108 patients with thyroid uptake, 5 had a recurrence of breast cancer during the follow-up, whereas 85 without uptake had a recurrence (log-rank statics, 12.28; P0.001). The association between diffuse thyroid uptake and tumor recurrence was not significant in multivariate analysis of patients with early-stage breast cancer (hazard ratio, 0.26; 95% confidence interval, 0.06-1.10; P = 0.067). However, the association between diffuse thyroid uptake and breast cancer recurrence was statistically significant in multivariate analysis with adjustment for several prognostic variables (hazard ratio, 0.19; 95% confidence interval, 0.57-0.62; P = 0.006).Incidental diffuse thyroid uptake related to autoimmune thyroiditis was an independently favorable prognostic factor in advanced breast cancer. These findings support evidence that thyroid autoimmunity has a beneficial effect on the outcomes of breast cancer patients.

Purpose Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) with radiotherapy has become a standard treatment for early stage breast cancer, since the installation of NSABP B-06. One of the serious problems in BCS is that of local recurrence. There are many risk factors for local recurrence, such as large tumor size, multiple tumors, axillary lymph node involvement, young age, high nuclear grade, and so on. The aim of this study is to identify patients with a higher risk of local recurrence of breast cancer. Methods Between January 2002 and December 2006, 447 patients with breast cancer, and who had undergone BCS with immediate breast reconstruction, were enrolled in the study. The follow-up period was 5 years from the time of operation and we analyzed local recurrence, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). The analysis included various clinicopathological factors such as age, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, pathologic characteristics, and margin status. Statistical analysis was performed with log-rank test and Kaplan-Meier method. The p-value

Many studies have shown an association between thyroid disorders and breast cancer. Among them, diffusely increased thyroid uptake of F18-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-18 FDG) has been associated with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. There is little or no information regarding the relationship between treatment of breast cancer and the development of new diffuse thyroid F-18 FDG uptake. Here, we report the frequency of this occurrence and some of the factors associated with it.We performed a retrospective review of the positron emission tomography (PET) computed tomography (CT) database and identified 290 women who had underwent PET-CTs both before and after breast surgery. Of these, 246 were enrolled in this study and 44 were excluded, because before breast surgery they had either a history of prior thyroid disorders including thyroid cancer or abnormal serum free thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone, or other malignancies. Tests for serum antithyroid antibodies were not available before thyroid surgery in all patients. There were 62 patients who did have antithyroid antibody tests before surgery and 27 were positive. They were not excluded from the study.Diffuse thyroidal uptake on PET-CT developed in 23 (9.3%) patients during the follow-up period (median=21.1 months; range=3.1-47.3 months). Age (≥55 years; hazard ratio [HR]=0.15; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.03-0.65; p=0.012), bilaterality of breast cancer (HR=3.87; 95% CI: 1.02-14.62; p=0.046), and postsurgical radiotherapy (HR=3.06; 95% CI: 1.03-9.16; p=0.045) showed independent association with new thyroid FDG uptake in multivariate analysis. All patients with thyroid FDG uptake met at least one of some criteria related to chronic thyroditis (positive for antithyroid antibodies or cytology findings or ultrasonography findings of Hashimoto's thyroiditis) and were associated with development of hypothyroidism (52.2% vs. 4.5% in patients without uptake; p0.001).Radiotherapy in breast cancer may be an independent predictive factor for the development of new diffuse thyroidal uptake in PET-CT associated with thyroid dysfunction during follow-up. The development of diffuse F-18 FDG uptake is a marker for thyroid abnormalities. Younger women who have radiotherapy after surgery for breast cancer, in particular, are candidates for close follow-up of their thyroid function.

The purpose of this study is to introduce and evaluate the usefulness of the combination of wire localization and ultrasound (US)-guided, vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VAB) to histologically diagnose mammographically detected clustered microcalcifications in the absence of sonographic and clinically palpable masses. Fifty-eight consecutive patients (mean age 53 years) with 58 mammographically detected microcalcification clusters underwent mammographically guided wire localization followed by VAB with US guidance for targeting the wire. Mammography of the specimens obtained was performed in all cases for identification of microcalcifications. The procedure took approximately 24 min (range, 18-52 min). No significant immediate and delayed complications were observed. Microcalcifications were evident on both specimen radiographs and microscopic slides in 56 cases (97%). The combination of wire localization and US-guided VAB could provide an accurate and useful method for diagnosing mammographically detected, clustered microcalcifications.

To determine and predict P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and multidrug-resistance-related protein (MRP) expression in untreated breast cancer patients by visual and quantitative indices of double-phase (99m)Tc MIBI scintimammography (DSMM).Eighty-two patients with untreated breast cancer received DSMM. Pgp and MRP expression was assessed by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of surgical specimens. Visual and quantitative analyses were compared with the results of IHC to determine and predict Pgp and MRP.The early and delayed tumor to normal tissue ratio (T/N) of the Pgp-negative and MRP-negative group had significantly higher values than those of the Pgp-positive and MRP-positive group. However, there were no statistically significant differences in washout rate (WR, in %) according to the expression of Pgp and MRP. The optimal T/N ratios wereor =2.23 for early andor =1.75 for delayed image for Pgp expression andor =2.45 for early andor =1.96 for delayed image for MRP expression. The optimal visual grades of DSMM for the determination of Pgp and MRP expression wereor =3. With logistic regression analysis, potent predictors of DSMM were visual assessment for Pgp expression and early T/N for MRP expression.In conclusion, despite a moderate sensitivity and specificity, visual and quantitative indices of DSMM could be used to determine and predict Pgp and MRP expression in untreated breast cancer. However, these findings need confirmation in a larger patient cohort to enable a better validation of Pgp and MRP expression to determine optimal early and delayed T/Ns and to investigate predictors of Pgp and MRP expression in breast cancer.

The effects of retinoic acid (RA) and its analogs, all-trans RA, 9-cis RA and 13-cis RA, were investigated in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells and immortalized breast epithelial cell line MCF-10A. RA inhibited the telomerase activity of MCF-7 cells in a wide range of concentrations. RA at 10 microM also inhibited the growth of MCF-7 cells in a time-dependent manner. However, no significant growth inhibition was found between untreated control and RA-treated MCF-10A cells. Moreover, a marked inhibition of telomerase activity by RA was detected early in MCF-7 cells (after 24 h of RA treatment), which was preceded by a reduction of hTERT mRNA expression (after 12 h of RA treatment). However, MCF-10A cells showed a reduction of telomerase activity and down-regulation of hTERT after 4 days of RA treatment. Simultaneous changes in hTERT mRNA expression and telomerase activity were found for MCF-10A cells. The expressions of hTR and hTEP1 telomerase component genes were not changed after RA treatment. These results indicate that the anti-breast cancer activity of RA could be mediated by its ability to down-regulate the expression of hTERT telomerase gene.

Stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VAB) has been used to evaluate microcalcifications or non-palpable breast lesions on mammography. Although stereotactic VAB is usually performed in a prone or upright position, an expensive prone table is necessary and vasovagal reactions often occur during the procedure. For these reasons, the lateral decubitus position can be applied for stereotactic VAB, and true lateral mammography can be used to detect the lesion. We report on 15 cases of lateral decubitus positioning for stereotactic VAB with true lateral mammography for non-palpable breast lesions or microcalcifications. The mean procedure time was approximately 30.1 minutes, and no complications occurred during the procedures. Fourteen cases had benign breast lesions and one case had a ductal carcinoma in situ. The lateral decubitus stereotactic VAB with true lateral mammography can be applied for microcalcifications or non-palpable breast lesions and helps to minimize anxiety and vasovagal reactions in patients.

Purpose: Patients with breast cancer are at risk for developing psychological distress and psychiatric disorders such as depression. The aim of this study was to assess the depressive symptom related factors in women with breast cancer. Methods: A total of 211 patients with breast cancer who had undergone an operation within 5 years participated in this survey with consent. Depressive symptoms in patients were measured using the 21-item Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) questionnaire in the outpatient clinic and sociodemographic, clinicopathologic factors of the patients were analyzed with a BDI score. The patients were divided into group A (BDI

Sparganosis of the breast is a quite rare parasitic infection of humans and presents as soft tissue masses that mimic breast malignancy or benign tumor, such as fibroadenoma. We present here a case of histologically confirmed breast sparganosis in the upper inner quadrant of the right breast with coexisting breast cancer in the ipsilateral breast upper outer quadrant. Ultrasonography of breast sparganosis showed a well defined, tubular hypoechoic mass with discrete multilayered wall and tubule-in tubule appearance, surrounded by heterogenous hyperechoic areas in the subcutaneous fat layer of the breast. MRI revealed an elongated tubular structure with persistent and progressive enhancement. This is the second report concerned with the MRI and ultrasonographic findings of breast sparganosis and the first report of breast sparganosis in a patient with ipsilateral breast cancer.

Purpose: To identify radio-clinico-pathologic factors that result in false negative FDG uptake on F-FDG -PET/CT in the diagnosis of breast cancer. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a total of 140 breast lesions in 140 patients (mean age: 51.3 years) who underwent PET/CT for the staging of breast cancer from May 2007 to January 2008. All patients were divided as false negative (group 1, n=20) or true positive (group 2, n=120). A retrospective analysis was performed to analyze the statistical differences in clinico-pathologic factors between groups 1 and 2 using the Mann-Whitney U test, as well as the stepwise logistic regression analysis and the Chi-squared or Fisher's exact test. Results: Estrogen receptor positivity, mass on mammography, carcinoma in situ, and size were significantly different between groups 1 and 2 (p

Abstract #5157 Purpose: The breast reconstruction techniques are mandatory in case of the indication permits for there has been lots of data showing no less survival as far as surgery keeps the principle of cancer surgery. It could be selected by many factors but mainly by breast size, site of tumor. The latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap (LDMCF) is one of the most commonly used techniques in early breast cancer patient who has small breast. But, it has difficulties to supply enough tissues to the widely excised tumor site. And especially in case of ptosis patient, reduction mammoplasty only is not enough to get the symmetry of the breast. We suggest a pectoralis major myomammary flap(PMMF) as a useful technique for the patients with ptosis. Methods: Seventeen patients with ptosis were treated with breast conserving using PMMF surgery. A quadrantectomy rather than lumpectomy was performed through a planned skin incision, and axillary lymph node dissection was performed according to the sentinel lymph node result. PMMF is harvested carefully without perforating branch injury of internal thoracic artery. And reconstruction was done by the PMMF through the medial tunnel between both breasts. Results: Among those of seventeen patients, seroma occurred in two patients and no necrosis was occurred. The cosmetic result showed good in fifteen and excellent in two patients based on four-point scoring system of breast cosmetics. Conclusions: After enough quadrantectomy to keep the cancer surgery principles, PMMF was quite useful to supply proper tissues for breast reconstructions, especially for the ptosis patient. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 5157.

여성에 있어서 유방은 남성과는 달리 아름다움의 상징 이며 기능면에서도 육아 시 수유 등을 담당하므로, 없어 서는 안 될 중요한 장기이다. 유방 질환은 여성 질환 중 큰 비중을 차지하고 있으며 질병에 대한 인식도가 높아짐 에 따라 유방의 종괴 촉지를 주소로 내원하는 환자의 수 가 증가하는 추세이다. 유방암은 서양에서는 여성의 가장 흔한 암으로 보고되고 있으며, “2001 한국 중앙 암 연례 등록 보고서”에 따르면 자궁암, 위암을 제치고 발생률에 있어서 1위를 차지하였다.(1) 이는 최근 경제적 성장과 더 불어 생활양식의 서구화에 기인한 것으로 여겨진다. 삶의 질에 대한 관심이 고조되면서 유방암에 대한 수술 방법도 다양하게 변화하고 있으며, 최근에는 유방보존수술이 기 존의 근치 유방절제술이나 변형 근치 유방절제술을 대체 하고 있는 추세이다. 저자들은 유방암의 수술적 치료에 관한 국내의 여러 임상고찰 논문들에서 보여지는 것보다 상당히 높은 비율로, 또한 매우 적극적으로 유방보존수술 을 시행하고 있다. 이에 저자는 2001년 1월부터 2002년 12 월까지 만 2년간 부산대학교 병원 외과에서 유방암으로 진단되어 수술한 환자 323명을 대상으로 임상적 고찰을 시행하여 그 치료 성적을 보고하는 바이다.