Published in:
01-07-2008
Oncoplastic Breast-Conserving Surgery: Analysis of Quadrantectomy and Immediate Reconstruction with Latissimus Dorsi Flap
Published in: World Journal of Surgery | Issue 7/2008
Login to get accessExcerpt
We recently discussed in our journal club an article published in the World Journal Surgery entitled “Oncoplastic Breast-Conserving Surgery: Analysis of Quadrantectomy and Immediate Reconstruction with Latissimus Dorsi Flap” [1]. There was much interest in the article and there were some queries that need further clarification.
1.
The authors mentioned that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in all cases. Do they have a protocol of using MRI in all breast cancer cases or do they use it for specific indications?
2.
What was the volume of breast tissue excised? Although, the article title contains the word quadrantectomy, in the section Materials and Methodology the authors mentioned that guidewires were inserted 1 cm from the tumor and the mean width of the excised margins was 7.7 mm. Were all of these cases of small breast volumes?
3.
As mentioned, the mean tumor diameter was 3 cm. What was the index tumor diameter in the subset of patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy to downstage tumor size? Did they include all early breast cancers or were locally advanced breast cancer patients also included?
4.
Do the authors recommend anthracycline-based chemotherapy to downstage the tumor, since, there is apprehension about radiosensitization and cosmesis issues thereafter [2]?