3–5 BI-RADs Microcalcifications: Correlation between MRI and Histological Findings

Purpose. To evaluate the correlation between MRI and histopathological findings in patients with mammographically detected 3–5 BI-RAD (Breast Imaging Reporting And Data Systems) microcalcifications and to allow a better surgical planning. Materials and Method. 62 female Patients (age 50 ± 12) with screening detected 3–5 BI-RAD microcalcifications underwent dynamic 3 T contrast-enhanced breast MRI. After 30-day (range 24–36 days) period, 55 Patients underwent biopsy using stereotactic vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB), 5 Patients underwent stereotactic mammographically guided biopsy, and 2 Patients underwent MRI-guided VAB. Results. Microhistology examination demonstrated 36 malignant lesions and 26 benign lesions. The analysis of MRI findings identified 8 cases of MRI BI-RADS 5, 23 cases of MRI BI-RADS 4, 11 cases of MRI BI-RADS 3, 4 cases type A and 7 cases type B, and 20 cases of MRI BI-RADS 1-2. MRI sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 88.8%, 76.9%, 84.2%, and 83.3%, respectively

The Combination of Immune Checkpoint Blockade with Tumor Vessel Normalization as a Promising Therapeutic Strategy for Breast Cancer: An Overview of Preclinical and Clinical Studies

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have a modest clinical activity when administered as monotherapy against breast cancer (BC), the most common malignancy in women. Novel combinatorial strategies are currently being investigated to overcome resistance to ICIs and promote antitumor immune responses in a greater proportion of BC patients. Recent studies have shown that the BC abnormal vasculature is associated with immune suppression in patients, and hampers both drug delivery and immune effector cell trafficking to tumor nests. Thus, strategies directed at normalizing (i.e., at remodeling and stabilizing) the immature, abnormal tumor vessels are receiving much attention. In particular, the combination of ICIs with tumor vessel normalizing agents is thought to hold great promise for the treatment of BC patients. Indeed, a compelling body of evidence indicates that the addition of low doses of antiangiogenic drugs to ICIs substantially improves antitumor immunity. In this review, we outline the impact that the reciprocal interactions occurring between tumor angiogenesis and immune cells have on the immune evasion and clinical progression of BC. In addition, we overview preclinical and clinical studies that are presently evaluating the therapeutic effectiveness of combining ICIs with antiangiogenic drugs in BC patients

Postoperative regression of retroperitoneal fibrosis in patients with inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms: Evaluation with spiral computed tomography

Partial or total regression of aortic and retroperitonel fibrosis after surgery has been reported in combination with inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). In this report, we consider the most recent 21 patients with inflammatory AAA consecutively operated on at our institution. The group was composed of 19 men and 2 women, with a mean age of 66 years. In addition to preoperative CT angiographic study, abdominal ultrasound and aortoiliac angiography were also performed. There were no perioperative deaths. The perioperative morbidity rate was 9.5%. In 20 cases (95.2%), the aortic wall was subjected to histological examination with calculation of an inflammatory index. Each patient was reexamined with spiral CT angiography after surgery; postoperative results were assessed in terms of changes in maximal fibrotic-mantle thickness observed on follow-up spiral CT angiograms, expressed both in millimeters and percentage of change. Regression was analyzed for possible correlation with preoperative severity of fibrotic reaction, time of the postoperative exam, inflammatory index, and changes in the fibrotic process involving the adjacent structures. The results show that postoperative improvement was significantly more marked in cases characterized by higher preoperative inflammatory indices in the aneurysmal wall; the time course of regression was highly variable; but on the whole, improvement was more substantial during the early months after surgery, with significant slowing after the second or third year

Comparative study of oncoplastic versus non-oncoplastic breast conserving surgery in a group of 211 breast cancer patients

Breast conserving surgery (BCS) followed by radiotherapy is the standard of care for most patients with early breast cancers; however, the aesthetic outcomes of this procedure is not always desirable. Oncoplastic breast surgery is an innovative approach that aims at the safe and effective treatment of the cancerous lesion while achieving the best possible aesthetic outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare oncoplastic and non-oncoplastic procedures

Microcalcifications in breast cancer: an active phenomenon mediated by epithelial cells with mesenchymal characteristics

Mammary microcalcifications have a crucial role in breast cancer detection, but the processes that induce their formation are unknown. Moreover, recent studies have described the occurrence of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in breast cancer, but its role is not defined. In this study, we hypothesized that epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal characteristics and become capable of producing breast microcalcifications

The Combination of Immune Checkpoint Blockade with Tumor Vessel Normalization as a Promising Therapeutic Strategy for Breast Cancer: An Overview of Preclinical and Clinical Studies

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have a modest clinical activity when administered as monotherapy against breast cancer (BC), the most common malignancy in women. Novel combinatorial strategies are currently being investigated to overcome resistance to ICIs and promote antitumor immune responses in a greater proportion of BC patients. Recent studies have shown that the BC abnormal vasculature is associated with immune suppression in patients, and hampers both drug delivery and immune effector cell trafficking to tumor nests. Thus, strategies directed at normalizing (i.e., at remodeling and stabilizing) the immature, abnormal tumor vessels are receiving much attention. In particular, the combination of ICIs with tumor vessel normalizing agents is thought to hold great promise for the treatment of BC patients. Indeed, a compelling body of evidence indicates that the addition of low doses of antiangiogenic drugs to ICIs substantially improves antitumor immunity. In this review, we outline the impact that the reciprocal interactions occurring between tumor angiogenesis and immune cells have on the immune evasion and clinical progression of BC. In addition, we overview preclinical and clinical studies that are presently evaluating the therapeutic effectiveness of combining ICIs with antiangiogenic drugs in BC patients

Coexistence of primary central nervous system lymphoma and primary breast lymphoma: Clinical presentation, imaging features, and treatment management

: The presence of synchronous dual hematological diseases is an uncommon finding. We report an unusual case of coexistence of primary central nervous system lymphoma and primary breast lymphoma without systemic involvement in an immunocompetent patient. To our knowledge a similar case has not yet been reported in the literature. We especially focus on presenting the imaging features, the associated clinical findings and treatment management of each entity, with the aim of raising awareness on these two rare types of lymphomas and the possibility of their coexistence

Breast cancer patients with hormone neoadjuvant bridging therapy due to asymptomatic Corona virus infection. Case report, clinical and histopathologic findings

Breast cancer management during COVID-19 pandemic has changed and in case of COVID-19 patients with simultaneous neoplasia, it has been strongly recommended to treat Sars-CoV-2 infection firstly