Breast cancer management pathways during the COVID-19 pandemic: outcomes from the UK ‘Alert Level 4’ phase of the B-MaP-C study

Abstract: Background: The B-MaP-C study aimed to determine alterations to breast cancer (BC) management during the peak transmission period of the UK COVID-19 pandemic and the potential impact of these treatment decisions. Methods: This was a national cohort study of patients with early BC undergoing multidisciplinary team (MDT)-guided treatment recommendations during the pandemic, designated ‘standard’ or ‘COVID-altered’, in the preoperative, operative and post-operative setting. Findings: Of 3776 patients (from 64 UK units) in the study, 2246 (59%) had ‘COVID-altered’ management. ‘Bridging’ endocrine therapy was used (n = 951) where theatre capacity was reduced. There was increasing access to COVID-19 low-risk theatres during the study period (59%). In line with national guidance, immediate breast reconstruction was avoided (n = 299). Where adjuvant chemotherapy was omitted (n = 81), the median benefit was only 3% (IQR 2–9%) using ‘NHS Predict’. There was the rapid adoption of new evidence-based hypofractionated radiotherapy (n = 781, from 46 units). Only 14 patients (1%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during their treatment journey. Conclusions: The majority of ‘COVID-altered’ management decisions were largely in line with pre-COVID evidence-based guidelines, implying that breast cancer survival outcomes are unlikely to be negatively impacted by the pandemic. However, in this study, the potential impact of delays to BC presentation or diagnosis remains unknown

Correlates of high-density mammographic parenchymal patterns by menopausal status in a rural population in Northern Greece

Reproductive factors affect breast cancer risk, but less is known of their associations with mammographic density and whether these differ by menopausal status. We report on a cross-sectional study of 1946 pre- and 3047 post-menopausal women who joined a breast screening programme in Northern Greece during 1993-1997. The odds of having a high-density Wolfe pattern (P2/DY) was inversely associated with age (P for linear trend < 0.001) in both pre- and post-menopausal women and, for post-menopausal women, with years since menopause (P < 0.001). The odds of a P2/DY pattern declined with higher parity (P < 0.001) and younger age at first pregnancy (P = 0.05) in both pre- and post-menopausal women. They also decreased with the duration of breast-feeding in pre-menopausal women (P = 0.03 in pre- and P = 0.69 in post-menopausal women; test for interaction with menopausal status: P = 0.07). Age at menarche, age at menopause and the number of miscarriages/abortions were not associated with mammographic density. Age at first pregnancy and parity were strong correlates of mammographic density in pre- and post-menopausal women while duration of breast-feeding appeared to be particularly important in pre-menopausal women. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Multidisciplinary Management of Phyllodes Tumours and Breast Sarcoma: A Cross-sectional Survey of Clinical Practice across the UK and Ireland

AIMS: Phyllodes tumours and breast sarcomas are uncommon tumours and their rarity poses significant challenges in diagnosis and management. This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the multidisciplinary clinical practice for these tumours across the UK and Ireland, with the aim of identifying gaps in knowledge and providing direction for establishing national guidelines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An international survey was adapted and circulated to breast and/or sarcoma surgeons and oncologists in the UK and Ireland through national organisations. Multidisciplinary team (MDT) responses were analysed anonymously. RESULTS: Twenty-eight MDTs participated in this study, predominately from high-volume units (85.5%). Although only 43% of the surveyed units were part of a trust that holds a sarcoma MDT, 68% of units managed malignant phyllodes and angiosarcoma, whereas 64.5% managed soft-tissue sarcoma of the breast. Across all subtypes, axillary surgery was recommended by 14-21% of the MDTs and the most recommended resection margins for breast surgery were 'no tumour on ink' in benign phyllodes (39%) and 10 mm in the remaining subtypes (25-29%). Immediate breast reconstruction was supported by 11-18% of MDTs for breast sarcoma subtypes, whereas 36% and 32% advocated this approach in benign and borderline phyllodes tumours, respectively. Adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy were recommended by up to 29% and 11% of the MDTs, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate a wide variation in clinical practice across the surveyed MDTs. As only 28 MDTs participated in our study, with under-representation from low-volume units, our results might be an underestimation of the variability in practice across the UK and Ireland. This multi-institutional study sheds light on controversial aspects in the management of phyllodes tumours and breast sarcoma, identifies the need for national guidelines to inform best practice, and calls for the centralisation of the management of breast sarcoma within specialist centres.Published version, accepted version (12 month embargo)The article is available via Open Access. Click on the 'Additional link' above to access the full-text

The TeaM (Therapeutic Mammaplasty) study: Protocol for a prospective multi-centre cohort study to evaluate the practice and outcomes of therapeutic mammaplasty

Wide local excision and adjuvant radiotherapy is the standard of care for early breast cancer. For large tumours, however, mastectomy is frequently recommended as conventional breast-conserving techniques often result in poor cosmetic outcomes. Therapeutic mammaplasty (TM) may extend the boundaries of breast-conserving surgery by combining breast reduction and mastopexy techniques with tumour excision, preserving a natural breast shape and avoiding the need for mastectomy. The prevalence of this operative option among surgeons in the UK and its success rate are unknown. The TeaM study is a multicentre prospective study that aims to investigate the practice and outcomes of TM. Methods and analysis Breast centres performing TM will be invited to participate through the research collaborative network and the professional associations. All patients undergoing TM between September 2016 and March 2017 will be included. Demographic, operative, oncological and complication data within 30-days of surgery will be collected. The primary outcome will be unplanned re-operation for complications. Secondary outcomes will include unplanned readmission, re-excision rates and time to adjuvant therapy. Prospective data on 500 patients from 50 centres are anticipated. Exploratory analyses will identify predictors for complications and inform the design of a definitive study. Ethics and dissemination Research ethics approval is not required for this study. This has been confirmed by the on-line Health Research Authority decision tool. This study will provide novel information regarding the practice and outcomes of TM in the UK. This will inform decision-making for patients and surgeons and inform future research. Dissemination of the study protocol will be via the Mammary Fold Academic and Research Collaborative, the Reconstructive Surgery Trials Network and the professional associations, the Association of Breast Surgery and British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Results will be presented at relevant surgical conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals

Current clinical practice in the management of phyllodes tumors of the breast: an international cross-sectional study among surgeons and oncologists

Purpose: Phyllodes tumors of the breast are rare fibroepithelial lesions that are classified as benign, borderline or malignant. There is little consensus on best practice for the work-up, management, and follow-up of patients with phyllodes tumors of the breast, and evidence-based guidelines are lacking. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of surgeons and oncologists with the aim to describe current clinical practice in the management of phyllodes tumors. The survey was constructed in REDCap and distributed between July 2021 and February 2022 through international collaborators in sixteen countries across four continents. Results: A total of 419 responses were collected and analyzed. The majority of respondents were experienced and worked in a university hospital. Most agreed to recommend a tumor-free excision margin for benign tumors, increasing margins for borderline and malignant tumors. The multidisciplinary team meeting plays a major role in the treatment plan and follow-up. The vast majority did not consider axillary surgery. There were mixed opinions on adjuvant treatment, with a trend towards more liberal regiments in patients with locally advanced tumors. Most respondents preferred a five-year follow-up period for all phyllodes tumor types. Conclusions: This study shows considerable variation in clinical practice managing phyllodes tumors. This suggests the potential for overtreatment of many patients and the need for education and further research targeting appropriate surgical margins, follow-up time and a multidisciplinary approach. There is a need to develop guidelines that recognize the heterogeneity of phyllodes tumors. © 2023, The Author(s)

Current margin practice and effect on re-excision rates following the publication of the SSO-ASTRO consensus and ABS consensus guidelines: a national prospective study of 2858 women undergoing breast-conserving therapy in the UK and Ireland.

Introduction There is variation in margin policy for breast conserving therapy (BCT) in the UK and Ireland. In response to the Society of Surgical Oncology and American Society for Radiation Oncology (SSO-ASTRO) margin consensus ('no ink on tumour' for invasive and 2 mm for ductal carcinoma in situ [DCIS]) and the Association of Breast Surgery (ABS) consensus (1 mm for invasive and DCIS), we report on current margin practice and unit infrastructure in the UK and Ireland and describe how these factors impact on re-excision rates.Methods A trainee collaborative-led multicentre prospective study was conducted in the UK and Ireland between 1st February and 31st May 2016. Data were collected on consecutive BCT patients and on local infrastructure and policies.Results A total of 79 sites participated in the data collection (75% screening units; average 372 cancers annually, range 70-900). For DCIS, 53.2% of units accept 1 mm and 38% accept 2-mm margins. For invasive disease 77.2% accept 1 mm and 13.9% accept 'no ink on tumour'. A total of 2858 patients underwent BCT with a mean re-excision rate of 17.2% across units (range 0-41%). The re-excision rate would be reduced to 15% if all units applied SSO-ASTRO guidelines and to 14.8% if all units followed ABS guidelines. Of those who required re-operation, 65% had disease present at margin.Conclusion There continues to be large variation in margin policy and re-excision rates across units. Altering margin policies to follow either SSO-ASTRO or ABS guidelines would result in a modest reduction in the national re-excision rate. Most re-excisions are for involved margins rather than close margins

Variation in the management of ductal carcinoma in situ in the UK: Results of the Mammary Fold National Practice Survey

Introduction Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) accounts for approximately 10% of all newly-diagnosed breast cancers in the UK. The latest national guidelines were published in 2009 and may not reflect current best practice. We aimed to explore variation in the current management of DCIS to support the need for updated guidelines. Methods A national practice questionnaire was developed by the Mammary Fold Academic Committee (MFAC) focussing on the pre, intra and post-operative management of DCIS. Trainees at UK breast units were invited to complete the questionnaire at their multidisciplinary team meeting to provide a comprehensive picture of current national practice. Results 76 of 144 UK breast units (52.8%) participated in the survey. Variation was observed in radiological pre-operative assessment with only 33/76 units (43.4%) performing routine ultrasound assessment of the tumour or axilla. There was no clear consensus regarding indications for mastectomy; multifocality (38.2%) and extensive microcalcifications (34.2%) were the most frequent indications. 34/76 units (44.7%) offered nipple sparing mastectomy. 33/76 units (43.3%) perform sentinel node biopsy in the presence of a palpable/mass lesion and 51/76 (67.1%) at the time of mastectomy. The most widely accepted pathological radial margin remained 2 mm (36.8%). The commonest factors in decision-making for radiotherapy were tumour grade (51.3%) and size (35.5%). Only 12 units (15.8%) routinely used the Van Nuys Prognostic Index. Approximately half of all breast units offer clinical long-term follow-up. Discussion There is marked variation in the management of DCIS in the UK. Updated evidence-based guidelines may standardise practice and improve outcomes for patients