Real-world clinical outcomes associated with first-line palbociclib and aromatase inhibitor therapy among patients with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer in Europe.

Purpose: Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6is) combined with endocrine therapy is the recommended first-line (1L) treatment for hormone receptor-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) advanced breast cancer (ABC). Real-world evidence (RWE) describing 1L CDK4/6i regimens and associated clinical outcomes in Europe is limited. The study objective was to describe clinical characteristics, tumor response, and survival outcomes in patients with HR+/HER2- ABC.

Cardiac late effects after modern 3D-conformal radiotherapy in breast cancer patients: a retrospective cohort study in Germany (ESCaRa).

Purpose: Radiotherapy (RT) was identified as a risk factor for long-term cardiac effects in breast cancer patients treated until the 1990s. However, modern techniques reduce radiation exposure of the heart, but some exposure remains unavoidable. In a retrospective cohort study, we investigated cardiac mortality and morbidity of breast cancer survivors treated with recent RT in Germany.

Laparoscopic Management of a Heterotopic Pregnancy in the Tubal Stump.

Study Objective: To demonstrate how a heterotopic tubal stump pregnancy can be safely managed with laparoscopy, preserving the intrauterine pregnancy.

Design: Stepwise demonstration of the technique by means of a video tutorial.

Setting: The management of pregnancies in the tubal stump after salpingectomy involves either a surgical intervention or systemic therapy.

Effect of adjuvant radiotherapy in elderly patients with breast cancer.

Background: Radiotherapy (RT) is of critical importance in the locoregional management of early breast cancer. Although RT is routinely used following breast conserving surgery (BCS), patients may occasionally be effectively treated with BCS alone. Currently, the selection of patients undergoing BCS who do not need breast irradiation is under investigation.

The Role of Deconstructive Teaching in the Training of Laparoscopy.

Background And Objectives: Skills-lab training is crucial for the development of advanced laparoscopic skills. In this study, we examined whether a systematic deconstructive and comprehensive tutoring approach improves training results in laparoscopic suturing and intracorporeal knot tying.

Methods: Sixteen residents in obstetrics and gynecology participating in structured skills-lab laparoscopy training were randomized in 2 equal-sized groups receiving 1-on-1 tutoring either in the traditional method or according to the Peyton's 4-step approach, involving an additional training step, with the trainees instructing the tutor to perform the exercises.

B Prognostic Score: External Validation of a Clinical Decision-making Tool for Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Background: The B Prognostic Score (BPS) is a clinical decision-making tool in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) that provides risk classification based on routine parameters. This study validates the BPS in an independent series of MBC for the whole study group and for each intrinsic subtype.

Patients And Methods: We analyzed 641 metastasized patients, treated in 17 German certified breast cancer centers between 2001 and 2009.

Influences of adjuvant treatments in hormone receptor positive breast cancer on receptor conversion in recurrent breast cancer.

Background: To examine influences on the receptor status of a local cohort of patients with recurrent breast cancer after primary diagnosis of hormone receptor positive breast cancer.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 2078 female patients with primary hormone receptor positive breast cancer treated at the university hospital of Wuerzburg between 2000 and 2013. Main focus was on discordance in receptor status in recurrent disease.

3D conformal radiotherapy is not associated with the long-term cardiac mortality in breast cancer patients: a retrospective cohort study in Germany (PASSOS-Heart Study).

Purpose: In breast cancer patients treated in the 1970s and 1980s, radiation therapy (RT) for left-sided tumors has been associated with an elevated risk of cardiac mortality. In recent years, improved RT techniques have reduced radiation exposure of the heart and major coronary vessels, but some exposure remains unavoidable. In a retrospective cohort study, we investigated the long-term cardiac mortality risk of breast cancer survivors treated with modern RT in Germany.

Vermilion Reconstruction with Genital Mucosa.

Functional and aesthetical reconstruction, especially of the upper lip after ablative tumor surgery, can be very challenging. The skin of the lip might be sufficiently reconstructed by transpositional flaps from the nasolabial or facial area. Large defects of the lip mucosa, including the vestibule, are even more challenging due to the fact that flaps from the inner lining of the oral cavity often lead to functional impairments.

Does guideline-adherent therapy improve the outcome for early-onset breast cancer patients?

Background And Objective: Guidelines for the treatment of early-onset breast cancer have been proposed in several countries, but to date, their impact on outcomes is unverified. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between guideline-adherent versus nonadherent treatment and recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OAS) in early-onset breast cancer patients.

Methods: A total of 1,778 patients were included in the study, of whom 111 were 35 years or younger and 1,667 were between 36 and 55 years.

Comparison of early onset breast cancer patients to older premenopausal breast cancer patients.

Background: The objective of this study was to show differences between breast cancer patients < or =35 and >35 years with regard to tumor characteristics and to present the patient-relevant outcomes overall survival (OAS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS).

Methods: We analyzed data from 119 women aged 35 years or younger with breast cancer and compared multiple parameters against breast cancer patients between 36 and 55 (n = 1,097), all pre-menopausal. Data were adjusted for tumor characteristics and therapy.