Dense breasts and women's health: which screenings are essential?

This review synthesizes current evidence regarding optimal breast cancer screening strategies for women with dense breasts, a population at increased risk due to decreased mammographic sensitivity. A systematic literature review was performed in accordance with PRISMA criteria, covering MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL Plus, Scopus, and Web of Science until May 2025. The analysis examines advanced imaging techniques such as digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM), ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), assessing their effectiveness in addressing the shortcomings of traditional mammography in dense breast tissue.

Phyllodes tumors of the breast: A comprehensive review of diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.

Phyllodes Tumor (PT) of the breast is a rare type of fibroepithelial neoplasm, classified into benign, borderline, and malignant subtypes. These tumors are known to be locally aggressive and have an inherent potential for Local Recurrence (LR), even after adequate surgical treatment. Establishing strategies to reduce LR has become increasingly important, as 21 % to 36 % of patients experience disease recurrence despite achieving negative surgical margins.

Prognostic Implications of Magee Equation 3 and Residual Cancer Burden in Patients Receiving Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Hormone Receptor-Positive HER2-Negative Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer (BC) presents significant molecular heterogeneity, complicating prognosis and treatment strategies. Although molecular testing enhances our understanding of BC, high costs can limit accessibility in certain health care settings. This retrospective cohort study evaluates the prognostic value of Magee equation 3 (ME3) and residual cancer burden (RCB) in patients with hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative BC treated at the Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo from January 2011 to January 2024.

Comprehensive diagnosis of advanced-stage breast cancer: exploring detection methods, molecular subtypes, and demographic influences - A cross-sectional study.

Background: Brazil faces notable Breast Cancer (BC) mortality despite lower incidence rates versus developed countries. Despite guidelines from medical societies, Brazilian public policy recommends biennial mammographic screening for women aged 50 to 69. This study investigates sociodemographic and clinical factors related to BC detection methods and clinical stage at diagnosis.

Evaluation of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes as a prognostic biomarker in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast.

Purpose: To assess the association between tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) samples and disease recurrence.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included women aged 18 years and older who underwent treatment between January 2007 and December 2020. Male patients, individuals diagnosed with invasive or microinvasive disease based on anatomopathological examination of surgical specimens, and those with a personal history of any other cancers were excluded.

Pathological macroscopic evaluation of breast density versus mammographic breast density in breast cancer conserving surgery.

Unlabelled: Correlation between imaging and anatomopathological breast density has been superficially explored and is heterogeneous in current medical literature. It is possible that mammographic and pathological findings are divergent. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between breast density classified by mammography and breast density of pathological macroscopic examination in specimens of breast cancer conservative surgeries.

Characteristics and prognosis of young breast cancer patients treated in a public comprehensive cancer centre in Brazil: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: The incidence of breast cancer among women under 41 years old varies worldwide, with higher rates observed in developing countries. These young women often face later-stage diagnoses. In this study, we examine a cohort of young women who were treated for breast cancer in São Paulo, Brazil.

Venous thromboembolism incidence in postoperative breast cancer patients.

Background: Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is an important cause of morbidity in cancer patients. Breast cancer patients undergoing surgical treatment are at an increased risk of VTE. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of VTE in patients who underwent surgery for the treatment of breast cancer and to identify the related risk factors.

Measurement of extracapsular extension in sentinel lymph node as a possible predictor of residual axillary disease in breast cancer.

Background: The presence of Extracapsular Extension (ECE) in the Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) is still a doubt in the literature. Some studies suggest that the presence of ECE may be related to a greater number of positive axillary lymph nodes which could impact Disease Free Survival (DFS) and Overall Survival (OS). This study searches for the clinical significance of the ECE.

Skin-sparing mastectomy for the treatment of breast cancer.

Background: Skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) is a surgical technique that aims to maximize skin preservation, facilitate breast reconstruction, and improve cosmetic outcomes. Despite its use in clinical practice, the benefits and harms related to SSM are not well established.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness and safety of skin-sparing mastectomy for the treatment of breast cancer.

Effects of preoperative magnetic resonance image on survival rates and surgical planning in breast cancer conservative surgery: randomized controlled trial (BREAST-MRI trial).

Background: Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has high sensitivity in detecting invasive neoplasms. Controversy remains about its impact on the preoperative staging of breast cancer surgery. This study evaluated survival and surgical outcomes of preoperative MRI in conservative breast cancer surgery.

The circulating 70 kDa heat shock protein (HSPA1A) level is a potential biomarker for breast carcinoma and its progression.

The early diagnosis of breast cancer can improve treatment and prognosis. We sought to evaluate whether the serum concentration of the 70 kDa heat shock protein (HSPA1A) was elevated in Brazilian women with breast cancer, and if levels correlated with tumor characteristics. This was a cross-sectional, analytical, case-control exploratory study performed at The University of São Paulo School of Medicine.

The oncological safety of autologous fat grafting: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To present a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis evaluating the oncological safety of autologous fat grafting (AFG).

Summary Background Data: AFG for breast reconstruction presents difficulties during follow-up radiological exams, and the oncological potential of grafted fat is uncertain. Previous studies confirmed that the fatty tissue could be transferred under a good condition suitable would not interfere with mammographic follow-up, although the issue of oncological safety remains.

Underestimation Rate in the Percutaneous Diagnosis of Radial Scar/Complex Sclerosing Lesion of the Breast: Systematic Review.

Objective:  To evaluate the underestimation rate in breast surgical biopsy after the diagnosis of radial scar/complex sclerosing lesion through percutaneous biopsy.

Data Sources:  A systematic review was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations. The PubM: ed, SciELO, Cochrane, and Embase databases were consulted, with searches conducted through November 2020, using specific keywords ( OR: , , AND/OR: ).

Validation of the Residual Cancer Burden Index as a prognostic tool in women with locally advanced breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Aims: To correlate the 'Residual Cancer Burden' (RCB) index with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in women undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy at the Cancer Institute of the State of São Paulo.

Methods: We analysed the medical records of patients with breast cancer who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and breast surgery, from 2011 to December 2017. Variables analysed were age, clinical and pathological staging, molecular subtype, number of recurrences or metastases, number of deaths, value and class of the RCB index.

Core needle biopsy in fibroepithelial tumors: predicting factors for phyllodes tumors.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and imaging predictive factors for the diagnosis of phyllodes tumors in patients with inconclusive results from core needle biopsy (fibroepithelial lesions).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data of patients who underwent surgical excision of breast lesions previously diagnosed as fibroepithelial lesions. Numeric variables were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk and t-tests, and categorical variables were analyzed using the chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.

Accuracy of frozen section in intraoperative margin assessment for breast-conserving surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Objectives: It is well established that tumor-free margin is an important factor for reducing local recurrence and reoperation rates. This systematic review with meta-analysis of frozen section intraoperative margin assessment aims to evaluate the accuracy, and reoperation and survival rates, and to establish its importance in breast-conserving surgery.

Methods: A thorough review was conducted in all online publication-databases for the related literature up to March 2020.

Cancer During Pregnancy: The Oncologist Overview.

Although a rare and challenging condition, cancer during pregnancy should promptly be identified and treated. Not only standards of care guidelines for the underlying disease are taken into account, but also fetal safety might be weighted for clinical decisions. Frequent lack of experience and knowledge about this condition could lead to late diagnosis, imprecise management, suboptimal treatment and fetal and maternal harm.

What a difference a clip makes! Analysis of boost volume definition in radiation therapy for conservative breast surgery.

Purpose/objective(s): To evaluate the role of surgical clips placement in the definition of boost treatment volume.

Materials/methods: Clinical Target Volumes (CTV) were defined as: CTV Breast, CTV Quadrant (based on physical exam and pre-surgical images), CTV Boost, defined by clip plus margin (1 cm for 2 or more clips and 2 cm for 1 clip only) plus radiological changes, CTV NT (normal tissue), defined by CTV Quadrant minus CTV Boost and CTV MISS (CTV that would be outside the treatment volume), defined by CTV Boost minus CTV Quadrant.

Results: A total of 247 patients were included.