Breast Cancer

SAN FRANCISCO – MRI-screening may improve the detection of biologically relevant breast cancer in women who are at average-risk, and reduce the interval-cancer rate down to 0%, at a low false-positive rate, say the authors of a new study presented at the 2015 Breast Cancer Symposium.

In this cohort of heavily pre-screened women at average risk, the additional cancer yield achieved through MRI was high, at 15.8 cases per 1,000 women screened, and the added cancers diagnosed by MRI tended to be of high nuclear grade.

“MRI improves the detection of small high grade cancers in women at average risk, to the extent that the interval cancer rate was zero,” said Dr. Christiane Kuhl, of the University of Aachen, Germany.

“Between 30% and 50% of cancers identified in women who undergo screening mammography are not detected by mammography,” she said during her presentation.

Breast cancer continues to be the main or second most important cause of cancer death in women, and is the main cause of life years lost in women. “Which tells you that the main problem with mammography screening is not overdiagnosis,” she said. “The main problem is actually underdiagnois of disease.”

Breast MRI is currently recommended for screening women who are at a high-risk of breast-cancer, but despite decades of mammographic screening, breast cancer continues to cause high mortality for women who are deemed to be at an average risk of the disease. These data suggest that there is a need for improved methods of early diagnosis in this population.

Dr. Kuhl and her colleagues investigated the utility of supplemental MRI-screening of women who carry an average-risk of breast-cancer, and they conducted a prospective observational cohort-study that assessed the use of MRI screening in this population. The participants were in the usual age range for screening-mammography (40-70 years).

The women underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI of the breast in addition to mammography every 12, 24, or 36 months, plus follow-up of 2 years to establish a standard-of-reference. The cohort included 2,120 women who underwent a total 3,861 MRI screenings.

Breast-cancer was diagnosed in 61 women (DCIS: 20, invasive: 41), and the rate of interval cancers was 0%, irrespective of screening interval. Of these women, 48 were diagnosed at prevalence-screening by MRI alone (supplemental cancer detection rate: 22.6 cases per 1,000 women screened. In addition, 13 women were diagnosed with breast-cancer in 1,741 incidence-screening-rounds collected over 4,887 women-years. A total 12 of these 13 incident cancers were diagnosed by screening-MRI alone (supplemental cancer detection rate was 6.9 per 1,000), one by MRI and mammography, and none were by mammography alone.

The authors also found that the supplemental cancer detection rate was independent of mammographic breast density. Invasive cancers were small, with a mean size of 8mm. They were node-negative in 93.4%, ER/PR-negative in 32.8%, and de-differentiated in 41.7% at prevalence, and 46% at incidence-screening. The specificity of MRI-screening was 97.1%, while false positive rate was 2.9%.

In a discussion of the paper, Dr. A. Marilyn Leitch, of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, pointed out that this was a selected population with negative mammograms. But is it possible to “apply MRI at longer intervals, say every 3 years, without initial mammography as a screening tool, in average risk women?” she asked

One of her concerns, however, is that “we hear all the time about the high false positive rates with MRI,” and they are generally higher than was reported in this study. “MRI also detects lesions that might drive patients to avoid breast conserving surgery, and there can be unreasonable costs for screening and work up of false positives.”

Screening guidelines from the USPSTF say that evidence for replacing mammography with MRI is lacking and the balance of benefit versus harms cannot be determined. “Even more ‘liberal’ guidelines from the American Cancer Society reserve MRI for high risk patients.”

What is needed is a clinical trial, she summarized, that will compare screening MRI at 3 year intervals to tomosynthesis mammogram annually in average risk women.

SAN FRANCISCO – MRI-screening may improve the detection of biologically relevant breast cancer in women who are at average-risk, and reduce the interval-cancer rate down to 0%, at a low false-positive rate, say the authors of a new study presented at the 2015 Breast Cancer Symposium.

In this cohort of heavily pre-screened women at average risk, the additional cancer yield achieved through MRI was high, at 15.8 cases per 1,000 women screened, and the added cancers diagnosed by MRI tended to be of high nuclear grade.

“MRI improves the detection of small high grade cancers in women at average risk, to the extent that the interval cancer rate was zero,” said Dr. Christiane Kuhl, of the University of Aachen, Germany.

“Between 30% and 50% of cancers identified in women who undergo screening mammography are not detected by mammography,” she said during her presentation.

Breast cancer continues to be the main or second most important cause of cancer death in women, and is the main cause of life years lost in women. “Which tells you that the main problem with mammography screening is not overdiagnosis,” she said. “The main problem is actually underdiagnois of disease.”

Breast MRI is currently recommended for screening women who are at a high-risk of breast-cancer, but despite decades of mammographic screening, breast cancer continues to cause high mortality for women who are deemed to be at an average risk of the disease. These data suggest that there is a need for improved methods of early diagnosis in this population.

Dr. Kuhl and her colleagues investigated the utility of supplemental MRI-screening of women who carry an average-risk of breast-cancer, and they conducted a prospective observational cohort-study that assessed the use of MRI screening in this population. The participants were in the usual age range for screening-mammography (40-70 years).

The women underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI of the breast in addition to mammography every 12, 24, or 36 months, plus follow-up of 2 years to establish a standard-of-reference. The cohort included 2,120 women who underwent a total 3,861 MRI screenings.

Breast-cancer was diagnosed in 61 women (DCIS: 20, invasive: 41), and the rate of interval cancers was 0%, irrespective of screening interval. Of these women, 48 were diagnosed at prevalence-screening by MRI alone (supplemental cancer detection rate: 22.6 cases per 1,000 women screened. In addition, 13 women were diagnosed with breast-cancer in 1,741 incidence-screening-rounds collected over 4,887 women-years. A total 12 of these 13 incident cancers were diagnosed by screening-MRI alone (supplemental cancer detection rate was 6.9 per 1,000), one by MRI and mammography, and none were by mammography alone.

The authors also found that the supplemental cancer detection rate was independent of mammographic breast density. Invasive cancers were small, with a mean size of 8mm. They were node-negative in 93.4%, ER/PR-negative in 32.8%, and de-differentiated in 41.7% at prevalence, and 46% at incidence-screening. The specificity of MRI-screening was 97.1%, while false positive rate was 2.9%.

In a discussion of the paper, Dr. A. Marilyn Leitch, of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, pointed out that this was a selected population with negative mammograms. But is it possible to “apply MRI at longer intervals, say every 3 years, without initial mammography as a screening tool, in average risk women?” she asked

One of her concerns, however, is that “we hear all the time about the high false positive rates with MRI,” and they are generally higher than was reported in this study. “MRI also detects lesions that might drive patients to avoid breast conserving surgery, and there can be unreasonable costs for screening and work up of false positives.”

Screening guidelines from the USPSTF say that evidence for replacing mammography with MRI is lacking and the balance of benefit versus harms cannot be determined. “Even more ‘liberal’ guidelines from the American Cancer Society reserve MRI for high risk patients.”

What is needed is a clinical trial, she summarized, that will compare screening MRI at 3 year intervals to tomosynthesis mammogram annually in average risk women.

SAN FRANCISCO – MRI-screening may improve the detection of biologically relevant breast cancer in women who are at average-risk, and reduce the interval-cancer rate down to 0%, at a low false-positive rate, say the authors of a new study presented at the 2015 Breast Cancer Symposium.

In this cohort of heavily pre-screened women at average risk, the additional cancer yield achieved through MRI was high, at 15.8 cases per 1,000 women screened, and the added cancers diagnosed by MRI tended to be of high nuclear grade.

“MRI improves the detection of small high grade cancers in women at average risk, to the extent that the interval cancer rate was zero,” said Dr. Christiane Kuhl, of the University of Aachen, Germany.

“Between 30% and 50% of cancers identified in women who undergo screening mammography are not detected by mammography,” she said during her presentation.

Breast cancer continues to be the main or second most important cause of cancer death in women, and is the main cause of life years lost in women. “Which tells you that the main problem with mammography screening is not overdiagnosis,” she said. “The main problem is actually underdiagnois of disease.”

Breast MRI is currently recommended for screening women who are at a high-risk of breast-cancer, but despite decades of mammographic screening, breast cancer continues to cause high mortality for women who are deemed to be at an average risk of the disease. These data suggest that there is a need for improved methods of early diagnosis in this population.

Dr. Kuhl and her colleagues investigated the utility of supplemental MRI-screening of women who carry an average-risk of breast-cancer, and they conducted a prospective observational cohort-study that assessed the use of MRI screening in this population. The participants were in the usual age range for screening-mammography (40-70 years).

The women underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI of the breast in addition to mammography every 12, 24, or 36 months, plus follow-up of 2 years to establish a standard-of-reference. The cohort included 2,120 women who underwent a total 3,861 MRI screenings.

Breast-cancer was diagnosed in 61 women (DCIS: 20, invasive: 41), and the rate of interval cancers was 0%, irrespective of screening interval. Of these women, 48 were diagnosed at prevalence-screening by MRI alone (supplemental cancer detection rate: 22.6 cases per 1,000 women screened. In addition, 13 women were diagnosed with breast-cancer in 1,741 incidence-screening-rounds collected over 4,887 women-years. A total 12 of these 13 incident cancers were diagnosed by screening-MRI alone (supplemental cancer detection rate was 6.9 per 1,000), one by MRI and mammography, and none were by mammography alone.

The authors also found that the supplemental cancer detection rate was independent of mammographic breast density. Invasive cancers were small, with a mean size of 8mm. They were node-negative in 93.4%, ER/PR-negative in 32.8%, and de-differentiated in 41.7% at prevalence, and 46% at incidence-screening. The specificity of MRI-screening was 97.1%, while false positive rate was 2.9%.

In a discussion of the paper, Dr. A. Marilyn Leitch, of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, pointed out that this was a selected population with negative mammograms. But is it possible to “apply MRI at longer intervals, say every 3 years, without initial mammography as a screening tool, in average risk women?” she asked

One of her concerns, however, is that “we hear all the time about the high false positive rates with MRI,” and they are generally higher than was reported in this study. “MRI also detects lesions that might drive patients to avoid breast conserving surgery, and there can be unreasonable costs for screening and work up of false positives.”

Screening guidelines from the USPSTF say that evidence for replacing mammography with MRI is lacking and the balance of benefit versus harms cannot be determined. “Even more ‘liberal’ guidelines from the American Cancer Society reserve MRI for high risk patients.”

What is needed is a clinical trial, she summarized, that will compare screening MRI at 3 year intervals to tomosynthesis mammogram annually in average risk women.

SAN FRANCISCO – The use of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) in the adjuvant setting appears to delay the development of contralateral breast cancer, and this effect was particularly prevalent among breast cancer patients who were BRCA positive, according to findings presented here at the 2015 Breast Cancer Symposium.

“AI use was suggestive of a decreased risk in all patients with a P value of .08, which was not statistically significant,” said Dr. Maryam Nemati Shafaee, from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, who presented the results of her study. “However among patients with BRCA mutation, AI use was significantly associated with a smaller hazard of developing contralateral breast cancer with a P value of .04.”

“This may give these patients an option other than prophylactic mastectomy,” she said.

The risk of contralateral breast cancer in women who are carriers of BRCA1 and 2 mutations is up to 64%. Those with estrogen receptor positive (ER+) disease are offered tamoxifen or AIs adjuvantly. Some studies have suggested that tamoxifen might be able to reduce the risk of contralateral breast cancer in this population, but results have been conflicting.

“There is no final conclusion on the use of tamoxifen in preventing contralateral breast cancer in BRCA mutation carriers,” said Dr. Shafee, “And there are no such data on the effect of AIs.”

Dr. Shafee and her colleagues identified 2,520 patients known to carry a BRCA mutation from a prospectively maintained database, and, of that number, 486 breast cancer patients with known BRCA status were included in the final analysis.

Of these patients, the majority were diagnosed under the age of 50 years, and the majority had not undergone prophylactic mastectomy. Most patients had received tamoxifen only (60%), 21% had received tamoxifen and AIs sequentially, and 16% had received AIs only.

The median follow up 8.6 years.

Upon univariate analysis, only BRCA status was associated with a risk of contralateral breast cancer (P= .04). “Interestingly AI use was suggestive to lead to decreased risk (P value of .08) but did not reach statistical significance,” said Dr. Shafee.

In multivariate analysis, BRCA status was significantly associated with an increased risk of contralateral breast cancer. AI was again suggestive of a decreased risk (P= .08).

BRCA mutation status was also significantly associated with shorter time to the development of contralateral breast cancer (P= .047), compared with patients who were BRCA negative. AI treatment was marginally significantly associated with time to the development of contralateral breast cancer (P= .088), as compared with patients who didn’t receive this treatment. Those who received AI therapy had a smaller hazard of cancer development in the other breast.

The effect on risk of cancer in the second breast was not statistically associated with age, HER2 status, TNM stage, and tamoxifen use.

Dr. Shafee noted that the study had several limitations, one being the relatively small sample size of BRCA 1&2 mutation carriers with hormone positive tumors. “Validation of our findings based on a larger cohort of BRCA mutation carriers who have received endocrine therapy in adjuvant setting is recommended,” she said.

Dr. William J. Gradishar, of the Lurie COmprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, noted that while the data are impressive, he agreed with Dr. Shafee that the “numbers are simply too small to make any sweeping recommendations based on these data.”

In his discussion of the popular, he also posed the question if these patients are really a reflection of BRCA mutation carriers, being that they are largely ER+. “The conclusions are intriguing and value further evaluation, and I would caution the use of this broadly in this use of individuals,” noted Dr. Gradishar.

SAN FRANCISCO – The use of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) in the adjuvant setting appears to delay the development of contralateral breast cancer, and this effect was particularly prevalent among breast cancer patients who were BRCA positive, according to findings presented here at the 2015 Breast Cancer Symposium.

“AI use was suggestive of a decreased risk in all patients with a P value of .08, which was not statistically significant,” said Dr. Maryam Nemati Shafaee, from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, who presented the results of her study. “However among patients with BRCA mutation, AI use was significantly associated with a smaller hazard of developing contralateral breast cancer with a P value of .04.”

“This may give these patients an option other than prophylactic mastectomy,” she said.

The risk of contralateral breast cancer in women who are carriers of BRCA1 and 2 mutations is up to 64%. Those with estrogen receptor positive (ER+) disease are offered tamoxifen or AIs adjuvantly. Some studies have suggested that tamoxifen might be able to reduce the risk of contralateral breast cancer in this population, but results have been conflicting.

“There is no final conclusion on the use of tamoxifen in preventing contralateral breast cancer in BRCA mutation carriers,” said Dr. Shafee, “And there are no such data on the effect of AIs.”

Dr. Shafee and her colleagues identified 2,520 patients known to carry a BRCA mutation from a prospectively maintained database, and, of that number, 486 breast cancer patients with known BRCA status were included in the final analysis.

Of these patients, the majority were diagnosed under the age of 50 years, and the majority had not undergone prophylactic mastectomy. Most patients had received tamoxifen only (60%), 21% had received tamoxifen and AIs sequentially, and 16% had received AIs only.

The median follow up 8.6 years.

Upon univariate analysis, only BRCA status was associated with a risk of contralateral breast cancer (P= .04). “Interestingly AI use was suggestive to lead to decreased risk (P value of .08) but did not reach statistical significance,” said Dr. Shafee.

In multivariate analysis, BRCA status was significantly associated with an increased risk of contralateral breast cancer. AI was again suggestive of a decreased risk (P= .08).

BRCA mutation status was also significantly associated with shorter time to the development of contralateral breast cancer (P= .047), compared with patients who were BRCA negative. AI treatment was marginally significantly associated with time to the development of contralateral breast cancer (P= .088), as compared with patients who didn’t receive this treatment. Those who received AI therapy had a smaller hazard of cancer development in the other breast.

The effect on risk of cancer in the second breast was not statistically associated with age, HER2 status, TNM stage, and tamoxifen use.

Dr. Shafee noted that the study had several limitations, one being the relatively small sample size of BRCA 1&2 mutation carriers with hormone positive tumors. “Validation of our findings based on a larger cohort of BRCA mutation carriers who have received endocrine therapy in adjuvant setting is recommended,” she said.

Dr. William J. Gradishar, of the Lurie COmprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, noted that while the data are impressive, he agreed with Dr. Shafee that the “numbers are simply too small to make any sweeping recommendations based on these data.”

In his discussion of the popular, he also posed the question if these patients are really a reflection of BRCA mutation carriers, being that they are largely ER+. “The conclusions are intriguing and value further evaluation, and I would caution the use of this broadly in this use of individuals,” noted Dr. Gradishar.

SAN FRANCISCO – The use of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) in the adjuvant setting appears to delay the development of contralateral breast cancer, and this effect was particularly prevalent among breast cancer patients who were BRCA positive, according to findings presented here at the 2015 Breast Cancer Symposium.

“AI use was suggestive of a decreased risk in all patients with a P value of .08, which was not statistically significant,” said Dr. Maryam Nemati Shafaee, from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, who presented the results of her study. “However among patients with BRCA mutation, AI use was significantly associated with a smaller hazard of developing contralateral breast cancer with a P value of .04.”

“This may give these patients an option other than prophylactic mastectomy,” she said.

The risk of contralateral breast cancer in women who are carriers of BRCA1 and 2 mutations is up to 64%. Those with estrogen receptor positive (ER+) disease are offered tamoxifen or AIs adjuvantly. Some studies have suggested that tamoxifen might be able to reduce the risk of contralateral breast cancer in this population, but results have been conflicting.

“There is no final conclusion on the use of tamoxifen in preventing contralateral breast cancer in BRCA mutation carriers,” said Dr. Shafee, “And there are no such data on the effect of AIs.”

Dr. Shafee and her colleagues identified 2,520 patients known to carry a BRCA mutation from a prospectively maintained database, and, of that number, 486 breast cancer patients with known BRCA status were included in the final analysis.

Of these patients, the majority were diagnosed under the age of 50 years, and the majority had not undergone prophylactic mastectomy. Most patients had received tamoxifen only (60%), 21% had received tamoxifen and AIs sequentially, and 16% had received AIs only.

The median follow up 8.6 years.

Upon univariate analysis, only BRCA status was associated with a risk of contralateral breast cancer (P= .04). “Interestingly AI use was suggestive to lead to decreased risk (P value of .08) but did not reach statistical significance,” said Dr. Shafee.

In multivariate analysis, BRCA status was significantly associated with an increased risk of contralateral breast cancer. AI was again suggestive of a decreased risk (P= .08).

BRCA mutation status was also significantly associated with shorter time to the development of contralateral breast cancer (P= .047), compared with patients who were BRCA negative. AI treatment was marginally significantly associated with time to the development of contralateral breast cancer (P= .088), as compared with patients who didn’t receive this treatment. Those who received AI therapy had a smaller hazard of cancer development in the other breast.

The effect on risk of cancer in the second breast was not statistically associated with age, HER2 status, TNM stage, and tamoxifen use.

Dr. Shafee noted that the study had several limitations, one being the relatively small sample size of BRCA 1&2 mutation carriers with hormone positive tumors. “Validation of our findings based on a larger cohort of BRCA mutation carriers who have received endocrine therapy in adjuvant setting is recommended,” she said.

Dr. William J. Gradishar, of the Lurie COmprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, noted that while the data are impressive, he agreed with Dr. Shafee that the “numbers are simply too small to make any sweeping recommendations based on these data.”

In his discussion of the popular, he also posed the question if these patients are really a reflection of BRCA mutation carriers, being that they are largely ER+. “The conclusions are intriguing and value further evaluation, and I would caution the use of this broadly in this use of individuals,” noted Dr. Gradishar.

Postmastectomy radiotherapy should not be routinely recommended for breast cancer patients with microscopic nodal metastases (N1mic) and T1-2 tumors, according to new findings presented at the symposium.

In patients with T1-2, N1 disease who were treated with standard therapies, the study authors found that overall, there were low rates of locoregional failure. Dr. Lonika Majithia of Ohio State University, Columbus, and colleagues, reported that “patients with N1mic disease had no locoregional failure events and improved overall survival, compared with patients with macrometastases.”

©Bill Branson/National Cancer Institute

The indications for postmastectomy radiotherapy have expanded to include patients with one to three axillary nodal metastases, note the authors, and with improvements in diagnostic evaluation, an increasing number of N1mic are being detected. Therefore, the challenge facing oncologists now is if the risk posed by N1mic warrants routine delivery of postmastectomy radiotherapy.

The authors identified 550 eligible patients from a prospectively maintained cancer registry, who had a 5-year median follow-up. All patients had pathologic T1-2N1 breast cancer and were treated with an initial mastectomy and adjuvant systemic therapy from 2000 to 2013.

The primary endpoint of the study was locoregional failure, defined as a recurrence in either the ipsilateral chest wall or regional lymphatics (axillary, internal mammary, or supraclavicular). Secondary endpoints included disease-free survival and overall survival.

The majority of patients in the cohort had received chemotherapy (78%; n = 428) and antiendocrine therapy (70%; n = 385), while 15% (n = 82) had received postmastectomy radiation. Among the patients with N1mic disease, 81 had 1+ node, 13 had 2+ nodes, and 1 had 3+ nodes.

The 5-year rate of locoregional failure was 0% for patients with N1mic disease, as compared with 4.6% for those with macrometastases (P = .84). For the entire patient cohort, the 5-year locoregional failure rate was 3.9%. For patients with 1+, 2+, and 3+ nodes, the 5-year rate was 2.6%, 4.7%, and 6.4%, respectively (P = .79).

The authors observed that patients with N1mic disease had a trend towards improved disease-free survival (91.6% vs. 82.3%; P = .07) as well as significantly improved overall survival (96.9% vs. 87.6%; P = .03), as compared with patients with macrometastases.

Postmastectomy radiotherapy should not be routinely recommended for breast cancer patients with microscopic nodal metastases (N1mic) and T1-2 tumors, according to new findings presented at the symposium.

In patients with T1-2, N1 disease who were treated with standard therapies, the study authors found that overall, there were low rates of locoregional failure. Dr. Lonika Majithia of Ohio State University, Columbus, and colleagues, reported that “patients with N1mic disease had no locoregional failure events and improved overall survival, compared with patients with macrometastases.”

©Bill Branson/National Cancer Institute

The indications for postmastectomy radiotherapy have expanded to include patients with one to three axillary nodal metastases, note the authors, and with improvements in diagnostic evaluation, an increasing number of N1mic are being detected. Therefore, the challenge facing oncologists now is if the risk posed by N1mic warrants routine delivery of postmastectomy radiotherapy.

The authors identified 550 eligible patients from a prospectively maintained cancer registry, who had a 5-year median follow-up. All patients had pathologic T1-2N1 breast cancer and were treated with an initial mastectomy and adjuvant systemic therapy from 2000 to 2013.

The primary endpoint of the study was locoregional failure, defined as a recurrence in either the ipsilateral chest wall or regional lymphatics (axillary, internal mammary, or supraclavicular). Secondary endpoints included disease-free survival and overall survival.

The majority of patients in the cohort had received chemotherapy (78%; n = 428) and antiendocrine therapy (70%; n = 385), while 15% (n = 82) had received postmastectomy radiation. Among the patients with N1mic disease, 81 had 1+ node, 13 had 2+ nodes, and 1 had 3+ nodes.

The 5-year rate of locoregional failure was 0% for patients with N1mic disease, as compared with 4.6% for those with macrometastases (P = .84). For the entire patient cohort, the 5-year locoregional failure rate was 3.9%. For patients with 1+, 2+, and 3+ nodes, the 5-year rate was 2.6%, 4.7%, and 6.4%, respectively (P = .79).

The authors observed that patients with N1mic disease had a trend towards improved disease-free survival (91.6% vs. 82.3%; P = .07) as well as significantly improved overall survival (96.9% vs. 87.6%; P = .03), as compared with patients with macrometastases.

Postmastectomy radiotherapy should not be routinely recommended for breast cancer patients with microscopic nodal metastases (N1mic) and T1-2 tumors, according to new findings presented at the symposium.

In patients with T1-2, N1 disease who were treated with standard therapies, the study authors found that overall, there were low rates of locoregional failure. Dr. Lonika Majithia of Ohio State University, Columbus, and colleagues, reported that “patients with N1mic disease had no locoregional failure events and improved overall survival, compared with patients with macrometastases.”

©Bill Branson/National Cancer Institute

The indications for postmastectomy radiotherapy have expanded to include patients with one to three axillary nodal metastases, note the authors, and with improvements in diagnostic evaluation, an increasing number of N1mic are being detected. Therefore, the challenge facing oncologists now is if the risk posed by N1mic warrants routine delivery of postmastectomy radiotherapy.

The authors identified 550 eligible patients from a prospectively maintained cancer registry, who had a 5-year median follow-up. All patients had pathologic T1-2N1 breast cancer and were treated with an initial mastectomy and adjuvant systemic therapy from 2000 to 2013.

The primary endpoint of the study was locoregional failure, defined as a recurrence in either the ipsilateral chest wall or regional lymphatics (axillary, internal mammary, or supraclavicular). Secondary endpoints included disease-free survival and overall survival.

The majority of patients in the cohort had received chemotherapy (78%; n = 428) and antiendocrine therapy (70%; n = 385), while 15% (n = 82) had received postmastectomy radiation. Among the patients with N1mic disease, 81 had 1+ node, 13 had 2+ nodes, and 1 had 3+ nodes.

The 5-year rate of locoregional failure was 0% for patients with N1mic disease, as compared with 4.6% for those with macrometastases (P = .84). For the entire patient cohort, the 5-year locoregional failure rate was 3.9%. For patients with 1+, 2+, and 3+ nodes, the 5-year rate was 2.6%, 4.7%, and 6.4%, respectively (P = .79).

The authors observed that patients with N1mic disease had a trend towards improved disease-free survival (91.6% vs. 82.3%; P = .07) as well as significantly improved overall survival (96.9% vs. 87.6%; P = .03), as compared with patients with macrometastases.

Well-documented racial disparities in survival of patients with HER2+ breast cancer diminished after FDA approval of trastuzumab, according to research presented at the 2015 ASCO breast cancer symposium.

A retrospective study identified 32,597 cases of HER2+ breast cancer from the California Cancer Registry, and divided them into early (diagnosed 2000-2006) and late (diagnosed 2006-2012) cohorts. In the early cohort, diagnosed before trastuzumab was available, black patients had an increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio, 1.32; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-1.49), compared with whites. In the late cohort there were no survival differences based on race.

Alexander Raths/Fotolia.com

“Although we were unable to document use of anti-HER2 treatment, the era of adjuvant trastuzumab appears to have attenuated the black/white disparity in HER2-positive breast cancer,” wrote Dr. Vincent Caggiano, hematologist at Sutter Medical Center Sacramento, California, and colleagues in a meeting abstract.

The study analyzed risk of mortality, adjusted for stage, grade, age, and socioeconomic status, for African Americans, Hispanics, Asian/Pacific Islanders, and American Indians, compared with white patients. Considering estrogen-receptor and progesterone-receptor status, the combination of all HER2+ subtypes (ER+/PR+/HER2+, ER-/PR+/HER2+, ER+/PR-/HER2+, ER-/PR-/HER2+), showed increased risk for black patients before 2006. The ER-/PR-/HER2+ subtype showed no racial disparities for either cohort. The highest risk (HR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.17-1.75) was observed for black patients of the ER+/PR+/HER2+ subtype diagnosed before 2006.

Well-documented racial disparities in survival of patients with HER2+ breast cancer diminished after FDA approval of trastuzumab, according to research presented at the 2015 ASCO breast cancer symposium.

A retrospective study identified 32,597 cases of HER2+ breast cancer from the California Cancer Registry, and divided them into early (diagnosed 2000-2006) and late (diagnosed 2006-2012) cohorts. In the early cohort, diagnosed before trastuzumab was available, black patients had an increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio, 1.32; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-1.49), compared with whites. In the late cohort there were no survival differences based on race.

Alexander Raths/Fotolia.com

“Although we were unable to document use of anti-HER2 treatment, the era of adjuvant trastuzumab appears to have attenuated the black/white disparity in HER2-positive breast cancer,” wrote Dr. Vincent Caggiano, hematologist at Sutter Medical Center Sacramento, California, and colleagues in a meeting abstract.

The study analyzed risk of mortality, adjusted for stage, grade, age, and socioeconomic status, for African Americans, Hispanics, Asian/Pacific Islanders, and American Indians, compared with white patients. Considering estrogen-receptor and progesterone-receptor status, the combination of all HER2+ subtypes (ER+/PR+/HER2+, ER-/PR+/HER2+, ER+/PR-/HER2+, ER-/PR-/HER2+), showed increased risk for black patients before 2006. The ER-/PR-/HER2+ subtype showed no racial disparities for either cohort. The highest risk (HR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.17-1.75) was observed for black patients of the ER+/PR+/HER2+ subtype diagnosed before 2006.

Well-documented racial disparities in survival of patients with HER2+ breast cancer diminished after FDA approval of trastuzumab, according to research presented at the 2015 ASCO breast cancer symposium.

A retrospective study identified 32,597 cases of HER2+ breast cancer from the California Cancer Registry, and divided them into early (diagnosed 2000-2006) and late (diagnosed 2006-2012) cohorts. In the early cohort, diagnosed before trastuzumab was available, black patients had an increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio, 1.32; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-1.49), compared with whites. In the late cohort there were no survival differences based on race.

Alexander Raths/Fotolia.com

“Although we were unable to document use of anti-HER2 treatment, the era of adjuvant trastuzumab appears to have attenuated the black/white disparity in HER2-positive breast cancer,” wrote Dr. Vincent Caggiano, hematologist at Sutter Medical Center Sacramento, California, and colleagues in a meeting abstract.

The study analyzed risk of mortality, adjusted for stage, grade, age, and socioeconomic status, for African Americans, Hispanics, Asian/Pacific Islanders, and American Indians, compared with white patients. Considering estrogen-receptor and progesterone-receptor status, the combination of all HER2+ subtypes (ER+/PR+/HER2+, ER-/PR+/HER2+, ER+/PR-/HER2+, ER-/PR-/HER2+), showed increased risk for black patients before 2006. The ER-/PR-/HER2+ subtype showed no racial disparities for either cohort. The highest risk (HR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.17-1.75) was observed for black patients of the ER+/PR+/HER2+ subtype diagnosed before 2006.

The initial distant relapse site had little influence on overall survival rates among women with metastatic breast cancer who underwent surgery and definitive radiotherapy, according to a study presented at the 2015 ASCO Breast Cancer Symposium.

ThinkStock/vitanovski

In total, 3,417 patients with breast cancer treated with surgery and definitive radiotherapy in Tokyo between 1980 and 2014 were included in the study, with a median follow up of 113 months. Metastatic progression was a first relapse event in 370 patients, and median duration of OS after initial metastatic relapse was 69 months.

Tumors were classified as luminal A, luminal-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), luminal B, and triple negative. OS after distant relapse for patients whose initial tumor was luminal was significantly longer than triple negative and HER2 subtypes (P = .003).

OS was similar for all subtypes after initial bone or nonbone/brain relapse.

Despite the fact that bone metastasis as the initial distant relapse is commonly considered to have better prognosis than other sites in metastatic breast cancer, “OS rates of bone and non-bone/brain metastasis groups… were almost identical,” wrote Kenshiro Shiraishi of the University of Tokyo Hospital, Japan, and colleagues in a meeting abstract.

The initial distant relapse site had little influence on overall survival rates among women with metastatic breast cancer who underwent surgery and definitive radiotherapy, according to a study presented at the 2015 ASCO Breast Cancer Symposium.

ThinkStock/vitanovski

In total, 3,417 patients with breast cancer treated with surgery and definitive radiotherapy in Tokyo between 1980 and 2014 were included in the study, with a median follow up of 113 months. Metastatic progression was a first relapse event in 370 patients, and median duration of OS after initial metastatic relapse was 69 months.

Tumors were classified as luminal A, luminal-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), luminal B, and triple negative. OS after distant relapse for patients whose initial tumor was luminal was significantly longer than triple negative and HER2 subtypes (P = .003).

OS was similar for all subtypes after initial bone or nonbone/brain relapse.

Despite the fact that bone metastasis as the initial distant relapse is commonly considered to have better prognosis than other sites in metastatic breast cancer, “OS rates of bone and non-bone/brain metastasis groups… were almost identical,” wrote Kenshiro Shiraishi of the University of Tokyo Hospital, Japan, and colleagues in a meeting abstract.

The initial distant relapse site had little influence on overall survival rates among women with metastatic breast cancer who underwent surgery and definitive radiotherapy, according to a study presented at the 2015 ASCO Breast Cancer Symposium.

ThinkStock/vitanovski

In total, 3,417 patients with breast cancer treated with surgery and definitive radiotherapy in Tokyo between 1980 and 2014 were included in the study, with a median follow up of 113 months. Metastatic progression was a first relapse event in 370 patients, and median duration of OS after initial metastatic relapse was 69 months.

Tumors were classified as luminal A, luminal-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), luminal B, and triple negative. OS after distant relapse for patients whose initial tumor was luminal was significantly longer than triple negative and HER2 subtypes (P = .003).

OS was similar for all subtypes after initial bone or nonbone/brain relapse.

Despite the fact that bone metastasis as the initial distant relapse is commonly considered to have better prognosis than other sites in metastatic breast cancer, “OS rates of bone and non-bone/brain metastasis groups… were almost identical,” wrote Kenshiro Shiraishi of the University of Tokyo Hospital, Japan, and colleagues in a meeting abstract.

Medical oncologists empathize with their patients and feel responsible for providing them emotional/psychological support, but many experience the negative emotional impact of their work when treating women with metastatic breast cancer, according to survey results presented at the symposium.

Medical oncologists with less experience appeared to be more impacted by their emotions as compared to physicians with more experience, and the study authors noted that “acknowledging medical oncologists’ emotions is important and underscores their own need for psychological/emotional support.”

Dr. Adam M. Brufsky, associate chief, division of hematology/oncology and codirector, Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center at the University of Pittsburgh, and his colleagues surveyed medical oncologists who treat five or more women per month with metastatic breast cancer, and surveys were also completed by patients with the disease. The goal of the study was to evaluate the emotional impact on the oncologist. The surveys were conducted from June to August 2014.

A total of 359 patients (median age 53 years) and 252 medical oncologists (median age 49 years and a median of 15 years in practice) completed the survey.

At the initial diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer, a larger proportion of oncologists as compared with patients reported that showing care and compassion (81% vs. 72%) and helping patients cope with their diagnosis (63% vs. 51%) were very important. A smaller percentage of respondents felt that referring patients to support services (24% vs. 38%) was very important, but a greater number of oncologists who were practicing less than 15 years, as compared to those in practice longer, stated that referrals to support services were very important at first diagnosis (30% vs. 19%). Dr. Brufsky and his team also found that a slightly higher number of more experienced oncologists perceived emotions like anxiety, commitment, hopefulness, and determination in their patients at their initial diagnosis.

A large proportion of medical oncologists (42%) reported that treating women with this diagnosis generated a great deal of negative emotion, but a majority (81% strongly/somewhat) agreed that it is unprofessional to let emotions impact treatment recommendations. However, nearly a quarter (23%) reported that emotions kept them from providing some information to patients.

The vast majority of respondents (93%) said that they did not want to give their patients false hope, but yet 27% reported that in certain situations, they do not discuss the fact that metastatic breast cancer is incurable with their patients.

Medical oncologists empathize with their patients and feel responsible for providing them emotional/psychological support, but many experience the negative emotional impact of their work when treating women with metastatic breast cancer, according to survey results presented at the symposium.

Medical oncologists with less experience appeared to be more impacted by their emotions as compared to physicians with more experience, and the study authors noted that “acknowledging medical oncologists’ emotions is important and underscores their own need for psychological/emotional support.”

Dr. Adam M. Brufsky, associate chief, division of hematology/oncology and codirector, Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center at the University of Pittsburgh, and his colleagues surveyed medical oncologists who treat five or more women per month with metastatic breast cancer, and surveys were also completed by patients with the disease. The goal of the study was to evaluate the emotional impact on the oncologist. The surveys were conducted from June to August 2014.

A total of 359 patients (median age 53 years) and 252 medical oncologists (median age 49 years and a median of 15 years in practice) completed the survey.

At the initial diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer, a larger proportion of oncologists as compared with patients reported that showing care and compassion (81% vs. 72%) and helping patients cope with their diagnosis (63% vs. 51%) were very important. A smaller percentage of respondents felt that referring patients to support services (24% vs. 38%) was very important, but a greater number of oncologists who were practicing less than 15 years, as compared to those in practice longer, stated that referrals to support services were very important at first diagnosis (30% vs. 19%). Dr. Brufsky and his team also found that a slightly higher number of more experienced oncologists perceived emotions like anxiety, commitment, hopefulness, and determination in their patients at their initial diagnosis.

A large proportion of medical oncologists (42%) reported that treating women with this diagnosis generated a great deal of negative emotion, but a majority (81% strongly/somewhat) agreed that it is unprofessional to let emotions impact treatment recommendations. However, nearly a quarter (23%) reported that emotions kept them from providing some information to patients.

The vast majority of respondents (93%) said that they did not want to give their patients false hope, but yet 27% reported that in certain situations, they do not discuss the fact that metastatic breast cancer is incurable with their patients.

Medical oncologists empathize with their patients and feel responsible for providing them emotional/psychological support, but many experience the negative emotional impact of their work when treating women with metastatic breast cancer, according to survey results presented at the symposium.

Medical oncologists with less experience appeared to be more impacted by their emotions as compared to physicians with more experience, and the study authors noted that “acknowledging medical oncologists’ emotions is important and underscores their own need for psychological/emotional support.”

Dr. Adam M. Brufsky, associate chief, division of hematology/oncology and codirector, Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center at the University of Pittsburgh, and his colleagues surveyed medical oncologists who treat five or more women per month with metastatic breast cancer, and surveys were also completed by patients with the disease. The goal of the study was to evaluate the emotional impact on the oncologist. The surveys were conducted from June to August 2014.

A total of 359 patients (median age 53 years) and 252 medical oncologists (median age 49 years and a median of 15 years in practice) completed the survey.

At the initial diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer, a larger proportion of oncologists as compared with patients reported that showing care and compassion (81% vs. 72%) and helping patients cope with their diagnosis (63% vs. 51%) were very important. A smaller percentage of respondents felt that referring patients to support services (24% vs. 38%) was very important, but a greater number of oncologists who were practicing less than 15 years, as compared to those in practice longer, stated that referrals to support services were very important at first diagnosis (30% vs. 19%). Dr. Brufsky and his team also found that a slightly higher number of more experienced oncologists perceived emotions like anxiety, commitment, hopefulness, and determination in their patients at their initial diagnosis.

A large proportion of medical oncologists (42%) reported that treating women with this diagnosis generated a great deal of negative emotion, but a majority (81% strongly/somewhat) agreed that it is unprofessional to let emotions impact treatment recommendations. However, nearly a quarter (23%) reported that emotions kept them from providing some information to patients.

The vast majority of respondents (93%) said that they did not want to give their patients false hope, but yet 27% reported that in certain situations, they do not discuss the fact that metastatic breast cancer is incurable with their patients.

After treatment begins, an increased neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can be correlated with poor disease-specific survival in stage IV breast cancer, according to research presented at the symposium. In addition, the change in NLR might be an index of response to systemic treatment.

Inflammatory response exacerbates mechanisms linked to tumor growth and dissemination, note the study authors, led by Dr. Hae-na Shin of the University of Ulsan, Seoul, South Korea. Used as an index of systemic inflammatory status, the NLR could be a predictive biomarker for both prognosis and treatment response.

To test their hypothesis, Dr. Shin and his colleagues evaluated the baseline NLR prior to beginning treatment, and then the change in posttreatment NLR, to assess if the initial NLR and its change after therapy would be predictive of disease outcome in stage IV breast cancer patients.

The study cohort included 250 women with stage IV breast cancer who were diagnosed at the Asan Medical Center between 1997 and 2012. The NLR was evaluated at their first visit to the center, and a posttreatment NLR was obtained during the first follow-up appointment after patients received their first treatment.

The authors divided the pretreatment NLR by quartile, and the change in NLR was calculated by dividing posttreatment NLR by pretreatment NLR. If the value was greater than or equal to 1.2, NLR change was increased, and if not, then it was considered to be unchanged or reduced. The prognostic value of NLR was then evaluated by comparison with Cancer Specific Survival (CSS).

When comparing pretreatment NLR and posttreatment NLR, the NLR was elevated in 85 patients (34%) but remained the same or decreased in 165 others (66%). There were no significant differences between these two groups in baseline characteristics. However, in CSS, there were differences between the two groups but they did not reach statistical significance (log rank P = 0.052). The 1-, 3-, 5-year CSS rate was 78.8%, 35.7%, 20.5% in the group with an increased NLR, and 87.1%, 49.3%, 26.9% in the other patient group.

Upon multivariate analysis, the results suggested that an increased NLR change (post/pre NLR greater than or equal to 1.2) had statistical significance as a prognostic factor of stage IV breast cancer patients after treatment (hazard ratio, 1.750; 95% confidence interval, 1.130-2.709; P = 0.012).

After treatment begins, an increased neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can be correlated with poor disease-specific survival in stage IV breast cancer, according to research presented at the symposium. In addition, the change in NLR might be an index of response to systemic treatment.

Inflammatory response exacerbates mechanisms linked to tumor growth and dissemination, note the study authors, led by Dr. Hae-na Shin of the University of Ulsan, Seoul, South Korea. Used as an index of systemic inflammatory status, the NLR could be a predictive biomarker for both prognosis and treatment response.

To test their hypothesis, Dr. Shin and his colleagues evaluated the baseline NLR prior to beginning treatment, and then the change in posttreatment NLR, to assess if the initial NLR and its change after therapy would be predictive of disease outcome in stage IV breast cancer patients.

The study cohort included 250 women with stage IV breast cancer who were diagnosed at the Asan Medical Center between 1997 and 2012. The NLR was evaluated at their first visit to the center, and a posttreatment NLR was obtained during the first follow-up appointment after patients received their first treatment.

The authors divided the pretreatment NLR by quartile, and the change in NLR was calculated by dividing posttreatment NLR by pretreatment NLR. If the value was greater than or equal to 1.2, NLR change was increased, and if not, then it was considered to be unchanged or reduced. The prognostic value of NLR was then evaluated by comparison with Cancer Specific Survival (CSS).

When comparing pretreatment NLR and posttreatment NLR, the NLR was elevated in 85 patients (34%) but remained the same or decreased in 165 others (66%). There were no significant differences between these two groups in baseline characteristics. However, in CSS, there were differences between the two groups but they did not reach statistical significance (log rank P = 0.052). The 1-, 3-, 5-year CSS rate was 78.8%, 35.7%, 20.5% in the group with an increased NLR, and 87.1%, 49.3%, 26.9% in the other patient group.

Upon multivariate analysis, the results suggested that an increased NLR change (post/pre NLR greater than or equal to 1.2) had statistical significance as a prognostic factor of stage IV breast cancer patients after treatment (hazard ratio, 1.750; 95% confidence interval, 1.130-2.709; P = 0.012).

After treatment begins, an increased neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can be correlated with poor disease-specific survival in stage IV breast cancer, according to research presented at the symposium. In addition, the change in NLR might be an index of response to systemic treatment.

Inflammatory response exacerbates mechanisms linked to tumor growth and dissemination, note the study authors, led by Dr. Hae-na Shin of the University of Ulsan, Seoul, South Korea. Used as an index of systemic inflammatory status, the NLR could be a predictive biomarker for both prognosis and treatment response.

To test their hypothesis, Dr. Shin and his colleagues evaluated the baseline NLR prior to beginning treatment, and then the change in posttreatment NLR, to assess if the initial NLR and its change after therapy would be predictive of disease outcome in stage IV breast cancer patients.

The study cohort included 250 women with stage IV breast cancer who were diagnosed at the Asan Medical Center between 1997 and 2012. The NLR was evaluated at their first visit to the center, and a posttreatment NLR was obtained during the first follow-up appointment after patients received their first treatment.

The authors divided the pretreatment NLR by quartile, and the change in NLR was calculated by dividing posttreatment NLR by pretreatment NLR. If the value was greater than or equal to 1.2, NLR change was increased, and if not, then it was considered to be unchanged or reduced. The prognostic value of NLR was then evaluated by comparison with Cancer Specific Survival (CSS).

When comparing pretreatment NLR and posttreatment NLR, the NLR was elevated in 85 patients (34%) but remained the same or decreased in 165 others (66%). There were no significant differences between these two groups in baseline characteristics. However, in CSS, there were differences between the two groups but they did not reach statistical significance (log rank P = 0.052). The 1-, 3-, 5-year CSS rate was 78.8%, 35.7%, 20.5% in the group with an increased NLR, and 87.1%, 49.3%, 26.9% in the other patient group.

Upon multivariate analysis, the results suggested that an increased NLR change (post/pre NLR greater than or equal to 1.2) had statistical significance as a prognostic factor of stage IV breast cancer patients after treatment (hazard ratio, 1.750; 95% confidence interval, 1.130-2.709; P = 0.012).

Combining routine histologic information, including tumor size, grade, and cellular proliferation marker Ki67, failed to accurately reflect the recurrence score produced by the commercial diagnostic test, Oncotype Dx, according to researchers.

Although each variable individually was significantly correlated with Oncotype Dx, the combination of variables had a percentage of variance (R2) of 0.35 on the recurrence score and did not accurately predict the result generated by the 21-gene reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) diagnostic test.

The single-institution study included 252 patients, (248 females and 4 males, median age 56 years) with early-stage, estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer. All patients had Oncotype Dx testing performed between 2007 and 2014. The median tumor size was 2.1 cm, and 49% were grade 2, 28% grade 3, and 23% grade 1.

Investigators examined baseline patient demographic data, such as age, race, and sex, and routine pathologic features, such as histologic grade, Ki-67, tumor size, and histologic type. The combination of three variables that individually were highly correlated to the Oncotype Dx score did not produce values that could substitute for the recurrence score.

Furthermore, the prediction capability of the three-variable combination decreased for tumors with high-recurrence scores.

“Therefore, we conclude the RS [recurrence score] can provide additional valuable information and should not be replaced by analysis of routine histologic variables alone,” wrote Dr. Kate Lathrop of the Cancer Therapy and Research Center at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, and her colleagues.

Combining routine histologic information, including tumor size, grade, and cellular proliferation marker Ki67, failed to accurately reflect the recurrence score produced by the commercial diagnostic test, Oncotype Dx, according to researchers.

Although each variable individually was significantly correlated with Oncotype Dx, the combination of variables had a percentage of variance (R2) of 0.35 on the recurrence score and did not accurately predict the result generated by the 21-gene reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) diagnostic test.

The single-institution study included 252 patients, (248 females and 4 males, median age 56 years) with early-stage, estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer. All patients had Oncotype Dx testing performed between 2007 and 2014. The median tumor size was 2.1 cm, and 49% were grade 2, 28% grade 3, and 23% grade 1.

Investigators examined baseline patient demographic data, such as age, race, and sex, and routine pathologic features, such as histologic grade, Ki-67, tumor size, and histologic type. The combination of three variables that individually were highly correlated to the Oncotype Dx score did not produce values that could substitute for the recurrence score.

Furthermore, the prediction capability of the three-variable combination decreased for tumors with high-recurrence scores.

“Therefore, we conclude the RS [recurrence score] can provide additional valuable information and should not be replaced by analysis of routine histologic variables alone,” wrote Dr. Kate Lathrop of the Cancer Therapy and Research Center at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, and her colleagues.

Combining routine histologic information, including tumor size, grade, and cellular proliferation marker Ki67, failed to accurately reflect the recurrence score produced by the commercial diagnostic test, Oncotype Dx, according to researchers.

Although each variable individually was significantly correlated with Oncotype Dx, the combination of variables had a percentage of variance (R2) of 0.35 on the recurrence score and did not accurately predict the result generated by the 21-gene reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) diagnostic test.

The single-institution study included 252 patients, (248 females and 4 males, median age 56 years) with early-stage, estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer. All patients had Oncotype Dx testing performed between 2007 and 2014. The median tumor size was 2.1 cm, and 49% were grade 2, 28% grade 3, and 23% grade 1.

Investigators examined baseline patient demographic data, such as age, race, and sex, and routine pathologic features, such as histologic grade, Ki-67, tumor size, and histologic type. The combination of three variables that individually were highly correlated to the Oncotype Dx score did not produce values that could substitute for the recurrence score.

Furthermore, the prediction capability of the three-variable combination decreased for tumors with high-recurrence scores.

“Therefore, we conclude the RS [recurrence score] can provide additional valuable information and should not be replaced by analysis of routine histologic variables alone,” wrote Dr. Kate Lathrop of the Cancer Therapy and Research Center at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, and her colleagues.