Anthracycline-containing regimen in early breast cancer: Analysis of toxicity

11104 Background: The anthracycline-containing regimens is considered to be more beneficial to patients (pts) with early breast cancer (EBC). However at this moment is not clear which kind of regimen should be used in adjuvant setting. Methods: In our center, from Jan 2004 to Sep 2006, 248 breast cancer pts, who were qualified to the adjuvant chemotherapy received FEC100 (104 pts), AC (126 pts). or sequentially AC- taxans (18). Pts with many poor prognostic factors (N+, T3, G3, HER2/neu 3+) received 6 cycles of FEC100 or AC-taxans. Pts with better prognosis (Intermediate Risk Group according St.Gallen’s guidelines for 2005) received usually 4 cycles of AC. Besides, in most cases, internet access to the adjuvantonline! program was used during making decision. ER-ve or PR-ve positive pts received sequentially hormonal treatment. The radiotherapy (if needed) was delivered at the end of the chemotherapy. Results: During the treatment, toxicity of the chemotherapy was evaluated by NCI CTC v. 3. There was no toxic deaths. Median follow-up period was 19 months (range: 6–36). The febrile neutropenia was observed in 4 pts in FEC100 and in 5 pts in AC group. There was also no significant differences in the grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia and alopecia. In 3 pts treated with FEC100 and 1 with AC, cardiotoxicity grade 2 or 3 was diagnosed. Grade 2 or 3 asthenia was frequent in FEC100 group (44% vs 21% vs11%). In all pts prophylaxis of nausea/vomiting was used. However pts treated with FEC100 needed more 5HT3. Vomiting grade 2 or 3 were observed significantly more often in pts who received FEC100 (58% vs 26% vs 23%). Only at 1 pts in each group the chemotherapy was interrupted due to toxicity (asthenia gr 3, vomiting gr 3 and weight loss gr 2). The relative dose intensities of FEC100 and AC were 87% and 96% of planned doses, respectively. Conclusions: The acute symptoms of toxicity were important for breast cancer pts who received the adjuvant chemotherapy. According the adjuvantonline! 6 cycles of FEC100 were more effective than 4 cycles of AC. Nevertheless tolerability of AC is better. Many pts prefer only the hormonal treatment, even if it is not the optimal option, in fear of nausea or vomiting. The ongoing clinical trials should further define the best choice of anthracycline-containing regimen in the adjuvant setting. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

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Staging Investigations in Asymptomatic Early Breast Cancer Patients at the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario

Current Oncology ◽

10.3390/curroncol28030203 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 (3) ◽

pp. 2190-2198

Author(s):

Dalia Kamel ◽

Veronica Youssef ◽

Wilma M. Hopman ◽

Mihaela Mates

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Metastatic Breast Cancer ◽

Adjuvant Chemotherapy ◽

Early Breast Cancer ◽

Triple Negative ◽

Metastatic Breast ◽

Receptor Status ◽

Cancer Centre ◽

Radiological Staging

Background: In 2012, the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) identified five key opportunities in oncology to improve patient care, recommending against imaging tests for the staging of patients with early breast cancer (EBC) at low risk for metastases. Similarly, the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) guideline does not support radiological staging in asymptomatic EBC (aEBC). The purpose of this study was to assess local practice and outcomes of staging investigations (SIs) in aEBC at the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario (CCSEO). Methods: A retrospective electronic and paper chart review was undertaken to identify all aEBC patients treated at our institution between January 2012 and December 2014. Patients with pathological staging of T1-T2 and N0-1 with any receptor status were included. We collected patient demographics, treatment and pathologic tumor characteristics. The use and outcomes of initial and follow-up SIs were recorded. Data were analyzed to determine associations between the use of SIs and clinical characteristics (chi-square tests, independent samples t-tests and Mann–Whitney U tests). Results: From 2012 to 2014, 295 asymptomatic EBC patients were identified. The mean age was 64, 81% were postmenopausal and 76% had breast conserving surgery. Stage distribution was as follows: stage I 42%, stage IIA 37% and stage IIB 21%. Receptor status was as follows: ER+ 84%, HER2+ 13% and triple negative 12%. Adjuvant chemotherapy was received by 36%, Trastuzumab by 10% and endocrine therapy by 76% of patients. Baseline SIs were performed in 168 patients (57%) for a total of 332 tests. Overt metastatic disease was found in five patients (one bone scan and four CT scans). Seventy-one out of the 168 patients (42%) who received initial staging imaging underwent 138 follow-up imaging tests, none of which were diagnostic for metastases. Nine patients with suspicious CT findings underwent biopsies, of which four were malignant (one metastatic breast cancer and three new primaries). Factors significantly associated with SI were as follows: younger age (p = 0.001), premenopausal status (p = 0.01), T2 stage (p < 0.001), N1 stage (p < 0.001), HER2 positive (p < 0.001), triple negative status (p = 0.007) and use of adjuvant chemotherapy (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Over a 3-year period at our institution, more than 50% of aEBC patients underwent a total of 470 initial and follow-up staging tests, yielding a cancer diagnosis (metastatic breast cancer or second primary cancer) in four patients. We, therefore, conclude that routine-staging investigations in aEBC patients have low diagnostic value, supporting current guidelines that recommend against the routine use of SI in this population.

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