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A 32-year-old woman presented with a right breast mass and multiple oral mucosal papillomas. Genetic testing showed a PTEN mutation, and a diagnosis of the Cowden syndrome was made.

Purpose Most of the existing literature reports no association or a slight negative association between coffee consumption and the risk of developing breast cancer. However, the level of risk differs when considering various subgroups, such as menopausal status, hormonal status of the tumor or genetic mutations. The present review based on a literature search sets the point on the potential influence of a common daily drink, coffee, on the risk of developing breast cancer in the general population, in different subgroups of women and the consequences of drinking coffee after breast cancer has been diagnosed and treated. Results This review confirms that in the general population, there is no association between coffee intake and breast cancer risk or a slight protective effect, even at high dosages. Coffee is inversely associated with breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women and in women carrying a BRCA1 mutation. Possible risk differences exist between slow and fast caffeine metabolizers and with weight. Coffee consumption after breast cancer diagnosis and surgery, associated with tamoxifen and/or radiotherapy, reduced the occurrence of early events. The effects of coffee intake are less clear in other subgroups, mainly premenopausal women, women carrying a BRCA2 mutation and tumors with variable hormonal status (positive or negative for ER/PR) and would need additional studies.

Background Early hormone-positive breast cancers typically have favorable outcomes, yet long-term surveillance is crucial due to the risk of late recurrences. While many studies associate MMP-11 expression with poor prognosis in breast cancer, few focus on early-stage cases. This study explores MMP-11 as an early prognostic marker in hormone-positive breast cancers. Methods In this retrospective study, 228 women with early hormone-positive invasive ductal carcinoma, treated surgically between 2011 and 2016, were included. MMP-11 expression was measured by immunohistochemistry, and its association with clinical and MRI data was analyzed. Results Among the patients (aged 31–89, median 60, with average tumor size of 15.7 mm), MMP-11 staining was observed in half of the cases. This positivity correlated with higher uPA levels and tumor grade but not with nodal status or size. Furthermore, MMP-11 positivity showed specific associations with MRI features. Over a follow-up period of 6.5 years, only 12 oncological events occurred. Disease-free survival was linked to Ki67 and MMP-11. Conclusion MMP-11, primarily present in tumor-surrounding stromal cells, correlates with tumor grade and uPA levels. MMP-11 immunohistochemical score demonstrates a suggestive trend in association with disease-free survival, independent of Ki67 and other traditional prognostic factors. This highlights the potential of MMP-11 as a valuable marker in managing early hormone-positive breast cancer.

Background and objectiveIn breast cancer treatment, radiotherapy is an essential component for locoregional management. Axillary recurrence in patients with invasive breast carcinoma remains an issue. The question of whether breast irradiation may unintentionally include levels I, II, and III, and may decrease the risk of axillary recurrence, remains a topic of discussion.Patients and methodsA literature search was performed in PubMed and the Cochrane Library to identify articles that have published data regarding dose–volume analysis of axillary levels in breast irradiation. The following MESH terms were used: “breast cancer/lymph nodes” AND “radiotherapy dosage.”ResultsThirteen articles were identified. The irradiation technique, initial dose prescribed to the breast, delineated volumes, and dose received at axillary levels were heterogeneous. The average dose delivered to axilla levels I, II, and III with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy using standard fields (ST) ranged between 22 and 43.5 Gy, 3 and 35.6 Gy, and 1.0 and 20.5 Gy, respectively. The average doses delivered to axilla levels I, II, and III with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy using “high tangential” fields (HT) ranged between 38 and 49.7 Gy, 11 and 47.1 Gy, and 5 and 44.7 Gy, respectively. Finally, the average doses delivered to axilla levels I, II, and III using intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) were between 14.5 and 42.6 Gy, 3.4 and 35 Gy, and 1.2 and 25.5 Gy, respectively.ConclusionOur literature review suggests that the incidental dose delivered to the axilla during whole-breast irradiation is heterogenous and dependent on the irradiation technique used. However, whether this observation can be translated into a therapeutic effect is still a matter of debate.

This study aimed to illustrate the epidemiological situation of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) by focusing on the changes published after 2019 and particularly the new approaches of cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery. Article search was performed from January 2019 to date using the PubMed database. Fourteen articles were included in the qualitative evaluation of international data. Moreover, the latest reports regarding the total number of BIA-ALCL cases and number of deaths were identified. Estimates of the risk and incidence have increased significantly recently, affecting 1 in every 2,969 women with breast implants and 1 in 355 patients with textured implants after breast reconstruction. The average exposure time to diagnosis was 8 (range: 0-34) years. Approximately 80% of BIA-ALCL cases were diagnosed at IA-IIA stages, for which the treatment was breast implant removal, full capsulectomy, and excision of all suspected lymph nodes. Globally, at least 949 cases were reported to date. At present, BIA-ALCL is an emerging pathology of interest. Data collection initiated since 2016 through different case registration databases is essential to ensure surveillance and to continue to increase the number of studies on this recently discovered pathology.

Purpose This review proposes an overall vision of the protective and therapeutic role of melatonin in breast cancer: from the specific cases of blind women and their reduction of breast cancer incidence to all clinical uses of the sleep hormone in breast cancer. Methods We reviewed studies focused on (1) the correlation between blindness and breast cancer, (2) the correlation between melatonin and breast cancer occurrence in the general population, (3) melatonin therapeutic use in breast cancer, and (4) we discussed the properties of melatonin that could explain an anticancer effect. Results (1) Seven studies of breast cancer risk in blind women related significant incidence decreases, up to 57%, among totally blind women. The limited number of studies and the absence of adjustment for confounding factors in most studies limit conclusions. None of these studies established melatonin profiles to determine whether blind women with a decreased breast cancer incidence produced higher levels of melatonin. (2) In the general population, 5 meta-analyses and 12 prospective-cohort studies focused on melatonin levels at recruitment and breast cancer occurrence. All reported the absence of correlation in premenopausal women, whereas in postmenopausal women, most studies showed significantly decreased risk for women with highest melatonin levels. (3) The therapeutic interest of melatonin associated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormonotherapy is poorly documented in breast cancer to conclude on a positive effect. (4) Melatonin effects on mammary carcinogenesis were only reported in in vitro and animal studies that demonstrated antiestrogenic, antioxidant, oncostatic, and immunomodulatory properties. Conclusion The preventive role of high endogenous melatonin on breast cancer as well as its beneficial therapeutic use remains to be proven.

Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia (PASH) is a benign breast lesion frequently discovered incidentally during imaging or biopsy for other conditions. We present two cases of PASH associated with fibroadenomas in premenopausal women, both presenting as palpable, symptomatic breast masses. In the first case, a 26-year-old woman exhibited a 5.2 cm hypoechoic lesion, initially diagnosed as PASH on core biopsy, later confirmed as fibroadenoma with PASH components post-excision. The second case involved a 37-year-old woman with a painful 5.6 cm mass, diagnosed similarly via biopsy, and later confirmed as fibroadenoma fully colonized by PASH after surgical removal. Both cases highlight the diagnostic challenge in distinguishing PASH from fibroadenomas, given overlapping clinical and imaging features. Hormonal factors, particularly contraceptive use, may contribute to PASH development. Management remains controversial, with surgery indicated for symptomatic lesions, while conservative approaches may suffice for smaller, asymptomatic cases. Based on our findings and current literature, we propose a management algorithm to guide clinicians in differentiating cases warranting surgical intervention from those suitable for monitoring. Further studies are needed to validate this approach.

Clinicians can use biomarkers to guide therapeutic decisions in estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer. One such biomarker is cellular proliferation as evaluated by Ki-67. This biomarker has been extensively studied and is easily assayed by histopathologists but it is not currently accepted as a standard. This review focuses on its prognostic and predictive value, and on methodological considerations for its measurement and the cut-points used for treatment decision. Data describing study design, patients’ characteristics, methods used and results were extracted from papers published between January 1990 and July 2010. In addition, the studies were assessed using the REMARK tool. Ki-67 is an independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival (HR 1.05–1.72) in multivariate analyses studies using samples from randomized clinical trials with secondary central analysis of the biomarker. The level of evidence (LOE) was judged to be I-B with the recently revised definition of Simon. However, standardization of the techniques and scoring methods are needed for the integration of this biomarker in everyday practice. Ki-67 was not found to be predictive for long-term follow-up after chemotherapy. Nevertheless, high KI-67 was found to be associated with immediate pathological complete response in the neoadjuvant setting, with an LOE of II-B. The REMARK score improved over time (with a range of 6–13/20 vs. 10–18/20, before and after 2005, respectively). KI-67 could be considered as a prognostic biomarker for therapeutic decision. It is assessed with a simple assay that could be standardized. However, international guidelines are needed for routine clinical use.

Hereditary hemochromatosis and breast cancer are two major public health problems. The gene variants C282Y and H63D, responsible for most cases of hemochromatosis, may contribute to carcinogenesis via iron overload, oxidative stress, and hormonal modulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between variants and breast cancer risk and propose a personalized surveillance strategy. A systematic review and a meta-analysis were conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Eligible studies included case-control and cohort studies reporting breast cancer incidence in women with gene C282Y and/or H63D variants. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses and meta-regressions explored sources of heterogeneity. Eight studies comprising 73,981 participants were included, published between 2000 and 2025. Among them, analysis of four revealed a link between hemochromatosis and breast cancer risk. In one study, a link was observed between the C282Y allele and higher lymph node involvement, which may suggest an impact of hemochromatosis on tumor progression. By contrast, three studies did not find any link between the two diseases. Our meta-analysis showed a trend toward increased breast cancer risk in carriers of variants, particularly C282Y homozygotes (odds ratio = 1.36, 95% confidence interval = 0.75-1.98). Substantial heterogeneity was present (I² >50%), but no tested covariates significantly explained this variation. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the estimate. In the absence of randomized trials with mortality endpoints, our findings do not yet justify changes in clinical practice. They nevertheless support prospective studies to assess whether women carrying these pathogenic variants, especially C282Y/C282Y homozygotes, could benefit from adapted breast cancer surveillance, potentially involving more frequent evaluations or advanced imaging to improve early detection.

The risk of breast cancer in type 2 diabetic women is increased by 10-20%. Diabetic women have a higher risk of being diagnosed with advanced breast cancer and having complications with its treatments. In France, women aged between 50 and 74 years old are invited to undergo organized breast cancer screening (OBCS). The objective of this study was to evaluate OBCS participation in a large cohort of diabetic women. Based on data from Social Security reimbursement databases, we studied OBCS participation rate of 50-74 years old diabetic women from the Grand-Est region (France) between 2020 and 2022, according to four age brackets and their geographical areas. In 2020, among the 99,302 diabetic women, 16,340 (16.45%) underwent OBCS versus 24% in the general population. In 2021, among the 100,390 diabetic women, 20,914 (20.83%) underwent OBCS, versus 29% in the general population. In 2022, among the 101,694 diabetic women, 18,576 (18.27%) underwent OBCS, versus 24% in the general population. OBCS participation in 50-54 years old and 70-74 years olds were significantly lower ( <0.0001 in 2020; <0.0001 in 2021; <0.0037 in 2022). There was a significant link between OBSC participation and geographical area ( <0.0001). The OBCS participation rate in women with type 2 diabetes was significantly lower than the general population, and associated with age and area. These findings suggest a need to inform patients and health care professionals about the higher risk of breast cancer in diabetic women to improve OBCS rates with the proven associated health benefits.