Search Results (19)

Emulating very soft tissues with synthetic materials is important for clinical prosthetists who want to improve compliance in maxillofacial and breast prosthesis. It is equally important for theatrical prosthetists wanting to model bariatric conditions and soft organs for surgical or palpation training. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) gels, which are often used in medical model construction, are stiff and highly elastic compared to the friable soft tissues found in the body. Silicone oil is known to soften PDMS gels, but it is not known precisely how oil dispersal affects these gels and what proportion of oil is needed to simulate very soft tissue membranes like adipose tissue. In this work, internationally agreed test standards were used to mechanically characterize a range of PDMS gel membranes saturated with different amounts of silicone oil to determine whether materials with behavioral similarities to adipose tissue could be created. Mechanical properties like hardness, elasticity, strength, viscoelastic behavior and cure-time are presented in this study, which are all key factors required by the creators of such membranes. Results were compared to identical tests on porcine fat and data in the literature for porcine and human fat. The data revealed a strong correlation between increases in oil content and decreases in membrane hardness, strength and elastic modulus. It was also found that increases in oil content caused proportional increases in cure time, while membranes with equal amounts of oil and gel were best at mimicking characteristics of human and porcine fat, like hardness and elasticity. Full article

In Switzerland, breast cancer is the leading cancer among women, with breast-conserving surgery (BCS) being the preferred treatment for small tumors. The margin status post-surgery is a critical predictor of local recurrence. Achieving negative margins remains a challenge, leading to re-excision in 20–30% of cases. Traditional methods like intraoperative examination palpation and radiography have limitations in assessing excised margins. This study introduces the Histolog^® Scanner, a confocal microscopy tool, as a potential solution. It provides real-time images of tissue architecture, allowing for rapid and accurate assessment of excised margins. Our research compared the Histolog^® Scanner with standard per-operative radiography in patients with non palpable breast cancer. Preliminary results indicate that the Histolog^® Scanner offers a reliable and time-efficient method for margin assessment, suggesting its potential for clinical integration. Full article

Introduction: Nowadays chemotherapy in breast cancer patients is optionally applied neoadjuvant, which allows for testing of tumor response to the chemotherapeutical treatment in vivo, as well as allowing a greater number of patients to benefit from a subsequent breast-conserving surgery. Material and methods: We compared breast ultrasonography, mammography, and clinical examination (palpation) results with postoperative histopathological findings after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, aiming to determine the most accurate prediction of complete remission and tumor-free resection margins. To this end, clinical and imaging data of 184 patients (193 tumors) with confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer and neoadjuvant therapy were analyzed. Results: After chemotherapy, tumors could be assessed by palpation in 91.7%, by sonography in 99.5%, and by mammography in 84.5% (chi-square p < 0.0001) of cases. Although mammography proved more accurate in estimating the exact neoadjuvant tumor size than breast sonography in total numbers (136/163 (83.44%) vs. 142/192 (73.96%), n.s.), 29 tumors could be assessed solely by means of breast sonography. A sonographic measurement was feasible in 192 cases (99.48%) post-chemotherapy and in all cases prior to chemotherapy. Conclusions: We determined a superiority of mammography and breast sonography over clinical palpation in predicting neoadjuvant tumor size. However, neither examination method can predict either pCR or tumor margins with high confidence. Full article

Axillary web syndrome (AWS) occurs after breast cancer surgery, sentinel lymph node dissection, or sentinel lymph node biopsy. Here, cord-like structures from the axilla to the forearm limit the range of motion of the shoulder joint and cause pain. Although the etiology is unknown, AWS has been attributed to the blockage of normal lymphatic flow. Here, we report a novel case of AWS after venous blood sampling in a patient. A healthy, 31-year-old male patient experienced pain with a limited range of motion of the shoulder joint the day after venous blood was collected from the left upper extremity for a medical checkup, and he presented to an orthopedic outpatient clinic on the day. Palpation of the axillary region disclosed a cord-like structure in the axillary region of the shoulder joint during abduction, and the patient was diagnosed with AWS. The cord-like structure was noted to be a hypoechogenic luminal structure on ultrasound (US) examination of the axilla, extending from the axilla to below the ulnar cutaneous vein from which the blood was drawn. In patients with pain and a limited range of motion of the shoulder joint, only the shoulder joint is examined during an orthopedic examination. It is important to obtain appropriate physical findings for possible AWS. Full article

The low attendance rate for cancer screening tests in Poland is a major healthcare concern that requires specific analysis and the development of implementation recommendations for prevention, and both actions are likely to benefit culturally similar countries. Four female cancers account for approximately 20% of all cancer cases—breast cancer, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, and ovarian cancer—suggesting that gynecologists have a significant preventative role. Of the four, breast cancer and cervical cancer are among the 10 most common malignant neoplasms globally, regardless of gender, occur only in women and are known to have effective screening measures. Our research aims to create a screening model that combines cervical cancer and breast cancer to maximize health outcomes for women at risk of both cancers. In the study protocol, we have created a model that maximizes benefits for patients with minimal additional costs to the health care system. To achieve the set goal, instead of regular clinical breast exams as recommended by the gynecological societies, we proposed an ultrasound examination, during which palpation may also be performed (in the absence of elastography). We present a scheme for such a protocol that takes into consideration all types of prevention in both cancers, and that emphasizes breast ultrasound as the most frequently missing element. Our study includes a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of our strategy, and the crucial need for infrastructure and education for the successful implementation of the program. We conclude that our model merits consideration and discussion among health-care decision makers, as the screening changes we propose have significant potential benefits for the female population. Full article

Aims: To analyze the incidence and mortality trends of breast cancer among women in China from 1990 to 2019 and explore the effects of age, period, and cohort on the incidence and mortality of breast cancer. Methods: We performed a Joinpoint regression model to describe trends in breast cancer incidence and mortality. We used an age–period–cohort analysis model to estimate the impact of age, period, and cohort on breast cancer incidence and mortality. We collected breast cancer incidence and mortality among women aged 20–89 in China (1990–2019) from the Global Health Data Exchange (GHDx) database. Results: The crude incidence and mortality of breast cancer from 1990 to 2019 in Chinese women showed an increasing trend, with an average annual increase percentage (AAPC) of 4.69% and 2.18%, respectively. The analysis on the age–period–cohort model revealed that the risk of incidence increased first and then decreased with age and peaked at 55–59 years old, whereas the risk of mortality increased by approximately 60.34 times from 20 to 89 years old. The risk of incidence and mortality increased by 2.64 and 1.49 times with the passage of time, respectively. The later the birth cohort is, the lower the risk of incidence and mortality will be. Conclusion: From 1990 to 2019, the incidence and mortality of breast cancer among Chinese women showed an increasing trend, and the prevention and control situation of breast cancer was still grim. Therefore, visual examination and palpation examination should be actively carried out in adult women with breast cancer, and the conventional population after 40 years of age, the high-risk population carrying hereditary breast cancer gene and the elderly population should be assisted with imaging examination along with palpation examination. When treating patients suffering from breast cancer, in order to reduce the death rate, a personalized treatment plan should be developed based on the characteristics of different patients. Full article

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) was established to quantify diverse cellular characteristics. This technique has been widely used in various species, such as fish, poultry, and humans for compositional analysis. This technology was limited to offline quality assurance/detection of woody breast (WB); however, inline technology that can be retrofitted on the conveyor belt would be more helpful to processors. Freshly deboned (n = 80) chicken breast fillets were collected from a local processor and analyzed by hand-palpation for different WB severity levels. Data collected from both BIA setups were subjected to supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms. The modified BIA showed better detection ability for regular fillets than the probe BIA setup. In the plate BIA setup, fillets were 80.00% for normal, 66.67% for moderate (data for mild and moderate merged), and 85.00% for severe WB. However, hand-held BIA showed 77.78, 85.71, and 88.89% for normal, moderate, and severe WB, respectively. Plate BIA setup is more effective in detecting WB myopathies and could be installed without slowing the processing line. Breast fillet detection on the processing line can be significantly improved using a modified automated plate BIA. Full article

Breast cancer is the most often diagnosed cancer worldwide, with the greatest fatality rate among women in 2021. Santolina chamaecyparissus L. has been shown to successfully inhibit cancer cells’ proliferation, especially in the human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cell line. This study’s goal was to evaluate the chemopreventive potential of a S. chamaecyparissus aqueous extract (SCE) on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced mammary cancer in female rats. This study was approved by the ORBEA under reference 834-e-CITAB-2020. Twenty-eight four-week-old female Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Control, MNU, SCE and SCE+MNU. SCE was supplemented in drinking water (120 µg/mL) ad libitum and replaced every 3 days due to the compounds’ stability. A total of nineteen compounds were identified in the extract, with myricetin-O-glucuronide and 1,3-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid being the main compounds found. At 50 days of age, the MNU was administered by intraperitoneal route. Humane Endpoint analysis was performed weekly. Induced animals were palpated twice a week. Tumour width (W) and length (L) were weekly measured with a calliper. Tumour volume was also determined [V = (W² × L)/2]. After twenty-one weeks, animals were sacrificed by a ketamine/xylazine overdose. Control and SCE animals did not develop any tumours. In the MNU group, the first tumour appeared during the ninth week; in SCE+MNU, it only appeared in the sixteenth week. No significant differences were found. However, the tumour incidence in SCE+MNU (28.57%) was lower than in MNU (57.14%). The MNU group had a higher mean tumour weight (2.31 ± 1.13 g) than the SCE+MNU group (0.39 ± 0.02 g) and a larger mean tumour volume (2.02 ± 1.23 cm³) than SCE+MNU (0.57 ± 0.15 cm³) (p > 0.05). Despite the lack of statistically significant differences between groups, the absence of mortality in SCE+MNU, as well as the lower values in each parameter, suggest that Santolina chamaecyparissus has interesting potential as a chemoprotective agent. Histopathological analysis will help understand this extract’s impact on oncogenesis. Full article

In recent years, the wooden breast condition has emerged as a major meat quality defect in the poultry industry worldwide. Broiler pectoralis major muscle with the wooden breast condition is characterized by hardness upon human palpation, which can lead to decrease in meat value or even reduced consumer acceptance. The current method of wooden breast detection involves a visual and/or tactile evaluation. In this paper, we present a sideview imaging system for online detection of chicken breast fillets affected by the wooden breast condition. The system can measure a physical deformation (bending) of an individual chicken-breast fillet through high-speed imaging at about 200 frames per second and custom image processing techniques. The developed image processing algorithm shows the over 95% classification performance in detecting wooden breast fillets. Full article

Lung cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer-related death worldwide. It is usually detected by CT or MRI and removed through thoracoscopic surgery. However, during surgery, the lung collapses, and a new determination of the position of the pulmonary nodule is necessary, which is particularly challenging in the case of minimally invasive surgeries when palpation is not possible. In this contribution, ultra-wideband (UWB) radio technology, which employs a short burst of high-frequency electromagnetic waves, is studied to localize the pulmonary nodule. In short, an antenna in close proximity with the lung surface produces a signal, and the echo emanating from discontinuities in the lung tissue, i.e., the pulmonary nodule, can be used for the localization. A similar approach has already been proposed for breast cancer. Simulations were used to explore the relationship between frequency range and penetration depth and showed that shallow nodules, below 2 cm in depth, are difficult to resolve because the echo directly interferes with the propagating signal. On the other hand, given the strong electromagnetic attenuation of lung tissue, echo emanating from near organs is suppressed, and frequency-band tuning can be employed to range the depth of the investigation. Ultimately, this contribution shows how to employ and design UWB technology to localize deep pulmonary nodules through a minimally invasive approach. Full article

Desmoplastic tumors correspond to a unique tissue structure characterized by the abnormal deposition of extracellular matrix. Breast tumors are a typical example of this type of lesion, a property that allows its palpation and early detection. Fibrillar type I collagen is a major component of tumor desmoplasia and its accumulation is causally linked to tumor cell survival and metastasis. For many years, the desmoplastic phenomenon was considered to be a reaction and response of the host tissue against tumor cells and, accordingly, designated as “desmoplastic reaction”. This notion has been challenged in the last decades when desmoplastic tissue was detected in breast tissue in the absence of tumor. This finding suggests that desmoplasia is a preexisting condition that stimulates the development of a malignant phenotype. With this perspective, in the present review, we analyze the role of extracellular matrix remodeling in the development of the desmoplastic response. Importantly, during the discussion, we also analyze the impact of obesity and cell metabolism as critical drivers of tissue remodeling during the development of desmoplasia. New knowledge derived from the dynamic remodeling of the extracellular matrix may lead to novel targets of interest for early diagnosis or therapy in the context of breast tumors. Full article

The orbit represents an unusual metastases site for patients diagnosed with cancer, however, breast cancer is the main cause of metastases at this level. These orbital metastases were discovered in patients with a history of breast cancer as unique or synchronous lesions. We present a rare case of a unique retroocular metastasis as the first initial symptom of a tubulo-lobular mammary carcinoma in a postmenopausal woman. A 57-year-old patient complains of diplopia, diminishing visual acuity, orbital tenderness, slight exophthalmia and ptosis of the left eyelid, with insidious onset. Clinical examination and subsequent investigations revealed a left breast cancer cT2 cN1 pM1 stage IV. Breast conserving surgery was performed on the left breast. Pathological examination with immunohistochemistry staining established the complete diagnostic: pT2pN3aM1 Stage IV breast cancer, luminal B subtype. After two years from the initial breast cancer diagnosis, the patient was diagnosed by the psychiatrist with a depressive disorder and was treated accordingly. Orbital metastases are usually discovered in known breast cancer patients and they are found in the context of a multi-system end-stage disease. Most reports cite that up to 25% of the total orbital metastases cases are discovered before the diagnosis of the primary tumor, as our case did. MRI is the gold standard for evaluating orbital tumors. The ILC histological subtype metastasizes in the orbitals more frequently than invasive ductal carcinoma. The prognosis of patients with orbital metastases is poor. The median survival after diagnosis of orbital metastases from a breast cancer primary is ranging from 22 to 31 months. Overall survival of our patient was 56 months, longer than the median survival reported in literature. Orbital metastases must be taken into account when patients accuse ophthalmologic symptoms even in the absence of a personal history of cancer. Objective examination of every patient that incriminates these types of symptoms is essential, and breast palpation must be made in every clinical setting. Orbital biopsy is necessary for the confirmation of the diagnosis and for an adequate treatment. Although recommendations for management of orbital metastases are controversial, it appears that multidisciplinary treatment of both metastases and primary cancer improves overall survival. Full article

Both benign and malignant conditions related to regional or systemic disorders could be included in the differential diagnosis of bilateral breast edema. Some of them are often unilateral, including stromal infiltration and lymphatic obstruction presented in “peau d’ orange”, which is the usual presentation of breast cancer. However, the term “idiopathic” could be included in the spectrum of diagnoses. Here, we present a woman of 78 years old who came into our breast unit with a bilateral, painless edema of the breasts (appeared one month ago). Clinical examination revealed that both breasts were swollen with widespread erythema and the appearance of an orange peel/“peau d’ orange”. On palpation, the breasts were not sensitive, and no tumor was palpable. However, clinically palpable lymph nodes were found in both axillas. Her temperature was normal. The breast edema could not be explained from her medical history nor the medications taken. Breast ultrasound, Mammography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging were non-conclusive (BI-RADS 0) and bilateral core biopsy was negative for cancer. Anti-inflammatory plus antibiotic therapy was prescribed for 10 days and at the end of treatment, regional redness and edema were disappeared and reduced, respectively. Total recovery was found one month after the initial findings. It can be concluded that bilateral breast edema is correlated to regional or systemic conditions or it is presented as an “idiopathic” disorder of unknown etiology. Full article

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. Although targeted screening programs using mammography have facilitated earlier detection and improved treatment has resulted in a significant reduction in mortality, some negative aspects related to cost, the availability of trained staff, the duration of the procedure, and its non-generalizability to all women must be taken into consideration. Breast palpation is a simple non-invasive procedure that can be performed by lay individuals for detecting possible malignant nodules in the breast. It is a simple test, based on the haptic perception of different stiffness between healthy and abnormal tissues. According to a survey we carried out, despite being safe and simple, breast self-examination is not carried by women because they are not confident of their ability to detect a lump. In this study, a non-invasive wearable device designed to mimic the process of breast self-examination using pressure sensing textiles and thus increase the confidence and self-awareness of women is proposed. Combined with other screening methods, the device can increase the odds of early detection for better prognosis. Here, we present the physical implementation of the device and a finite element analysis of the mechanics underlying its working principle. Characterization of the device using models of large and medium breast phantoms with rigid inclusions demonstrates that it can detect nodules in much the same way as does the human hand during breast self-examination. Full article

A 49-year-old woman presents with an extensive violaceous rash, rapidly progressive proximal muscle weakness, and dysphagia to solids, consistent with a diagnosis of dermatomyositis. Two weeks later, she palpates a mass in her left breast and is diagnosed with her2-positive metastatic invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. There is a well-established association between dermatomyositis and malignancy. However, the specific association between breast cancer and dermatomyositis has not been well characterized. No guideline for oncologists managing these patients has been established. Recently, 3 cases of breast cancer and dermatomyositis were diagnosed at our institution. A review of the literature was pursued to characterize the association between breast cancer and dermatomyositis. A review of 178 papers identified 22 cases of breast cancer with dermatomyositis. Most patients (71%) presented with stage iii or iv breast cancer. The median time between the diagnosis of breast cancer and the onset of dermatomyositis symptoms was 1 month. Three quarters of the patients were steroid-responsive and able to taper. Half the women with follow-up data experienced a documented cancer relapse associated with a new flare of cutaneous symptoms. The presence of dermatomyositis appears to be associated with more-advanced breast cancer stage and is most commonly associated with invasive ductal carcinoma. In our review, treatment of cancer alone is insufficient to adequately control the cutaneous and myopathic manifestations of dermatomyositis, which can significantly affect quality of life. A multidisciplinary approach, including close collaboration with rheumatologists and dermatologists, is therefore important in the diagnosis and management of oncology patients with dermatomyositis. Full article