Sternal Resection for Breast Cancer Metastases

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Oncology
• Breast Cancer Research

Background:

• Sternal infiltration by breast cancer (BC) is rare but necessitates investigation.
• Sternal resection as a treatment for BC is not extensively studied.
• Understanding long-term outcomes of sternal resection for BC is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate long-term survival and prognostic factors after sternal resection in breast cancer patients.
• To assess the morbidity and mortality associated with sternal resection for breast cancer.
• To determine the impact of additional lung metastases on survival outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 20 breast cancer patients undergoing sternal resection (2003-2014).
• Inclusion of patients with additional lung metastases.
• Utilized mesh-methyl methacrylate (sandwich technique) with myocutaneous flap reconstruction.
• Kaplan-Meier method for survival curves; log-rank test for prognosticators.

Main Results:

• Median survival was 32 months; 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survivals were 79%, 39%, and 39%.
• Low morbidity (35%) and zero mortality were observed.
• Positive hormone status showed a trend towards longer survival (p=0.070).
• Additional lung metastases did not significantly impact survival (p=0.826).

Conclusions:

• Sternal resection for breast cancer can achieve promising long-term survival with R0 resection.
• Good functional and cosmetic outcomes are attainable with low morbidity and mortality.
• Patients with lung metastases may benefit from resection and require multidisciplinary discussion.