Mayo Clinic researchers will present a variety of breast cancer research studies as part of the 33rd Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Dec. 8-12. Links to prominent studies are below, including video and audio resources available for download for use in stories.
Expert analysis of HER2 breast cancer tests reveals issues with reliability – Dr. Edith Perez
Novel imaging technique may reduce lymphedema in breast cancer patients – Dr. Andrea Cheville
To schedule media interviews, contact media relations consultant Nicole Engler at 507-421-1539.
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Expert analysis of HER2 breast cancer tests reveals issues with reliability
Results for testing breast tumors for HER2 proteins and genes is most often straightforward when one piece of tumor (a single tumor block) is analyzed. However, tumors can be diverse, and researchers at Mayo Clinic found that HER2 results can vary in up to 10 percent of patients when several tumor blocks are analyzed.
This could have significant implications for patient treatment, say the researchers led by Edith Perez, M.D., who is presenting their findings at the 33rd Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
Below is a link to an edited youtube video with Dr. Perez that you can embed with your stories. It will be made public when the embargo lifts.
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Novel imaging technique may reduce lymphedema in breast cancer patients
With guidance from a specialized scan, radiation oncologists at Mayo Clinic were able to reduce by 55 percent the number lymph nodes critical for removing fluid from the arm that received damaging radiation doses.
The researchers, led by Andrea Cheville, M.D., report that integrating single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with the computerized tomography (CT) scans utilized for breast cancer radiotherapy planning may offer patients substantial protection against lymphedema, an incurable, chronic swelling of tissue that results from damage to lymph nodes sustained during breast cancer radiation. The SPECT/CT scan pinpoints the precise locations of the lymph nodes that are critical for removing fluid from the arm, allowing physicians to block them, as much as possible, from X-ray beams delivered to the chest.
These findings will be presented at the 33rd Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
Below is a link to an edited youtube video with Dr. Cheville that you can embed with your stories.
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Young Age Is Associated with Increased Risk of Local Recurrence Following Breast Conservation Surgery
This retrospective study assessed approximately 3,000 breast cancer patients undergoing breast conservation surgery to determine whether age affects the risk of local recurrence. Led by breast cancer surgeon Judy C. Boughey, M.D., of Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., the researchers found that women under the age of 40 had a higher risk of breast cancer recurrence (approximately 12 percent) compared to women 40 years old and older whose recurrence rates were 6 to 8 percent.
Below, Dr. Boughey explains the findings, and reiterates that this does not mean that younger women shouldn’t undergo breast conservation surgery, however, they should be aware that they are at higher risk for breast cancer recurrence in the breast.
Below is a link to an edited youtube video with Dr. Boughey that you can embed with your stories.
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Adjuvant trastuzumab increases overall survival in HER2 positive breast cancer patients
This practice-changing trial conducted by the North Central Cancer Treatment Group found that adjuvant trastuzumab improved not only disease-free survival but overall survival in HER2 positive breast cancer patients. It also showed that giving trastuzumab along with chemotherapy was superior compared to no trastuzumab or trastuzumab given after chemotherapy.
Below, lead investigator Michele Halyard, M.D., radiation oncologist at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, explains more about this study to be presented at the 33rd Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
Below is a link to an edited youtube video with Dr. Halyard that you can embed with your stories.
