In this study, we compared the accuracy of marker evaluation in core needle biopsy (CNB) specimens versus excision specimens (ESs) from breast cancer patients. This retrospective study used data collected from the breast cancer database at the West China Hospital, China. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) results from CNB specimens and ESs were compared, using estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and Ki-67 as markers. Molecular subtyping and endocrine therapy usage correlations based on CNB samples and ESs were evaluated. The results obtained from CNB samples and ESs exhibited substantial agreement for the detection of ER (κ = 0.522), PR (κ = 0.441), and HER2 (κ = 0.451), and also influenced endocrine therapy usage. Fair and poor correlations were observed for Ki-67 staining and molecular subtyping (κ = 0.195), respectively. This disagreement might be attributable to a combination of heterogeneity and large tumor size. This study indicates that the discordance rate in molecular marker staining between CNB specimens and ESs is significant enough that results obtained with CNB specimens should be used cautiously or verified using ESs.

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Even with a favorable prognosis, the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients remains unclear and conflicting. Thus, in the present study, we compared the HRQoL of PTC patients with that of the general population (GP).The study was performed in our thyroid and parathyroid surgery department, and 186 PTC patients who had undergone thyroidectomy were included. The exclusion criteria were an age < 18 years, no follow-up, and the presence of other malignant neoplasms. The control group included 186 volunteers who were matched by age, gender, and socioeconomic status. The survivor and control groups were asked to complete the Chinese version of the SF-36 questionnaire.The 186 volunteers from the GP were well matched to PTC patients with respect to the baseline demographic characteristics. PTC patients showed significantly lower scores than those of the control group in 7 domains of the HRQoL: role-physical (RP), bodily pain (BP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), social functioning (SF), role-emotional (RE), and mental health (MH). PTC was a risk factor for a low Physical Component Summary (PCS) score and a low Mental Component Summary (MCS) score (all P values were less than .05). Significant reductions in the scores of all 8 domains were observed at 1 month after the operation, and obvious recovery was noted at 6 months according to the PCS and MCS scores (all P values were less than .05). However, even 2 years after surgery, few domain scores had recovered to levels found in the GP, including the PCS and MCS scores (all P values were less than .05).Due to the decreased preoperative and postoperative HRQoL scores, much attention should be given to and more long-term observation should be performed for PTC patients, even those who have undergone surgery.

No abstract

The aim of this study is to report our experience with ductoscopic evaluation for screening patients with nipple discharge and evaluate any potential indications and benefits of ductoscopy. From January 2010 to December 2012, 419 female patients with nipple discharge were enrolled in this study. All patients involved in this study showed no mass in ultrasound and mammography. Data concerning age, clinical characteristics of nipple discharge, nipple discharge cytology, ductoscopic and postsurgical diagnosis, and complications were statistically analyzed. Ductoscopy examinations were completed in 405 patients (96.66%). For these 405 patients, there were 519 ductoscopic investigations. 112 (27.65%) patients were found to have intraductal papillary lesions of which 62 were operated in our hospital. Postsurgical diagnosis showed 8 (12.9%) malignancy including 6 DCIS and 2 invasive ductal carcinomas. All of the 8 patients meet at least two criteria of pathologic nipple discharge (single duct, spontaneous, bloody nipple discharge). The other patients with nonpapillary lesions are still under surveillance. By univariate analysis, patients with unilateral, single duct, spontaneous and bloody nipple discharge were more likely to have intraductal papillary lesions. By multivariate analysis, unilateral, spontaneous, and bloody nipple discharge showed statistically significant correlations with intraductal papillary lesions revealed by ductoscopy. Ductoscopy is a safe and efficient investigation in preoperative screening of the patients with nipple discharge. Clinical characteristics have predictive value in selection of patients for ductoscopical investigation. Patients with clinical characteristics of unilateral, spontaneous, and bloody nipple discharge were more likely to have intraductal papillary lesions revealed by ductoscopy.