Background: Developing countries like India share higher burden of deaths due to breast cancer, despite having lower incidence than the west. Greater proportion of patients presenting with advanced stages of cancer is one of the reasons for this disparity. Since the factors leading to such delay have not been well studied in Indian patients, we decided to perform this study. Methodology: This was an observational study conducted from Jan 2021 to July 2022. Purposive Non-Random sampling was used and patients who had stage 3 or 4 breast cancer and were between 18-80 years of age were recruited. Interview was done on a one-to-one basis in a secluded area. Descriptive statistics were used, and chi-square was used to study the association of socio-demographic and clinical variables with the delay status of the breast cancer. Results: A total of 75 participants were enrolled in the study with mean age of 52.5 years and SD of 12.5 years. Out of these, 74 had lump as their first symptom. Only 14 of these 74 presented early i.e., within 3 months of onset of symptoms. Rest 60 participants presented late (more than 3 months after onset of symptoms). Between these two groups, difference in incidences of pregnancy associated lumps (0% in < 3 months vs 13.1% in ≥ 3 months, p=0.002), patients being afraid of treatment related complications (0% in < 3months vs 6.6% in ≥ 3 months, p=0.039) and their inability to decide because of lack of knowledge (0% in < 3months vs 6.6% in ≥ 3 months, p=0.039) were statistically significant. To our surprise, the thought that the lump was harmless and painless, embarrassment, limited access to healthcare and distance from the nearest healthcare facility, financial limitations, educational status, socio-economic status, family history of breast cancer, fear of mutilating surgeries and use of traditional medicine or spiritual care didn’t have significant effect on whether the patients presented within or after 3 months of onset of symptoms. On the question of COVID pandemic related delay, only 16% of all patients cited this as an additional reason for delay and this was again, not different between the patients who presented within or after 3 months of onset of symptoms. Conclusions: Health promotion in terms of proper evaluation of pregnancy related lumps and awareness about the management options of breast cancer may help patients to present earlier to healthcare facilities and may help in improving breast cancer related outcomes in developing countries like India. Citation Format: SIDDHANT KHARE, Vidushi Doda, R N NAGA SANTOSH IRRINKI. Reasons for Delay in Indian Women Presenting with Primary Stage III or IV Breast Cancer: An Observational Study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-05-18.

TITLE: Effect of intra-operative and post-operative topical tranexamic acid on early post-operative complications in patients undergoing axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer. Authors: PACHIMATLA AKHIL GOUD1, ISHITHA LARAOIYA2, SIDDHANT KHARE3, R N NAGA SANTHOSH IRRINKI2, GURPREET SINGH4. Affiliation: 1. Junior Resident, Department of General Surgery, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (P.G.I.M.E.R.), Chandigarh. 2. Assistant professor, Department of General Surgery, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (P.G.I.M.E.R.), Chandigarh. 3. Associate professor, Department of General Surgery, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (P.G.I.M.E.R.), Chandigarh. 4. Professor and Head (retired), Department of General Surgery, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (P.G.I.M.E.R.), Chandigarh. BACKGROUND: Seroma formation after breast surgery has been a consistent problem with no established causes or risk factors. The role of topical tranexamic acid in reducing the incidence of seroma after axillary clearance in breast cancer is controversial. AIMS & OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of intra-operative and post-operative topical Tranexamic acid on the duration of drain and volume of seroma in patients undergoing axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective, non-blinded, triple-arm randomized controlled trial conducted at the Department of General Surgery, PGIMER, 154 breast cancer patients were enrolled and studied from July 2020-July 2021. They were randomized into three groups. Group A (n=51) received a single dose of diluted topical tranexamic acid intra-operatively, Group B (n=52) received intra-operative dose and daily post-operative doses till day-5 through the suction drain placed intra-operatively, and Group C(n=51) did not receive any topical tranexamic acid. The study groups were primarily compared for the total drain duration and total drainage volume. Daily drain volume for the first five days, complications like seroma, wound infection and severity of surgical site infections using Southampton score, and adverse reactions of the drug were compared. RESULTS Out of the 154 patients, four have failed to maintain appropriate records and analysis was done with 150 patients. The mean age of the study population was 52.17±8.69 yrs, with a mean BMI of 26.20±4.14. The final analysis showed no significant difference in total drain volume across the three groups, but patients receiving multiple doses of topical tranexamic acid had the lowest total volume drained compared to patients receiving a single dose or no dose (1763ml Vs 1597 Vs 1773ml: p=0.269. There was no significant change in the duration of the post-operative drain (21.6 Vs 19.2 Vs 19.55 days: p=0.54). There was no statistically significant difference in complications between the groups. Seroma was seen in 6 vs 7 vs 4%(p=0.629) patients in groups A, B and C respectively. Wound site infection was noted in 11 vs 13 vs 10% of patients (p= 0.766). None of the patient characteristics like age, BMI, co-morbidities, previous lumpectomy, menopause, and length of history significantly correlated with seroma formation in the study population. CONCLUSION There was no significant reduction in drain volume or duration with either single or multiple doses of topical tranexamic acid after the axillary clearance for breast cancer. Even though not significant, an increasing trend in wound site infections was noted among the patients who received multiple doses of tranexamic acid was noted. Citation Format: AKHIL GOUD PACHIMATLA, R N NAGA SANTOSH IRRINKI, ISHITA LAROIYA, SIDDHANT KHARE. Effect Of Intra-operative And Post-operative Topical Tranexamic Acid On early post-operative complications In Patients Undergoing Axillary Lymph Node Dissection For Breast Cancer- A randomized controlled study. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-14-14.

Background For early-stage breast cancer BCS followed by radiation therapy has been validated as safe alternative to Radical Mastectomy. One peculiar problem faced in developing countries is patients in whom primary tumor has been excised elsewhere. There is a lack of clear treatment history and pre-operative examination and imaging in such patients, which makes accurate staging and planning for definitive surgery much more challenging. We did this retrospective analysis to assess clinical, cosmetic and QOL outcomes in the above-mentioned group of patients. Methods Patients between 18 and 80 years diagnosed with biopsy proven carcinoma breast that had the primary tumor excised outside and underwent BCS at our institute were included. They were subjected to routine history and physical examination as per the institute standard of care. Overall survival was estimated using Kaplan Meier curve. Expected 4 years survival was calculated using percentage of people who were alive out of those patients whose follow up was known at the end of 4 years. Cosmetic outcome was assessed using patient reported BCTOS 12 scores whereas quality of life outcome was assessed using patient reported EORTC and SF 36 questionnaire scores. Results Twenty-two patients were enrolled. Overall survival at 4 years was 72% comparable in NACT and No NACT (p< 0.29). 5.45% patients had local recurrence. Cosmetic outcome was excellent to good in 90% patients, similar between NACT and No NACT (p 0.69). Quality of life was excellent-good in 65% patients (EORTC) which was significantly higher in No NACT group (p 0.05) Conclusion BCS after scar excision following non oncological resection of breast primary may be an acceptable modality of treatment with good cosmetic and Quality of life outcomes. Citation Format: R N NAGA SANTOSH IRRINKI, SIDDHANT KHARE, gurpreet Singh, ishita laroiya, aniket mishra. Oncological, Cosmetic and Quality of life outcomes following breast conservation surgery in patients presenting after non-oncological excsion of breast primary: A prospective follow up study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-09-02.

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