[en] The long term risks of the exposure of the female breast to ionizing radiation in general and in the framework of mammography screening in particular are reviewed. Updated quantitative evaluation of these risks is based on the analysis of the results of several epidemiological studies. Among these studies are those of the Japanese atomic- bomb survivors and of several groups of women who underwent radiotherapy or medical diagnosis procedures involving multiple chest fluoroscopes. the review is based on recruit UNSCEAR, NCRP and other publications. In general the great majority of the epidemiological studies indicate an increased incidence or mortality from breast cancer following irradiation. Some of file findings of these studies are: A linear dose-response function reasonably fits the epidemiological data. There is a latent period of at least 5 years between exposure and the start of risk increase. The results are consistent with a relative risk model. The fatalities of radiation induced breast cancer is similar to that for other breast cancers. The risk is file highest for young women and is substantially reduced with age at exposure. The dose rate has no major effect on Use risk. The NCRP concludes in its recent report related to mammography 12, that the number of excess breast cancer death cases expected in a population of 100,000 women subsequent to an annual screening examination up to the age of 69 is 18 casts if they start Dee annual screenings at age 40 (a total of 30 screenings), 9 cases if they start at age 45, 4 cases if they start at age 50 and 2 cases only if they start at age 55 (a total of 15 screenings). The total mean glandular dose assumed in these calculations is 4 mGy for each examination. These numbers have to be compared to 16,131, 15,591, 14,569 and 13,211 breast cancer cases expected in that population, subsequent to the above ages, respectively, in Dee absence of screening. The conclusion of the NCRP is that: In summary, it is clear that in terms of breast cancer mortality, the risk of radiation induced mortality, even given n series of 30 annual screenings, is offset by even a minimal benefit in reduced breast cancer mortality from screening as low as one percent' Seven epidemiological studies are reviewed in the NCRP report. All of these, but one, resulted in a significant reduction of 9-32 % in the breast cancer death rate in the screened population (as compared to the non screened population)

[en] Published in summary form only

No abstract available

[en] Published in summary form only

[en] Membrane vesicles released by neoplastic cells into extracellular medium contain potential of carrying arrays of oncogenic molecules including proteins and microRNAs (miRNA). Extracellular (exosome-like) vesicles play a major role in cell-to-cell communication. Thus, the characterization of proteins and miRNAs of exosome-like vesicles is imperative in clarifying intercellular signaling as well as identifying disease markers. Exosome-like vesicles were isolated using gradient centrifugation from MCF-7 and MDA-MB 231 cultures. Proteomic profiling of vesicles using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) revealed different protein profiles of exosome-like vesicles derived from MCF-7 cells (MCF-Exo) than those from MDA-MB 231 cells (MDA-Exo). The protein database search has identified 88 proteins in MDA-Exo and 59 proteins from MCF-Exo. Analysis showed that among all, 27 proteins were common between the two exosome-like vesicle types. Additionally, MDA-Exo contains a higher amount of matrix-metalloproteinases, which might be linked to the enhanced metastatic property of MDA-MB 231 cells. In addition, microarray analysis identified several oncogenic miRNA between the two types vesicles. Identification of the oncogenic factors in exosome-like vesicles is important since such vesicles could convey signals to non-malignant cells and could have an implication in tumor progression and metastasis

[en] Background Breast compression is important in mammography in order to improve image quality, better separate tissue components, and reduce absorbed dose to the breast. In this study we use a method to measure and visualize the distribution of pressure over a compressed breast in mammography. Purpose To measure and describe the pressure distribution over the breast as a result of applied breast compression in mammography. Material and Methods One hundred and three women aged 40.7-74.3 years (median, 48.9 years) invited for mammographic screening consented to take part in this study. They were subjected to two additional breast compressions of the left breast (standard force and approximately 50% reduction). Pressure images of the compressed breast were obtained using force sensing resistor (FSR) sensors placed underneath the compression plate. Subjects rated their experience of pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS). Results Four pressure patterns were identified, fitting 81 of the 103 breasts, which were grouped accordingly. The remaining 22 breasts were found to correspond to a combination of any two patterns. Two groups (43 breasts) showed pressure mainly over the juxtathoracic part of the breast, had significantly greater breast thickness (P = 0.003) and had a lower mean pressure over dense tissue (P < 0.0001) than those with more evenly distributed pressure. Reducing compression force increased average breast thickness by 1.8 mm (P < 0.0001). Conclusion The distribution of pressure differed greatly between breasts. In a large proportion of breasts the compression plate did not provide optimal compression of the breast, the compression force being absorbed in juxtathoracic structures

[en] Thirty-six patients whose ages varied from 10 to 21 years have been examined: 35 by ultrasound mammography (USM) and one by ductography. On USM, 16 patients presented fluidifield lesions, 17 showed solid masses and the remaining 2 cases presented diffuse disease. The radiological findings on the patient who have undergone ductography were suggestive of intraductal papillomas. Seventeen lesions were biopsied: 13 solid masses, 2 fluid-filled, and 2 diffuse lesions. The purpose of this paper is to show other diseases than fibroadenoma, which occur in this age range, and to present the usefulness of USM in order to understand the sonographic patterns of the diseases of the adolescent breast. (author)

[en] The purpose of this study was to determine the value of galactography-guided, stereotactic, vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) for the assessment of intraductal breast lesions and its potential as a therapeutic tool that could eliminate the need for surgical excision. Eighteen patients (median age 64 years, range 37-80) with nipple discharge and galactography-verified intraductal lesions underwent galactography-guided, stereotactic, 11-gauge VABB followed by surgery. Histopathology findings from VABB and subsequent surgery were compared. Underestimation and false-negative rates were assessed. After VABB, histopathology revealed invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) in three (17%), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in six (33%), high-risk lesions in six (33%) and benign lesions in three (17%) cases. After surgical biopsy, histopathology confirmed the previously established diagnosis in 11 lesions (61%). The underestimation rate for high-risk lesions and DCIS was 50% (6/12). The false-negative rate was 7% (1/14). Histopathology examination after surgery showed that not a single lesion had been completely removed at VABB. Galactography-guided VABB is a feasible diagnostic tool. However, its value as a therapeutic procedure is limited because of the high number of underestimated and missed lesions and because of the histopathological detection of lesions' remnants in every case. Surgical excision should be the therapeutic gold standard in cases of pathological nipple discharge and galactography abnormalities. (orig.)

[en] MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that have key regulatory roles in cancer, acting as both oncogenes and tumor suppressors. Due to the potential roles of miRNAs in improving cancer prognostic, predictive, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, they have become an area of intense research focus in recent years. MiRNAs harbor attractive features allowing for translation to the clinical world, such as relatively simple extraction methods, resistance to molecular degradation, and ability to be quantified. Numerous prognostic, predictive and diagnostic miRNA signatures have been developed. To date however, miRNA analysis has not been adopted for routine clinical use. The objectives of this article are to provide an overview of miRNA research and review a selection of miRNA studies in breast cancer, cervical cancer, sarcoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma to highlight advances and challenges in miRNA cancer research

No abstract available