Overview
Malignant neoplasm of the breast in full remission refers to the state where there is no evidence of active disease following definitive treatment, typically surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or targeted therapies, with ongoing surveillance to monitor for recurrence. 12Diagnosis
Confirmation of complete remission through imaging (mammography, MRI, ultrasound) and clinical examination.
Regular monitoring with blood biomarkers (e.g., CA 15-3, CEA) if clinically indicated.
Annual mammography and clinical follow-up visits as per standard guidelines. 1Management
Surveillance: Regular follow-up including physical exams and imaging studies to detect early recurrence. 1
Psychosocial Support: Counseling and support groups to address emotional and psychological well-being. 1
Lifestyle Modifications: Encourage healthy lifestyle choices including diet, exercise, and avoidance of known carcinogens. 1Special Populations
Pregnancy: Specific considerations for surveillance and treatment adjustments during pregnancy are not addressed in the provided abstracts. 1
Pediatrics: No specific data provided regarding pediatric populations in remission. 1
Elderly: Tailored surveillance plans considering comorbidities and functional status are recommended but not detailed in the abstracts. 1
Comorbidities: Management of comorbidities should be integrated into overall care plans, though specific guidance is not provided in the abstracts. 1Key Recommendations
Implement clinically integrated randomized trials for optimizing post-treatment analgesia methods, such as nerve blocks, to enhance patient comfort during reconstructive surgeries, improving quality of life post-remission. (Evidence: Moderate 12)
Consider the use of combined nerve blocks (e.g., paravertebral plus thoracic wall blocks) over single nerve blocks for enhanced intraoperative analgesia during mastectomy procedures, potentially reducing sedative and analgesic requirements. (Evidence: Moderate 2)
Regular multidisciplinary follow-up is essential for patients in remission, focusing on both clinical and imaging surveillance to monitor for recurrence effectively. (Evidence: Expert opinion 1)References
1 Tokita HK, Assel M, Serafin J, Lin E, Sarraf L, Masson G et al.. Optimizing accrual to a large-scale, clinically integrated randomized trial in anesthesiology: A 2-year analysis of recruitment. Clinical trials (London, England) 2025. link
2 Li NL, Yu BL, Hung CF. Paravertebral Block Plus Thoracic Wall Block versus Paravertebral Block Alone for Analgesia of Modified Radical Mastectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study. PloS one 2016. link