Objective To investigate the significance of preserving the intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) during axillary node clearance for breast cancer and share, some technical experiences of this procedure. Methods ICBN was preserved integally or partially in 78 patients of breast cancer (ICBN preserved group) and resected integrally (ICBN resected group) in 18 patients. Sensory disorders and motorial recoveries as well as tumor recurrence were compared between the two groups one week and one year after operation. Results Morbidity of sensory disorders in ICBN preserved group was less than that in ICBN resected group. Motorial recoveries were better in ICBN preserved patients without decreasing the number of axillary nodes resected and without increasing the recurrence of tumor. Conclusion ICBN should be preserved as far as possible during axillary node clearance for breast cancer.

Objective To investigate clinical features,diagnosis and surgery treatment of Hashimoto thyroiditis associated with thyroid carcinoma. Method Twenty-four cases of Hashimoto thyroiditis diagnosed by surgical pathology from January 2004 to December 2009 were associated with thyroid carcinoma. Results In the all 24 cases,22 cases (91.7% ,22/24) were associated with papillary thyroid carcinoma,including 12 cases (50.0% ,12/24) of micropapillary thyroid carcinoma,and 2 cases (8.3%, 2/24) were associated with medullay thyroid carcinoma. Thyroid colour ultrasound Doppler indicated that diffuse enlargement of thyroid with nodes occurred in 21 cases,account for 87.5%(21/24), single node occurred in 15 cases,account for 62.5%(15/24), 12 cases demonstrated thyroid nodes with calcification,account for 50.0%(12/24). Eight cases were examinated by fine-needle aspiration cytology biopsy(FNACB) before operation,examing results of 3 indicated thyroid carcinoma, account for 37.5%. Twenty cases were followed up 2 months to 6 years,no thyroid carcinoma recurred,4 cases missed. Conclusions Thyroid colour ultrasound Doppler examination plays an important role in diagnosis of Hashimoto thyroiditis associated with thyroid carcinoma before operation. It is necessary to investigate progressively the role of FNACB in diagnosis of Hashimoto thyroiditis associated with thyroid carcinoma before operation. Surgical exploration might become an important approach in diagnosis and treatment of Hashimoto thyroiditis associated with thyroid carcinoma.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics,diagnosis,treatment,and prognosis of male breast cancer.Methods The clinical data of 38 cases of male breast cancer,who were treated in the two hospital during the past 10 years,were analyzed retrospectively.The diagnosis was mainly based on preoperative B-ultrasound,radiography with molybdenum target tube and fine needle aspiration.Among the 38 cases,radical mastectomy was conducted in 3 cases,modified radical mastectomy in 27 cases,simple mastectomy in 5 cases,and operation was refused in 3 cases.Postoperatively,radiotherapy was adopted in 4 cases,simple endocrinotherapy in 7 cases,radiotherapy plus chemotherapy in 9 cases,and chemotherapy plus endocrinotherapy in 8 cases.Results Median age at treatment was 58.5(53-82)years.TNM staging included stageⅠin 13 cases,stageⅡ in 19 cases,stageⅢ in 4 cases,and stageⅣ in 2 cases.Median follow-up was 73.8 months(2 months-10 years),and follow-up rate was 73.6%(28/38).During the follow-up,13 cases died including 8 cases died of local recurrence and metastasis,and 5 cases died of heart and brain disease.The 5-and 10-year overall survival rate was 71.6% and 55.3% respectively;5-and 10-year disease-specific survival of stageⅠ,Ⅱ was 92.6% and 78.9% respeoively;among 6 cases of stageⅢ,Ⅳ 4 were followed,and all 4 cases died with in 3 years.Conclusions Male breast cancer has a long course,poor prognosis and low survival rate.Combined therapy with modified radical mastectomy,as its basis,is the treatment of choice for male breast cancer.There is a certain correlation between the prognosis of male breast cancer and clinical stage of the disease.