Judy C. Boughey, M.D.

Collection of tissue and blood from patients with residual disease after neoadjuvant systemic therapy for breast cancer. We hope to use these samples to find out why some patients still have cancer after they have completed neoadjuvant anticancer therapy.

The goal of this clinical research study is to learn how often breast cancer recurs (returns after treatment) in the breast in patients who have been treated with chemotherapy and have had follow-up radiation therapy (but not surgery) and are in complete remission (no evidence of disease). This is an investigational study. Radiation therapy is delivered using FDA-approved and commercially available methods. The study doctor can explain how radiation therapy is designed to work. About 120 participants will be enrolled on this multicenter study. Up to 90 may take part at MD Anderson.

The purpose of this study is to further advance the ability to practice personalized medicine by learning which new drug agents are most effective with which types of breast cancer tumors and by learning more about which early indicators of response (tumor analysis prior to surgery via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images along with tissue and blood samples) are predictors of treatment success.

The Primary Aim of this study is to quantify BDTC in breast cancer patients at different stages of cancer. As part of this aim we will establish the proliferation status of the tumor cells. We will in parallel examine CTC to determine the correlation between BDTC and CTC. The Second Aim is to determine role of tumor associated immune responses in maintaining tumor dormancy. Knowledge gained will provide the rationale for an in depth study of breast cancer tumor dormancy and immune response. Ultimately, the information gained will help us to design of immune intervention strategies that prevent cancer recurrence.

RATIONALE: Breast-conserving surgery is a less invasive type of surgery for breast cancer and may have fewer side effects and improve recovery. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x rays to kill tumor cells. Giving radiation therapy after surgery may kill any tumor cells that remain after surgery.

PURPOSE: This phase II trial studies how well breast-conserving surgery and radiation therapy work in treating patients with multiple ipsilateral breast cancer

The purpose of this research study is to better understand the reasons why or why not breast cancers are destroyed by standard chemotherapy. This information will be used to develop new and better cancer therapies.

The purpose of this study is to extend the follow up on the BEAUTY study (MC1137) cohort and collect additional blood samples to evaluate for minimal residual disease and tissue at the time of any breast cancer recurrence.

This phase II trial studies how well biopsy of breast after chemotherapy works in predicting pathologic response in patients with stage II-IIIA breast cancer undergoing breast conserving surgery. Tumor tissue collected from biopsy before surgery may help to check if chemotherapy destroyed the breast cancer cells and may be compared to the tumor removed during surgery to check if they are the same.

The purpose of this study is to learn whether there are differences in the outcome between placing the tissue expander above or below the chest muscle in women having immediate breast reconstruction following a mastectomy  The study will evaluate pain, wellbeing, and overall satisfaction with reconstruction. A secondary purpose is to learn whether there are differences in complications and costs between the two locations.