Denervation leads to volume regression in breast cancer

Publication date: Available online 28 March 2018
Source:Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery
Author(s): Elisabeth Artemis Kappos, Patricia Esther Engels, Mathias Tremp, Patricia Sieber, Stefanie von Felten, Srinivas Madduri, Moritz Meyer zu Schwabedissen, Arne Fischmann, Dirk Johannes Schaefer, Daniel Felix Kalbermatten
The nervous system plays a key role in controlling dynamic functions of multicellular complex organisms. Although peripheral nerves are supposed to play a pivotal role in tumor growth and dissemination, little experimental evidence exists to date. We assessed the effect of denervation on breast cancer growth by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in rats. Human breast cancer cells were implanted into adipofascial flaps with intact or surgically excised supplying nerve. Tumor volumes were measured two and eight weeks after implantation by in vivo MRI. Results were validated by histology. Two and eight weeks postoperatively tumor volume was 76 % (95 % CI: 22-93 %) lower in the denervated groups. Tumor area as determined histologically was reduced by 70 % (95 % CI: 60-78 %). Thus, peripheral denervation may be an effective surgical approach for the palliative treatment of locally progressing or non-controllable breast cancer.