Immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) following a mastectomy, combined with radiotherapy, presents a multifaceted approach to breast cancer treatment, balancing oncological safety and aesthetic outcomes. IBR, typically involving the use of implants or autologous tissue, aims to restore breast morphology directly after a mastectomy, minimizing the psychological and physical impacts. However, integrating radiotherapy with IBR is complex due to the potential adverse effects on reconstructed tissues. Radiotherapy, essential for reducing local recurrence, can induce fibrosis, capsular contracture, and compromised aesthetic results. This narrative review covers the current trends in the sequencing of breast reconstruction and radiotherapy. We discuss patient selection, timing of radiotherapy, and reconstructive techniques, with special attention paid to quality-of-life outcomes that are increasingly reported in clinical trials. Emerging evidence supports the feasibility of IBR with careful patient selection and tailored therapeutic approaches, although ongoing research is necessary to refine protocols and enhance outcomes. Overall, IBR in the context of radiotherapy remains a promising but intricate treatment modality, requiring a nuanced balance between cancer control and aesthetic restoration.

Background: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) p.Thr790Met (T790M) mutation was discovered as a resistance mechanism in patients with lung cancer treated with first- and second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Further studies revealed the EGFR T790M mutation in treatment-naive non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and as a rare germline mutation strongly associated with NSCLC. Somatic EGFR T790M mutations have been reported in a limited population of patients with triple-negative breast cancer. There are no previous reports of a germline EGFR T790M mutation found in a patient with breast cancer.Case presentation: We present a rare case of a 42-year-old woman with a rapidly progressing 8 cm mass in the right lateral breast. An additional right breast mass with multiple lymph nodes characteristic or suspicious of metastasis was found. Ultrasound-guided biopsy showed high-grade, poorly differentiated invasive neuroendocrine carcinoma of the right breast and metastatic carcinoma of a right axillary lymph node. Genetic testing revealed a germline EGFR T790M mutation. The patient underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, right mastectomy with lymph node dissection, adjuvant radiation to the right chest wall and axilla, and adjuvant chemotherapy.Conclusion: This is the first reported case of a patient with high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma, triple-negative breast cancer and a germline EGFR T790M mutation. Further investigation is needed to find a possible correlation between the cancer in this patient and her mutation. Since there are no current guidelines, further research is also needed to define screening protocols for patients with germline EGFR T790M mutations. Additional treatment options and cancer risk could also be found with further research, which would benefit all patients with a germline EGFR T790M mutation.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies in the world and is the second leading cause of cancer mortality. Concerningly, CRC affecting patients aged 30–49 has been skyrocketing in recent decades, which has prompted adjustments to screening guidelines in the United States in 2023. With this single-center retrospective chart review, we evaluated 230 patients with CRC from the Northwest Ohio region with the goal of potentially identifying trends in demographic, lifestyle, and molecular risk factors in these patients. With this study, we believe that we have produced a data set that, while limited by a small early-onset cohort and unadjusted analyses, may be appropriate for use as a hypothesis-generating tool for future studies within the region in order to help direct further discussion regarding CRC in patients aged 30–49.