Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among women in the United States, with a greater increase in incidence among Asian American women than among others. Despite having resided in the United States for decades, Asian American breast cancer survivors face unique cultural challenges, including stigma and reluctance to disclose their illness. We present a Viewpoint to discuss practical issues encountered in implementing a culturally tailored, technology-based program aimed at reducing pain and depressive symptoms in Asian American breast cancer survivors. This Viewpoint is a simple ancillary content analysis of meeting minutes and research diaries from a parent study of cancer pain management; here, we identify themes related to practical issues in conducting a culturally tailored, technology-based intervention among Asian American breast cancer survivors with pain and depressive symptoms. Key issues identified include (1) reluctance to disclose, (2) variability in engagement based on disease status, (3) the need for personalized support, and (4) intraethnic differences related to various factors. Suggestions for future research include (1) tailoring communication to participants' preferences while building trust over time, (2) applying flexible care strategies, (3) assessing individual needs early and adapting materials based on feedback, (4) matching participants with interventionists according to language and level of acculturation, and (5) respecting differences in cultural identities between ethnic subgroups. Addressing these challenges can improve the effectiveness of technology-based interventions for racial or ethnic minority groups.

Uterine leiomyomas are common benign smooth muscle tumors typically confined to the uterus and hormonally responsive to estrogen and progesterone, typically regressing after menopause. Rarely, they demonstrate metastatic behavior despite benign histology, a condition known as benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML). BML is exceedingly rare and can mimic malignancy, posing diagnostic challenges. We report a rare case of a 53-year-old woman with a history of hysterectomy for leiomyomas who presented with dyspnea and chest pain. Imaging revealed numerous bilateral pulmonary nodules, later confirmed to be smooth muscle tumors. After being lost to follow-up, she returned 2 years later with new breast and forearm masses. Imaging and biopsy confirmed metastatic smooth muscle tumors consistent with BML. Breast lesions mimicked benign cysts on ultrasound, underscoring the importance of clinical and histological correlation. The patient responded well to treatment with symptom improvement. This case highlights the rare phenomenon of BML metastasizing to multiple extrauterine sites, including the breast and soft tissues, locations infrequently reported. Imaging findings, particularly in the breast, can mimic benign lesions such as simple cysts, underscoring the need for biopsy and correlation with clinical history. BML should be considered in women with a history of uterine fibroids and indolent-appearing metastases without fludeoxyglucose uptake on positron emission tomography, computed tomography, and cystic appearance on ultrasound of breast lesions. Early recognition is crucial to avoid misclassification as malignancy and to guide effective hormonal treatment.

Breast edema is a clinically significant but underrecognized complication following breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and radiotherapy. It involves parenchymal and cutaneous changes that can cause pain, functional impairment, and reduced quality of life. Despite overlapping risk factors and shared lymphatic pathophysiology with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL), breast edema remains poorly defined, with no standardized diagnostic criteria and wide variability in reported incidence. In contrast to the extensive literature on arm lymphedema, breast edema, particularly in patients who develop BCRL, has not been systematically synthesized. A clearer understanding of this relationship is needed to improve recognition, diagnosis, and clinical management. This systematic review aims to analyze the association between breast edema and BCRL, focusing on the development of breast edema and its quantitative diagnostic criteria following BCS. Three databases (Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science) were searched for studies pertaining to breast edema and arm lymphedema following BCS. Studies underwent a multistep screening process to ensure they met the inclusion criteria before inclusion in this systematic review. To be included in this review, studies must have been peer-reviewed, published between 2015 and 2025, written in the English language, and relevant to the topic of breast cancer-related lymphedema following BCS. A total of 23 studies met our inclusion criteria, representing 10,402 women across 14 countries who underwent BCS. The prevalence of breast edema varied widely, ranging from 2.7% to 24.8% in clinically assessed cohorts and up to 72% in ultrasound (US)-based studies. Breast edema was more frequently observed following axillary lymph node dissection, larger breast volume, higher body mass index (BMI), postoperative cellulitis, and in patients with BCRL. Women with breast edema reported worse quality of life, greater breast pain, and poorer body image. Quantitative assessment methods, including US and tissue dielectric constant (TDC) measurements, identified both clinical and subclinical breast tissue changes, though diagnostic thresholds and assessment approaches varied substantially across studies. Overall, this review illustrates multiple factors that contribute to breast edema and arm lymphedema, yet also points to the need to improve assessment measures to both identify and prevent edema following BCS.

Breast cancer incidence rates are rising due to early detection, improved screening methods and advances in treatment options. As mortality rates reduce, there is a growing population living longer with treatment side-effects who require assistance. Prevalent issues arising after breast cancer treatment include pain, fatigue, lymphoedema and arm and shoulder mobility issues. Evidence demonstrates that upper limb exercises help reduce these common side effects and improve day-to-day functioning and quality of life. However, access to physiotherapy and rehabilitation services remains limited due to resource and access constraints. Despite a growing interest in digital health resources, little is known about the effectiveness of using digital exercise interventions to help resolve this problem.

Postoperative pain remains a major concern following breast surgery, with persistent pain rates varying by definition and duration of follow-up. Optimizing perioperative analgesia is essential to enhance recovery and reduce the risk of chronic postmastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS). Ultrasound-guided fascial plane blocks, including interpectoral plane (IPP), pectoserratus plane (PSP), and serratus anterior plane (SAP) blocks, have gained increasing use as regional analgesic techniques targeting chest wall innervation while avoiding the risks associated with more invasive regional approaches such as thoracic epidural or paravertebral blocks. A narrative review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, with studies selected based on relevance to postoperative pain outcomes in breast surgery. Evidence suggests that IPP, PSP, and SAP blocks are associated with reduced postoperative pain scores and opioid consumption compared with systemic analgesia alone. Comparative studies generally demonstrate similar overall analgesic efficacy between techniques, although differences in dermatomal coverage and onset characteristics have been reported. IPP primarily targets the pectoral nerves, whereas PSP provides broader coverage of the intercostal and intercostobrachial nerves, including the axillary region. In contrast, SAP blocks provide wider lateral thoracic wall coverage through blockade of the lateral cutaneous branches of the intercostal nerves. Evidence regarding effects on chronic pain outcomes remains limited and heterogeneous. These techniques demonstrate favorable safety profiles when performed under ultrasound guidance. Selection of block technique should be individualized based on surgical approach, anticipated pain distribution, and patient-specific factors.

Primary neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of the breast are a very rare type of tumor, originating from cells that make up the neuroendocrine system and produce peptides and amines. This type of tumor represents a very rare subtype of breast carcinoma, occurring mainly in postmenopausal women. Breast NETs are graded as well-differentiated G1, moderately differentiated G2, and poorly differentiated G3 (small or large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma), according to the Nottingham system. Neuroendocrine carcinomas usually affect the gastrointestinal and the pulmonary system. We present a rare case of an 88-year-old woman who presented with a right breast mass, which was identified 1.5 months prior. The patient reported mild pain and localized tenderness throughout the day. She underwent a right breast lumpectomy for a palpable mass located in the upper inner quadrant. The pathological identification revealed histologic sections of neoplastic mammary gland tissue exhibiting neuroendocrine immunomorphological features, consistent with a well-differentiated grade. This case highlights the rarity of primary neuroendocrine tumors of the breast and the importance of an early diagnosis. Further studies are needed in order to better understand the biological behavior of the tumor and discover optimal therapies to maximize patient outcomes.