Original Article

Does the Number of Positive Nodes in pN1 Premenopausal HR+/HER2− Breast Cancer Patients with a Low 21-Gene Recurrence Score Predict Chemotherapy Benefit?

Objectives: The RxPONDER trial showed premenopausal patients with pT1-2 N1 hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/HER2− breast cancer benefit from chemotherapy regardless of 21-gene recurrence score (RS), but it did not analyze whether the number of positive lymph nodes (+LNs) was correlative of outcomes. Our study sought to evaluate whether the number of…

Original Article

Prevalence of Germline Mutations among Young Women with Breast Cancer in Louisiana by Cancer Subtype and Race

Objective: Black women in Louisiana have an increased breast cancer incidence. In addition, mortality and incidence of breast cancer in younger patients are on the rise, regardless of race or germline mutations. Most available germline mutation data in breast cancer are based primarily on White patient populations. We sought to…

Original Article

Factors Associated with Positive Margin Requiring Re-Excision after Oncoplastic Breast-Conserving Surgery

Objective: Multiple factors are associated with re-excision after breast-conserving surgery (BCS), however there is minimal literature discussing factors associated with re-excision after oncoplastic BCS (OBCS). This retrospective study aimed to identify factors associated with positive margins requiring re-excision after OBCS. Methods: A retrospective review was performed on patients who underwent…

Assembly Faculty Spotlight: Julie McMahon, MPH

The Southern Medical Association (SMA) is proud to feature Julie McMahon, MPH, as a speaker for the Association’s 117th Annual Scientific Assembly taking place November 13-15, 2025 in New Orleans.

Assembly Faculty Spotlight: Mohammad Jahanzeb, MD, FACP

The Southern Medical Association (SMA) is proud to feature Mohammad Jahanzeb, MD, FACP, as a speaker for the Association’s 117th Annual Scientific Assembly taking place November 13-15, 2025 in New Orleans.

Assembly Faculty Spotlight: Audrey Dang, MD

The Southern Medical Association (SMA) is proud to feature Audrey Dang, MD, as a speaker for the Association’s 117th Annual Scientific Assembly taking place November 13-15, 2025 in New Orleans.

Assembly Faculty Spotlight: Neil M. Iyengar, MD

The Southern Medical Association (SMA) is proud to feature Neil M. Iyengar MD, as a speaker for the Association’s 117th Annual Scientific Assembly taking place November 13-15, 2025 in New Orleans.

Assembly Faculty Spotlight: Loretta Loftus, MD, MBA

The Southern Medical Association (SMA) is proud to feature Loretta Loftus, MD, MBA, as a speaker for the Association’s 117th Annual Scientific Assembly taking place November 13-15, 2025 in New Orleans.

Assembly Faculty Spotlight: Tracey O’Connor, MD

SMA is proud to feature Tracey O’Connor, MD, as a speaker for the Association’s 117th Annual Scientific Assembly taking place November 13-15, 2025 in New Orleans.

Assembly Faculty Spotlight: Brian Czerniecki, MD, PhD

SMA is proud to feature Brian Czerniecki, MD, PhD, as a speaker for the Association’s 117th Annual Scientific Assembly taking place November 13-15, 2025 in New Orleans.

Assembly Faculty Spotlight: Christine Laronga, MD, FACS

SMA is proud to feature Christine Laronga, MD, FACS, as a speaker for the Association’s 117th Annual Scientific Assembly taking place November 13-15, 2025 in New Orleans.

Advancing Oncology Care: Understanding Alpelisib-Induced Hyperglycemia in PIK3CA+ Breast Cancer Patients

Aligning with the theme of SMA’s 117th Annual Scientific Assembly—Advancing Oncology Care and Prevention—the February issue of the Southern Medical Journal features a timely review, “Alpelisib-Induced Hyperglycemia in PIK3CA+ Breast Cancer Patients”.

The SMJ Announces Call for Papers: 2025 Special Breast Cancer Issue

The Southern Medical Journal (SMJ) is currently considering submissions for a special issue dedicated to breast cancer that will publish in October 2025.

Original Article

Improving Preventive Care for Women through a Provider Reminder Tool

Objective: To determine the association of utilization of health maintenance tables (HMTs) as a provider reminder tool within the electronic medical record with the completion of women’s preventive health services. Methods: Guidelines from the US Preventive Services Task Force and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices were used to create…

Review Article

Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Therapies for Breast Cancer

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in women in the United States, the second most common cause of cancer death, and the main cause of death in women ages 45 to 55 years. Molecular analyses have shown that breast cancer is divided into several subtypes (luminal A, luminal B,…

Review Article

Emerging Therapeutic Strategies in Breast Cancer

The field of medical oncology is experiencing a period of rapid evolution owing to advances in the fields of genomics, tumor biology, and immunology. These disciplines have provided valuable insights into the heterogeneity between breast tumors, key oncogenic drivers, and the role of the immune system in the natural history…

Review Article

Distinguishing Depressive Symptoms From Similar Cancer-Related Somatic Symptoms: Implications for Assessment and Management of Major Depression after Breast Cancer

Prevalence rates of major depressive disorder (MDD) following breast cancer diagnosis are estimated to be ~5% to >20%, and these rates range from slightly below to somewhat above the expected prevalence rate for MDD in the general population of women in the United States. Women with a history of MDD…

Original Article

CME Article: Early Postoperative Complications after Oncoplastic Reduction

Background: Breast-conserving surgery with adjuvant radiation therapy (BCT) has been established as safe oncologically. Oncoplastic breast surgery uses both oncologic and plastic surgery techniques for breast conservation to improve cosmetic outcomes. We evaluated the risk factors associated with complications after oncoplastic breast reduction. Methods: A single-institution, institutional review board–approved, retrospective…

Review Article

Screening Mammography and Digital Breast Tomosynthesis: Controversies

Breast cancer screening with mammography reduces breast cancer mortality; however, diverging recommendations regarding screening have caused controversy. The emerging technology of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) may soon become the mainstay of breast cancer screening. We present recommendations for breast cancer screening based on guidelines. A PubMed literature review was performed…

Original Article

CME Article: Hematologic Malignancies Discovered on Investigation of Breast Abnormalities

Objectives: Hematological malignancies of the breast share a presentation similar to primary breast carcinomas but differ substantially in therapeutic approach and clinical outcomes. In this study, we investigate the frequency of hematological malignancies, their relative primary and secondary occurrences, and further characterize the distinct histopathologies of these malignancies with a…