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Loco-regional treatment in metastatic breast cancer patients: Is there a survival benefit?

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Abstract

A number of studies have recently demonstrated a survival benefit in stage IV breast cancer patients following surgical resection of the primary tumor. Here, we investigate the relationship between loco-regional treatment and survival in patients with metastatic breast cancer and evaluate the impact of different loco-regional treatments. We conducted a systematic review of the literature using PubMed to analyze studies with the following criteria: Type of loco-regional treatment (surgery alone or combined with radiation, radiotherapy), overall survival, progression-free survival, selection factors for local treatment, and complication rates. Thirteen studies evaluated the effect of loco-regional treatment on overall survival with overall median survival increasing from a range of 12.6–28.3 months among patients without surgery to a range of 25–42 months among patients with surgery. In addition, six studies reported a 3-year survival benefit of 28–95% and 17–79% in women with and without loco-regional therapy respectively. Two studies did not find any improvement in overall survival. One study found an improvement in 5-year breast cancer-specific survival of 27% with negative surgical margins versus 12% with no surgery. Three studies reported an advantage in progression-free survival in the treatment group compared with the non-treatment group. Loco-regional treatment for breast cancer patients with distant metastases at diagnosis is an important issue because of possible improvement of survival or disease-free survival. The possibility of surgery and/or radiotherapy following induction chemotherapy should be weighed and left to individual practice. Participation in randomized controlled trials should be encouraged.

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Correspondence to Bevan H. Ly.

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Ly, B.H., Nguyen, N.P., Vinh-Hung, V. et al. Loco-regional treatment in metastatic breast cancer patients: Is there a survival benefit?. Breast Cancer Res Treat 119, 537–545 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-009-0610-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-009-0610-z

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