Background: Brain metastases (BM) are an increasing challenge in modern oncology, as treatment options especially after exhaustion of local treatment approaches are very limited.
Patient and methods: A long-term surviving patient with brain-only metastatic breast cancer, who presented at our department with massive corticosteroid-refractory brain edema with serious neurological symptoms after exhaustion of all local therapy options, was started on bevacizumab.
Results: Initiation of bevacizumab monotherapy led to rapid decrease of contrast-enhancing lesions and alleviation of brain edema, and allowed tapering and termination of corticosteroid administration. Neurological and neurocognitive function was restored and marked improvement in quality of life was observed.
Conclusion: Our case highlights that bevacizumab may represent a feasible and effective salvage treatment option in selected patients with BM.
Keywords: Bevacizumab; Brain edema; Brain metastases; Breast cancer; Neurocognitive functioning; Symptom control.