Metastatic breast cancer: overview of treatment

Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2003 Oct:(415 Suppl):S132-7. doi: 10.1097/01.blo.0000092981.12414.7b.

Abstract

Patients with metastatic breast cancer have a median survival of 2 to 3 years. Twenty percent of the patients who present with bone-only metastasis will be alive at 5 years from diagnosis. Current therapies are aimed at improving the quality of life, symptom control, and prolongation of survival. Newer endocrine and chemotherapeutic drugs are available to the medical oncologist for care of patients with metastatic breast cancer. We will briefly review the new advances in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / therapeutic use*
  • Bone Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Prognosis
  • Tamoxifen / therapeutic use
  • Trastuzumab

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Tamoxifen
  • Trastuzumab