Stage IV breast cancer in the era of targeted therapy: Does surgery of the primary tumor matter? Journal Article
| Authors: | Neuman, H. B.; Morrogh, M.; Gonen, M.; Van Zee, K. J.; Morrow, M.; King, T. A. |
| Article Title: | Stage IV breast cancer in the era of targeted therapy: Does surgery of the primary tumor matter? |
| Abstract: | BACKGROUND: Multiple studies have suggested that resection of the primary tumor improves survival in patients with stage IV breast cancer, yet in the era of targeted therapy, the relation between surgery and tumor molecular subtype is unknown. The objective of the current study was to identify subsets of patients who may benefit from primary tumor treatment and assess the frequency of local disease progression. METHODS: Patients presenting with stage IV breast cancer and intact primary tumors (n = 186) were identified from a prospectively maintained clinical database (2000-2004) and clinical data were abstracted (grading determined according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system). RESULTS: Surgery was performed in 69 (37%) patients: 34 (49%) patients with unknown metastatic disease at the time of surgery, 15 (22%) patients for local control, 14 (20%) patients for palliation, and in 6 (9%) patients to obtain tissue. Surgical patients were more likely to be HER-2/neu negative (P = .001), and to have smaller tumors (P = .05) and solitary metastasis (P <.001). Local therapy included axillary lymph node clearance in 33 (48%) patients and postoperative radiotherapy in 9 (13%) patients. The median survival was 35 months. Cox regression analysis identified estrogen receptor (ER) positivity (hazard ratio [HR], 0.47; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.29-0.76), progesterone receptor (PR) positivity (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.36-0.90), and HER-2/neu amplification (HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.34-0.77) as being predictive of improved survival. There was a trend toward improved survival with surgery (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.47-1.06). On exploratory analyses, surgery was found to be associated with improved survival in patients with ER/PR positive or HER-2/neu-amplified disease (P = .004). No survival benefit was observed in patients with triple-negative disease. CONCLUSIONS: Although a trend toward improved survival with surgery was observed, it was noted most strongly in patients with ER/PR positive and/or HER-2/neu-amplified disease. This suggests that the impact of local control is greatest in the presence of effective targeted therapy, and supports the need for further study to define patient subsets that will benefit most. © 2010 American Cancer Society. |
| Keywords: | survival; adult; cancer survival; controlled study; human tissue; treatment response; aged; aged, 80 and over; middle aged; primary tumor; major clinical study; overall survival; clinical trial; fatigue; neutropenia; paresthesia; doxorubicin; fluorouracil; patient selection; side effect; systemic therapy; paclitaxel; cancer adjuvant therapy; cancer patient; cancer radiotherapy; methotrexate; cancer staging; outcome assessment; lymph node dissection; neoplasm staging; edema; infection; multiple cycle treatment; phase 2 clinical trial; breast cancer; anemia; mastectomy; leukopenia; thrombocytopenia; granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor; cyclophosphamide; breast neoplasms; prediction; docetaxel; febrile neutropenia; drug delivery systems; add on therapy; neoplasm metastasis; tamoxifen; surgery; local control; heart left ventricle ejection fraction; metastatic breast cancer; congestive heart failure |
| Journal Title: | Cancer |
| Volume: | 116 |
| Issue: | 5 |
| ISSN: | 0008-543X |
| Publisher: | Wiley Blackwell |
| Date Published: | 2010-03-01 |
| Start Page: | 1226 |
| End Page: | 1233 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1002/cncr.24873 |
| PUBMED: | 20101736 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PMCID: | PMC4505547 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 3" - "Export Date: 20 April 2011" - "CODEN: CANCA" - "Source: Scopus" |
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