The Impact of Primary Tumor Resection on the Survival of Patients with Stage IV Breast Cancer.
- Author:
Soo Kyung AHN
1
;
Wonshik HAN
;
Hyeong Gon MOON
;
Jong Han YU
;
Eunyoung KO
;
Jin Hye BAE
;
Jun Won MIN
;
Tae You KIM
;
Seock Ah IM
;
Do Youn OH
;
Sae Won HAN
;
Sung Whan HA
;
Eui Kyu CHIE
;
Seung Keun OH
;
Yeo Kyu YOUN
;
Sung Won KIM
;
Ki Tae HWANG
;
Dong Young NOH
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Breast neoplasms; Neoplasm metastasis; Stage IV; Surgery; Survival
- MeSH: Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Breast; Breast Neoplasms; Estrogens; Humans; Multivariate Analysis; Neoplasm Metastasis; Trastuzumab
- From:Journal of Breast Cancer 2010;13(1):90-95
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
- Abstract: PURPOSE: The main treatment for stage IV breast cancer is currently systemic therapy. Surgical resection of the primary tumor is usually done for treating the tumor-related complications. Recent studies have suggested that surgery may improve the long-term survival of stage IV breast cancer patients. We evaluated the impact of the primary surgical resection site on the survival of stage IV breast cancer patients. METHODS: We reviewed the records of the stage IV breast cancer patients who were treated at Seoul University Hospital between April 1992 and December 2007. The tumor and clinical characteristics, the type of treatments and the overall survival were compared between the surgically versus nonsurgically treated patients. RESULTS: Of the 198 identified patients, 110 (55.8%) received surgical excision of their primary tumor and 88 (44.2%) did not. The mean survival was 67 months vs. 42 months for the surgically treated patients vs. the patients without surgery, respectively (p=0.0287). On a multivariate analysis with using the Cox model and after adjusting for the estrogen receptor status, visceral metastases, the number of metastatic sites and trastuzumab treatment, surgery was an independent factor for improved survival (hazard ratio, 0.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.31-0.97; p=0.041). CONCLUSION: Surgical resection of the primary tumor in stage IV breast cancer patients was independently associated with improved survival. Randomized prospective trials are needed to firmly recommend surgical resection of the primary tumor in stage IV breast cancer patients.
