Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) is the leading cause of
breast cancer-related death. MBC is a very devastating disease, not curable and
associated with poor outcomes. The rate and site of metastasis vary
significantly, but it depends mainly on the primary subtype of the tumor, age
and stage of the disease. The aim of this study is to review the underlying
mechanisms of MBC, evaluate current challenges in its clinical management, and
discuss potential future strategies for improving patient outcomes. Metastasis
of breast cancer is a multistep process with complex mechanisms. The crosstalk
between disseminated tumor cells and microenvironment has been identified as a
critical determinant of metastasis. The most common target organs for breast
cancer metastasis are bone, lungs, liver and brain along with distant lymph
nodes. Bone metastasis is the most frequent metastatic site. The 5-year
survival rate is 32.6%.
Most of the patients of MBC are treated with systemic
therapy that includes hormone therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or a
combination of these to reduce the tumor burden, relieve the symptoms and
improve survival. The focus for MBC patients should be on symptom palliation.
Although chemotherapy remains the major treatment, MBC patients need additional
supportive care like nutrition; psychology, nursing and palliative care
services. Moreover, early detection of metastatic lesions improves the survival
rate as well as the quality of life of breast cancer patients. So, there is a
dire need for validated biomarkers to identify women at risk of metastasis
after diagnosing primary disease. Measurement of circulating tumor DNA may be
useful for this purpose. Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are also emerging as promising
biomarker for metastasis of breast cancer as it has been observed to link to
all stages along the cascade of MBC.
Author (s) Details
Takalkar Unmesh
Vidyadhar
Department of Oncology, United CIIGMA Hospital, Shahanoorwadi Darga Road,
Aurangabad-431005, Maharashtra, India.
Advani Suresh
Department of Oncology, United CIIGMA Hospital, Shahanoorwadi Darga Road,
Aurangabad-431005, Maharashtra,
India.
Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/msraa/v6/5550
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