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Prognostic factors for patients with liver metastases from breast cancer

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Summary

Background

The prognosis of patients with liver metastases from breast cancer is commonly poor. After initial diagnosis of hepatic metastases, a median survival time of 1–20 months can be expected. The definition of prognostic factors for such patients may influence therapeutic decisions. In particular, the characterization of patients who can expect long-term survival could assist in optimizing treatment.

Methods

We retrospectively studied n=350 patients with liver metastases from breast cancer. All patients were stratified following their survival after occurrence of liver metastases. Kaplan–Meier studies were performed, as well as univariate and multivariate analyses of several clinical, histopathological and therapeutic factors.

Results

Median survival time was 14 months. N=66 (18.9%) patients survived longer than 36 months after the primary diagnosis. Multivariate analysis showed prognostic relevance for the time interval between the primary diagnosis of breast cancer and the initial diagnosis of hepatic metastases (p<0.05). Furthermore, prognostic relevance was found for the pattern of metastasization (p<0.05) and for signs of hepatic dysfunction (ascites, jaundice, p<0.005). Univariate analysis showed a prognostic benefit for patients with an expression of Ki-67<20%, p53<50% and a positive hormonal receptor status. Patients who received a regional therapy survived on average longer than patients who were only treated systemically (33 versus 11 months, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Consideration of prognostic implications of the described parameters may help to find the most appropriate treatment for patients with liver metastases from breast cancer. The possibility of local therapeutic interventions should be considered in a defined subgroup.

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Abbreviations

ASAT:

aspartat-amino transferase

ALAT:

alanin-amino transferase

CEA:

carcinoembryonic antigen

CT:

computer tomography

ER:

estrogen receptor

HER2:

human epidermal growth factor receptor-2

LDH:

lactic acid dehydrogenase

γ-GT:

glumatyltransferase

MBC:

metastatic breast cancer

MRI:

magnetic resonance imaging

OAS:

overall survival

PR:

progesterone receptor

rsp.:

respectively

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Heidelberg Medical School, Heidelberg, Germany

    Michael H.R. Eichbaum, Margarete Kaltwasser, Thomas M. de Rossi, Andreas Schneeweiss & Christof Sohn

  2. Department of Clinical Social Medicine, University of Heidelberg Medical School, Heidelberg, Germany

    Thomas Bruckner

Authors
  1. Michael H.R. Eichbaum
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  2. Margarete Kaltwasser
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  3. Thomas Bruckner
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  4. Thomas M. de Rossi
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  5. Andreas Schneeweiss
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  6. Christof Sohn
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Correspondence to Michael H.R. Eichbaum.

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Eichbaum, M.H., Kaltwasser, M., Bruckner, T. et al. Prognostic factors for patients with liver metastases from breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 96, 53–62 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-005-9039-1

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