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Hormones and chemotherapy in breast cancer
Author(s) -
Kelley Rita M.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197112)28:6<1686::aid-cncr2820280657>3.0.co;2-6
Subject(s) - medicine , hormonal therapy , context (archaeology) , chemotherapy , breast cancer , hormone , hormone therapy , cancer , oncology , modalities , paleontology , social science , sociology , biology
Many women with breast cancer become candidates for palliative therapy with hormones, chemotherapy, or combinations of both modalities. Because of the somewhat indolent nature of the tumor and the manifestations of host resistance displayed by many patients, therapy should not be initiated until clinical evidence of progression or compelling symptoms are evident, but before masses of tumor are present, if possible. Hormonal sensitivity is defined and its application assessed in the context of recent, experimental efforts to remove empiricism. Indications for initiation of additive hormone therapy and responses obtained are reviewed. For women who fail on or do not meet criteria for hormonal therapy, chemotherapy is playing an increasingly prominent role. Types of responses seen with individual agents and increasing quality of responses to combination therapy particularly with hormonal agents are described.