Open AccessTumor-Specific Systemic Treatment in Advanced Breast Cancer – How Long does it Make Sense?
Author(s) -
Rachel Wuerstlein,
Ingo Bauerfeind
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
breast care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.767
H-Index - 30
eISSN - 1661-3805
pISSN - 1661-3791
DOI - 10.1159/000324455
Subject(s) - medicine , palliative care , metastatic breast cancer , systemic therapy , quality of life (healthcare) , breast cancer , disease , cancer , intensive care medicine , nursing
SUMMARY: Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is a chronic and incurable disease which can be kept steady for a long time with continuous oncologic therapy. There are various treatment options. Disease-free as well as overall survival were prolonged in many pharmaceutical studies. The therapist focuses on these oncologic parameters as well as the patient's quality of life. One central point of the communication between doctor and patient is the prediction by the medical team of how long to continue oncologic therapy and when to start palliative medicine in terms of best palliative care. Treatment options currently available for MBC as well as the importance of this difficult communication between the involved parties are pointed out. The end of tumor-specific oncologic therapy does not necessarily mean the end of therapeutic measures for the individual patient.