A treatment option for advanced breast cancer patients with visceral metastasis

This study aimed to investigate the benefits of fulvestrant (Faslodex) treatment in advanced breast cancer patients.

This study concluded that fulvestrant provides a benefit in patients with advanced breast cancer who have visceral metastasis. 

Advanced breast cancer (ABC) has spread to the lymph nodes and beyond to other areas of the body. Visceral metastasis (VM) is the spread of cancer to the internal organs of the body. These include organs like the liver and lungs.

Endocrine (hormone) therapies are a treatment option for ABC. They work to lower the levels of or block the production of hormones (such as estrogen) that cause cancer growth. Fulvestrant is one type of endocrine therapy. It is not known whether fulvestrant provided a greater benefit to patients with ABC with VM than other standard endocrine therapies. 

This study analyzed the results from 4 trials that compared fulvestrant based therapy to aromatase inhibitors (another type of endocrine therapy). 1190 patients received fulvestrant and 1192 received aromatase inhibitors.

A longer time to disease progression was 15% more likely in patients with VM treated with fulvestrant compared to those without VM. Patients treated with fulvestrant were 20% more likely to have a longer time to disease recurrence (more than 5 years).

This study concluded that fulvestrant treatment in patients with VM who had a longer time from diagnosis to recurrence was associated with longer time to disease progression.

Further analysis needs to be done to confirm these findings. 

Consult your physician about fulvestrant as a treatment option.