In a nutshell
This paper studied the safety and effectiveness of yttrium-90 radioembolization (use of radiation to cut off blood flow) in breast cancer that has spread to the liver.
Some background
In breast cancer liver metastases, cancer spreads from the breast to the liver. Breast cancer liver metastases are associated with significant mortality (risk of death). Different kinds of treatments have been developed. However, there are patients with unresectable (cannot be removed through surgery) and chemoresistant (does not respond to chemotherapy) breast cancer liver metastases. The average survival in these patients is around 3-10 months. There is not much information about how to treat this kind breast cancer. Yttrium-90 radioembolization is a technique that could have potential in treatment.
Methods & findings
40 patients with breast cancer liver metastases were treated with ytrrium-90 radioembolization. The patients were followed up and scans of their liver were obtained and assessed. 17 patients had a more than 26% replacement of the liver by tumor. The average follow-up was 11.2 months and the average survival after yttrium-90 radioembolization was 13.6 months, with a 24-month survival rate of 39%. The average time to disease progression was 6.8 months.
Overall, 5% of patients had a complete response (disappearance of tumors) to treatment. 26% of patients had a partial response (more than 30% decrease in the size of the tumor). 39% of patients achieved stable disease (cancer neither decreases nor increases in extent or severity). 29% of patients experienced progressive disease (cancer that is growing, spreading, or getting worse).
40% of patients developed complications after treatment. Of the complications, 25% involved nausea or vomiting, 20% involved abdominal pain, 15% involved fatigue and 5% involved anorexia. These complications were minor.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that yttrium-90 radioembolization is a safe and effective treatment for patients with chemoresistant breast cancer liver metastases.
The fine print
A small number of patients were studied, and larger trials are warranted.
Published By :
Annals of Surgical Oncology
Date :
Dec 15, 2013
