Long-term survival of a patient with primarily chemo-resistant metastatic breast cancer treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate

The prognosis of breast cancer patients with liver metastases is extremely poor. Here we present the case of a 66-year-old female breast cancer patient with multiple liver metastases diagnosed 2 years after a radical modified mastectomy followed by adjuvant tamoxifen. At progression, anthracycline-b...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Breast (Edinburgh) 2004-08, Vol.13 (4), p.321-324
Main Authors: Zaucha, R., Sosińska-Mielcarek, K., Jassem, J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal - therapeutic use
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - administration & dosage
Breast cancer
Breast Neoplasms - drug therapy
Breast Neoplasms - pathology
Breast Neoplasms - surgery
Cyclophosphamide - administration & dosage
Disease Progression
Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
Epirubicin - administration & dosage
Female
Fluorouracil - administration & dosage
Humans
Liver metastases
Liver Neoplasms - drug therapy
Liver Neoplasms - secondary
Long-term survival
Mastectomy, Modified Radical
Medroxyprogesterone acetate
Medroxyprogesterone Acetate - therapeutic use
Prognosis
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:The prognosis of breast cancer patients with liver metastases is extremely poor. Here we present the case of a 66-year-old female breast cancer patient with multiple liver metastases diagnosed 2 years after a radical modified mastectomy followed by adjuvant tamoxifen. At progression, anthracycline-based chemotherapy was administered, but a CT scan following two cycles of FEC (5-fluorouracil, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide) showed progression of the liver metastases. Chemotherapy was therefore switched to medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). After 3 months the patient's general status improved, and disease stabilization was observed at the next CT scan. A further 4 months of MPA treatment resulted in complete response of all liver lesions. Treatment with oral MPA was continued for 4 years. At present, 11 years after the diagnosis of metastatic liver involvement, the patient is alive, free of cancer, and fully ambulatory. Despite bulky visceral disease and chemoresistance, hormonal treatment with MPA resulted in a spectacular and long-lasting response.
ISSN:0960-9776
1532-3080
DOI:10.1016/j.breast.2004.05.003