title: The use of chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer.
abstract: Recurrent breast cancer is incurable. Chemotherapeutic agents will be used in most patients with metastatic disease at some time during their course. There is little evidence that such agents prolong survival, and their toxicities are not inconsiderable. The focus of treatment should be on the palliation of symptoms. Single-agent regimens should not be assumed to be less effective than combinations, particularly as salvage therapies. Some new approaches to the management of metastatic disease are explored.
authors: Clinical Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors: J E
authors: JE
authors: Garber
authors: I C
authors: IC
authors: Henderson
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D006727:Hormone Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D010166:Palliative Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012074:Remission Induction
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006727:Hormone Antagonists; D007155:Immunologic Factors