Brain metastases in breast cancer.
Journal Article (Journal Article;Review)
Despite therapeutic advances, the development of breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM) is still the harbinger of a dismal prognosis. Patient outcomes vary depending on factors, including tumor phenotype, extent of disease within and outside the brain, as well as patient performance status. Treatment includes surgery, radiation therapy and systemic therapy determined by patient and tumor characteristics. Despite these approaches, novel treatments are needed and there is growing interest in systemic therapies. However, the efficacy of pharmacologic agents is hampered by poor penetration of drugs across the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, there is a pressing need for a greater understanding of the natural history of BCBM to guide the development of further therapies. This review analyzes prognosis and treatment of BCBM by tumor phenotype and discusses ongoing research into new therapies.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Sim, H-W; Morris, PG; Patil, S; Khasraw, M
Published Date
- February 2014
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 14 / 2
Start / End Page
- 173 - 183
PubMed ID
- 24308683
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1744-8328
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1586/14737140.2014.863468
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- England