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. 2003 Jul 21;89(2):284-90.
doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6601038.

Prognostic factors for patients with hepatic metastases from breast cancer

L Wyld  1 , E Gutteridge, S E Pinder, J J James, S Y Chan, K L Cheung, J F R Robertson, A J Evans
Affiliations

Prognostic factors for patients with hepatic metastases from breast cancer

L Wyld et al. Br J Cancer. .

Abstract

Median survival from liver metastases secondary to breast cancer is only a few months, with very rare 5-year survival. This study reviewed 145 patients with liver metastases from breast cancer to determine factors that may influence survival. Data were analysed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves, univariate and multivariate analysis. Median survival was 4.23 months (range 0.16-51), with a 27.6% 1-year survival. Factors that significantly predicted a poor prognosis on univariate analysis included symptomatic liver disease, deranged liver function tests, the presence of ascites, histological grade 3 disease at primary presentation, advanced age, oestrogen receptor (ER) negative tumours, carcinoembryonic antigen of over 1000 ng ml(-1) and multiple vs single liver metastases. Response to treatment was also a significant predictor of survival with patients responding to chemo- or endocrine therapy surviving for a median of 13 and 13.9 months, respectively. Multivariate analysis of pretreatment variables identified a low albumin, advanced age and ER negativity as independent predictors of poor survival. The time interval between primary and metastatic disease, metastases at extrahepatic sites, histological subtype and nodal stage at primary presentation did not predict prognosis. Awareness of the prognostic implications of the above factors may assist in selecting the most appropriate treatment for these patients.British Journal of Cancer (2003) 89, 284-290. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6601038 www.bjcancer.com

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Kaplan–Meier cumulative survival plots for survival with liver metastases according to serum bilirubin level at metastatic diagnosis. Low bilirubin refers to serum concentration of less than 50 μM l−1. High bilirubin refers to serum concentration of greater than 50 μM l−1. P<0.0001, (χ2 53.4, 1 df).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Kaplan–Meier cumulative survival plots for survival with liver metastases by age group. Categories refer to age at metastatic diagnosis. P<0.0001 (χ2 20.8, 4 df).
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