Complete responders to chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer. Characterization and analysis

Abstract

Patients (438) with metastatic breast cancer treated with 9 prospective randomized trials were reviewed to analyze, characterize and compare those with complete regression (CR) (49, 11%) with those with noncomplete regression (non-CR) 389, 89%. The site of dominant disease was identical in the CR and non-Cr patients. Cr was statistically more likely when the disease-free interval and the postmenopausal status was 5 yr or less. Survival and time to progression were statistically similar for osseous, visceral and soft-tissue-dominant disease. Relapses generally occurred at sites of prior dominant disease except that relapses occurred in the CNS in 14%. Six CR patients received prolonged chemotherapy and were believed to be cured when treatment was discontinued; all except one have had relapses.