[Effective weekly paclitaxel therapy for massive metastatic breast cancer]

A 36-year-old woman with a 12-year disease free interval after radical mastectomy for breast cancer presented with dyspnea and lumbago. Chest CT and bone scintigraphy revealed numerous bilateral pulmonary metastatic nodules, pleural effusion and multiple bone metastases. We treated her with weekly paclitaxel therapy at a dose of 80 mg/m2, which was continued for 3 weeks followed by 1 week rest, and bisphosphonate biweekly. Lung lesions markedly decreased in number and size after 6 infusions, and disappeared after 12. Bone scintigraphy showed partial response. Lung effect (CR) and bone effect (PR) have been maintained after 30 infusions on an outpatient basis. The patient tolerated the treatment well without adverse effect, except for moderate alopecia.