[A case of recurrent breast cancer successfully treated with capecitabine monotherapy]

A 51-year-old woman underwent pectoralis-preserving mastectomy for right breast cancer (squamous cell cancer, f, T1c, ly0, v0, N2 (18/33), p53 (3+), HER2 (2+), ER (-), PgR (-), T1cN2M0 (Stage IIIA) in March 2001, and received systemic chemotherapy using doxorubicin combined with cyclophosphamide, followed by paclitaxel. After chemotherapy, radiotherapy was added to the chest wall, supraclavicular and parasternal regions. In March 2002 (disease-free interval of one year), liver metastasis was revealed. Systemic therapy using docetaxel, and hepatic artery infusion therapy with epirubicin following docetaxel, failed. Since June 2003, capecitabine monotherapy (2,400 mg/day) was initiated for the liver and lymph node metastases in the mediastinum and retroperitoneum. After 3 cycles, all metastases responded and a marked response has been maintained for 15 months. This therapy is being continued (18 cycles), and no serious side effects have been encountered. Capecitabine monotherapy is safe and very useful for recurrent breast cancer.