Future treatment strategies for metastatic breast cancer: curable or incurable?

Current Japanese and American guidelines for the surveillance of patients diagnosed with early stage breast cancer recommend regular follow-up including mammography, history, and physical examination; however, additional routine laboratory and imaging studies are not recommended because there is no evidence of improved clinical outcomes associated with the early detection of distant metastasis. Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) remains a largely incurable disease. The goals of treatment for MBC are to maintain quality of life and prolong survival. However, despite the emergence of new concepts including oligometastases, cancer stem cells, and the development of individualized therapies, clinical management and treatment guidelines remain largely unchanged. The future prospects for personalized management strategies for patients with MBC are described in this review.