[Treatment Strategy in Patients with Oligometastatic Breast Cancer]

Oligometastases means the state which the anatomy and physiology may limit or concentrate metastases to a single or a limited number of organs. In patients with oligometastatic breast cancer their prognosis may be good, although the impact of local therapy has not been evaluated prospectively. The development of minimally invasive surgical techniques and highly conformal ablative radiotherapy allow for safe and effective ablation of metastatic lesions in most locations. A biopsy(preferably providing histology)of a metastatic lesion has been recommended to confirm diagnosis particularly when metastasis is diagnosed for the first time. Biology markers(especially HER2 and hormone receptor)should be reassessed because it may differ from the primary tumor. Although some retrospective studies have suggested that achieving a sustained complete remission seems to be associated with a longer survival, the true impact of these local-regional therapies on long-term outcome remains unknown, and if possible, randomized trials are needed.