[Clinical studies on the treatment of advanced breast cancer with lung metastasis]

A retrospective analysis was performed comparing the 3 types (pleural, nodular, lymphangitic type) of lung metastasis in 138 patients awaneed breast cancer during the period from 1974 to 1979. The assessment of treatment response was based upon the criteria of UICC. As a site of first recurrence, 26 patients (20%) had nodular and lymphangitic metastasis, 10 patients (8%) had pleural metastasis. Daring all course, 71 patients (51%) had lung metastasis, and 74 patients (54%) had pleural metastasis. Objective responses were seen in 40% patients receiving endocrine therapy, 35% in chemotherapy and 60% in chemoendocrine therapy respectively. Those therapies were effective for pleural and nodular metastases but were non-effective for lymphangitic metastasis. The responders to the therapy survived longer than non-responders except of lymphangitic metastasis. Furthermore, the other group of 19 patients with advanced breast cancer was treated with tamoxifen and combined chemotherapy. Either PR or CR were achieved in patients with lung metastasis.