Cyclic combination chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer

Forty-four patients with metastatic breast cancer were treated with monthly courses of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil. Complete remission was achieved in five of the 44 patients (11.4%), partial remission in 17 (38.7%) and stabilization in 19 (43.2%). Progression of the disease was seen in three patients (6.7%). Forty patients are still alive and continue to receive chemotherapy. The main side effects were leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, weakness, nausea and vomiting; all were mild and transient, and were treated symptomatically.