Factors associated with improved outcome after surgery in metastatic breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggest local surgical therapy improves survival in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). We evaluate the difference in outcome in patients with MBC after mastectomy versus breast conservation (BCT) and factors that influence outcome. METHODS: In a retrospective review of our prospective database, we identified patients who presented with MBC (1990 to 2007). Patient surgery type and clinicopathologic factors were reviewed. We compared OS between pts dependent on surgery and clinicopathologic factors. RESULTS: Of the 566 patients with MBC, 154 (27%) underwent removal of the primary tumor. Surgery was associated with an improved OS (33%) versus no surgery (20%) (P = 0.0015). Of those undergoing local therapy; mastectomy was associated with a 37% OS vs BCT with a 20% OS (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms that removal of the primary tumor in MBC is associated with improved overall survival. It appears that mastectomy is associated with a significantly improved overall survival.