RESUMEN
AIM: This observational study evaluated the behavior and outcome of cutaneous breast cancer metastasis treated with eribulin. PATIENTS & METHODS: From November 2012 to January 2013, oncologists completed a database with patient, tumor and treatment characteristics from 14 Italian cancer centers. Skin lesions were assessed by Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors and cutaneous symptoms by present/absent criteria. RESULTS: A total of 23 metastatic breast cancer patients with skin metastasis who were treated with eribulin were analyzed. After treatment, 43% of patients exhibited a partial response, 35% stable disease and 22% progressive disease. Regarding only the skin response, 26% obtained a complete response, 22% a partial response, 39% stable disease and 13% progressive disease. We found an improvement in symptoms, infiltration and ulceration. With a median follow-up of 6 months, median progression-free survival was 4.3 months and median overall survival was 9.1 months. CONCLUSION: The response rate of skin metastasis to eribulin treatment was coherent with systemic responses. The good clinical response in most patients reflected symptom improvement.
Asunto(s)
Neoplasias de la Mama/tratamiento farmacológico , Furanos/administración & dosificación , Cetonas/administración & dosificación , Metástasis de la Neoplasia/tratamiento farmacológico , Neoplasias Cutáneas/tratamiento farmacológico , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Neoplasias de la Mama/patología , Supervivencia sin Enfermedad , Femenino , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Metástasis de la Neoplasia/patología , Neoplasias Cutáneas/patología , Neoplasias Cutáneas/secundarioAsunto(s)
Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/administración & dosificación , Neoplasias de la Mama/tratamiento farmacológico , Neoplasias de la Mama/secundario , Docetaxel , Femenino , Fluorouracilo/administración & dosificación , Humanos , Infusiones Intravenosas , Metástasis de la Neoplasia , Taxoides/administración & dosificación , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: This work was conducted to evaluate symptoms assessment and use of patient-tailored protocols in clinical practice among Italian medical oncologists. METHODS: A questionnaire based on four topics (assessment of symptoms, assessment of a specific symptom, assessment of pain, use of patient-tailored protocols of treatment) was administered to 250 Italian medical oncologists. RESULTS: Of these oncologists, 43.7% used multiple symptoms tools and 37.9% used symptom specific tools; 58.9% used some instrument to assess pain. More than a third of the respondents (35.5%) used patient-tailored protocols. No statistical differences were found regarding region of residency, availability of consultants in pain therapy and/or palliative care, colleagues with main interest on palliative care, and beds dedicated to palliative care. Statistically significant differences were found regarding the position (staff/resident) in three out four topics. CONCLUSIONS: Among Italian medical oncologists, the instruments used for assessment of symptoms are poorly employed. Even when these instruments are used, patient-tailored protocols are rarely administered.