Brain metastases occurrence among metastatic breast cancer: A single oncology center experience

Abstract

874 Background: It has been shown that the occurrence of brain metatases in patients with breast cancer decreases survival and alters the quality of life. In the present study, we have searched for predictive factors of brain metastases in patients with metastatic breast cancer. Methods: Medical records of 306 breast cancer patients who admitted to our oncology center between 2000–2004 were evaluated. Patients with non-metastatic disease at the last visit and brain metastases as first relaps were excluded from the analysis. Evaluated variables as risk factor were the age, menapose status, initial stage of disease, histological grade of tumor, hormone reseptor status, adjuvant treatment, metastasis free interval, first metastatic site. Results: The risk factors for brain metastases were determined in 76 metastatic breast cancer patients. The presence of lung metastases (odds ratio=20, 95% Cl:3.4–125 and p=0.001), liver metastases (odds ratio=11.5, 95% Cl:2.1–62.5 and p=0.005), local relapse (odds ratio=18.5, 95% Cl:2.8–125 and p=0.002) as first metastatic site were the only predictive factors associated with the occurrence of brain metastases in the multivariate analysis. Conclusions: The presence of lung metastases, liver metastases and local relaps as first relapsed site were the predictive factors associated with the occurrence of brain metastases in breast cancer patients. High risk patients may benefit from screening or prophylactic treatment. No significant financial relationships to disclose.