ABSTRACT
The beginning of metastasis poorly affects the prognosis of breast cancer patients. Lung is the most frequent site of visceral metastasis, and the rate of recurrence is 10-30%. We have tried to find out if the routine Chest X Ray [CXR] could play a role for early detection of lung metastasis, during the prognosis of these patients. The files of the breast cancer patients between 1996 to 2006 [1739 patients] have reviewed. Clinical characteristics of patients with pulmonary metastasis have recorded. Patients, who lacked imaging files or lacked an appropriate follow-up, have excluded. Data have analyzed by SPSS 11.5. The survival analyses have performed by using the Kaplan-Meier method. Fifty-six patients, median age 46, have entered into this retrospective study. Median tumor size was 4cm; median number of Lymphadenopathy [LAP] was 4. The intermediate grade has detected in 74% of patients. All patients have received adjuvant treatment. Median time from cancer diagnosis to pulmonary metastasis was 22 months. Pulmonary metastasis has detected by control CXR in 77.4% and patients' symptoms in 22.6%. Forty eight patients have received chemotherapy in metastatic phase. In 28 patients [50%], other sites of metastasis [bone, liver, and brain] have discovered. The most frequent pattern of lung recurrence was pulmonary nodule [44.6%], followed by pleural effusion [28.6%]. Median survival was 27.5; median survival from pulmonary metastasis was 8 m; Early detection of pulmonary metastasis by CXR did not affect patients' endpoints. None of the probable prognostic factors have shown a significant effect on patients' outcome. Despite systemic treatment, survival after metastasis is low