ABSTRACT
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.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Furans/administration & dosage , Ketones/administration & dosage , Neoplasm Metastasis/drug therapy , Skin Neoplasms/drug therapy , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Disease-Free Survival , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Metastasis/pathology , Skin Neoplasms/pathology , Skin Neoplasms/secondarySubject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/administration & dosage , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Breast Neoplasms/secondary , Docetaxel , Female , Fluorouracil/administration & dosage , Humans , Infusions, Intravenous , Neoplasm Metastasis , Taxoids/administration & dosage , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
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.
