Option for continuation of chemotherapy until disease progression in advanced breast cancer patients

Abstract

The maintenance chemotherapy in patients with advanced breast cancer is still a matter of controversy. A meta-analysis of 11 randomised trials including phenotypically and therapeutically heterogeneous groups of patients, showed that maintenance chemotherapy prolongs time to progression and survival, and does not affect (but sometimes actually improves) quality of life. However, the decision on treatment duration should take into account the type of chemotherapy, its tolerability and effect, as well as the informed preference of the patient.