Current approaches and challenges in monitoring treatment responses in breast cancer

Lindsey J. Graham, Matthew P. Shupe, Erika J. Schneble, Frederick L. Flynt, Michael N. Clemenshaw, Aaron D. Kirkpatrick, Chris Gallagher, Aviram Nissan, Leonard Henry, Alexander Stojadinovic, George E. Peoples, Nathan M. Shumway

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

91 Scopus citations

Abstract

Monitoring response to treatment is a key element in the management of breast cancer that involves several different viewpoints from surgery, radiology, and medical oncology. In the adjuvant setting, appropriate surgical and pathological evaluation guides adjuvant treatment and follow up care focuses on detecting recurrent disease with the intention of improving long term survival. In the neoadjuvant setting, assessing response to chemotherapy prior to surgery to include evaluation for pathologic response can provide prognostic information to help guide follow up care. In the metastatic setting, for those undergoing treatment, it is crucial to determine responders versus non-responders in order to help guide treatment decisions. In this review, we present the current guidelines for monitoring treatment response in the adjuvant, neoadjuvant, and metastatic setting. In addition, we also discuss challenges that are faced in each setting.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)58-68
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Cancer
Volume5
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adjuvant
  • Breast cancer
  • Future directions
  • Metastatic
  • Neo-adjuvant
  • Treatment monitoring

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology

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