全脊椎整块切除术治疗原发性腰椎肿瘤九例

目的探讨全脊椎整块切除术（TES）在治疗原发性腰椎肿瘤中的可行性及疗效。方法2005年6月至2009年7月共使用TES治疗原发性腰椎肿瘤患者9例。行单一后路全脊椎切除7例（L1骨肉瘤和和骨巨细胞瘤各1例,12骨巨细胞瘤、单发浆细胞瘤、软骨肉瘤和脊索瘤各1例,L3组织细胞肉瘤1例）;行后前联合入路全脊椎切除2例（L4骨巨细胞瘤并椎旁巨大肿块和纤维肉瘤各1例）,肿瘤切除后均一期进行脊柱重建。对所有病例进行术前、术后神经功能测评及肿瘤复发情况的追踪。结果所有患者术后均获得随访,随访时间3～49个月,平均19个月。所有患者术后临床症状均明显改善,未出现严重手术并发症。近中期随访未发现肿瘤的局部复发及远处转移。结论对于原发性腰椎肿瘤,行TES加脊柱重建术,方法可靠,近中期随访效果满意,长期结果有待进一步随访。     

全脊椎整块切除治疗原发性胸腰椎肿瘤的疗效分析

目的总结15例全脊椎整块切除术（totalenblocspondylectomy,TES）治疗原发性胸腰椎肿瘤的临床疗效。方法2005年1月至2013年1月,我科采用TES治疗原发性胸腰椎肿瘤15例。其中行单一后路全脊椎切除12例：T11浆细胞性骨髓瘤、L1骨肉瘤、L1浆细胞性骨髓瘤、L3组织细胞肉瘤各2例,L2骨巨细胞瘤、L2单发浆细胞瘤、L2软骨肉瘤和T7骨肉瘤各1例;行后前联合入路全脊椎切除3例：L4骨巨细胞瘤并椎旁巨大肿块2例、L4纤维肉瘤1例。15例Tomita分期为Ⅲ-Ⅵ期,均有TES手术适应证。肿瘤切除后均一期脊柱重建。对所有病例进行术前、术后神经功能测评,监测术后生存情况、并发症及肿瘤复发情况。结果15例肿瘤均完整切除,平均手术时间365min,术中平均出血量3500ml。本组15例术后均获12～60个月的随访,平均29个月。除1例复发外,其他14例均未发现局部复发及远处转移且术后临床症状均明显改善。复发的1例于术后1年死亡,其余14例均无瘤生存,总生存率为93.33%。神经功能评分由术前平均（3.81±0.98）分改善至术后（4.89±0.19）分,术前、术后比较,差异有统计学意义（t＝-5.619,P＜0.05）。1例L1浆细胞性骨髓瘤者术中出现淋巴管瘘,此患者术后1年出现断棒,导致脊柱不稳。所有病例未出现脑脊液瘘及切口感染。结论对于有手术适应证的原发性胸腰椎肿瘤,行TES术方法可靠、疗效满意、复发率低,但仍须进一步随访,提高手术技术以减少并发症的发生。     

后路I期全脊椎整块切除治疗胸腰椎原发和转移性肿瘤的疗效分析

目的探讨后路I期全脊椎整块切除（totalenblocspondylectomy,TES）治疗胸腰椎原发和转移性肿瘤的疗效。方法回顾性分析2007年1月至2012年7月,我科行TES的21例,男11例,女10例,年龄21～66（平均47.8）岁。原发肿瘤8例,孤立性转移瘤13例。原发肿瘤分别为骨巨细胞瘤3例,浆细胞瘤2例,骨肉瘤、软骨肉瘤及上皮样血管内皮瘤各1例;转移性肿瘤原发肿瘤分别为乳腺癌4例,肺癌3例,肾癌2例,甲状腺癌、前列腺癌、膀胱癌和原发灶不明转移性腺癌各1例。肿瘤节段分布于T3～L3,其中胸椎12例、腰椎9例,单一椎体19例、多椎体2例（均位于3个相邻胸椎）。根据Tomita脊柱肿瘤外科分期进行评估：Ⅰ型5例、Ⅱ型10例、Ⅲ型1例、Ⅴ型2例、Ⅵ型3例。术前均有顽固性腰背痛或神经功能损害。切除椎体的骨缺损用钛网＋自体骨或异体骨＋钉棒系统进行固定和重建。手术均经后路I期完成。结果手术时间4.0～8.5h,平均6.4h;出血量1300～11600ml,平均4500ml。本组21例均获12～80个月的随访,平均40个月,术后腰背部局部疼痛均达到缓解。脊髓功能损伤的患者术后Frankel分级均有一级以上恢复,和术前Frankel分级比较,差异有统计学意义（Z＝-2.232,P＜0.05）。3例死亡,平均死亡时间为术后16个月,4例带瘤生存,14例无瘤存活,总生存率为85.7%。局部复发3例,复发率为14.3%,复发时间为平均术后22个月。本组除1例胸腔积液伴肺部感染、1例气胸伴双肺感染、1例左侧L3神经根一过性麻痹外,未出现严重并发症,并发症发生率14.3%。所有病例均无术中由于大血管或节段血管引起的大出血发生,植骨均完全愈合,无内固定失败或钛网移位。结论后路I期TES治疗脊柱原发恶性肿瘤、侵袭性良性肿瘤和孤立性转移瘤能有效降低局部复发率,无严重的并发症,是一种有效的手术方式。     

脊柱肿瘤切除术后稳定性重建的临床探索

目的探讨脊柱肿瘤切除术,及其重建方法的临床应用可行性。方法回顾分析我院所治疗的32例椎体肿瘤患者,其中颈椎6例,胸椎5例,腰椎17例,骶骨4例。转移性肿瘤23例,骨巨细胞瘤4例,骨髓瘤3例,恶性神经鞘瘤1例,软骨肉瘤1例。对上述患者根据病变的不同采取不同入路的肿瘤切除脊柱稳定性重建手术。结果无因手术原因而死亡的病例,无神经功能障碍加重的病例。2例出现脑脊液漏,1例内固定物松动。25例获得随访,平均随访26个月,1例因非肿瘤原因死亡,7例因广泛转移而死亡,1例术后复发后再次行肿瘤切除术。余16例近期恢复理想。结论对于脊柱肿瘤应采取积极的态度,根据病变的不同采取不同的肿瘤切除内固定手术,以最大限度的重建脊柱稳定性,恢复神经功能。     

明胶海绵靶血管栓塞后手术治疗原发性骶骨肿瘤

目的探讨明胶海绵靶血管栓塞后手术治疗骶骨脊索瘤与骶骨巨细胞瘤的临床疗效。方法收集1994年1月至2008年1月靶血管栓塞后手术治疗61例原发性骶骨肿瘤患者的临床资料,对资料完整的35例骶骨脊索瘤与11例骨巨细胞瘤进行回顾性研究。所有患者术前均用明胶海绵进行靶血管栓塞,栓塞后平均1．5d内后方入路手术切除肿瘤。记录术中出血量与输血量,并观察大小便功能和肿瘤复发情况。结果所有患者瘤体均顺利切除,术中出血平均1230mL（200～5100mL）,平均输血量1000mL（0～4200mL）。平均随访53．6个月（8～156个月）,脊索瘤患者复发11例（31．4％）,其中死亡5例（14．3％）,骨巨细胞瘤复发1例（9．1％）。保留双侧S1-3神经根或保留双侧S1-2神经根及一侧S3神经根者术后大小便功能基本正常,余均有不同程度的大小便功能障碍。结论明胶海绵靶血管栓塞后手术治疗原发性骶骨肿瘤,可有效减少术中出血,增加肿瘤切除率和彻底切除的可能性;对肿瘤较大的患者后方入路仍能较好完成手术,疗效满意。     

68例骨肿瘤致病理性骨折的治疗

目的:研究不同的外科治疗方法对骨肿瘤病理性骨折患者预后的影响.方法:自1995年6月～2002年10月共收治68例病理性骨折.引起病理性骨折的肿瘤中,转移癌27例(转移至四肢17例,脊柱8例,锁骨2例).原发恶性肿瘤20例(骨肉瘤13例,尤文氏肉瘤3例,软骨肉瘤2例,恶性纤维组织细胞瘤2例).良性肿瘤21例(骨巨细胞瘤12例,骨囊肿4例,内生软骨瘤及动脉瘤样骨囊肿各2例,纤维异样增殖症1例).通过回顾性分析研究,对其临床表现、诊断、治疗进行初步临床分析.结果:随访6个月～7.2年,转移癌中7例行局部广泛切除,假体置换,未见局部复发,功能良好.8例行病灶刮除,髓内针内固定,其中4例死亡,3例局部复发.13例骨肉瘤患者,9例对化疗敏感,行保肢手术,术后未见局部复发,预后良好,4例对化疗不敏感,行截肢术,术后均有肺转移.12例骨巨细胞瘤,7例行肿瘤广泛切除,假体置换,术后随访未见局部复发.5例行病灶刮除,骨水泥填充,其中3例复发.结论:对于转移癌、骨巨细胞瘤和一些良性肿瘤所致的病理性骨折,肿瘤的彻底切除和假体置换对于控制局部复发是有效的,并可获得良好的功能.对化疗敏感的骨肉瘤患者,即使骨折,经过化疗和适当处理后,也可行肿瘤的彻底切除和假体置换,也可获得良好的局部控制和降低肺转移发生率.     

距骨原发肿瘤的诊断与治疗

目的 探讨距骨原发肿瘤的发病特点﹑外科治疗和预后.方法 回顾性分析1993年1月至2008年12月我科收治的21例距骨原发肿瘤及瘤样病变,从临床、影像和病理分析距骨肿瘤特点,所有病例均进行外科治疗,术后随访按肌肉骨骼系统肿瘤协会(MSTS)标准进行功能评分.结果 21例患者中软骨母细胞瘤10例,骨巨细胞瘤7例,骨样骨瘤、动脉瘤样骨囊肿、单纯骨囊肿、骨纤维结构不良各1例.10例软骨母细胞瘤发病年龄为10～35岁,平均22岁.均行病灶刮除,1例骨水泥填充,9例植骨.9例完整随访均无复发.随访时间为15-87个月,中位随访时间为36个月,功能评分均为30分.7例骨巨细胞瘤发病年龄为20～33岁,平均24岁.影像学均为溶骨性破坏,基质无钙化.4例原发病例,均行病灶刮除术.3例复发病例,2例行距骨切除跟骨胫骨融合术,1例行小腿截肢术.3例完整随访,2例为原发病例,术后10个月和32个月未复发;另1例为复发病例,随访36个月未复发,功能评分分别为29、26和24分.4例其余诊断病例,1例骨样骨瘤行局部切除植骨术,另外3例均行病灶刮除植骨术,术后随访均无复发.结论 距骨好发肿瘤为软骨母细胞瘤和骨巨细胞瘤.距骨软骨母细胞瘤特点:患者发病年龄较大,病灶内钙化提示诊断,刮除植骨术可获得满意治疗效果.距骨骨巨细胞瘤特点:常累及全距骨,病灶刮除有较高复发率,距骨切除可降低局部复发率,但是遗留部分功能障碍.     

部分边缘外肿瘤切除联合病灶内刮除术对股骨远端骨巨细胞瘤的疗效评价

目的 探讨部分边缘外肿瘤切除联合病灶内刮除术治疗股骨远端骨巨细胞瘤的疗效.方法 选取股骨远端骨巨细胞瘤患者60例,给予部分边缘外肿瘤切除联合病灶内刮除术治疗,术后2年内,对患者进行随访,观察记录复发情况,并参照Mankin评定标准对手术效果进行综合评定.结果 术后2年,仅出现1例复发,手术效果的综合优良率为81.67%.结论 部分边缘外肿瘤切除联合病灶内刮除术治疗股骨远端骨巨细胞瘤是有效的,其在清除肿瘤的基础上,最大程度地保存了关节功能,降低了术后复发率.     

骨巨细胞瘤术后复发原因分析

 目的 分析骨巨细胞瘤特点与术后复发的相关性。方法 回顾性分析获得随访的451例骨巨细胞瘤患者发病部位、手术方式、Campanacci分级、病理性骨折、肺转移与骨巨细胞瘤复发率的相关性。结果 脊柱骨盆骨巨细胞瘤的复发率较膝关节周围（P<0.001）、桡骨远端（P=0.005）及其他部位（P<0.001）骨巨细胞瘤复发率高；Ⅲ级骨巨细胞瘤单纯刮除术后复发率高于扩大刮除术（P<0.001）以及瘤段或分块切除术（P=0.002），差异有统计学意义；行单纯刮除术的CampanacciⅠ级、Ⅱ级、Ⅲ级骨巨细胞瘤术后复发率比较差异有统计学意义（P=0.028），行扩大刮除及瘤段或分块切除术后的CampanacciⅡ级与Ⅲ级的骨巨细胞瘤复发率比较差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）；骨巨细胞瘤复发病例肺转移率高于无复发病例肺转移率，差异有统计学意义（P<0.001）；伴病理性骨折与无病理性骨折骨巨细胞瘤术后复发率比较差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 手术方式影响骨巨细胞瘤的肿瘤外科边界，与术后复发率密切相关；复发病例的肺转移率明显升高；为改善骨巨细胞瘤患者预后，临床上骨巨细胞瘤手术应考虑足够的外科边界。     

腓骨近端恶性肿瘤手术切除治疗临床分析

目的探讨腓骨近端侵袭性及恶性原发性骨肿瘤的手术治疗方式、治疗效果及术后并发症处理。方法回顾分析 2006 年 1 月至 2017 年 12 月,本院收治腓骨近端侵袭性及恶性原发性骨肿瘤 28 例,其中男 18 例、女 10 例,年龄 9～68 岁,中位年龄 19 岁。其中骨肉瘤 19 例,骨巨细胞瘤 5 例,纤维肉瘤1 例,平滑肌肉瘤 1 例,原始神经外胚层肿瘤 2 例。19 例骨肉瘤患者,3 例行截肢术,14 例行 Malawer I 型切除,2 例行 Malawer II 型切除。5 例骨巨细胞瘤患者,1 例行 Malawer III 型切除,余 4 例行 I 型切除。1 例纤维肉瘤与 1 例平滑肌肉瘤行 I 型切除。2 例原始神经外胚层肿瘤患者,1 例因瘤体侵犯范围大行截肢术,1 例行I 型切除。对于保肢手术患者采用 MSTS 评分系统评估膝关节功能。结果 28 例随访 7～120 个月。19 例骨肉瘤患者中,3 例接受截肢手术者均死亡。14 例 Malawer I 型保肢手术者,6 例发生复发和 (或) 肺部转移,8 例末次随访时无瘤生存。发生复发及肺部转移的 6 例患者中,2 例死亡,4 例随访期内带瘤生存。2 例 Malawer II 型手术患者无瘤生存。5 例骨巨细胞瘤患者、2 例原始神经外胚层肿瘤患者、2 例软组织肉瘤患者术后均无复发或转移。24 例保肢者中,6 例术后出现腓总神经麻痹,2 例自行恢复,1 例轻度跛行,3 例因腓神经切除出现足下垂须佩戴支具。16 例骨肉瘤保肢手术患者 MSTS 评分为 (22.07±1.75) 分,5 例骨巨细胞瘤患者术后 MSTS 评分为 (26.33±0.96) 分,2 例原始神经外胚层肿瘤患者及 2 例软组织肉瘤患者 MSTS 评分为 28 分。结论选择腓骨近端肿瘤手术方式应充分评估患者病情,边缘性切除适合对于腓骨近端侵袭性肿瘤或对于术前化疗敏感的骨肉瘤患者。扩大切除适合对于瘤体较大,恶性程度高或对化疗不敏感的恶性肿瘤。对于腓骨近端肿瘤切除后,外侧副韧带及股二头肌腱简单重建即可获得良好的膝关节稳定效果。     

男性乳腺癌药物治疗研究进展

男性乳腺癌（male breast cancer,MBC ）是一种少见的恶性疾病,有关治疗及预后的大型临床研究较少, 目前对其多依据女性乳腺癌(femalebreastcancer ,FBC)治疗。尽管男性乳腺癌与女性乳腺癌有较多相似之处,但二者仍存在较大差异,主要表现在对激素的依赖性及对激素治疗的敏感性不同。男性乳腺癌内分泌治疗的用药选择及用药时机仍存在较多争议,对常规内分泌药物耐药的男性乳腺癌患者的其他安全有效的治疗措施有待进一步研究。本文将就近年来男性乳腺癌药物治疗方面的研究进展进行综述,为临床治疗提供参考。      

男性乳腺癌临床病理特征及预后相关因素的回顾性分析

目的:采用回顾性分析研究,探讨男性乳腺癌(male breast cancer,MBC)患者的临床流行病学特征及预后相关因素。方法:通过病例检索系统,统计2009年01月至2019年12月空军军医大学（原第四军医大学）唐都医院收治的“男性乳腺癌”共计28例纳入本研究,对纳入研究的乳腺癌患者的首发症状、临床特征、病理分类、治疗方式、预后等流行病学特征进行分析。结果:本研究共计纳入28例MBC患者,中位发病年龄为66岁(43~91岁)。有乳腺癌家族史有2例,约占7.14%,临床分期为Ⅰ-Ⅱ期的患者有8例,Ⅲ-Ⅳ期的患者有20例。本研究中22例(78.57%)患者接受了手术治疗,20例(71.43%)患者接受了全身静脉化疗,15例（53.57%）患者接受了放射治疗,还有19例（67.86%）患者接受了内分泌治疗。生存分析结果显示临床分期及肿瘤组织病理学分级为男性乳腺癌患者的独立预后影响因素。结论:本文对男性乳腺癌的临床特点及预后相关因素流行病学特征进行分析。有利于对减少临床误诊及进一步进行个体化治疗提供依据。     

In the End What Matters Most? A Review of Clinical Endpoints in Advanced Breast Cancer

Many agents are being studied for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC), yet few studies have demonstrated longer overall survival (OS), the primary measure of clinical benefit in MBC. This paper examines the key endpoints in clinical trials and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals of drugs for MBC. PubMed was searched (1980 to October 2009) for reports of phase III trials investigating chemotherapy and/or targeted therapy agents in MBC. FDA approval histories (1996-2009) for cytotoxic and biological agents indicated for MBC were reviewed. Of the 73 phase III MBC trials reviewed, a strikingly small proportion of trials demonstrated a gain in OS duration (12%, n = 9). OS gains were less frequently noted in first-line trials (8%) than in trials of second-line plus other lines of therapy (22%). Few trials were designed with the capacity to detect OS effects. Among 37 phase III trials conducted in the last 15 years, only three systemic therapies were approved for first-line use and nine were approved for use as second-line or other lines of therapy. Of these, only four were supported by results showing longer survival times. There is substantial discordance among the design and conduct of clinical trials, FDA drug approval, and the current view of OS as the ultimate measure of clinical benefit. There is an urgent need to reassess standards for clinical benefit in MBC and to establish guidelines for study design and conduct and drug approval. In the end, what matters most is ensuring rapid access to safe and effective oncology treatments.     

Clinical development of CDK4/6 inhibitor for breast cancer

Endocrine therapy is the mainstay of treatment for patients with estrogen receptor positive (ER+)/HER2-negative (HER2?) metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Many clinicians consider the sequential endocrine therapy is gold standard strategy because of better outcome and the maintenance of a better quality of life (QOL) for MBC patients. However, clinical practice shall be changed according to development of CDK4/6 inhibitor in current. CDK4/6 is key kinase which promote the cell cycle, and especially the expression of cyclin D1 and the activation of CDK4/6 to drive breast cancer proliferation. Currently positive data of several clinical trials using three CDK4/6 inhibitors (palbocilcib, ribociclib, abemaciclib) were published and primary endpoint were met in all phase III studies. Therefore, practice change of endocrine therapy has been achieved in ER positive MBC. This review will present clinical trial data, including both the efficacy and safety of CDK4/6 inhibitors for MBC, and describe the designs of the mainly ongoing clinical trials examining CDK4/6 inhibitors for the treatment of MBC and EBC.     

Current Progress in the Treatment of Metaplastic Breast Carcinoma

Metaplastic breast cancer (MBC) is a rare type of breast carcinoma, characterized by various combinationsof mesenchymal, adenocarcinoma and other epithelial components. MBC often manifests as a large mass, withlow axillary lymph node involvement and poor prognosis. Knowledge and treatment patterns about MBCdemographics, presentation and tumor characteristics are very limited. In clinical practice, MBC is usuallytreated based on the guidelines developed for infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC). The ideal treatment paradigmfor MBC is unknown due to its low incidence and pathological variability, so potential predictors of treatmentefficacy need to be explored. This review summarizes the current models and strategies for MBC according tothe published literature.     

Capecitabine monotherapy: review of studies in first-line HER-2-negative metastatic breast cancer

The goals of treatment for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) are to prolong overall survival (OS) while maximizing quality of life, palliating symptoms, and delaying tumor progression. For many years, anthracyclines and taxanes have been the mainstay of treatment for MBC, but these agents are now commonly administered earlier in the course of the disease. A recent meta-analysis revealed adverse effects on OS and overall response rates in patients with MBC receiving first-line anthracycline-based chemotherapy following relapse on adjuvant chemotherapy. Noncrossresistant cytotoxic agents and combinations that combine high clinical activity and acceptable tolerability while being convenient for patients are therefore needed for the first-line treatment of MBC patients. Capecitabine has substantial antitumor activity in the first-line treatment of patients with MBC in prospective, randomized, phase II/III clinical trials as monotherapy and in combination with biologic and novel agents. First-line capecitabine monotherapy has a favorable safety profile, lacking myelosuppression and alopecia, and does not compromise the administration of further lines of chemotherapy. Capecitabine is suitable for long-term administration without the cumulative toxicity that can limit the prolonged use of other chemotherapy agents. Here, we review the available data on capecitabine as a single agent for first-line treatment of patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative MBC.     

Emerging approaches for treating HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer beyond trastuzumab

Because metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is incurable in most cases, the goals of treatment are improvement in quality of life, management of symptoms, and prolonged survival. The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed in up to 30% of breast tumors, and before the development of HER-targeted therapy, HER2 positivity was predictive of poorer clinical outcomes. Trastuzumab and pertuzumab (anti-HER2 monoclonal antibodies), lapatinib (a small molecule inhibitor of HER2 and the epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR]) are approved for treating HER2-positive MBC in the United States. Although trastuzumab plus chemotherapy is currently regarded as the first-line standard of care for HER2-positive MBC, it is not without shortcomings; these include its association with certain adverse events (e.g. cardiotoxic effect) and development of resistance. A number of investigational agents that target HER2 and other members of that receptor family are in clinical development for patients with HER2-positive MBC whose disease has progressed on trastuzumab. In addition, in an effort to overcome treatment resistance, clinical trials are evaluating combination therapy (investigational HER-targeted agents with trastuzumab or lapatinib). This review discusses recently completed and ongoing phase II and III clinical trials of investigational HER-targeted agents in the setting of trastuzumab-progressive, HER2-positive MBC.     

Metformin in early breast cancer: a prospective window of opportunity neoadjuvant study

Taxanes are a standard first-line option for metastatic breast cancer (MBC), but their utility may be limited by primary or acquired resistance. New microtubule-targeting agents have been developed to overcome taxane resistance and provide additional options for improving patient outcomes. This article reviews these alternative microtubule-targeting agents and their potential clinical benefits for MBC patients. Relevant clinical data were compiled through searches within PubMed and congress abstract databases. Ixabepilone, a novel microtubule-stabilizing drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has proven efficacy across multiple lines of therapy, including patients with taxane-resistant/refractory disease. In phase III trials, ixabepilone plus capecitabine significantly improved progression-free survival compared with capecitabine alone in anthracycline/taxane-pretreated patients. Eribulin has recently been approved by the FDA and by the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of patients with MBC who have received at least two prior chemotherapy regimens for late-stage disease. In a phase III trial, eribulin extended overall survival compared with the physician's treatment choice in heavily pretreated MBC patients. In addition, several investigational microtubule-targeting agents may have therapeutic potential in MBC. The development of new microtubule-targeting agents helps to address the need for additional effective regimens for patients progressing after standard treatment with anthracycline- and taxane-containing regimens.     

Future treatment strategies for metastatic breast cancer: curable or incurable?

Current Japanese and American guidelines for the surveillance of patients diagnosed with early stage breast cancer recommend regular follow-up including mammography, history, and physical examination; however, additional routine laboratory and imaging studies are not recommended because there is no evidence of improved clinical outcomes associated with the early detection of distant metastasis. Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) remains a largely incurable disease. The goals of treatment for MBC are to maintain quality of life and prolong survival. However, despite the emergence of new concepts including oligometastases, cancer stem cells, and the development of individualized therapies, clinical management and treatment guidelines remain largely unchanged. The future prospects for personalized management strategies for patients with MBC are described in this review.