Metastatic breast cancer

Monitoring during treatment is important both to determine treatment efficacy and to detect adverse effects.​ The monitoring process should consider patient preference through shared-decision making.

Monitoring includes imaging studies such as computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging, x-rays, positron emission tomography scan, blood biomarkers, full blood count, platelet count, and liver panel, depending on the site of disease.[27]National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology: breast cancer [internet publication]. https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/category_1 Assessing the number of circulating tumour cells before and after treatment is also performed in some centres to assess treatment response.[186]Cristofanilli M, Budd GT, Ellis MJ, et al. Circulating tumor cells, disease progression, and survival in metastatic breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2004 Aug 19;351(8):781-91. http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa040766 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15317891?tool=bestpractice.com

Monitoring asymptomatic patients depends on the site of disease. Imaging the area of metastatic disease regularly will determine whether the disease is stable or progressing.