Clinico-radiological monitoring strategies in patients with metastatic breast cancer: a real-world study

Aim: A monitoring strategy for metastatic breast cancer patients (M-MBC) has been little studied. Materials & methods: This retrospective study analyzed a consecutive cohort of 382 MBC patients to analyze different M-MBC strategies to identify factors influencing intensive M-MBC. Results: Elevated baseline serum tumor markers (STM) was the strongest factor associated with increased use of STM tests. Having more frequent oncology office visits was associated with more intensive chemotherapy/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using. Increased use of imaging tests was associated with participation to clinical trial. Single and elderly patients were less likely to have frequent testing. Having clinically measurable disease was less likely to have more intensive M-MBC. Conclusion: STM testing and scans were frequently ordered in M-MBC. In the present study, strategies are little influenced by clinico-pathological characteristics.