Breast Cancer With Brain Metastases: Perspective From a Long-Term Survivor

Abstract

The purpose of this essay is to inform others that it is possible to survive breast cancer with brain metastases. The second author is the subject patient and a long-term survivor of systemic metastatic breast cancer with numerous brain metastases (corresponding to 8% survivor group). We credit her survival to a combination of (1) medicine as practiced by an excellent oncologist with whom we developed a partnership to manage the patient’s health, (2) our informed exploration of the available scientific knowledge including a review of scientific research articles that go beyond conventional care, and (3) the patient’s supplementation with numerous repurposed drugs and other substances reported to have antitumor properties. Alongside her conventional treatment (the medical standard of care), it seems likely that this supplementation has been a key factor in the patient’s long-term survival. We also point out that the lack of follow-up magnetic resonance imaging brain scans for early detection of brain metastases poses substantial risks for patients with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer in non–central nervous system locations. Thus, we suggest that research be conducted on such early detection for possible inclusion in the recommendations for the medical standard of care. Finally, medical doctors and also patients with backgrounds in biological science may wish to consider potential options and advantages of repurposed drugs and other substances reported in scientific publications when the medical standard of care has limited options for advanced cancer and other severe chronic health conditions. However, any efforts along this line by patients should be in collaboration with their medical doctors.

Advances in the management of breast cancer brain metastases

“… 13 Given increasingly effective therapies and a potential for prolonged survival after a diagnosis of BCBrM, earlier detection via screening of asymptomatic BrM in advanced and metastatic HER2+ and TNBC should be studied from a perspective of quality of life as well as OS. 14 , 15 Several clinical trials are underway to understand the value of screening brain MRI in patients with metastatic BC (clinicaltrials.gov, Identifier: NCT04030507) ( Table 1 ).…”

Actual, Personalized Approaches to Preserve Cognitive Functions in Brain Metastases Breast Cancer Patients

“…The quality of life (QoL) constitutes an important issue in oncological patients. The advanced techniques and pharmacological factors directed to organ preservation should be regarded during treatment decision-making process to improve patients' neurological and psychological condition, thus protecting the well-being of treated patients [8,9]. Additionally, advances in systemic targeted therapy decreased the urgency of local treatment or allowed for its omission in some brain metastatic breast cancer (BMBC) patients.…”