Systematic review and meta-analysis on the proportion of patients with breast cancer who develop bone metastases

Abstract

A systematic literature review was conducted to quantify populations of patients with primary breast cancer in whom bone metastases were detected at study start or during follow-up. Searches were performed in PubMed and EMBASE using terms related to breast cancer and bone metastases. Articles had to have been published 01/01/99-31/12/13, and to report data on the proportion of patients with bone metastases among patients with breast cancer. In total, 156 articles were included in the meta-analysis. A median of 12% of patients with stage I-III breast cancer developed bone metastases during a median follow-up of 60 months. Of patients who developed metastatic disease during follow-up, 55% (median) had bone metastases. Of those with metastatic breast cancer at study start, 58% (median) had bone metastases. These data help to inform on the global burden of bone metastases by defining patient populations that are at risk of developing bone metastases.

Incidence proportions and prognosis of breast cancer patients with bone metastases at initial diagnosis

“…This result is slightly different from that of a previously published meta‐analysis 35. Body et al included and analyzed observational studies and clinical trials published between 1999 and 2013.…”

Current status and future directions in the treatment of bone metastases from breast cancer

“…1,[11][12][13]18,20,26 In this context, numerous studies are underway to design new therapeutic strategies that, by specifically acting on early stages of breast cancer, may prevent the homing and the subsequent growth of cancer cells in the bone. 1,2,11,13,20,25 This approach might also target occult micro-metastases before their development into clinically evident bone lesions, ultimately hindering bone relapse and disease progression. 2,11,13,16,20,22,23 However, this therapeutic option implies the identification of early stage breast cancer patients who are at high risk of developing bone metastases.…”

“…antimetastatic drugs, biomarkers, bone, bone metastasis, breast cancer, tumour progression | 969 LETO unable to achieve a complete eradication of metastatic foci. 2,11,12 This phenomenon may also account for the 30%-50% of patients who experience metastatic bone relapse. 2,6,11 The median survival time of BCa patients after first bone metastasis is reported to be around 20 months, while, the 5-year survival rate for patients with metastatic bone disease is around 10%.…”

“…2,11,12 This phenomenon may also account for the 30%-50% of patients who experience metastatic bone relapse. 2,6,11 The median survival time of BCa patients after first bone metastasis is reported to be around 20 months, while, the 5-year survival rate for patients with metastatic bone disease is around 10%. 2,5,12 As the current therapeutic options are not shown to have a significant positive impact on patients' survival, in-depth knowledge of the biological mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of bone metastasis may favour the development of new therapies that may be effective in improving the clinical outcome for these patients.…”

“…2,6,11 The median survival time of BCa patients after first bone metastasis is reported to be around 20 months, while, the 5-year survival rate for patients with metastatic bone disease is around 10%. 2,5,12 As the current therapeutic options are not shown to have a significant positive impact on patients' survival, in-depth knowledge of the biological mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of bone metastasis may favour the development of new therapies that may be effective in improving the clinical outcome for these patients. 1,11 In this scenario, growing studies are specifically directed to deepen the patho-physiologic mechanisms fostering skeletal metastasis, that may pave the way to more effective therapeutic opportunities.…”