Breast cancer, metastatic monitoring

Metastatic breast cancer is not curable, and therapy is intended to palliate symptoms. In most cases, hormonal therapy is the mainstay. While on therapy, patients are monitored monthly for signs of disease progression or metastasis to common sites, such as the bones, brain, or liver. 

The parameters to be followed for monitoring treatment response and side-effects for Mrs CR s metastatic breast cancer are outlined in the answer to question 7. For the treatment of hypercalcaemia ... 

A 62-year-old postmenopausal woman with metastatic breast cancer is starting treatment with anastrozole. Which potential side effect(s) do you anticipate and monitor ... 

A monoclonal antibody against human epidermal growth factor receptors (HER2) has been developed for use in metastatic breast cancer. This dmg is trastuzumab (Herceptin) and is also being monitored by the MHRA. 

Because of the data with tamoxifen, the manufacturers of toremifene (indicated for hormone-dependent metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women) contraindicate the concurrent use of coumarin anticoagulants in the UK, but just recommend careful monitoring of prothrombin time in the US. However, there appear to be no published reports of any interaction between toremifene and warfarin. 

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