Breast Cancer Metastasis

Breast cancer is the most common malignant disease affecting women worldwide. Unfortunately, 20–30% of patients progress to metastatic disease after primary surgical removal of the tumor. A minority of breast cancer patients present with metastatic disease when their diagnosis is made. Once patients have metastatic breast cancer (MBC), the goal of their treatment is to maintain quality of life and prolong overall survival. Due to progress made in diagnosis and treatment in this field, survival of MBC patients has been extended. In this chapter, biology, diagnosis, prognostic factors, and treatments of MBC will be the focus.