PMID: 16619583Apr 20, 2006Paper

Long-term control of bone marrow carcinosis and severe thrombocytopenia with standard-dose chemotherapy in a breast cancer patient: a case report

Anticancer Research
V Bjelic-RadisicE Petru

Abstract

Primary metastatic breast cancer with bone marrow involvement and pronounced thrombocytopenia is rare. The myelosuppressive effect of most cytotoxic drugs limits chemotherapy in patients with cytopenia due to marrow involvement. A 62-year-old patient, who presented with locally and systemically advanced breast cancer, is reported. The initial work-up revealed bone marrow carcinosis with thrombocytopenia of less than 20,000/mm3 lung and osseous metastases without signs of suppressed erythropoiesis and leucopoiesis. The patient was stabilized with 6 different standard-dose chemotherapy regimens, antihormonal therapy, and trastuzumab before dying 57 months after first diagnosis. The patient received only platelet transfusions on 2 instances with platelets of 2,000/mm3. This case illustrates that aggressive standard chemotherapy may be feasible in selected patients with bone marrow carcinosis-associated thrombocytopenia without major bleeding episodes.

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Breast Invasive Carcinoma (Keystone)

Invasive breast cancers indicate a spread into breast tissues and lymph nodes. Here are the latest discoveries pertaining to breast invasive carcinomas.

Breast Invasive Carcinoma

Invasive breast cancers indicate a spread into breast tissues and lymph nodes. Here are the latest discoveries pertaining to breast invasive carcinomas.