HORMONAL-THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH STAGE-IV BREAST-CANCER AT DIAGNOSIS

The incidence of stage IV breast cancer at diagnosis is low, represent ing about 8% of all new cases. We report on the results obtained with a new aromatase inhibitor, formestane (500 mg i.m. fortnightly), given as a first treatment to fifteen postmenopausal patients with metastat ic breast cancer. The overall response rate was 40%, with one complete remission in a patient with soft tissue and bone lesions and five par tial remissions. The drug was well. tolerated and no significant syste mic or local side effects were observed. We conclude that first treatm ent of stage IV breast cancer appears to be feasible with a hormonal d rug such as formestane.