[Effective combination chemotherapy using weekly trastuzumab and paclitaxel in the treatment of a recurrent breast cancer patient with liver metastases].

A 48-year-old woman was diagnosed with multiple locoregional recurrence five months after receiving breast conserving surgery, and she underwent mastectomy. CEF therapy was combined following surgery; however, lung metastases developed 9 months after the initial surgery. A CR has been observed after monthly use of docetaxel alone for 14 months. Since multiple liver metastases were detected 17 months later, the patient was given monthly docetaxel infusions for 2 months followed by weekly trastuzumab infusions for 8 weeks, resulting in PD. Thereafter, combination of weekly trastuzumab with paclitaxel was used and a nearly CR remained for 10 months. Although multiple brain metastases were seen 36 months later, vertigo was mostly controlled with whole brain radiotherapy. Combination of weekly trastuzumab and paclitaxel therapy is effective for liver metastases from breast cancer and useful considering the slight side effects and possibility of long-term administration.