Chemotherapy and pattern of metastases in breast cancer patients.

A retrospective analysis of all breast cancer patients who died of their disease at Harper Grace Hospital during 1962 to 1976, was conducted to determine the pattern of metastases and its relation to chemotherapy. The autopsy incidence of distant metastases, to all organ sites, was noted to be higher among patients who previously received cytotoxic therapy, compared with those among patients who previously received cytotoxic therapy, compared with those who did not. Such incidence was unrelated to differences in patients' age, menopausal status, and disease-free interval. It is postulated that chemotherapy contributes to the wider metastases, especially to the central nervous system and meninges, in a breast cancer patient. This is possible due to a longer survival of patients treated.