The purpose of this epidemiologic study is to establish a population-based cohort of women with advanced stage breast cancer which can be used to quantify the frequency and timing of brain metastases, and other distant metastases, in this patient population.
A retrospective cohort study will be conducted in the Henry Ford Health System (HFHS). Using medical record review, we will identify all women diagnosed with advanced stage (stage III and IV) breast cancer between January 1, 1995- December 31, 2007. For each case included in the study, we will obtain data on demographics, tumor information, treatment related medical encounters and procedures, and occurrence and timing of brain and/or other distant metastases. The main outcome for this study is the development of distant metastases. Each patient in the cohort will be classified as to the occurrence and date of distant metastases. Metastases will be classified as Brain, Distant lymph node, Lung/pleural effusion, Liver, Bone, Other visceral, Other non-visceral. Other secondary outcomes to be explored include: * Survival after advanced breast cancer-time in months from the date of advanced stage breast cancer diagnosis until death or end of study period * Time to brain metastases-time in month from the date of advanced stage breast cancer diagnosis until brain metastases diagnosis * Survival after brain metastases-time in months from the date of diagnosis of brain metastases until death or end of study period
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
1
Anti-erbB2 therapy for breast cancer treatment will be analyzed as a class level variable; individual drugs including trastuzumab and lapatinib will also be explored as exposures if sufficient numbers of patients exist.
Proportion of advanced stage breast cancer patients that develop brain metastases, overall and stratified by anti-HER2 therapy (for HER2+ patients only).
Time frame: Time from breast cancer diagnosis until death or end of study periods (September 1, 2009)
Overall survival from advanced stage breast cancer, overall and stratified by tumor characteristics and anti-HER2 therapy (for HER2+ patients only).
Time frame: Time from diagnosis of advanced stage breast cancer until death or end of study period (September 1, 2009)
Time to brain metastases stratified by key tumor characteristics and anti-HER2 therapy (for HER2+ patients only).
Time frame: Time from diagnosis of advanced stage breast cancer until brain metastases diagnosis
Survival after brain metastases diagnosis, overall and stratified by key tumor characteristics and anti-HER2 therapy (for HER2+ patients only)
Time frame: Time from diagnosis of brain metastases until death or end of study period (September 1, 2009)
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.