Duration of complete response to chemotherapy in advanced breast cancer.

Twenty-seven patients with advanced breast cancer with complete response (CR) to chemotherapy have been analysed and observed for up to 8 years. Median time to attainment of CR was 8.1 months (range, 1-19.5) and median duration of CR was 27.5 months (1-97 + months). Most (16) recurrences occurred in the first 2 years. In 12 patients (63%) relapse was at sites initially involved. No clear relationship between the duration of CR and a variety of prognostic factors or the dose of cytotoxic drugs given was found, although there was a tendency to longer duration of CR when fewer sites were involved. The presence of visceral disease did not preclude a prolonged CR. It seems that despite some patients surviving many years, relapse is inevitable and cure of the disease is unlikely with presently available chemotherapy.