Skeletal metastasis in breast cancer

Between 1978 and 1988 278 patients with metastatic disease of breast cancer were treated at the Clinic of Radiotherapy of the University of Wurzburg. 192 of these patients developed skeletal metastases, Particularly the skeletal axis was affected, In 58.3 percent (162 patients) skeletal metastasis was the first metastasis. The median age of the patients was 62.5 years at time of diagnosis of skeletal metastasis. Median interval between primary diagnosis of breast cancer and diagnosis of skeletal metastasis was 2.9 years. Median survival of patients with skeletal metastasis was 1.7 years. Skeletal metastases could not worse survival time, if other metastases already existed, Because of the relatively good prognosis we have to improve and combine the local and systemic therapy.