Molecular aspects of brain metastases in breast cancer

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most frequent causes of brain metastases (BM), with an estimated occurrence of approximately 5% in selected populations and up to 15 –30% in patients with stage IV disease [1–3]. Breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM) usually accompany extracranial metastases, and the number of extracranial metastatic sites is considered a risk factor for BM development [4]. The most common classification of BC types is based on the assessment of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and Ki67 using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and, for HER2, in situ hybridization [5].
Source: Cancer Treatment Reviews - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tags: Laboratory-Clinic Interface Source Type: research