Knowledge Summaries of Comprehensive Breast Cancer Control: Palliative Care: Palliative Care for Metastatic Breast Cancer

A large percentage of women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) who develop breast cancer present with advanced (metastatic) disease. In the majority of these cases, treatment with curative intent is not possible. The survival of patients after a diagnosis of metastatic cancer depends on tumor characteristics and available therapies, but ranges from several months to several years, therefore palliative care represents a substantial contribution to breast cancer programs.