Abstract P1-08-15: Characteristics of long-term survivors with metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Burkard ME , Lemmon K , Gilbert AD , Zhang X , Trentham-Dietz A , Dahl E , Rocque G 
Published: May 2019

Background: Survival with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is highly variable and only ˜16% survive 10 years from the primary cancer diagnosis. In addition to treatments, proposed contributors to increased survival include cancer subtype, distribution of metastases, diet, exercise, and use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). We aimed to characterize long-term survivors with MBC through a self-administered survey.

Methods: Patient advocates and researchers collaborated on developing and administering an ongoing web-based questionnaire (outliers.cancer.wisc.edu). Participants were recruited to this IRB-approved project through fliers, social media, MBC conferences, and Susan Love's Army of Women, with a recruiting focus on long-term survivors. Women and men are eligible if they are age ≥18 years old and have MBC by self-report. Eligible participants were invited to complete a detailed 28-part survey in English. Preliminary analysis was conducted by descriptive comparison of survivors ≥ 10 years from primary diagnosis versus those &lt; 10 years.

Results: Between March 6 and June 17, 2018, a total of 475 women and 1 man self-reported as living with MBC consented and completed the survey. Participants represented 48 U.S. states (n=414), and other countries on 4 continents (n=54). Two thirds of respondents (315) reported using medical records in preparing responses. Age of respondents ranged from 32-83 years (median 55), and participants survived from 4 months to 50 years (median 8.7), from primary breast cancer diagnosis. A total of 206 had lived ≥10 y from primary diagnosis and 270 &lt;10 y (Table).

Characteristics of long-term survivors and non-long term survivors with MBC Survival from primary diagnosis Survival from primary diagnosisFactor≥10 y&lt;10 yFactor≥10 y&lt;10 yAge, mean6052Bone metastasis only*36%40%Stage 411%47%BMI, mean27.428.5HR+HER2-66%65%Alcohol &gt;2 drinks/wk26%20%HR-HER2+6%9%Smoking history36%33%HR+HER2+24%22%Sedentary23%21%Triple negative4%4%CAM use20%20%Oligometastatic (1-3)*53%50%Sleep hours/d, mean7.77.6*Number/site of tumors at time of metastatic presentation

As expected, longer-term survivors were older and were less likely to have been diagnosed at stage 4. Surprisingly, there were no major differences in prevalence of breast cancer subtypes, though triple-negative breast cancer was rare in both groups. Long-term survivors reported modestly more alcohol intake and lower BMI. The two groups were well matched for oligometastatic and bone-only disease, which have been previously associated with longer survival. Additionally, there were similar rates of prior smoking, CAM use, and sedentary behavior.

Conclusion: Interim analysis of this ongoing survey of MBC survivors finds that many disease and behavioral characteristics are similar between long-term versus short term survivors. Additional factors such as treatments, diet, and supplements will reported. Other possible factors, including tumor genetics, treatments and immunologic factors will be evaluated separately.

Citation Format: Burkard ME, Lemmon K, Gilbert AD, Zhang X, Trentham-Dietz A, Dahl E, Rocque G. Characteristics of long-term survivors with metastatic breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-08-15.