The purpose of the study was to determine the activity of weekly Taxol and Paraplatin as a first-line therapy for advanced breast cancer patients. Since weekly chemotherapy is administered more frequently than the traditional regimens, it is effective in treating advanced disease because the tumor receives a more sustained dose of chemotherapy, which may prevent the tumor from growing or developing resistance. Side effects were generally modest, with low white blood cells being the most significant. Other side effects experienced were nerve pain and numbness in the extremities and infections. More than 180,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed and more than 40,000 women will die in 2000, according to the American Cancer Society.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women.
Advanced or metastatic disease is cancer that has spread beyond the original tumor site. Treatment for metastatic disease remains a challenge for the oncology community with an average survival rate of two years. Any question regarding a medical diagnosis, treatment, referral, drug availability or pricing should be directed to either a licensed physician or to the product's manufacturer. All rights reserved.