Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is most often diagnosed in people who were previously treated for early-stage breast cancer, months, years, or even decades ago. This is called “recurrent MBC”. However, sometimes breast cancer is first diagnosed as metastatic (stage IV), meaning that breast cancer has already spread to other parts of the body, often the bones, brain, liver, or lungs. This is called “de novo MBC”. Because de novo MBC has not been treated with any breast cancer drugs, the cancer cells generally respond better to treatment than recurrent MBC. As a result, people with de novo MBC generally have better outcomes than people with recurrent MBC.
Clinical trials and other research are studying ways to treat de novo MBC. Read the links below to learn more about de novo MBC research and how to find MBC clinical trials.
Introduction to De Novo MBC
- Everyday Health: De novo MBC is when the first diagnosis of breast cancer is stage 4
Surgery to Remove the Breast Tumor for De Novo MBC
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center: A study has shown that receiving surgery to remove the tumor in the breast does not increase survival or quality of life in people with de novo MBC
- American College of Surgeons: Other studies have shown conflicting results regarding the use of surgery and/or radiation of the breast tumor for de novo MBC
- Practice Update: Breast surgery for de novo MBC was less frequent in 2019 compared to 2010
De Novo MBC and Brain Metastasis
- Practice Update: People with de novo MBC with brain metastasis have the longest survival when treated with surgery, radiation, and systemic therapy
imC Clinical Trials
- Metastatic Trial Search: Trials for People with Metastatic Breast Cancer
Last Modified on July 1, 2024