Recently published research in Clinical Cancer Research has identified a new marker which appears to predict the likelihood of breast cancer metastasis (spread).
Tumor microenvironment of metastasis (TMEM) was found to be denser in patients who went on to develop metastasis as compared with those patients with local breast cancer. Current predictors of the likelihood of breast cancer metastasis are: tumor size; tumor differentiation; and involvement of lymph nodes. TMEM actually marks the blood-borne mechanism of metastasis making it potentially far more accurate.
According to the same study, approximately 40% of breast cancer patients develop metastatic disease. If the research proves itself in clinical trials, breast cancer patients could be spared over-treatment for their disease resulting in less harm from chemotherapeutic agents, radiation and less extensive surgery. Watching hopefully.
posted by David Marc Schwadron, Esq.
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