Dr. Chagpar Discusses Surgery for Metastatic Breast Cancer

Anees Chagpar, MD, MSc, MA, MPH, Associate Professor of Surgery (Oncology), Director, The Breast Center at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven, discusses the evolution of surgery as a treatment for patient with metastatic breast cancer.

Twenty years ago, Chagpar says, performing surgery in the metastatic setting was not a viable option. At this point, the common perception was that systemic diseases needed to be treated with systemic therapy.

Today, surgery for patients with metastatic breast cancer may be helpful in patients with small volumes of disease, bone-only disease, and to those who have responded well to chemotherapy. As patients live longer, surgery may also play a role in palliation.