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Cynthia A. Larroquette; Gabriel N. Hortobagyi, MD; Aman U. Buzdar, MD; Frankie A. Holmes, MD

JAMA. 1986;256(21):2988-2990.

Abstract
We evaluated serial liver function tests (LFT) and serial liver imaging procedures for 190 consecutive patients with breast carcinoma to assess the incidence and severity of hepatic abnormalities during treatment with combination chemotherapy. Thirty-four percent of patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and 52% of patients being treated for metastatic breast cancer had one or more LFT abnormalities before initiation of therapy. Among patients with normal baseline LFT results, 77% of those receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and 82% being treated for metastatic breast cancer developed LFT abnormalities during therapy. Liver function test abnormalities were mild to moderate and never led to interruption of treatment; they appeared within the first three months of chemotherapy and normalized in 90% within one year of cessation of treatment. Our analysis suggests that LFT abnormalities detected during the administration of chemotherapy for patients with breast cancer are a manifestation of drug toxicity and that such abnormalities are insufficient evidence of hepatic metastases.

(JAMA 1986;256:2988-2990)

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Medical Oncology, Medical Breast Service, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Houston.

Footnotes
Reprint requests to Medical Breast Service, M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, 6723 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX 77030 (Dr Hortobagyi).

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