Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38711384›Full record

Observational studyActa oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden)2024

Incidence and survival of primary metastatic breast cancer in Denmark; implication of breast cancer screening, classification, and staging practice.

Tobias Berg, Maj-Britt Jensen, Maria Rossing, Christian T Axelsen, Iben Kümler, Lise Søndergaard, Marianne Vogsen, Ann S Knoop, Bent Ejlertsen

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in Acta oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden), 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Precision therapy in metastatic breast cancer: the current landscape of molecular alteration-based therapies.Translational breast cancer research : a journal focusing on translational research in breast cancer · 2025
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Tobias BergDanish Breast Cancer Group, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark; Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark. tobias.berg.01@regionh.dk.
Maj-Britt JensenDanish Breast Cancer Group, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark.
Maria RossingCenter for Genomic Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Christian T AxelsenDepartment of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
Iben KümlerDepartment of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.
Lise SøndergaardDepartment of Oncology, Zealand University Hospital, Næstved Sygehus, Denmark.
Marianne VogsenDepartment of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
Ann S Knoopanish Breast Cancer Group, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark; Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark.
Bent Ejlertsenanish Breast Cancer Group, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark; Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPrimary metastatic breast cancer (pMBC) accounts for 5-10% of annual breast cancers with a median survival of 3-4 years, varying among subtypes. In Denmark, the incidence of breast cancer increased until 2010, followed by a stabilisation. Several factors influencing pMBC incidence and survival, including screening prevalence, staging methods, and classification standards, remain pivotal but inadequately documented. MATERIAL AND

methodThis retrospective observational study involving pMBC patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2020 encompassed all Danish oncology departments. Data from the Danish Breast Cancer Group database and the National Patient Register included diagnosis specifics, demographics, treatment, and follow-up.

resultsBetween 2000 and 2020, 3,272 patients were diagnosed with pMBC, a rise from 355 patients in 2000-2004 to 1,323 patients in 2015-2020. The increase was particularly observed in patients aged 70 years or older. Changes in tumour subtypes were observed, notably with a rise in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive cases but a steady distribution of estrogen receptor (ER) status. Diagnostic practices changed over the two decades, with 6% evaluated with PET/CT (positron emission tomography-computed tomography) or CT (computed tomography) with a bone evaluation in 2000-2004 and 65% in 2015-2020. Overall survival (OS) improved from 23 months in 2000-2004 to 33 months in 2015-2020. In patients with ER-positive and HER2-positive disease, the multivariable model showed improved survival by year of diagnosis, and further, patients with ER-negative/HER2-negative disease fared worse the first 2 years after diagnosis.

interpretationOur study delineates changes in the treatment and survival of pMBC over two decades. Stage migration, screening introduction, and changes in registration practice, however, prevent a valid assessment of a possible causal relationship.

Indexed as

Breast NeoplasmsEarly Detection of CancerNeoplasm StagingAdultAgedAged, 80 and overDenmarkErb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine KinasesFemaleHumansIncidenceMiddle AgedNeoplasm MetastasisPositron Emission Tomography Computed TomographyReceptors, EstrogenRetrospective StudiesErb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine KinasesReceptors, Estrogen

Identifiers

PMID38711384
PMCPMC11332488

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.