Evaluación del uso del esquema de paclitaxel con carboplatino en pacientes con cáncer de mama metastásico

introduction: paclitex chemotherapy is essential in metastatic breast cancer (mbc). we assessed effectiveness and safety of combined use of carboplatine. methods: we made a descriptive and retrospective study of 63 patients treated in oncology service of "hermanos ameijeiras" surgical clinical hospital from january, 2001 to december, 2005 with a histological confirmation of breast cancer, and metastatic disease, previously treated with anthracyclins (in adjuvant therapy). results: there was a predominance of negative hormonal receptors, and presence of an only metastatic site. bone and lungs were the more common metastatic locations, 26.4 % and 21.8 %, respectively. global response rate was of 33.3 %. there were not significant differences in response rate by prognostic variables. survival at 1, 2, ant 3 years was of 60, 46.4 and 28.2 %, respectively. survival average was of 16,2 months. variables associated with a better prognosis were a karnofsky rate 3 60 %, positive hormonal receptors and presence of an only metastatic site. disease disseminated in bone, soft tissues, and skin had a better prognosis. main toxicities were: hematologic, neurologic, and digestives. the adverse processes average by patient was of 2.6 and the 20 % of these ones were 3-4 degrees. increment in hepatic enzymes caused a higher level of treatment suspension. conclusions: combined schemes with paclitaxel have a good and acceptable profile of safety and effectiveness.