Dr. Sledge on Using Tumor Heterogeneity to Guide Treatment in Breast Cancer

George W. Sledge, Jr., MD, professor of medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, explains how tumor heterogeneity impacts patient care and research.

Sledge says within a primary breast cancer, the tumor can express different sensitivities. This brings up a challenging question for physicians about which sensitivity to target. Guidelines help physicians define the tumor type, Sledge says.

In the metastatic setting, significant differences can exist between the primary tumor and the first site of metastasis. This is due in part to the cancer changing in an attempt to resist therapy. Sledge says it is important to rebiopsy patients at the time of metastatic disease in order to better treat the cancer.

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