Prognostic staging for advanced breast cancer: A biological reevaluation of de novo Stage IV metastatic disease

Novel biologically targeted systemic therapies have improved cancer outcomes and blurred the line distinguishing locally advance nonmetastatic Stage III from de novo metastatic Stage IV disease. A reevaluation of de novo Stage IV breast cancer staging is needed for Stage IV subgroups with minimal metastatic disease to more accurately reflect breast cancer prognosis with treatment.