Oligometastatic breast cancer: Dissecting the clinical and biological uniqueness of this emerging entity. Can we pursue curability?

[Display omitted] •Oligometastatic breast cancer (BC) refers to metastatic BC with limited tumor burden.•OM-BC is emerging as a clinically and biologically distinct entity.•There is a growing interest towards the possibility to pursue curability for OM-BC.•We reviewed evidence regarding the value of locoregional treatment for OM-BC.•There is still great uncertainty regarding the proper management of OM-BC. Metastatic breast cancer represents an incurable condition, however, the increasing interest towards the oligometastatic entity is now challenging this assumption. Up to 20% of patients with metastatic breast cancer present with oligometastatic disease, which refers to metastatic breast cancer presenting or recurring with limited metastatic burden. In the last years, progressive advancements in imaging techniques, the growing availability of minimally invasive locoregional treatments, alongside the increasing expectations from a patient perspective, have contributed to rising the awareness towards this emerging entity. In the present work we comprehensively reviewed available evidence regarding oligometastatic breast cancer, focusing on clinical and biological notions virtually supporting the adoption of a curative approach when treating this condition. We also discussed main areas of uncertainties, providing a research agenda that may guide and fine-tune the future investigation in this field.