Metastatic Breast Cancer: Symptoms, Treatment & Prognosis

Metastatic Breast Cancer Symptoms

As the cancer can spread to different body parts, the metastatic breast cancer symptoms vary depending on where the cancer has spread. Some people may experience symptoms in one organ, while others may notice multiple signs across the body.

Below are the most common symptoms associated with each site of metastasis:

1. Metastatic Breast Cancer in Bones

The bones are the most frequent site where breast cancer spreads. Patients may experience:

• Swelling in affected areas
• Fractures from minor injuries
• Persistent bone pain or tenderness
• Fatigue or weakness due to calcium release from bones

2. Metastatic Breast Cancer in Lungs

When the cancer reaches the lungs, symptoms can resemble respiratory illnesses, such as:

• Persistent cough
• Shortness of breath
• Chest discomfort or pain
• Coughing up blood (in rare cases)

3. Metastatic Breast Cancer in Liver

The liver plays a vital role in filtering blood and processing nutrients. Symptoms of this cancer in the liver may include:

• Abdominal pain or swelling
• Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)
• Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
• Fatigue and unexplained weight loss

4. Metastatic Breast Cancer in Brain

When breast cancer spreads to the brain, it can affect the nervous system and cause:

• Headaches or dizziness
• Memory loss or confusion
• Seizures or balance problems
• Blurred vision or speech difficulties

It’s important to remember that these metastatic breast cancer symptoms may overlap with other conditions. Therefore, early detection and a precise metastatic breast cancer diagnosis are crucial for timely treatment.

Metastatic Breast Cancer Diagnosis

The metastatic breast cancer diagnosis process begins when symptoms suggest that cancer has spread beyond the breast. Your doctor may order several tests to confirm the spread and determine the affected organs.

Diagnostic tests include:

• Blood Tests: To check liver function, calcium levels, or tumor markers.
• Imaging Tests: CT scans, MRIs, bone scans, or PET scans to detect metastases in different organs.
• Biopsy: A tissue sample from the suspected area is examined under a microscope to confirm breast cancer cells.

A proper cancer diagnosis helps oncologists design personalized treatment plans, aiming to control cancer growth, relieve symptoms, and maintain a patient’s quality of life.

Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatment Options

Given the severity of the condition, it is incurable. However, treatments are available, with the main focus on controlling the disease’s progression, minimizing symptoms, and improving survival rate and comfort.

Your oncologist will consider several factors before crafting a personalized treatment plan, like cancer’s subtype, location of metastases, and the overall patient’s health.

1. Hormone Therapy

For hormone receptor-positive cancers, hormone therapy helps block estrogen or progesterone, which fuel cancer growth. Common medications include aromatase inhibitors and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs).

2. Targeted Therapy

Targeted drugs focus on specific molecules that help cancer cells grow. For HER2-positive advanced breast cancer, drugs like trastuzumab or pertuzumab have proven highly effective.

3. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill or slow the growth of rapidly dividing cancer cells. Commonly used chemotherapy medications for metastatic breast cancer include paclitaxel (Taxol), capecitabine (Xeloda), and doxorubicin (Adriamycin).

It is often recommended when hormones or targeted therapies no longer control the disease. These drugs may be used alone or in combination to help manage symptoms, shrink tumors, and improve quality of life.

4. Immunotherapy

In some cases, immunotherapy boosts the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Drugs like pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and atezolizumab (Tecentriq) have shown promising results in treating metastatic breast cancer.

5. Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy, often used alongside medications such as dexamethasone, bisphosphonates (like zoledronic acid), or denosumab, helps relieve symptoms such as pain from metastatic breast cancer in bones or swelling in the brain caused by metastatic breast cancer in the brain.

6. Surgery

Although less common in stage 4 breast cancer, surgery may be performed to remove specific tumors or relieve pressure on organs, depending on the case.

Each of these options can be used alone or in combination. Doctors also focus on supportive therapies such as pain management, nutrition, and mental health care to ensure a holistic approach to breast cancer treatment.

Can This Breast Cancer be Prevented?

Unfortunately, there are no known ways of preventing this condition. That’s because the cancer cells do not metastasize because of something you did or didn’t do. The main reason lies in the cancer cells escaping treatment and spreading through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.

However, there are steps you can take to reduce your overall risk of developing breast cancer and improve early detection outcomes. The earlier cancer is found, the greater the chances of preventing it from progressing to an advanced stage.

You may be able to lessen the chances of a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis if your cancer is detected early through routine mammograms and regular checkups.

In addition, adopting a healthy lifestyle can further support prevention efforts:

• Stay physically active through regular exercise.
• Limit alcohol consumption or avoid it altogether.
• Maintain a healthy weight to keep hormone levels balanced.
• Breastfeed, if possible, as it may reduce long-term breast cancer risk.

While these measures cannot completely prevent metastatic breast cancer, they can contribute to better overall health, help detect problems early, and potentially lower the likelihood of cancer spreading.