Metastatic Breast Cancer

What is Metastatic Breast Cancer?

Metastatic Breast Cancer is an advanced stage cancer in which cancer from the affected breast spreads to other part(s) of the body. The most common breast cancer metastasis sites are the bones, the lungs, the brain, and the liver.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Metastatic Breast Cancer vary in different cancer sites

Metastasis to the bone may cause:

- Severe, progressive pain
- Swelling
- Weakened bones

Metastasis to the brain may cause:

- - Persistent, progressively worsening headache
  - Vomiting or nausea
  - Seizures
  - Vision disturbances
  - Behavioural or personality changes

Metastasis to the liver may cause:

- - - Jaundice
    - Abnormally high enzymes in the liver
    - Itchy skin or rash
    - Abdominal pain, appetite loss, nausea, and vomiting

Metastasis to the lungs may cause:

- - 1. Chronic cough
    2. Chest pain

Causes

Increasing age
Women are much more likely than men
Personal history of breast condition such as lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or atypical hyperplasia of the breast
History of breast cancer in one breast
Family history of breast cancer
Inherited genes that increase cancer risk. The most well-known gene mutations passed on from parents to children are BRCA1 and BRCA2
Beginning your period before 12 years of age
Late menopause

Risks

Radiation exposure to treat any breast disease earlier
First childbirth after age 30
Having never been pregnant
Postmenopausal hormone therapy
Alcohol consumption
Obesity

Preventions

Following preventive measures are known to reduce risk:

Regular exercise
Healthy diet
Maintaining healthy weight
Not smoking

How is it diagnosed?

A clinical breast exam, mammogram, ultrasound, MRI or biopsy is first done to diagnose the condition. After diagnosis, its stage (I-IV) is identified depending how much it has spread. Stage IV of B...

Blood Tests

Blood Tests including Tumour Marker Tests, Serum Chemistry Blood Tests, and Complete Blood Count (CBC) are generally prescribed.
Scans

Scans including whole-body bone scan, with or without X-rays of specific bones, MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) of the spine or brain, CT scan of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, and/or brain; and PET scan.
Biopsy

Biopsy of any suspicious area.
"Tap" removal of fluid

"Tap" removal of fluid from the area with symptoms is done to check for cancer cells.

How is it treated?

There is currently no cure for metastatic breast cancer. The treatment goal mostly is to prolong the patient’s survival while maintaining their quality of life. Various systemic treatment plans are combined for this purpose. Some are local, targ..

Surgery
Surgery to remove the tumor and nearby margins. This is most commonly prescribed. A patient may undergo lumpectomy, partial mastectomy, radical mastectomy, and reconstruction.
Radiation therapy / Radiotherapy
Radiation therapy / Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone Therapy - Cancer cells have receptors (proteins) that attach to estrogen and progesterone, which helps them grow. Hormone therapy treatment stops these hormones from attaching to these receptors.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses a combination of drugs to either destroy or slow down the growth of cancer cells.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted Therapy uses drugs to block the growth of cancer cells in specific ways. Targeted drugs sometimes work even when chemo drugs do not.

When do I contact the doctor?

Spreading breast cancer may not produce any specific warning signs. Early detection can prevent worse side effects.

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How does Medanta Provide care?

At Medanta, breast care is approached holistically right from prevention to early screening to treatments. Specialist radiology, surgery, pathology and oncology services are provided by doctors trained specifically in managing breast disease.