5 Questions About Metastatic Breast Cancer
Key Takeaways:
- Metastatic breast cancer, also called stage 4 breast cancer, occurs when breast cancer spreads beyond the breast to other parts of the body
- While metastatic breast cancer is usually not curable, advances in treatment are helping many people live longer and maintain a good quality of life
- Today’s treatments are highly personalized, and ongoing research and clinical trials continue to expand options and hope for patients
Metastatic breast cancer is the most advanced stage of breast cancer. It is considered metastatic, or stage 4, when the cancer has spread outside the breast and draining lymph nodes onto other tissues in the body such as the bones, liver and lungs.
When breast cancer returns to another part of the body after the initial diagnosis and treatment, it is called recurrent or metastatic cancer. When breast cancer has already spread outside of the breast and lymph nodes at the time of initial diagnosis, it is known as de novo metastatic breast cancer.
Each patient’s treatment can look different depending on factors such as age, medical condition and the biology of their disease, said Aixa Soyano Muller, MD, a medical oncologist in Moffitt Cancer Center’s Breast Medical Oncology Department. She wants patients to know that there is hope.
“Treatment continues to advance each day,” she said. “We have definitely impacted patients’ lives because of newer approvals and newer treatment options.”
Here, Soyano Muller shares more about the disease.
Where does metastatic breast cancer commonly spread?
The most common places breast cancer can spread include:
- Bones
- Lungs
- Liver
- Brain
What are the signs and symptoms of metastatic breast cancer?
Symptoms can vary depending on where the cancer has spread. Discuss any persistent changes with your healthcare provider. Symptoms can include:
- Persistent bone pain
- Bone fractures
- Shortness of breath
- Chronic cough
- Abdominal swelling
- Jaundice
- Headaches
- Neurologic changes
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
How is metastatic breast cancer treated?
Although metastatic breast cancer is typically not considered curable, it is treatable. Therapies today are highly personalized based on the biology of the tumor, hormone receptor status, HER2 status, previous treatments and overall health.
With ongoing treatment, patients can live for years while managing their disease. Treatment usually involves systemic therapies, or treatments that travel throughout the body to target cancer cells wherever they may be.
Treatment options include:
- Hormone therapy
- Targeted therapies
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Surgery in select situations
- Clinical trials
What is hormone, or endocrine, therapy?
Up to 75% of metastatic breast cancers are hormone receptor positive, which means the cancer cells have receptors for estrogen or progesterone, which feed the cancer cells. Hormone therapy to block the levels of estrogen and progesterone can help prevent these hormones from feeding the cancer. Hormone therapy includes aromatase inhibitors, fulvestrant, ovarian suppression medications and tamoxifen. They are commonly combined with other targeted medications. These hormone therapies can cause side effects such as hot flashes, joint pain, thinning bones and mood changes.
-
75
Percent of metastatic breast cancers that are hormone receptor positive
Why are clinical trials important?
Eligible patients may have access to innovative clinical trials evaluating new therapies, including advanced targeted treatments, immunotherapies and other emerging approaches.
Ongoing research and clinical trials continue to expand treatment options, allowing patients to live longer and with a better quality of life. Learn more about metastatic breast cancer clinical trials available at Moffitt.
Medically reviewed by Aixa Soyano Muller, MD, Breast Oncology Department
