Is there a cure for Metastatic Breast Cancer?

Metastatic cancer is breast cancer that later spreads to other parts of the body and can re-occur. Let's learn more about it.

Metastatic breast cancer is breast cancer that has spread to another part of the body, most commonly the bones, lungs, brain, or liver. It’s classified as advanced (stage 4) breast cancer.

Metastasis refers to the process through which cancer spreads. Metastasis happens when cancer cells break away from the original tumor in the breast and travel to other parts of the body. These cancer cells travel through the bloodstream or the lymphatic system (the network of lymph nodes and vessels that removes bacteria, viruses, and cell waste).  In metastatic breast cancer, cells may spread to the bones, brain, liver and lungs.

Breast cancer that spreads to other parts of your body is still considered as breast cancer. The cancer cells are still breast cancer cells therefore your care team will use breast cancer treatments even if the cancer cells are in other parts of your body.

When do people get a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis?

Metastatic breast cancer can occur at different points:

De novo metastatic breast cancer: Metastatic cancer is diagnosed mostly when the people are first diagnosed with breast cancer.

Distant recurrence: Mostly recurrence of metastatic cancer refers to the cancer coming back and spreading to a different part of the body, which can happen even years after the original diagnosis and treatment.

What causes breast cancer to be metastasizing?

Cancerous cells can get into surrounding lymph nodes or blood arteries, and then use those vessels to spread throughout the body. These vessels carry fluid and blood throughout the body. In these new environments, cancer cells may produce small tumours.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Metastatic Breast Cancer are:

  • Bone pain and fractures, if cancer has spread to the bone
  • Headache, seizures, or dizziness, if cancer has spread to the brain
  • Shortness of breath, if cancer has spread to the lung
  • Jaundice or swelling in the belly, if cancer has spread to the liver.

What are the treatments for metastatic breast cancer?

The main treatment for metastatic breast cancer is systemic therapies which treats the entire body. Systemic therapies includes:

  • Chemotherapy
  • Hormonal therapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Targeted therapy

Is there a cure for metastatic breast cancer?

Well, there is no cure for metastatic breast cancer. It is impossible to completely eradicate cancer cells once they have spread to a different, far-off part of the body. But the appropriate course of treatment can help you live longer and have a better quality of life.

Tags : #myhealth #breastcancer #chemotherapy #metastaticbreastcancer #cancerwarrior #smitakumar #medicircle

About the Author


Mansi Kamble

I like listening to music, love reading and writing is my passion. Healthcare has always been a curious topic for me. I even watched some medical dramas like Chicago Med & Grey's Anatomy. So, here I am exploring my passion in the field of my interest.

Related Stories

Loading Please wait...

-Advertisements-




Trending Now

China Doctors Remove Live Worms from Woman’s Eyes HealthCare December 11, 2023
Immunity Boosting Measures for Optimal Health during WinterDecember 11, 2023
How to Save Gaza’ Catastrophic For HealthCareDecember 11, 2023
Broccoli Important For Our Health December 11, 2023
Seminar on RERA: Concerns in Real Estate heldDecember 09, 2023
Commonwealth youth leaders want action, not just rhetoric at COP28December 09, 2023
South India’s biggest Gaushala, Satyam Shivam Sundaram Gau Nivas to conduct Annakut Celebrations on Sunday on the eve of its 23rd AnniversaryDecember 08, 2023
Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine Introduces Groundbreaking Service – Preliminary Clinical and Technical Testing for Medical SoftwareDecember 08, 2023
FTCCI to hold a Seminar on RERA: Concerns in Real EstateDecember 08, 2023
Adoption of Public Health Strategies and Early Detection Key for Cancer Mitigation: ExpertsDecember 08, 2023
Are online spaces safe for women?December 08, 2023
Prescribing Equality: Tackling Gender Disparities in India's Healthcare LeadershipDecember 07, 2023
Digitalizing Health: Generative AI's Impact Amplified by AWS Cloud in IndiaDecember 07, 2023
Eyes on the Future: Dr. Agarwal's Group Channels Rs 100 Crore for Cutting-edge Eye Hospitals Across KeralaDecember 06, 2023
Organ Transplant Scandal: Apollo Hospital Faces Government InquiryDecember 06, 2023
Breaking Barriers in Cancer Treatment: Max Healthcare's CAR-T Therapy PartnershipDecember 06, 2023
Exploring the Link Between Covid-19 Vaccination and Sudden Cardiac Arrests: ICMR StudyNovember 22, 2023
Powering the Future: China's Biodegradable Wireless System for Bioelectronic InnovationNovember 22, 2023
IMS BHU Pioneers Advanced Cardiac Care: Unveiling Cutting-Edge Technologies for Precise DiagnosisNovember 18, 2023
Inito's $6 Million Boost: Transforming Women's Health with AI-Backed Fertility MonitoringNovember 18, 2023