When it comes to breast cancer, one of the biggest fears that comes to mind for most of us is whether it will spread to other parts of the body. You may also be feeling this fear. When cancer cells leave the breast and travel to other parts of the body, we medically call it metastatic breast cancer . Sometimes your doctor may also call this 'Stage IV' or 'advanced cancer'. But don't worry, there are treatments available today that can help you manage this condition and live a full life. Let's talk about it in detail.
Where can breast cancer spread?
Breast cancer mainly spreads to the bones, lungs , liver , and brain . The important thing here is that even if the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it is still called 'breast cancer' because it originated in the breast. When the cancer spreads in this way, various symptoms begin to appear in the organ where it has spread.
Come on, let's see what these symptoms look like.
| Spreading organ | Symptoms that may be felt |
|---|---|
| Bones | Bone swelling, severe pain in the back, neck, joints, or bones, and bones breaking easily. |
| Lungs | Prolonged cough, shortness of breath, chest pain. |
| Liver | Yellowing of the skin (jaundice), skin rash and itching, loss of appetite, stomach pain. |
| Brain | Persistent headaches, vision problems, seizures, vomiting and nausea, memory problems, and dizziness. |
In addition to these main areas, there are other areas where cancer can sometimes spread, but these are less common.
- Ovaries
- Colon
- Adrenal glands (small glands located above the kidneys)
- Pancreas
- Skin
If you have any of these symptoms, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Having these symptoms doesn't mean that the cancer has spread, but your doctor may decide to do the necessary tests to find out for sure.
How does cancer spread?
Let's simply understand how this happens. First, the cancer cells in the breast break away. Then these cells travel throughout the body through our blood vessels and the lymphatic system . The lymphatic system is part of our body's immune system.
Most often, these cells first go to the small lymph nodes under the armpits and around the breasts. Sometimes they can also go to the lymph nodes near the collarbone or breastbone. From there, these cells can travel further and grow into new tumors in other parts of the body.
How do you know if the cancer has spread?
Your doctor will use several special tests to find out exactly if your cancer has spread to other parts of your body.
First, the doctor will ask you about your symptoms and any discomfort you are experiencing. He will also talk about your general health. He may also check the size of the tumor and the lymph nodes.
After that, the doctor may refer you for these tests:
- Blood tests: These can give clues about abnormalities in the body. For example, liver function tests can give an idea of whether the cancer has spread to the liver. Also, high levels of certain things in the blood, such as calcium, can be a sign that the cancer has spread to the bones.
- Imaging scans: These take clear pictures of the inside of the body to find out exactly where the cancer has spread. These may include:
- X-ray
- MRI
- Ultrasound
- CT scan
- PET scan
- Bone scan
- Biopsy: This involves taking a small piece of tissue from a suspicious area and examining it under a microscope . This can tell you with 100% certainty whether or not it contains cancer cells.
What are the treatment options?
There is no cure for metastatic breast cancer. However, there are many effective treatments that can help control the condition, reduce symptoms, and help you live a better life. You and your doctor will work together to determine the best treatment plan.
| Treatment method | How it works |
|---|---|
| Chemotherapy | Giving drugs that kill or shrink cancer cells. |
| Hormone therapy | It stops cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow. |
| Immunotherapy | It helps your body's own immune system fight cancer. |
| Targeted therapy | Giving drugs that target specific parts of cancer cells and stop them from growing. |
Treatments to relieve symptoms
These treatments can also be used to relieve or prevent symptoms of metastatic cancer:
- Radiation therapy: The use of high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells in a specific area of the body.
- Surgery: Surgical removal of tumors that are causing pain or other symptoms.
Sometimes you may need more than one of these treatments. It is important to talk to your doctor to decide which treatment plan is best for you.
Take-Home Message
- Although metastatic breast cancer is something to be afraid of, understand that it is a manageable condition.
- The bones, lungs, liver, and brain are the organs where cancer most commonly spreads.
- Always be on the lookout for symptoms such as unusual body pain, difficulty breathing, yellowing of the skin, or persistent headaches.
- If you have any suspicious symptoms, contact your doctor immediately to discuss them.
- Today, there are very effective treatments (Chemotherapy, Targeted therapy, etc.) to control this condition and relieve symptoms.
Breast Cancer, Metastatic Breast Cancer, Cancer Spread, Cancer Symptoms, Cancer Treatment, Chemotherapy, Sri Lanka
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