Cancer that develops in the breast is called breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (a reliable source), breast cancer accounts for roughly 30% of all new cancer diagnoses in women in the United States.
While most cases of breast cancer start in the breast, the disease can extend to other organs and tissues. Metastatic cancer occurs when the disease has metastasized to other organs or regions of the body. According to studies, there were around 155,000 women in the United States with metastatic breast cancer in 2017.
In the following section, we will discuss metastatic breast cancer in greater depth, focusing on the most typical detection sites. After that, we’ll talk about how doctors identify and treat this form of cancer, as well as what you can do to avoid getting it in the first place.
Tumor metastasis
Cancer that has metastasized from its original site to another organ or part of the body is called metastatic cancer. You might also hear people refer to metastatic cancer as “stage 4” cancer.
It’s possible that, by the time cancer is diagnosed, it has already spread. Sometimes, even after therapy, cancer can recur or spread. Patients who first present with early-stage breast cancer may relapse years later with metastatic disease.
Metastasis is a sign of advanced disease and is seen in the majority of malignancies. Metastasis can develop months or years after primary breast cancer treatment has been completed.
Oligometastatic carcinoma is another form of metastasized disease. This is where metastatic cancer has spread to only a few tiny spots. Researchers have high hopes for the treatment of this form of metastatic cancer because of its geographic distribution.
The distinction between recurrent and metastatic breast cancer
Cancer that returns after initial treatment is considered recurrent. This may occur if any of the tumor’s malignant cells survive treatment. These lingering cancer cells can eventually develop into large tumors. Recurrence is a common cancer complication, just like metastasis. As we’ll see below, some forms of distant recurrence of cancer are also considered metastatic cancer.
It is possible for breast cancer to return in either of three locations:
- When breast cancer cells metastasize to another portion of the body, the disease is said to have spread to a distant site. The primary tumor need not worry about spreading to this new place. Metastatic cancer occurs when the disease spreads to other parts of the body.
- When breast cancer returns to the same area where it was first diagnosed, it is said to be regional. Lymph nodes in the chest wall, underarm, or collarbone may be involved in breast cancer.
- When a new tumor forms in the same breast as the original tumor, we speak of local recurrence. The tumor could spread to the chest wall or skin if the breast was removed.
Places where breast cancer frequently spreads
Bone metastasis
Breast cancer frequently metastasizes to the bones first. Although every bone is at risk, the most prevalent ones are those in the back, pelvis, ribs, and long limbs. At first, bone metastasis may seem like the result of something more common, such as arthritis or a strain. However, the pain from bone metastasis becomes chronic and is resistant to rest.
Lung metastasis
As symptoms are not always present, lung metastasis can go undetected. Even after the first therapy, lung metastasis may not be discovered until a subsequent scan.
It’s easy to misdiagnose symptoms such as the common cold or the flu at first if you already have a preexisting lung problem or a history of respiratory infections. If a respiratory infection is cleared, however, symptoms will persist for weeks or months.
Brain metastasis
Breast cancer often progresses to other parts of the body before it is detected in the brain. According to a 2016 study, brain tumors are more likely to develop in breast cancers that are more aggressive, such as triple-negative or HER2-positive.
Risk factors and what causes breast cancer to spread
When breast cancer cells escape the primary tumor, this is known as metastasis. These cells are subsequently transported throughout the body via the blood or lymphatic system. The cells could potentially start a new tumor after they have settled. This may occur soon after treatment begins, or it may manifest years later.
Having a history of breast cancer increases the risk of developing metastatic disease. Metastatic cancer occurs when cancer spreads to more distant areas of the body. The most common locations where breast cancer metastasizes are the bones, lungs, liver, and brain.
The signs of metastatic breast cancer vary from one area of the body to another. Doctors will use blood tests, imaging tests, and tissue biopsies to help make a diagnosis. While metastatic breast cancer doesn’t currently have a cure, there are treatments available that can help reduce cancer and improve quality of life. Additionally, researchers continue to develop newer, more effective treatments for metastatic breast cancer.