Metastatic Stage
In late-stage or metastatic breast cancer, the cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body.(1)
Treating Metastatic Cancer
Once cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body, the breast cancer is now in the metastatic stage. There are several treatment options available to control the disease whilst maximizing quality of life.
Treatment Goals(2)
Control the cancer for as long as possible, such as by shrinking its size or delaying its growth
Provide relief from symptoms
Preserve quality of life
Help patients live longer
Types of Metastatic treatment include(2)
Surgery
Chemotherapy
Radiotherapy
Targeted therapy
Hormonal therapy
Palliative care
What you should know
Patients with ABC may not have any symptoms. The symptoms which patients may have depends on where in the body the breast cancer is affecting. Some potential symptoms which patients may experience include:(3)
Constant back, bone, or joint pain
Difficulty with urinating (either incontinence or not being able to go); this can be a sign that the nerves in your back are being pinched by a cancer
Numbness or weakness anywhere in your body
A constant dry cough
Difficulty breathing
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Loss of appetite
Abdominal bloating, pain, or tenderness
Weight loss
Constant nausea, vomiting
Jaundice (a yellow tinge to the skin and whites of your eyes)
Severe headaches
Vision problems (blurry vision, double vision, loss of vision)
Seizures
Loss of balance
Confusion
