Personal Stories: Navigating Life with Metastatic Breast Cancer

In this type of cancer, cancer cells first originate in the breast and then spread to other parts of the body. According to which part it has spread, it can be called local, regional or distant cancer.

Localized metastatic cancer means that breast cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. If it spreads to the lungs, skin, liver, bones and brain, then it is called distant. Swelling in hands and feet, headache are some of its symptoms.

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Its symptoms may be different from level 1 cancer, which are as follows -

• Pain or fracture in bones due to tumor cells reaching the bones.
• Headache or dizziness. This means that cancer cells have reached the brain.
• Shortness of breath or chest pain after reaching the lungs.
• Jaundice or swelling of the stomach.
• If the breast or chest wall is affected, there may be chest pain, discharge from the nipple and a feeling of some thickness in the breast.
• If cancer affects the liver, symptoms like fatigue, swelling in the legs, swelling in the hands, yellowing of the skin and nausea may be seen.
• If cancer cells reach the central nervous system, memory loss, headache, and blurred vision may occur.

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Some tests are done to detect this cancer, which are as follows -

• Ultrasound - Through ultrasound technology, images of the internal parts of the body can be seen through sound waves.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging – MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images.
• Blood Chemistry Studies – In this technique, a blood sample is taken to identify the discharge produced by the organ or tissue. The substance found in it could be a symptom of a disease.
• Breast Biopsy – In breast biopsy, the doctor removes cells or tissue and then examines them. This biopsy is examined through a microscope and it is confirmed whether there is cancer or not.

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Metastatic breast cancer is treated to shrink the tumor and slow its growth. While treating this cancer, if any therapy stops working or more side effects start appearing, then in that case the treatment can also be changed. Most patients may have to undergo different types of treatment. Let us know in detail about the treatment of metastatic cancer -

1. Hormone Therapy
2. Chemotherapy
3. Medicines
4. Immunotherapy
5. Other Options
6. Integrative Therapy

Metastatic breast cancer is stage 4 cancer, in which the cancer starts spreading to other parts of the body. It can be identified on the basis of local, regional and distant cancer. Pain or fracture in bones due to tumor cells reaching the bones is one of the serious symptoms of this disease. This disease is identified by MRI or biopsy. This disease can be treated by chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Integrated therapy can also be beneficial in its treatment. Other therapies that are given simultaneously include nutrition therapy and mind body medicine.