Metastatic breast cancer in the bones refers to cancer that originates from breast tissue but has spread to the bones. A doctor may also refer to metastatic breast cancer in the bones as advanced, stage 4, secondary, or distant breast cancer. Show Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in females, and it can also affect males. When breast cancer develops, it can spread to various parts of the body, which doctors refer to as metastasis. Some common sites for breast cancer metastasis are the bones, brains, lungs, and liver. A diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer in the bones can be concerning. However, with appropriate care, people may be able to maintain a good quality of life. In this article, we discuss metastatic breast cancer in the bones, including the causes, diagnosis, and treatment options. We also consider the outlook for people with the disease. Metastatic cancer is cancer that has spread beyond its initial site to other parts of the body. In many cases, doctors refer to metastatic cancer as stage 4 cancer. In people with breast cancer, a metastatic tumor develops when cancerous cells break away from the breast and come together in a different part of the body. The cells can spread to different areas of the body, depending on the type of cancer. Places where metastatic breast cancer typically occurs include the:
The bones are the part of the body where metastatic breast cancer tumors most commonly form. Any type of cancer can spread to the bones, but 80% of bone metastases come from breast cancer, prostate cancer, or lung cancer. Breast cancer metastases can form in any part of the skeleton, but the cancer usually spreads to bones in the:
Metastatic tumors can develop in the bones before a person is even aware that they have breast cancer. On the other hand, the metastatic tumors may not form until years after a person receives breast cancer treatment. Metastatic cancer in the bones can lead to a decline in a person’s quality of life, and it can be fatal. However, some people continue to live a full and long life after diagnosis. A person’s outlook varies depending on:
Some studies suggest that the average 1-year survival rate for people with metastatic bone cancer is 40–59%. However, the American Cancer Society states that people with distant breast cancer are 28% as likely to live for at least another 5 years as those without this condition. A 2017 study in Danish people suggests that the 1-year survival rate among people with metastatic bone cancer is slightly higher, at 51%, when the cancer began in the breast than when it originated in the lungs or prostate. The authors note that most people live for 12–33 months after a diagnosis of metastatic cancer in the bones. When breast cancer metastasizes, it causes tumor cells to grow and form disruptive structures on the bones. Bone remodeling, in which new bone tissue replaces old bone tissue to keep the body strong, is an important process that occurs throughout a person’s life. Metastatic cancer in the bones affects the process of bone remodeling. The tumors that develop on the bones can be osteolytic, meaning that they reduce bone tissue, or osteoblastic, meaning that they cause an overproduction of bone. The symptoms of bone metastasis may include:
If a person is experiencing symptoms and thinks that they might have bone metastasis, they should contact a doctor for a diagnosis. Doctors typically use at least one imaging scan when assessing for bone metastasis. Possible imaging tests include:
Bone metastasis can cause calcium and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels to increase. Therefore, a doctor may test for higher levels than usual using a blood test. Additionally, a biopsy may help determine whether a person has the condition. In this case, with guidance from a CT scan, a doctor will use a needle to collect a tissue sample from the potentially cancerous area of bone. Lab technicians will analyze the sample for signs of cancer. Bone metastasis is almost always incurable. Therefore, the treatment options typically focus on controlling the cancer by reducing or stopping its growth, as well as minimizing symptoms through palliative care. The goal of the treatment plan will determine a person’s treatment options. Some people may use bone-strengthening drugs, which include pamidronate, zoledronic acid, and denosumab. These drugs can help by:
Other treatment options include:
People sometimes enter clinical trials when they are exploring treatment options, as they may find opportunities that are not yet generally available. The type and severity of symptoms that a person experiences depend on the size of the metastatic tumors and where they are within the body. Some people may choose to add complementary and holistic medicine to their treatment plan and use methods such as acupuncture, meditation, and hypnosis. These techniques may reduce the severity of a person’s symptoms and improve their quality of life, but they should not be a substitute for medical treatment. If a person chooses to use such methods, they should make their doctor aware. Having cancer can cause a range of emotions, but no one has to go through it alone. Support is available in the form of counseling, support groups, pain clinics, and more. A doctor may be able to offer a person advice on the options in their local area. Breast cancer can spread to the bones through the process of metastasis. Metastasis occurs during stage 4 cancer, but it can happen any time from when a person first becomes aware that they have breast cancer to years after their recovery. Treatments are available to control and reduce the cancer and ease symptoms. These can prolong and improve the quality of life for a person with bone metastasis and may allow them to live a long and productive life. Read this article in Spanish. What are the final stages of metastatic breast cancer?Stage IV cancers have spread (metastasized) beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes to other parts of the body. When breast cancer spreads, it most commonly goes to the bones, liver, and lungs. It may also spread to the brain or other organs.
Is metastatic breast cancer always terminal?Between 20 and 30 percent of women with early stage breast cancer go on to develop metastatic disease. While treatable, metastatic breast cancer (MBC) cannot be cured. The five-year survival rate for stage 4 breast cancer is 22 percent; median survival is three years. Annually, the disease takes 40,000 lives.
Can you live 10 years with metastatic breast cancer?About one-third of women diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in the U.S. live at least 5 years after diagnosis [7]. Some women may live 10 or more years beyond diagnosis [9].
Can you live a full life with metastatic breast cancer?No one would say that living with metastatic breast cancer is easy. It can be treated, but it cannot be cured. However, many people with metastatic breast cancer can live long lives with excellent quality of life. More and more women and men are living with breast cancer as a chronic disease.
|
What is the life expectancy of metastatic breast cancer
Related Posts
Copyright © 2024 kemunculan Inc.
