There is a lot that can be done to ease most of the symptoms of metastatic breast cancer, but the only way that your oncologist can know what you are feeling is if you are brave enough to speak up. Its classified as advanced (stage 4) breast cancer. Finding bone metastases. It often spreads to the brain, bone, lungs, or liver. What it means, instead, is that you want your decisions to be thought out, and not left to chance. This may look like: As a caregiver, its also vital to care for yourself. Metastatic breast cancer may never go away completely. Local therapy can be used to address oligometastatic (OH-li-go met-a-STAT-ic) breast cancer, which is breast cancer that has spread to just one spot or to a limited number of areas. The cancer cells are still breast cancer cells. American Cancer Society. American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Regional therapy includes surgery or radiation to treat metastatic cancer in nearby affected lymph nodes. Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Patients' Expectations about Effects of Chemotherapy for Advanced Cancer. Myths and misconceptions about metastatic breast cancer. Its recommended when a doctor believes a person may die within 6 months. Talk with a doctor about the best options for easing symptoms and improving your quality of life. Instead, choosing hospice means that you are choosing to live out your last days as comfortably as possible. Treating metastatic breast cancer might include some of the same techniques used to treat breast cancer in the earlier stages. One common concern is about pain at the end of life. You may also decide to stop treatment if you cant or dont wish to tolerate the side effects. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. (2019). Last medically reviewed on November 28, 2018. The earlier breast cancer is diagnosed, the more effective treatment can be. If you live longer, that's not a problem and there's no penalty. Palliative care helps a person cope with end-of-life symptoms and focuses on the physical, emotional, and spiritual comfort and well-being of the person and their loved ones. This means you have fewer signs and symptoms of cancer. So what approach would be more beneficial? What can I expect from further treatments? 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |, Important Updates + Notice of Vendor Data Event. Gagandeep Brar, MD, is a board-certified hematologist and medical oncologist in Los Angeles, California. We see patients with a whole host of presentations and degrees of aggressiveness. You may even wish to make a few notes about some of your wishes ahead of time. A typical hospice team includes a physician who specializes in end of life care, hospice nurses, social workers, and chaplains. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Stage 4 breast cancer symptoms are signs that the cancer has spread to other areas of your body . While stage 4 breast cancer is not considered curable, treatments can control the spread and improve quality of life in many cases. There's no magic solution for these feelings and there are no platitudes that diminish the anguish you may feel. (2019). Whats the Difference Between Palliative Care and Hospice? Pick a time when nobody will feel rushed and wont be bothered by distractions. Policy. (2016, June 8). weak pulse. With that in mind, here are a few tips for how the patient can bring up the topic with her loved ones: One of the most difficult decisions people will have to face with metastatic breast cancer is when to stop treatment. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Lynne Eldrige, MD, is a lung cancer physician, patient advocate, and award-winning author of "Avoiding Cancer One Day at a Time. The symptoms can be back pain, shortness of breath, cough and fatigue. (https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/treatment-of-breast-cancer-by-stage/treatment-of-stage-iv-advanced-breast-cancer.html), (https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/types/recur_metast), (https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/metastatic-breast-cancer), (https://www.komen.org/breast-cancer/treatment/by-diagnosis/metastatic/).
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