Breast cancer is the most common oncological disease in women. A large number of deaths from it is due to the fact that very often this cancer gives metastases to various organs. And at the initial stages to determine them can be quite difficult, so the treatment of cancer should be comprehensive. Surgical intervention does not guarantee complete cure. In about half the cases, metastases appear after removal of the breast .
How does metastasis of breast cancer occur?
Affected cells can spread with lymph flow, as it is well developed in the mammary gland. Metastasized in this case, the nearest to the chest lymph nodes - axillary. Or the cancer cells are carried throughout the body with blood, settle in different organs and begin to grow there, forming metastases or a secondary tumor.
Where does breast cancer metastasize?
The most common places of penetration of cancer cells are axillary and subclavian lymph nodes. Sometimes also metastases after breast cancer occur in spongy bones, most often the femoral, lung, spinal cord, liver or on the skin. A secondary tumor can appear on the spine, in the brain or in the ovaries.
Symptoms of secondary tumors
Metastases at the initial stage can not be noticed immediately. They are even hard to detect using X-rays. Very often, the symptoms of metastatic breast cancer patients are taken for other diseases. Therefore, when they appear, you need to conduct a full diagnosis.
What are the symptoms of metastases:
- bleeding in the lungs, then there is a coughing up with blood, or bleeding skin in the area of the breast;
- hypercalcemia is observed with metastases in the bones, at which calcium is washed out of them;
- pains in the liver, spine, bones or head occur in any metastases;
- Cancer cells in bone tissue lead to its fragility and frequent fractures;
- metastases in the brain and spinal cord lead to pain, weakness, paralysis of the limbs, reduced vision and other disorders;
- a secondary tumor in the lungs causes a cough, often with blood, fluid accumulation in the pleural area and dyspnea.
Can metastatic breast cancer be cured?
The result of treatment depends on many factors: the age and health status of the patient, the number of metastases, the time elapsed from the initial diagnosis before their appearance. With timely detection of secondary tumors, it is possible to confine oneself to local effects, but most often the positive result depends on the complex treatment performed.
All the therapy for metastases in breast cancer is aimed at alleviating the condition of the patient, improving the quality and extending the life of her. In recent years, modern drugs allow many women to completely forget about the terrible disease,
Methods of treatment of metastases
Each person is individual, and that has helped one patient, can worsen the condition of another. Therefore, the doctor must choose methods of treatment, focusing on many factors. Often it is necessary to change preparations and a way of treatment if not appreciable improvements. In many cases, the best way out is surgical removal of the tumor, but it is not always possible. Then chemotherapy , irradiation or hormonal drugs is used.