Where does breast cancer metastasize?

The article was written by doctors of Internal Oncology Department, Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.

If your doctor tells you that breast cancer has spread to other parts of the body, it is in an advanced stage, not just in the breast. How far the cancer has spread is one of the things doctors look at when talking about the "stage" of the disease.

Cancer is considered "metastatic" if it has spread beyond the mammary gland. This metastasis is different from case to case. For some women, they will live with the condition for a long time. For others, focusing on pain management and improving quality of life is the goal of treatment at this point.

The site of metastasis is still breast cancer, even if it is in another organ. For example, if breast cancer has spread to the lungs, it does not mean you have lung cancer. Although cancer can spread to any part of the body, there are some common sites such as the lymph nodes, bones, liver, lungs, and brain.
Here are the most common sites of metastatic breast cancer:

Lymph nodes under the arm, inside the breast and near the collarbone are among the first places breast cancer metastasizes.
When diagnosing breast cancer, the doctor needs to check the lymph nodes near the tumor to see if it is affected. The lymphatic system is like a sentry station, helping to get bacteria and other harmful things out of the body. You may not notice any symptoms even if breast cancer cells reach these nodes.

When breast cancer has spread to the bones, the first symptom is usually pain.
Breast cancer can metastasize to any bone, including the spine, arms, and legs. Sometimes bones can weaken and break, but early treatment can prevent this problem.
If the cancer involves the spine, it can cause more serious problems such as urinary incontinence. You may also experience numbness or weakness in certain parts of your body, such as your arms or legs. This occurs when metastatic lesions press on spinal nerves.

If breast cancer has spread to the liver, you may have abdominal pain that won't go away, or feel bloated or full. You may also lose your appetite and experience weight loss. You may notice that the skin and whites of your eyes turn yellow, which is called jaundice. This is because the liver is not working well.

Breast cancer can spread to the lungs or to the space between the lungs and the chest wall, causing fluid to build up around the lungs, also known as a pleural effusion.
Symptoms may include shortness of breath, a dry cough that doesn't go away, and chest pain. Some people lose their appetite, which leads to weight loss.

Breast cancer can metastasize to the brain.
That can cause headaches that make you lose your balance and make it easier to fall. You may experience numbness or weakness in one part of your body. The behavior changes, or you may feel confused or have a seizure.
At this time, what method to use, what medicine to take will depend on the type of breast cancer and the location of metastasis. For example, if breast cancer is HER-2-positive, your doctor may choose targeted therapy. Pain management is also key for patients to feel their best.
Patients with breast cancer can go to Vinmec International General Hospital for examination and treatment. Vinmec provides a full range of necessary medical care services for cancer patients including: chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgical treatment, medical treatment, stem cell transplant...; at the same time, helping to control pain by physiotherapy, peripheral nerve block, sympathetic block,...
Vinmec gathers a team of well-trained specialists in Oncology - radiation therapy. , rich in expertise and experience; system of modern equipment, meeting international standards; Professional service quality, high efficiency in diagnosis and treatment.
For detailed advice on breast cancer as well as the medical examination and treatment process at Vinmec, please come directly to Vinmec health system or register online HERE.

Reference source: medical.new