SYSTEMIC RECURRENCE
A systemic or metastatic recurrence of breast cancer occurs due of the spread of cancer cells through the blood stream prior to the treatment of the primary cancer. Even though adjuvant chemotherapy or endocrine therapy is usually given to high risk patient they are not allways effective. Systemic recurrence of breast cancer depends on the nature of the cancer, the time that has passed since the diagnosis of the primary breast cancer, the oestrogen receptor status of the cancer ( ER+ tumours have a better response to the treatment). The number of metastases present, the organs involved and of course the response of the recurring cancer to therapy are important indicators on how the cancer is behaving and which type of treatment will be followed.
The most common sites of metastases for breast cancer are the lungs, liver and the brain and the symptoms of recurrence depend on which part of the body is affected. Bone metastases can cause growths on the bones and therefore spontaneous fractures and progressively increasing bone pain. Liver metastases cause loss of appetite and pain in the upper abdomen and in some cases even jaundice. Metastases on the lungs can cause cough and shortness of breath. Finally if there are metastases in the brain symptoms may vary and include headache, numbness or weakness of the arm or leg unilaterally, loss of balance or even confusion depending on the location of the metastatic cancer in the brain.
Treatment for metastatic breast cancer aims to relieve the symptoms and pain, maintain quality of life and prolong the survival of the patient. As mention in more detail before, the patients are usually given a sequence of palliative treatments which include radiotherapy, chemotherapy and endocrine therapy and some times surgery.
A systemic or metastatic recurrence of breast cancer occurs due of the spread of cancer cells through the blood stream prior to the treatment of the primary cancer. Even though adjuvant chemotherapy or endocrine therapy is usually given to high risk patient they are not allways effective. Systemic recurrence of breast cancer depends on the nature of the cancer, the time that has passed since the diagnosis of the primary breast cancer, the oestrogen receptor status of the cancer ( ER+ tumours have a better response to the treatment). The number of metastases present, the organs involved and of course the response of the recurring cancer to therapy are important indicators on how the cancer is behaving and which type of treatment will be followed.
The most common sites of metastases for breast cancer are the lungs, liver and the brain and the symptoms of recurrence depend on which part of the body is affected. Bone metastases can cause growths on the bones and therefore spontaneous fractures and progressively increasing bone pain. Liver metastases cause loss of appetite and pain in the upper abdomen and in some cases even jaundice. Metastases on the lungs can cause cough and shortness of breath. Finally if there are metastases in the brain symptoms may vary and include headache, numbness or weakness of the arm or leg unilaterally, loss of balance or even confusion depending on the location of the metastatic cancer in the brain.
Treatment for metastatic breast cancer aims to relieve the symptoms and pain, maintain quality of life and prolong the survival of the patient. As mention in more detail before, the patients are usually given a sequence of palliative treatments which include radiotherapy, chemotherapy and endocrine therapy and some times surgery.