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The Curious Bag
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A tumor develops initially in one location, and then may spread to other parts of the body; this is called metastasis. Metastatic breast cancer is breast cancer that has spread beyond the breast and into other locations.
Features
When cancer cells from an original (primary) tumor spread through the blood or lymph (another body fluid system), they can enter other parts of the body and trigger cancer there, according to the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Significance
Because cancer cells can spread throughout the body, a tumor found in another part of the body is not necessarily a unique cancer, which is why breast cancer that has metastasized is still referred to as breast cancer.
Location
Breast cancer is most likely to metastasize to the bones, brain, liver or lungs, although the UMCCC reports that it may metastasize to other parts of the body as well.
Identification
A metastatic tumor may be found before, after or at the same time as the primary, according to the UMCCC.
Treatment
Depending on the nature and location of the metastasis, doctors may recommend a combination of the following treatments, according to BreastCancer.org: hormone therapy, chemotherapy, radiation, the medications Herceptin and Avastin, steroids, surgery and pain relievers; experimental treatments may be available in some cases.
Source:
University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center: Breast Cancer Metastasis in Women
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