Complications of Treatment Modalities of Advanced Breast Cancer

Introduction

The cells in the breast start to grow abnormally and uncontrollably, creating a mass or lump in the breasts. These lumps can be non-cancerous, but in a few cases, these lumps turn out to be cancerous. Advanced stage of breast cancer is the final stage showing spread to various other organs. Cancer metastasizing to primary functional organs leads to several complications. Complete eradication of advanced breast cancer can be impossible. Hence certain management strategies have been implemented for the betterment of people living with advanced breast cancer.

What Is Advanced Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer of stage three and stage four are categorized as advanced breast cancer. When the cancerous cells originate in the breast and spread to other parts of the body, it is known as advanced metastatic breast cancer. The spread can occur to bones, liver, lungs, and sometimes the brain.

What Are the Symptoms of Advanced Breast Cancer?

The symptoms of advanced breast cancer depend on the site at which the cancer cells are present.

• Symptoms of liver metastasis include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eye whites), skin rash or itching, stomach ache or swelling, or nausea.

• Symptoms of usual metastasis include reduced appetite, losing weight, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.

• Symptoms of brain metastasis include headache, nausea, seizures, drowsiness, confusion, vision alterations, and personality changes.

• Symptoms of lung metastasis include dry cough and shortness of breath.

• Symptoms of bone metastasis include joint, back, or neck discomfort, fractured bones, and swelling.

What Are the Complications of Advanced Breast Cancer?

Advanced breast cancer is a stage where cancer has spread to various regions in the body. This spread or transportation of tumors to other body parts is known as metastasis. Following are the metastasis and associated complications -

• Metastasis in Bones - Breast cancer spreads to bones and interferes with bone structure, affecting stability and leading to breaks or fractures of bones. Radiotherapy and certain drugs serve as treatment. Unfortunately, this treatment approach leads to the death of the jaw bone along with urinary tract infections, cataracts, and respiratory infections.

• Metastasis in Internal Organs and Skin - The spread of tumors to cells to internal organs hamper the specific functioning of the organ.

• Metastasis in Lungs - Breathing difficulties, pain in the chest, radiation pneumonitis, and lung fibrosis may even lead to death.

• Metastasis in the Liver - Internal bleeding, infections.

• Metastasis in the Brain - Swelling in the brain, paralysis

What Are the Complications of Treatment of Advanced Breast Cancer?

Usually, cancer treatments show several side effects and complications. The variation in complications depends on the treatment approach as well as the clinical condition of the patient.

Following are the treatment approaches and related complications.

• Hormone Therapy - In certain types of HR-positive (hormone receptor) breast cancer, stimulation of certain hormones leads to the growth of tumors. Thus the growth of tumors can be reduced by reducing the production of hormones, which is done by interfering with the actions of hormones, and this approach is called hormone therapy.

  • Complications of Hormone Therapy -

    • Risk of thrombosis.

    • Change in the lining of the wall of the uterus.

    • Decreased bone density.

    • Defective or decrease in the chances of getting pregnant.

• Chemotherapy - Chemotherapy includes treatment with high-dose medication, which stops cancer cell division. It usually includes various courses and cycles of treatments. Each cycle or session is given a break for the recovery period.

  • Complications of Chemotherapy -

    • Damages or destroy certain cells like blood cells.

    • Decrease in immunity.

    • Damage to the normal functioning of the ovary.

• Targeted Therapy - Depending on the tumor cell type, the therapy is targeted to treat breast cancer. Specific antibodies are used in the treatment.

  • Complications of Targeted Therapy -

    • Heart issues.

    • Blood clotting problems.

    • Digestive tract bleeding.

• Surgical Treatment - An advanced stage of breast cancer can be prevented from reoccurring by performing surgery.

  • Complications of Surgical Treatment -

    • Swelling due to removal of infected lymph nodes (in and around the breast).

    • Loss of breast.

    • Occurrence of infections.

• Radiation Therapy - Exposure to high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells is called radiation therapy. When surgery cannot be done, radiotherapy is opted for.

  • Complications of Radiation Therapy -

    • Lymphedema.

    • Skin damage.

How to Cope With the Treatment and Live With Advanced Breast Cancer?

The patient should always let the medical care team know how they feel during and after the treatment. Doing this can help in reducing the complications to a significant extent.

• The patient is emotionally and socially affected by various emotions, including anxiety, fear, and hopelessness. Living with such a mental state is quite challenging. This distress can be managed by talking to counselors and oncologists.

• The costs of cancer care are very high, which is a source of anxiety and stress. Moreover, the high cost of treatment makes the patient discontinue the treatment. A proper insurance plan should manage financial affordability and uncompromised quality treatment.

What Is a Caretaker's Role?

Caretakers or caregivers for the patients play an important role in the well-being or recovery of the patient by

• Providing encouragement and support.

• Discussing with the health care team.

• Not skipping medications and meals.

• Managing symptoms and side effects.

• Helping with patients' personal needs and work.

• Handling billing and insurance issues.

What Is It to Live With Advanced Breast Cancer?

People with metastatic breasts usually lead a quality life for months and certain years soon after the diagnosis. However, every person has their respective concerns and challenges.

Effective dealing with them includes -

• Each patient should understand the challenge they are facing.

• Allowing and seeking support from others.

• Feeling satisfied and comfortable with the course of action that is taking place.

• It is important to stay as healthy as possible. This is achieved by eating well, quitting smoke, stress management, limiting alcohol, and regular medical checkups to maintain good health.

Conclusion

Complications of breast cancer involve metastasis to the bones, internal organs, brain, lungs, and liver. The complications associated with cancer can be combated by following proper care routine and treatment. An appropriate treatment approach should be electively chosen by discussing it with the healthcare team until the final step of the treatment to eliminate future risks. Educating the patient about the complications of various treatments is also essential to cope with the clinical issues during the term of treatment.