What is the cause of metastatic breast cancer in my aunt?

Question

Hi doctor,

My aunt is 42 years old. She has pain in her right breast frequently. She also noticed some discharge from her right breast. When she consulted the doctor, she was advised to undertake some blood tests and laboratory tests. After seeing the results, the doctor diagnosed her with metastatic breast cancer.

May I know what this is? How is it caused? Can it occur due to genetic causes? What are the other symptoms that can be noticed? How is this condition managed? Can chemotherapy and radiotherapy alone help in controlling this breast cancer?

Kindly help.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

Metastatic breast cancer, known as stage IV breast cancer, occurs when cancer cells from the breast spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones, liver, lungs, or brain. This happens through the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. Triple-negative or HER2-positive cancers have a higher likelihood of spreading. Cancer detected at a later stage is more likely to metastasize.

Estrogen receptor (ER) or progesterone receptor (PR) positive cancers guide treatment. Yes, genetics can play a role in the development and progression of breast cancer, including metastatic breast cancer. Mutations in genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2 increase the risk of breast cancer. If your aunt’s family has a history of breast, ovarian, or other cancers, genetic counseling and testing for family members is advisable. Symptoms depend on where it has spread:

1. Bones: Bone pain, fractures, or swelling.

2. Liver: Jaundice, abdominal pain, or swelling.

3. Lungs: Persistent cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain.

4. Brain: Headaches, seizures, confusion, or visual disturbances.

5. Fatigue, unintentional weight loss, and loss of appetite.

Metastatic breast cancer is not curable, but it is treatable. The goals of treatment are to control the disease, relieve symptoms, and improve quality of life. The following are a few treatment methods:

Chemotherapy: Used to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells throughout the body.
Hormonal Therapy: For ER or PR-positive cancers, drugs can block hormones that cause cancer growth.
Targeted Therapy: HER2-positive cancers may respond to drugs.
Immunotherapy.
Radiotherapy.

Surgery is rarely opted for at this stage. A physical examination by an oncologist in a hospital is a must. Feel free to follow up with any questions or clarifications. I am here to help guide you through this challenging time.

I hope this information will help you.

Thanks.