Every two minutes, a woman in the U.S. is diagnosed with breast cancer. Metastatic breast cancer, also called Stage IV breast cancer, is a type of breast cancer that has spread beyond the breast to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body.
This spread (metastasis) can occur when cancer cells enter the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. Because it’s a more advanced stage of breast cancer involving more than one site, it requires different treatment approaches compared to earlier stages.
Here, we’ll review the most common metastatic breast cancer symptoms and the areas where breast cancer is most likely to spread first. We’ll also discuss risk factors, breast cancer stages, and treatment options. Plus, you’ll learn proactive strategies to help you detect cancer earlier when treatment is less invasive and more effective.
When it's not caught early, primary breast cancer tumors continue to grow uncontrolled. Eventually, cancer cells can break away from the primary tumor and spread to other organs and tissues in the body. The most common areas for breast cancer metastases are:
Signs and symptoms of metastatic breast cancer may include general conditions such as unexpected weight loss and poor appetite that occur alongside more specific symptoms based on the size or extent of tumors, the type of breast cancer, and the location of the metastasis. Please note that not all patients will experience the same symptoms.
Bone metastasis: Bone pain and bone fractures are most common. High calcium levels may occur due to bone loss, leading to symptoms like loss of appetite, nausea, thirst, and confusion.
Liver metastasis: Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), itching, or abnormal liver enzymes may be detected on blood tests.
Lung metastasis: Metastatic disease may lead to shortness of breath, chest pain, or persistent dry cough.
Brain metastasis: Headaches, seizures, vision problems, or changes in speech or behavior often occur.
When breast cancer spreads to remote parts of the body, the five-year relative survival rate drops to about 29%. This significant drop underscores the challenges in treating advanced breast cancer that has metastasized to other organs and parts of the body. It also emphasizes the importance of early detection and treatment of breast cancer.
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is rare but aggressive. It happens when cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the breast’s skin or when cells infiltrate the lymphatic vessels in the breast, causing symptoms that look like inflammation or edema (heavy with fluid).
Because there is no breast lump, many women overlook the signs of IBC or attribute them to other causes like injury, dermatitis, or even a viral infection like the flu. IBC may also be more challenging to spot on a traditional mammogram. This means that by the time it’s diagnosed, the cancer is in more advanced stages.
The symptoms that set IBC apart include:
Most metastatic breast cancer treatment involves removing the cancerous tissue from the body, shrinking cancer tumors, or systemic therapies to target cancer cells throughout the body. Even with a poor prognosis, oncologists may recommend treatment if it might improve the patient’s quality of life. Here’s a closer look at treatments for metastatic breast cancer.
Finding breast cancer at its earliest stage drastically improves the chances of successful treatment and long-term survival. For cancer that has not spread beyond the breast, the five-year survival rate is nearly 100% per the SEER database. This high rate reflects the effectiveness of treatment when cancer is detected early and confined to its original location.
In cases of regional breast cancer, where the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. According to the SEER database, the five-year relative survival rate is approximately 86%. Compared to localized cancer, this lower survival rate highlights the impact of metastasis.
You can’t always prevent breast cancer from advancing, but there are things you can do to improve your chances of early detection and successful treatment.
Unlike metastatic breast cancer symptoms, early signs of breast cancer are more localized. The most common symptoms of early-stage breast cancer:
Performing a breast self-exam (BSE) monthly helps you get to know your breasts and is one of the best ways to detect any unusual changes. Perform BSE about 7-10 days after the start of your menstrual period when your breasts are less swollen.
A breast lump can feel different depending on its cause. It can be soft or hard. Read our guide to know what a breast lump feels like and keep these guidelines in mind:
Remember that not all lumps you feel are cancer—benign breast conditions such as fibrocystic changes and hyperplasia or scarring. As you get to know what your breasts feel like usually, you’ll be better able to notice subtle changes.
Here's a simple step-by-step guide to walk you through a self-breast exam.
1. Visual Inspection
2. Physical Examination (While standing)
3. Physical Examination (While lying down):
The Ezra cancer risk calculator can help assess your chances of developing certain types of cancer and it only takes five minutes of your time. It works by assessing known risk factors such as:
Genetic testing for breast cancer involves analyzing your DNA to look for specific inherited mutations that increase your risks. This testing is mainly focused on mutations in genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2, which significantly raise the risk of breast and ovarian cancers. The American Cancer Society recommends talking to your oncologist or healthcare provider about whether genetic counseling and potential testing are right for you if you have any of the following:
The American Cancer Society mammogram recommendations are evidence-based and formulated by a panel of oncologists, cancer research specialists, patients, and advocates.
If you’re concerned about elevated risk factors and wish to start having mammograms earlier, you should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before deciding on a plan.
At Ezra, we constantly seek ways to empower women and improve health outcomes. The Ezra mammogram is an AI-enabled breast cancer screening mammogram. Developed in collaboration with RadNet, it uses advanced technology such as AI and machine learning to enhance accuracy, reduce false positives, and give our patients greater peace of mind.
AI helps our radiologists detect more subtle lesions, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment. The importance of early detection of breast cancer can’t be overstated.
As mentioned earlier, when caught in Stage 1, the five-year survival rate is almost 100%. Regular mammograms, especially with EBCD's advanced technology, have the potential to detect cancer early and improve your long-term health.
As breast cancer advances, it often spreads beyond the primary site into nearby lymph nodes before metastasizing to other parts of the body. Since advanced stages of breast cancer are more extensive, they require different treatment approaches compared to earlier stages when tumors are localized and easier to treat.
Metastatic breast cancer symptoms vary based on the location it has spread to, the extent and size of tumors, and other factors. You can improve your chances for early diagnosis by knowing early symptoms, assessing your risk factors, and engaging in regular breast self-exams. In some cases, genetic testing is warranted. Evidence shows that annual screening mammography saves lives.
The Ezra mammogram uses advanced technology to detect breast abnormalities early. Regular mammograms may help detect small changes even before symptoms appear. Ezra streamlines the process to make getting a screening fast and easy. Get started today and book your mammogram easily online.
