The survival rate for stage 4 breast cancer can vary, and it depends on how far the cancer has spread. However, a person’s prognosis can also depend on the type of cancer and which organs it has spread to.
In most cases, breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body is referred to as metastatic breast cancer or metastasis. While there is no cure for metastatic breast cancer, many people are able to live with it for a number of years with the help of treatment.
Jacqui was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in 2018, just a few years after recovering from early stage breast cancer or Ductal Cacinoma In Situ (DCIS). Her breast cancer was in remission, but it returned as metastatic disease, spreading to her bones and causing pain and discomfort. Fortunately, new treatments for advanced breast cancer can help patients manage their symptoms and prolong their lives.
When a doctor diagnoses a patient with stage 4 breast cancer, they may also note whether the disease is a recurrence or a new case. In addition to indicating the location of the cancer, it’s important for doctors to know if a person’s breast cancer was hormone-receptor positive or hormone-receptor negative. This helps them determine the best course of action for treatment.
The first step in treating stage 4 breast cancer is to reduce tumor size and relieve symptoms. Chemotherapy is often used to do this. This can be in combination with other therapies, including radiation therapy and surgery. Depending on the location of the tumor, these therapies can be localized or systemic, meaning they affect cells throughout the body.
A person’s treatment for breast cancer at stage 4 may include a combination of targeted drug therapy and immunotherapy, which involves introducing a patient’s own immune system to fight the cancer. Several studies have shown that immunotherapy can improve outcomes in people with breast cancer, especially when used in combination with chemotherapy.
The survival rate for people with metastatic stage 4 breast cancer is 28 percent. This is low compared to the survival rate for all stages of breast cancer, which is about 90 percent. Despite this, there are many ways to increase the chances of living with metastatic breast cancer, and it’s important for patients and doctors to have an honest discussion about the options available.
The most common cause of cancer to return in stage 4 is when it spreads from the original tumor, or primary site, to other tissues and organs in the body. The most common sites where breast cancer spreads are to the bones, lungs and liver. When the cancer spreads to the bone, it can cause painful, swollen and irregularly shaped bones. If it spreads to the lungs or liver, patients often experience changes in their voice or vision and fatigue. The newest forms of breast cancer treatment, such as immunotherapies and gene therapy, are showing promise in improving survival rates for people with metastatic breast cancer.
