| A diagnosis of breast cancer can be enormously | | | | radiation during which affected cells are attacked with |
| overwhelming and frightening for anyone. But when | | | | pinpoint x-ray technology; and chemotherapy which |
| the diagnosis is that of metastatic breast cancer, the | | | | exposes the patient to a course of intravenous drug |
| fear can be staggering. This type of cancer is defined | | | | therapy designed to stop the growth of cancer cells. |
| as breast cancer that has spread from the breast - | | | | In most cases, however, a combination of several |
| the original site of the cancer - to other parts of the | | | | therapies will be used in order to achieve the |
| body such as the bones, lungs, or liver. The | | | | greatest chance of success. There are also |
| treatment may be devastating to a newly diagnosed | | | | experimental and holistic therapies that patients often |
| patient; but new advances in treatment can help | | | | try in conjunction with other therapies and under the |
| manage symptoms and increase longevity. | | | | guidance of their doctor. As the needs of each |
| When cancer cells break away from the originally | | | | patient vary, so do the treatment plans. |
| affected site, and spread to other parts of the body | | | | The most common secondary locations are the lungs, |
| through the blood or lymphatic system, this is | | | | brain, liver, and bones. Metastatic breast cancer is |
| referred to as metastatic cancer. When the original | | | | certainly not confined to these locations and not all |
| cancer site - or primary site, as it is referred to by | | | | may be affected; these are statistically the most |
| physicians - is the breast - and cancer cells spread | | | | frequently affected areas. However it is not defined |
| from this location - this becomes known as | | | | as cancer that has spread to any places close to the |
| metastatic breast cancer. The cancer that has | | | | breast such as skin, muscles underneath or around |
| moved from the breast and developed in other | | | | the breast, or bones nearby the primary cancer |
| locations becomes known as the secondary cancer. | | | | location. |
| The treatment options for this cancer are the same | | | | While a frightening diagnosis, it does not have to |
| as treating any other cancer. But treatment must be | | | | mean a death sentence. Armed with the most |
| aggressive based on the stage of this particular | | | | up-to-date research and treatment options, patients |
| disease. Because the definition of metastatic breast | | | | can act as advocates for their own health, making |
| cancer is cancer that has spread from the breast to | | | | educated decisions regarding the course of their |
| other parts of the body, treatment must be speedy | | | | treatment. As research continues concerning the |
| and assertive in order to stop the spread of the cells | | | | newest and best ways to treat metastatic breast |
| to any further locations in the body. | | | | cancer, sufferers and their families will continue to |
| Treatment plans may include surgery wherein the | | | | see advances in medical treatment that will foster |
| cancerous growths are removed from the body; | | | | health and save lives. |