Stage 4 Breast Cancer Care: Treatment & Expert Insights

Stage 2 Breast Cancer

Stage 4, also called metastatic breast cancer, is the most advanced stage of breast cancer, whereby the tumor cells have already spread to distant organs such as bones, lungs, liver, or brain from their place of origin in the breast. Since these cells have their origin from breast tissues, the cancer cells in other parts of the body are still considered as breast cancer cells. Stage 4 breast cancer represents incurable but often treatable disease, where the aim of management is to prolong life and maintain quality of life.

Causes & Risk Factors of Stage 4 Breast Cancer

Stage IV breast cancer may develop from untreated or partially treated previous stages of the disease due to aggressive tumor biology. The risk factors are similar to those in other stages of the disease: genetics, including BRCA mutations; hormonal factors; obesity; alcohol consumption; previous history of breast cancer; and delayed diagnosis.

Signs & Symptoms of Stage 4 Breast Cancer

Symptoms of metastatic disease depend on where the cancer has spread:

• •Bone metastasis
  most common, severe and persistent bone pain, pathological fractures, swelling of bone, hypercalcemia with symptoms such as nausea or confusion.
• •Lung metastasis
  Chronic cough, shortness of breath, chest pain.
• •Liver metastasis
  would result in jaundice, abdominal pain, nausea, and weight loss.
• •Brain metastasis
  Headaches, memory loss, seizures, dizziness, vision problems, weakness on one side of the body.
• •Symptoms involving the breast
  include breast lumps, changes in skin, discharge from the nipple, or inflammation of the breast in the case of stage 4 inflammatory breast cancer.

Diagnosis of Stage 4 Breast Cancer

Imaging studies for diagnosis include CT, PET, and bone scans to identify far-off metastases, with confirmation by biopsy. Blood tests evaluate the function of various organs and tumor markers. Diagnosis is often made following symptoms suggestive of metastasis or during follow-up after the treatment of early-stage breast cancer.

Treatment Process of Stage 4 Breast Cancer

Treatment goals are to control the tumor, alleviate symptoms, and enhance quality of life. Treatment options include:

• •Hormone therapy
  for hormone receptor-positive cancers acts to slow tumor growth.
• •Targeted therapy
  includes HER2-targeting drugs and novel agents such as CDK4/6 inhibitors.
• •Chemotherapy
  systemic treatment, which kills fast-growing cells.
• •Immunotherapy
  Emerging treatments, especially for triple-negative breast cancers.
• •Radiation therapy
  This may be used to palliate localized symptoms, such as bone pain or brain lesions.
• •Surgery
  sometimes performed to control symptoms or complications.

The average length of treatment for stage 4 breast cancer is continuous therapy, adjusted on the basis of response and side effects. Therapies are tailored to each individual and may be ongoing for many years as a chronic disease.

Why Choose Everhope for Stage 4 Breast Cancer Treatment

Everhope Cancer Center offers state-of-the-art multidisciplinary stage 4 breast cancer treatment in India, drawing on molecular profiling, the most advanced options in targeted therapy and immunotherapy, and supportive palliative care. The teams of experts ensure maximum life expectancy and quality, considering the cancer characteristics and health status of each particular patient.