What is the fourth stage of breast cancer since it is the final stage in the classification of breast cancer? Is it treatable? Join us in following this article.
The stages of breast cancer are numbered from zero to four, with zero being the most advanced. The size of the cancer and the extent of its spread are expressed by this classification. What is the fourth stage of breast cancer known as metastatic breast cancer? Discover the following as you read this article:
Stage IV breast cancer
Metastatic breast cancer, also known as stage IV breast cancer, denotes the spread of the disease from the breast, where it first appeared, to other parts of the body, most frequently the brain, lung, bone, and liver.
It should be noted that the presence of breast cancer stages does not always indicate that a person develops the disease gradually; in some cases, the disease spreads rapidly and a patient is diagnosed with the fourth stage of breast cancer without experiencing the disease's initial symptoms.
After months or years of treatment in the early stages, it is also possible for someone to develop breast cancer in its fourth stage. The reason for this is not yet fully understood, but it is not because the first treatment failed, as some people think.
To alleviate symptoms and enhance the patient's quality of life, one must always adhere to the course of treatment recommended by doctors without fear or anxiety.
Symptoms of breast cancer in the fourth stage
A group of symptoms, which manifest in the breast itself or in other parts of the body as a result of the cancer spreading to it, appear in a patient with breast cancer in its fourth stage, including the following:
1. General and visible symptoms in the breast
They include:
- a lump in the breast
- Change in the shape of the nipple.
- general weakness
- Constant feeling of nausea.
2. Symptoms of cancer spreading to the bones
They include:
- Moderately severe and persistent pain in the bones.
- Severe and sudden pain as a result of a fracture.
3. Symptoms of cancer spreading to the brain
They include:
- Imbalance and speech imbalance.
- Memory and vision problems.
- Headache, epileptic seizures and vertigo.
4. Symptoms of lung cancer spread
They include:
- Chest pain and difficulty breathing.
- A persistent cough that may produce blood or phlegm.
5. Symptoms of the spread of cancer in the liver
They include:
- Jaundice . _
- Weight loss and poor appetite.
- Pain in the upper part of the stomach.
Stage IV breast cancer treatment
In actuality, the course of treatment includes a variety of options for managing the illness and reducing its symptoms. When the chosen treatment loses its effectiveness, or when its side effects worsen, the patient can be referred to another type of treatment, which includes the following:
1. Hormonal therapy
Hormone therapy can either be beneficial or harmful depending on how sensitive breast cancer is to hormones. In the event that it is positive, hormonal therapy is applied, frequently in conjunction with chemotherapy. because it takes a while before it begins to work.
2. Chemotherapy
For those with hormone-sensitive, negative cancer, chemotherapy is either the primary treatment or it can be used in conjunction with other therapies.
3. Targeted therapy
Drugs that block one of the types of growth-promoting proteins are used in the targeted treatment of stage IV breast cancer, which can also include chemotherapy and hormonal therapy.
4. Topical treatment
Local treatments, which target a specific area of the cancer, such as: surgical treatment or radiation therapy, are not the first choice in treating stage four breast cancer; Because it treats conditions other than cancer that has spread to other parts of the body:
- Spreading tumor causing pressure on the spine.
- Some tumors in certain areas to relieve pain.
- Some tumors spread to certain areas, such as the brain.
- Breast tumour leading to open sores in the chest and breast region.
In the end, it should be noted that adhering to the treatment prescribed by the doctor helps to alleviate symptoms and improve the patient’s quality of life, so there is no need for concern. At this point, psychological treatment is crucial, as is the patient's ability to rely on friends and family.