Lung metastatic breast cancer refers to cancer that originally developed in breast tissue but has spread to the lungs.
breast cancerIt can spread to different parts of the body. This is called metastasis. EITHERmore oftenThe metastatic sites of breast cancer are the bones, brain, lungs, and liver.
This article discusses breast cancer metastatic to the lungs, including its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and outlook or prognosis.
Metastatic is a term that refers toKrebsthat has spread to another part of the body outside the original area. Lung metastatic breast cancer refers to cancer that originally developed in breast tissue but has spread to the lungs.
breast cancer is the
Some of these metastatic breast cancer cells can affect the lungs. It is important that an oncologist confirm this.Tumorin the lungs it is secondary, meaning it contains breast cancer cells. If breast cancer cells are not present, the tumor may be a newly developing primary cancer.
(Video) Understanding metastatic breast cancer
People may not feel the symptoms of metastatic breast cancer in the lungs right away. When symptoms appear, they may resemble those of a coldcomplaint.
Symptoms of metastatic breast cancer in the lungs include:
- a constant cough
- lung pain
- shortness of breath or shortness of breath
- panting
- fatigue
- recurrent chest infections
- cough up blood
- Appetitverlust
- unintentional weight loss
As cancer cells divide and multiply, the primary tumor grows. As the primary tumor grows, cancer cells may break away from the primary tumor. These malignant cancer cells can find their way into the bloodstream or lymphatic system. From there, cancer cells can migrate to distant areas of the body.
In some cases, a small number of breast cancer cells can survive the initial treatment and lie dormant in the body for some time before growing back at the primary site or spreading to another area of the body. Doctors call this recurrent or recurring breast cancer.
Breast cancer cells must undergo significant changes in order to survive and grow in the lungs. These cells must also change to resist attacks by the body's immune system. Treatment options for newly formed cancer depend on how it has changed during metastasis.
It is not uncommon for cancer to metastasize to multiple sites at the same time.
Diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer to the lungs begins with a physical exam and blood tests.
If a healthcare professional suspects lung metastases, he or she will likely order an imaging test, such as:
- chest x-ray
- computed tomography
- pet scan
When a doctor finds a tumor in the lungs, their next job is to confirm that the tumor is metastatic and not primary breast cancer.lung cancer. This is especially important for people who have smoked or currently smoke.
Other diagnostic procedures that can help confirm a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer include:
- Test a sample of mucus
- Bronchoscopy, in which a doctor inserts a flexible camera wire through the nose and into the lungs to examine the respiratory structures.
- Needle biopsy of the lungs, in which a doctor removes a sample of lung tissue for further testing
After someone has received initial treatment, breast cancer can lie dormant in the body before it spreads to other areas. People who have received treatment in the past should be monitored for any signs or symptoms that may indicate that the cancer has come back.
While there is no single way to completely prevent the development of metastatic breast cancer, there are some lifestyle changes that can help reduce a person's risk.
People can reduce their risk of metastasis with the following factors:
- receive regular health checks
- get regular breast cancer screenings
- eat a balanced diet
- exercise regularly
- no fume ostop smoking
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption
- staying healthybody weight
- supervisionVitamin Dlevels
- to reduceto emphasize
Doctors consider metastatic breast cancer to be stage 4 cancer. There is no cure, and treatments focus on weakening the cancer to stop its growth while working to improve a person's quality of life.
Treatments for breast cancer that has metastasized to the lungs generally include systemic or whole-body drugs that treat cancer throughout the body, such as: B. the following:
Chemotherapy. chemotherapyis a drug therapy that destroys all fast-growing cells in the body, both cancerous and healthy.
hormone therapyHormone therapy is a cancer treatment that controls the growth of cancer cells by lowering the levels of certain hormones that the cancer needs to grow. Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer responds well to this treatment.
Targeted Therapy.This form of cancer treatment attempts to treat cancer more precisely than chemotherapy. These treatments target specific receptors, proteins, or molecules on cancer cells that make it easier for the body's immune system to identify and kill cancer cells or slow their growth.
Radiation.In metastatic breast cancer, doctors often useradiotherapyto reduce symptoms and control the growth of the cancer. Radiation therapy can help reduce pain and reduce the risk of fractures weakened by cancer.
Metastatic breast cancer to the lungs can cause other health complications that affect a person's general health and well-being.
fluid in the chest
Breast cancer cells can form in the area between the outside of the lungs and the chest wall, also known as the pleural space. This can cause excess fluid to accumulate, a condition known as a malignant pleural effusion.
Malignant pleural effusions can worsen some of the symptoms of lung cancer, including:
- the cough gets worse
- shortness of breath or wheezing
- chest pain
Doctors treat malignant pleural effusions by draining excess fluid or by performing a procedure known as pleurodesis. It closes the space between the lungs and the chest wall, preventing fluid from collecting between the two linings.
Toxicity due to treatment
Cancer treatments can have significant side effects that affect a person's general health and quality of life. Chemotherapy and other systemic cancer treatments can cause a variety of symptoms, such as:
- a reduced function of the immune system
- Infection
- fatigue
- Appetitverlust
- nausea
- to vomit
- called
psychological effect
Receiving a diagnosis of stage 4 cancer can have lasting psychological effects. people can experienceDepression,distressand stress as a result of your condition.
People struggling with negative mental health symptoms should consider joining a support group or seeking professional counseling to help them cope. Reaching out to friends or loved ones can make a significant difference.
Metastatic breast cancer is the most advanced form. There is no cure for metastatic breast cancer, so treatment options focus on weakening the tumor and stopping its growth. While some may view this as a less aggressive approach, controlling the cancer is still a positive outcome.
Respectively
Experts calculate cancer projections using a 5-year survival rate, which is the percentage of people who survive at least 5 years after diagnosis. These are estimates, and actual survival depends on a person's characteristics.
o
- Level 0 and 1 is almost 100 percent
- Stage 2, about 93 percent
- Stage 3, about 72 percent, and treatment is usually successful
- Stage 4 or metastatic breast cancer, about 22 percent
These statistics do not predict what will happen to a person, and there are many treatment options for people with metastatic breast cancer.
The long-term outlook for people with breast cancer that has spread to the lungs depends on many variables. These include:
- To alter
- general health
- how the tumor is responding to treatment
- the size of the primary and secondary tumors
- whether or not the primary cancer has metastasized to multiple sites in the body
Read the article in Spanish.