Just Like other cancers, breast cancer can spread to other areas of the body. Breast cancer that has gotten to the bones can have a great effect on the quality of life, but there are ways to help improve symptoms and manage disease progression.
Read this article to know more about metastatic breast cancer in bones and how it can be treated.
What is metastatic breast cancer in bones?
“Metastasis” is used to explain the spread of cancer from where it started to other areas of the body. This occurs when cancer cells move from the primary tumor and enter the lymph system or bloodstream. From there, they can move through the body and form new tumors.
You must know that Metastatic breast cancer in bones is not the same as bone cancer. It’s made up of breast cells, not bone cells. It’s also known as stage 4 or advanced breast cancer.
A study done in 2019 showed that bone is the most common site of breast cancer metastasis. Breastcancer.org also says that for more than 50 percent of women with metastatic breast cancer, bones are the first site of metastasis. The bones that are more susceptible are:
- ribs
- spine
- pelvis
- long bones in your arms and legs
Other popular sites of breast cancer metastasis are your liver and lungs.