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Signs Breast Cancer Has Spread To The Bones (Metastasis)
Like any cancer, breast cancer can spread to other parts of the body. Breast cancer that has invaded bone can have a significant effect on quality of life, but there are treatments to help manage symptoms and slow disease progression.
Read on to learn more about metastatic breast cancer in bones, including symptoms and what you can expect from treatment.
"Metastasis" describes the spread of cancer from where it started to another part of the body. This happens when cancer cells break from the primary tumor and enter the lymph system or bloodstream. From there, they can travel throughout the body and form new tumors.
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 called stage 4 or advanced breast cancer.
According to a 2020 study, bone is the most common site of breast cancer metastasis.
Breastcancer.Org says that for more than half of women with metastatic breast cancer, bones are the first site of metastasis. The bones most likely to be affected are the:
Other common sites of breast cancer metastasis include your liver and lungs.
Signs and symptoms vary depending on where the cancer has spread and how big the tumors are. They may include:
PainBone pain from breast cancer metastasis tends to be constant. It may get worse when you're active and typically doesn't let up when you rest. This can make it difficult to sleep well.
Bone fractureCancer weakens bone, making it fragile and susceptible to fracture. Sudden, severe bone pain can be due to a fracture, even after a minor injury.
Compressed spinal cordCancer in your spine puts pressure on nerves. This can lead to back or neck pain. It can also cause numbness or weakness in your legs as well as bladder and bowel concerns.
Learn more about the symptoms of late stage metastatic breast cancer.
HypercalcemiaCancer can cause bones to break down and release calcium into the bloodstream. Hypercalcemia is a condition in which you have a high level of calcium in your blood. Symptoms can include:
Your doctor will likely start with a discussion of your symptoms and a physical examination.
Diagnostic testing may include blood tests to find out whether your blood has too much calcium or alkaline phosphatase (ALP), either of which can be elevated because of bone metastasis.
But this can also be due to other conditions. Blood tests alone can't confirm metastatic breast cancer in bones or pinpoint the location.
Sometimes, an X-ray can reveal bone metastasis. Other times, your doctor may order one or more of the following imaging tests to look for signs that cancer has reached bone:
Breast cancer isn't a single disease. It's a group of diseases. So, treatment is personalized to reflect your:
Depending on your level of pain, medications may include acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Your doctor may also prescribe opioids to manage severe pain.
Localized treatmentLocal treatment depends on which bones are affected and how weak they've become. Treatment may include:
Your options for systemic treatment vary according to the characteristics of the cancer. This includes hormone and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status as well as other specific tumor markers or genetic mutations.
Your doctor will consider any previous cancer treatments and adjust if necessary.
Systemic treatments may include:
Clinical trials are studies that research the effectiveness of new therapies. By participating in a trial, you may have access to innovative treatments that aren't available anywhere else.
If you're interested, ask your doctor for information about clinical trials that might be a good match. You can also search ClinicalTrials.Gov.
Treatment for bone metastasis can effectively manage metastatic breast cancer for some time.
Many people with bone metastasis continue to have a good quality of life and live for many years.
That said, treatment for metastatic cancer doesn't usually eliminate all cancer cells. Eventually, these cells become resistant to therapy.
According to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year relative survival rate for metastatic breast cancer is 31% for women and 20% for men.
It's important to note that cancer survival statistics are based on people who received diagnoses and treatments at least 5 years ago. That means the statistics don't reflect the effectiveness of the newest treatments — and treatments are improving every year.
It's also worth noting that survival rates for metastatic cancer are very diverse and depend on the individual and the type of cancer they have.
For example, people with hormone receptor-positive cancers and HER2-positive breast cancers may do well for a long time, compared with those who have triple-negative breast cancers. So, lumping all forms of metastatic cancer into one statistic can be misleading.
Regardless of the type of breast cancer you have, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial, as survival rates are higher in the early stages of breast cancer. And remember, the right treatment for stage 4 breast cancer can improve quality of life and longevity.
Below are some commonly asked questions about metastatic breast cancer in bones.
How long can you live with metastatic breast cancer in bones?Some studies suggest people with breast cancer that has metastasized to the bones live 19–25 months on average.
However, the American Cancer Society states the 5-year relative survival rate for metastatic breast cancer is 31% for women and 20% for men.
All in all, your outlook depends on several factors, including the extent of metastasis, the type of breast cancer, previous treatments, and your age and overall health.
What happens when breast cancer spreads to the bones?When breast cancer spreads to the bones, you may experience pain, bone fracture, a compressed spinal cord, and high levels of calcium in your blood.
What are the final stages of metastatic breast cancer?End stage metastatic breast cancer may eventually stop responding to treatment. This means your care team will start focusing on keeping you comfortable and treating your symptoms.
These symptoms may include:
Metastasis breast cancer most commonly spreads to the bones. Some signs include constant bone pain, fractures, compressed spinal cord, and hypercalcemia.
A doctor usually diagnoses metastasis breast cancer in bones using a variety of imaging tests and sometimes a bone biopsy.
Treatment options are personalized based on factors like your cancer type, extent of metastasis, and previous treatments.
While treatments can effectively manage the cancer and improve your quality of life, complete elimination of cancer cells is rare. Survival rates vary depending on your individual factors and cancer type.
Early diagnosis and tailored treatment are crucial for better outcomes, as newer treatments continue to improve survival rates over time.
Early Warning Signs Of Highly Common Cancer As Most Cases Are 'preventable'
People in the UK are being urged to know the early symptoms of a 'silent killer' cancer that is highly common in both men and women, according to new stats.
Data from Cancer Research UK and the government has revealed that lung cancer is the second most common type of the illness in the UK.
Along with prostate and breast cancer, which are the most common cancer types in men and women, lung and bowel cancer makes up 53 percent of all cases - and the majority of lung cancers are preventable.
Read More Related Articles Read More Related ArticlesWales Online reports that a huge 79 percent of lung cancer cases can be prevented by making simple lifestyle swaps such as stopping smoking - a habit that causes around 72 percent of cases.
A person's risk of developing cancer depends on many factors, including age, genetics, and exposure to risk factors.
Nearly 1 in 13 UK females and 1 in 14 UK males will be diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime, with experts predicting there could be around 66,200 new cases each year by 2038-2040 in the UK.
Often dubbed a 'silent killer', lung cancer sometimes doesn't create any symptoms in the very early stages. However, there are still come red flag signs that everyone should be on the lookout for.
The main symptoms include:
Some less common symptoms of lung cancer are as follows:
See a GP if you have any of the main symptoms of lung cancer or any of the less common symptoms.
What are the two types of lung cancer?According to the NHS, there are two main types of primary lung cancer, identified by the type of cells in which the disease starts to grow.
These are:
The type of lung cancer you have determines which treatments are recommended.
Quitting smoking is one of the most effective things you can do to fight lung cancer (Image: Getty Images) How to prevent lung cancerThe risk of lung cancer can be lowered by making some lifestyle changes, the NHS says, with quitting smoking being very effective. After 12 years of not smoking, your chance of developing lung cancer falls to more than half that of someone who smokes. After 15 years, your chances of getting lung cancer are almost the same as someone who has never smoked.
You should also try to eat a low-fat and high-fibre diet with plenty of fruits and veggies, as research has shown this can reduce your risk of cancer.
Exercising may also help slash the risk, especially for ex-smokers. It's recommended that most adults do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, plus strength-training exercises on at least two days each week.
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Warning Signs Of 'silent Killer' Cancer That's Second Most Common In UK
The second most common cancer in the UK for men and women is lung cancer, according to the latest stats from the government and Cancer Research. For men, the most common cancer is prostrate, while for women it is breast cancer.
There are more thought to be more than 200 types of cancer. However, breast, prostate, lung and bowel cancer together account for more than half (53%) of all new cases in the UK.
According to Cancer Research UK, 79% of lung cancer cases are preventable. Meanwhile, 72% of lung cancer cases in the UK are caused by smoking.
A person's risk of developing cancer depends on many factors, including age, genetics, and exposure to risk factors (including some potentially avoidable lifestyle factors). Nearly 1 in 13 UK females and 1 in 14 UK males will be diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime.
In 2021, 134,802 people died from cancer in England. The number of deaths has increased by 6% since 2001. Experts predict there could be around 66,200 new cases of lung cancer every year in the UK by 2038-2040.
Lung cancer in particular is often known as a 'silent killer' because there are usually no signs or symptoms of lung cancer in the early stages. Symptoms develop as the condition progresses.
Main symptoms of lung cancer include:See a GP if you have any of the main symptoms of lung cancer or any of the less common symptoms.
What are the two types of lung cancer?There are two main forms of primary lung cancer, the NHS says. These are classified by the type of cells in which the cancer starts growing. They are:
The type of lung cancer you have determines which treatments are recommended.
How can I lower my risk of lung cancer?According to the NHS, if you smoke, the best way to prevent lung cancer and other serious conditions is to stop smoking as soon as possible. After 12 years of not smoking, your chance of developing lung cancer falls to more than half that of someone who smokes. After 15 years, your chances of getting lung cancer are almost the same as someone who has never smoked.
Research suggests that eating a low-fat, high-fibre diet, including at least five portions a day of fresh fruit and vegetables and plenty of wholegrains, can reduce your risk of lung cancer, as well as other types of cancer and heart disease.
There's some evidence to show that regular exercise may lower the risk of getting lung cancer, particularly in people who smoke or used to smoke. It's recommended that most adults do at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, plus strength-training exercises on at least two days each week.
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