Metastatic breast cancer is an advanced breast cancer usually in stage IV. By this point, the cancerous cells have entered the bloodstream and started spreading to other lymph nodes and distant organs, which may include brain, bones, lungs, or liver. Metastatic breast cancer is generally considered incurable, but the treatment plan aims to control the disease, improve quality of life, and extend survival. Lets understand its major causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

Causes
The exact cause of the condition is not known, but several factors contribute to its development and worsening, such as:

• Delayed diagnosis
  If breast cancer is diagnosed at the onset, it is easier to extend the prognosis and life expectancy of the patient. But detecting it at an advanced stage increases the chance of metastasis and limits treatment options.
• Incomplete or improper treatment
  At times, if one’s earlier cancer treatment did not successfully destroy all cancer cells or left some cancer cells dormant, they may get metastasized later.
• Age
  Women older than 50 years of age are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer than others.
• Genetics and history
  Those who have a family or personal history of breast or ovarian cancer, or carry inherited mutated genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2 are more likely to develop breast cancer.
• Dense breasts
  More connective tissues, which are a common occurrence in dense breasts, make it more difficult to detect tumors in X-rays or screenings. This may result in delayed diagnosis and increase the likelihood of metastatic breast cancer.
• Menstrual factors
  Women who experience menopause after 55 or start their menstrual cycle before 12 years of age are also thought to be at a high risk since they are exposed to hormones for longer.
• Certain therapies
  Those who have taken any hormone replacement therapy during menopause or certain oral treatments to control or curtail pregnancy may be at an increased risk of breast cancer.

Symptoms
Some alarming signs of metastatic breast cancer are as follows:

• Inability to breathe in fully
• Chronic fatigue or tiredness with minor or no physical activity
• Persistent coughing
• Any abnormalities in chest X-rays
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting

Depending on which body part the metastatic breast cancer has spread to, it can result in the following symptoms:

• Jaundice or yellowing of the skin and eyes, which may indicate liver involvement
• Persistent pain, especially in the bones and chest or any area where the cancer has spread
• Brittle bones that tend to fracture easily
• Bone swelling
• Unbearable headaches and visual problems
• Seizures

While the above symptoms may appear at a relatively advanced cancer stage, here are certain early signs that should not be ignored:

• Formation of lumps around breast or underarm area
• Dimples forming on the breast
• Any abnormal swelling in the breast region
• Red, itchy, flaky, or irritated skin, especially in the nipple area
• Pain in the nipple area or abnormal nipple discharge
• Thickening of any part of the breast

Treatment options
Here are some common treatment options that a healthcare professional may recommend for individuals facing metastatic breast cancer:

• Systemic therapies
  These include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormonal therapy, which circulate throughout the body to target cancer cells.
• Radiation therapy
  It may be used to relieve pain and control tumors in specific areas like the bones or brain.
• Surgery
  In some cases, surgical removal of metastases may be considered if they are causing significant problems.