Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide, accounting for about a quarter of all cancer diagnoses in women.

Although breast cancer can be treated effectively when detected early, sometimes cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body, a process called metastasis. Metastatic cancer, also known as stage IV cancer, is much more difficult to treat and has a lower survival rate.

In recent years, significant advancements have been made in the treatment of breast cancer metastases, providing hope for thousands of women worldwide.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to target specific proteins or genes that contribute to cancer growth and progression.

Targeted therapy drugs are designed to disrupt the signals that cancer cells use to grow and divide, while minimizing damage to normal cells. For breast cancer, targeted therapy drugs focus on proteins that drive the growth of cancer cells, namely HER2, estrogen, and progesterone receptors.

HER2-positive breast cancer occurs when the cancer cells produce too many HER2 receptors, which stimulate the growth of cancer cells. Targeted drugs like trastuzumab, pertuzumab, and ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) have been developed to target HER2 receptors, reducing the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Similarly, endocrine therapy drugs like tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors work by targeting the estrogen and progesterone receptors on breast cancer cells. These drugs help prevent the cancer cells from receiving the hormones they need to grow, effectively slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that works by boosting the body’s immune system to fight cancer.

Traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy can damage healthy cells along with cancer cells and weaken the immune system. Immunotherapy, on the other hand, works by enhancing the body’s natural defenses against cancer cells.

Several types of immunotherapy drugs have been developed for the treatment of breast cancer, including checkpoint inhibitors and T-cell therapies. Checkpoint inhibitors work by blocking certain proteins that inhibit the immune system’s attack on cancer cells. Pembrolizumab is the first immunotherapy drug to be approved for the treatment of breast cancer.

T-cell therapies involve removing T-cells from a patient’s blood and re-engineering them in a lab to identify and kill cancer cells. The modified T-cells are then infused back into the patient’s blood to destroy cancer cells.

Surgery

Surgery is often used to remove breast cancer and surrounding tissue in the early stages of the disease. However, surgery has also proven to be an effective treatment for breast cancer metastases in specific cases.

In some cases, surgeons can perform a procedure called metastasectomy, which involves removing the tumor and some of the surrounding tissue to prevent the cancer from spreading further. Metastasectomy is often used in cases where the cancer has metastasized to a single organ, such as the liver or lungs. In other cases, surgery can be used to alleviate symptoms caused by breast cancer metastases, such as pain or pressure on organs.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy can be used either alone or in combination with other treatments like surgery or chemotherapy to treat breast cancer metastases.

In cases where the cancer has spread to bones, radiation therapy can help alleviate pain and strengthen bones. Similarly, radiation therapy can be used to treat brain metastases that cause headaches, seizures, or other neurological symptoms.

However, radiation therapy can also cause side effects like fatigue, skin changes, and lymphedema, making it important to weigh the benefits against the risks of treatment.

Conclusion

Breast cancer metastases is a serious condition that requires ongoing treatment and management. However, new advancements in breast cancer treatment have provided hope for patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Targeted therapy, immunotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy are all effective treatments for breast cancer metastases, and ongoing research and clinical trials are exploring new treatments and combinations of treatments to improve patient outcomes.