Metastatic means that the cancer has spread from its point of origin (in this case, the breast) to other parts of the body.
What types of treatment are available?
There are three subcatagories of treatment for metastatic breast cancer.
1. Hormonal: Estrogen therapy. This affects selective estrogen re-uptake inhibitors.
2. Chemotherapy: Agressive therapy that often involves multiple drugs and many side effects.
3. Targeted or Biologic: using an antibody to target cells that overexpresses a protein.
Angio-genesis inhibitors can also be used. These cut off blood supply to tumors, and therefore block the ability of the tumor to feed itself.
What are some side effects of treatment for metastatic breast cancer?
Side effects can be caused not only by the disease itself, but by the specific treatment for the disease.
Pain, fatigue, nerve damage, anemia, and psychological concerns are all common side effects. It is important that every patient communicate with their care team and take control of their treatment and focus on wellness.
- Remember that volunteers NEVER share medical information with patients! This is for your personal use only and should never be discussed with patients. If patients have questions or concerns about their treatment, please encourage them to bring it up with their medical care team. =)
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