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Mar 27, 2024 · Routine monitoring for metastatic breast cancer may include blood tests. Here is what to know about why this is done, and what test results mean. Medical News Today
Metastatic breast cancer, also called advanced breast cancer or Stage IV breast cancer, is cancer that’s spread ( metastasized) from your breast to other areas of your body. Healthcare providers can’t cure metastatic breast cancer, but they can recommend treatments that improve your quality of life and help you live as long as possible.
Tests are done on a sample of the metastatic tumor from a biopsy of the metastases. The results of these tests give information on the biology of the tumor to help guide treatment. There are many different drug therapies that can be used to treat metastatic breast cancer. Your treatment will depend on the type of breast cancer you have.
Metastasis occurs when breast cancer spreads beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes to other organs in the body (most often the bones, lungs, liver or brain). Most people newly diagnosed with breast cancer don’t need tests to check for metastases.
For early-stage breast cancer, biomarker testing can check for recurrence risk and help define treatment choices. For those with advanced or metastatic breast cancer, biomarker tests can help determine treatment choices and treatment response.
Feb 2, 2024 · Definition. Breast cancer is considered metastatic breast cancer (MBC) if the disease has spread beyond the breast and ipsilateral lymph nodes (axillary, internal mammary, infra- and supraclavicular). [1]
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Metastatic breast cancer is cancer that has spread (metastasized) to other organs in the body. Another name for metastatic breast cancer is stage IV breast cancer.
