What does stage 4 metastatic breast cancer mean? Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer is also known as advanced, secondary or stage IV breast cancer. It refers to cancer that has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body.
How long can a person live with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer?
According to the National Cancer Institute , an estimated 27 percent of people in the United States live at least 5 years after being diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. Many factors can affect your longevity and quality of life.
Is stage IV breast cancer curable?
Although Stage 4 breast cancer is not curable, it is usually treatable and current advances in research and medical technology mean that more and more women are living longer by managing the disease as a chronic illness with a focus on quality of life as a primary goal.
Can you survive metastatic breast cancer stage 4?
The five-year survival rate for stage 4 breast cancer is 22 percent; median survival is three years. Annually, the disease takes 40,000 lives. As with primary breast cancer, treatment for stage 4 breast cancer, such as chemotherapy or radiation, can often be harsh and unforgiving.
What is the survival rate for Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer?
Survival rates for metastatic breast cancer
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS) , the 5-year survival rate after diagnosis for people with stage 4 breast cancer is 28 percent. This percentage is considerably lower than earlier stages. For all stages, the overall 5-year survival rate is 90 percent.
What is the longest someone has lived with stage 4 breast cancer?
Kim Green defies the odds for those living with incurable metastatic breast cancer. Her mother died of metastatic breast cancer at 37, but Green has been living with it for 19 years. Green has endured more than 60 surgeries since she found a lump in her breast when she was 34 and six months pregnant.
What causes death in metastatic breast cancer?
Deaths from Breast Cancer (Metastatic Breast Cancer)
All deaths from breast cancer result from the spread of breast cancer cells to other vital organs such as bones, lung, liver or brain-a process called metastasis. No one dies from breast cancer that is confined to the breast.
Can you go into remission with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer?
Can you survive stage 4 breast cancer? While there is no cure for metastatic breast cancer, it is possible to manage it with treatment for a number of years. The cancer can also go into remission.
How long do people live with Stage IV cancer?
In most cases, how stage 4 cancer is likely to progress (its prognosis) depends on the type of cancer.
Survival Rates.
| Five-Year Survival Rates for Distant (Stage 4) Cancer | |
|---|---|
| Cancer Type | Relative 5-Year Survival Rate |
| Leukemia* | 65.7% |
| Non-Hodgkin lymphoma* | 63.9% |
| Thyroid | 53.3% |
What is the life expectancy of Stage 4 cancer?
Stage 4 cancer cells have metastasized, spreading to distant areas in the body. Stage 4 is the final stage of mesothelioma and considered terminal. The average life expectancy for stage 4 mesothelioma is less than 12 months. Watch: Learn what to expect after receiving a stage 4 mesothelioma diagnosis.
Does Stage 4 always mean terminal?
Is stage 4 cancer always terminal? Stage 4 cancer is not always terminal. It is usually advanced and requires more aggressive treatment. Terminal cancer refers to cancer that is not curable and eventually results in death.
Can you live 30 years with metastatic breast cancer?
Many women live for decades with metastatic breast cancer.
What is the life expectancy of someone with metastatic cancer?
A patient with widespread metastasis or with metastasis to the lymph nodes has a life expectancy of less than six weeks. A patient with metastasis to the brain has a more variable life expectancy (one to 16 months) depending on the number and location of lesions and the specifics of treatment.
Can you live a long life with metastatic breast cancer?
No one would say that living with metastatic breast cancer is easy. It can be treated, but it cannot be cured. However, many people with metastatic breast cancer can live long lives with excellent quality of life. More and more women and men are living with breast cancer as a chronic disease.
What is the life expectancy of a woman with metastatic breast cancer?
However, survival varies greatly from person to person. About one-third of women diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in the U.S. live at least 5 years after diagnosis [7]. Some women may live 10 or more years beyond diagnosis [9].
Can chemotherapy cure metastatic breast cancer?
Chemotherapy can work very well for metastatic breast cancer, although tumors almost always become resistant to any given drug or combination of drugs over time. 3 It is not uncommon for people to undergo at least three different chemotherapy regimens during treatment.
What is the most effective treatment for metastatic breast cancer?
Hormonal therapy is considered the standard initial treatment for HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer that is also hormone receptor-positive. It is often given in combination with targeted therapy. However, chemotherapy may also be given. A clinical trial may also be an option for treatment at any stage.
What is the last stage of metastatic breast cancer?
Stage IV cancers have spread (metastasized) beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes to other parts of the body. When breast cancer spreads, it most commonly goes to the bones, liver, and lungs. It may also spread to the brain or other organs.
What are the signs of end of life with breast cancer?
End-of-life symptoms
- Pain: Cancer can cause considerable pain as it progresses.
- Fatigue: As the body continues to cope with the spread of cancer, it is common to feel very tired.
- Breathing difficulties: Breathing may become difficult for several reasons.
What is the longest living person with metastatic breast cancer?
She survived for 18 years after the diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) while maintaining a good quality of life. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case in the literature with the longest overall survival in a patient with MBC.
What is the most common site of breast cancer metastasis?
Metastatic breast cancer may spread to any part of the body. It most often spreads to the bones, liver, lungs, and brain.