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What Are Metastatic And Recurrent Breast Cancer?
Metastatic breast cancer is the unfortunate circumstance when the cancer has spread to other parts of the woman’s body. This can occur through traveling the bloodstream or this can occur through the lymphatic system. In either case the breast cancer is spreading and this is most unfortunate. On the other side, recurrent breast cancer is the return of the breast cancer either in the same location as before or near to the original location.
Depending on how wide spread the metastatic breast cancer is will also dictate the regions of the body where the woman is feeling the most discomfort. For example if the breast cancer has spread to the bones the woman may experience joint pain as in arthritis. If the breast cancer penetrates the lung tissue the woman may find she is short of breath when trying to function at various capacities. Unfortunately breast cancer that finds it way up to the brain can cause mass confusion, seizures and most likely will affect your eyesight.
Problems surrounding metastatic breast cancer is that this is one of the forms of degenerative cancer that can suddenly develop many years after the initial breast cancer treatment. Since there are wide ranges of breast cancer the treatment for the breast cancer will vary to some degree. This will depend upon your initial symptoms and how deeply involved you receive a diagnosis of breast cancer. A few of the treatment medications and treatments are the following.
Hormone therapy with tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors
Trastuzumab (Herceptin), used to deter the return of breast cancer
Chemotherapy with doxorubicin, taxol, and cyclophosphamide
Bisphosphonates to reduce bone pain and fractures
Radiation treatment used to destroy cancer cells
Surgery such as a mastectomy when necessary
Corticosteroids use to reduced inflammation and swelling
Emotional needs of the individual are at stake too and will play a good size roll in the wellness program. Most women during this time do experience a wide range of emotions and it sometimes becomes difficult to keep all of your emotions under control. When these moments occur it is a good idea to talk with your medical physician, your husband, and other close family members. Remember, everyone wants to help see you through this painful ordeal.
Breast cancer of this type is very treatable and many women continue on with their lives for many years to come. This is just a time that is very trying and difficult and you will need all the help and support that is available for you at this time. The breast cancer of this type will soon be treated as any other long-term disease is managed and you will have the opportunity to continue on with your life as you see fit.
Remember though that your family and friends are there to support you. They are all well aware of what you are going through and want very much to make thing as comfortable and friendly for you as they are able. Talk with your immediate family and allow them to express their anxiety for you as you express your anxiety to your family. There are also outside support groups that may interest you when you are feeling a little better.
The many support groups are there and filled with other women just like yourself who have been through the surgeries and all of the treatments. These are a great group of women to talk with because it will give you the chance to see how far along they have all been progressing. You can fully express you inner emotions and innermost thoughts and they will not only listen to what you have to say, but offer kindness, compassion, and personal advice.