The term "metastatic" means that a cancer has spread to another part---or parts---of the body. For example, if you have breast cancer, the cancer cells originated in the breast area, but if the cancer has metastasized, it has spread to the lymph nodes or another organ or system. Sometimes a metastases is so small that an X-ray can't detect it. And if you have more than one metastases, your oncologist might recommend treatment that involves the entire body.
Types of Treatment
Treatments for metastatic breast cancer fall under three main categories: systematic (whole-body) treatment, local treatment and pain relief.
Systematic treatment includes hormonal therapy---which can be the best treatment against breast cancer---chemotherapy and targeted therapy.
Local treatments generally include surgeries and radiation.
Pain relief usually consists of one or more of these treatments. There are various pain-relieving medications, inclding aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen) and opioids for severe pain, which include morphine and oxycodone.
Hormonal Therapy Options: Pre-Menopausal
Hormonal therapies work by preventing estrogen from fueling cancer-cell growth. According to breastcancer.org, pre-menopausal hormone treatments include tamoxifen, treatments that prevent the ovaries from making estrogen, Megace (megestrol) and Halotestin (fluoxymesterone).
Tamoxifen is used to prevent hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer from returning. Megace is generally less effective than tamoxifen and can cause weight gain and bloating. While Halotestin is a male hormone that can cause such side effects as facial hair growth, it can be beneficial because it increases the red blood-cell count, according to breastcancer.org.
Hormonal Therapy Options: Post-Menopausal
Sometimes breast-cancer treatments can stop the menstrual cycle, but that does not mean a woman is post-menopausal. Your physician must determine whether that is the case; a woman is usually considered menopausal when she has not had a menstrual period for more than a year. Hormone options for post-menopausal women include Arimidex (anastrozole), Femara (letrozole), Aromasin (exemestane), tamoxifen, Faslodex (fulvestrant), Fareston (toremifene), Megace (megestrol) and Halotestin (fluoxymesterone).
Arimidex, Femara and Aromasin are aromatase inhibitors that block estrogen synthesis.
Women being treated take these in pill form daily, with the exception of Faslodex, which is administered by monthly injection.
Chemotherapy
Generally, doctors advise that patients try a single chemotherapy drug before trying a combination. Chemotherapy can be administered in several ways: oral pills, injection into the veins, injection into a body cavity, injection into a muscle or injection into the spinal fluid.
Chemotherapy is considered a whole-body treatment because it enters into the bloodstream, killing cancer cells outside the "target" area. But unlike other treatments, chemotherapy destroys both cancer cells and normal cells, causing many side effects.
Other Systematic Treatment Options
Women who have several metastases often turn to chemotherapy or hormonal therapy. Additionally, other systematic treatments include targeted therapies (Herceptin), experimental treatments and complementary therapies.
Herceptin is given intravenously. Unlike chemotherapy, Herceptin only targets those cells that produce too much protein. About one out of every four breast-cancer cells makes too much protein. This treatment leaves normal cells alone, meaning that there are fewer side effects.
Experimental clinical trials test the effectiveness of new cancer-treatment drugs. Patients sign consent forms, and they are either given the new drug or are given a placebo drug.
Some women choose to try complementary, or holistic, therapies, including herbs, acupuncture, massage, hypnosis, vitamins and homeopathy. Currently, there is no scientific evidence to back these treatments. However, some women and their families choose these therapies because they can be less of a physical and emotional strain than medications. In the end, it is the patient's decision, and it should be a well-informed one.
Emotional Support
Emotional treatment shouldn't be overlooked in treating metastatic breast cancer. There are support groups and hot lines where women can receive support when it comes to coping with cancer and its often-grueling treatments.
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