What are the treatment options for metastatic breast cancer?

Metastatic breast cancer means breast cancer has spread beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes. The team may review hormone-receptor and HER2 results, the sites involved, previous treatment, symptoms, and how your body is coping. These details help determine whether treatment should focus on slowing cancer, easing a particular problem, or both.

Hormone therapy can be considered when the cancer uses hormones to grow. Chemotherapy travels through the bloodstream and may be used when a faster or broader treatment effect is needed. Radiotherapy can target a troublesome area, while bone-strengthening therapy may help protect bones when cancer affects them. Palliative care can support comfort, mood, sleep, nutrition, and family needs at any stage.

Bring a list of medicines, supplements, allergies, earlier cancer treatments, and symptoms. Ask which test results are guiding the recommendation, what the first treatment aims to achieve, how treatment will be monitored, and what alternatives exist if it does not suit you. Tell the team about pain, breathlessness, reduced appetite, numbness, or changes in daily activity.

Seek urgent medical help for severe breathlessness, new weakness or difficulty walking, confusion, uncontrolled bleeding, sudden severe pain, or a high fever during treatment. New back pain with leg weakness or loss of bladder or bowel control needs immediate assessment because pressure on the spinal cord can require rapid treatment.

Which features of my cancer are guiding the treatment choice? What benefit is expected from this option? How will side effects be managed? Should I meet a palliative-care or bone-health specialist? When should I call between appointments?