• X Close
    • Home
    • Events
    • Donate
    • About Breast Cancer
    • Community Impact
    • Get Involved
    • Understanding Breast Cancer
    • Community Impact
    • Events
      • Worship in Pink 2021
        • Worship in Pink Toolkit
    • Get Involved
    • Donate
      • Donate
      • Fundraising for Komen South Carolina
      • Other Ways to Donate
      • Wills, Trusts, Stocks & Estate Giving
  • DONATE
    FUNDRAISE
Susan G Komen® South Carolina Logo
    • About Breast Cancer
      • National Resources
      • Breast Health
    • Community Impact
      • Research Programs
    • Events
      • Community Health Events
      • Worship in Pink 2021
      • Calendar of Events
    • Get Involved
      • Fundraise for Komen SC
      • Other Ways to Donate
      • Advocate for Change
      • Contact Us
  • DONATE
    FUNDRAISE
  • Search
  • Menu
You are here: Home » Understanding Breast Cancer » Metastatic Breast Cancer

Metastatic Breast Cancer

  • National Resources
  • Breast Health
    • Eight Warning Signs
    • Clinical Trials
Living with Metastatic Disease

Metastatic breast cancer (also called stage IV or advanced breast cancer) is breast cancer that has spread beyond the breast to other organs in the body (most often the bones, lungs, liver or brain).  Both women and men can be diagnosed with MBC.

In the U.S., it is not common to have metastatic breast cancer when you are first diagnosed (called de novo metastatic breast cancer). Most often, it develops when the cancer returns at some point after the initial breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

untitled shoot-7663

For those who are diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, there is always a risk that at some point after an initial diagnosis, the breast cancer can recur or metastasize. This risk varies from person to person and depends greatly on the biology of the tumor and stage at the time of original diagnosis and how the cancer was treated.

Treatment goals

The main goals of treatment for MBC are to control tumor growth and prolong life while also maintaining quality of life. Treatment is highly personalized. More than with other stages of breast cancer, personal choice guides treatment. Together with your doctor, you can find the balance of treatment and quality of life that is right for you.

Your treatment plan is guided by many factors, including:

  • Characteristics of the cancer cells (such as hormone receptor status and HER2/neu status)
  • Where the cancer has spread
  • Your current symptoms
  • Breast cancer treatments you had in the past
  • Your age and general health.

Talk with your doctors about your treatment choices. What do they recommend and why? What are the side effects of each treatment?

To learn more about living with MBC, click here.
To learn more about emerging science and Komen’s impact on MBC, click here.

 

 

 

  • About Us
  • News | Press Releases
  • Home
  • My Account
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • komen.org
  • Sitemap
  • Terms of Use
  • Help & FAQ
  • Report Improper Conduct
  • Privacy Policy
Susan G. Komen® South Carolina
1064 Gardner Rd., Suite 303
Charleston, SC 29407
Phone: 843-556-8011
info@komensc.org

Office Hours
M-Th 9-4
Fri 9-2
Other hours by appointment
Go to Top