Metastatic breast cancer (advanced breast cancer or Stage IV breast cancer) is cancer that’s spread from your breast to other areas of your body. There isn’t a cure, but thanks to newer treatments, more people with metastatic breast cancer are living longer than ever before.

Most metastatic breast cancer is recurrent cancer, meaning it’s cancer that came back after treatment and is affecting tissue and organs located far from the original breast cancer tumor. That said, about 6% of women who receive a breast cancer diagnosis already have metastatic breast cancer.

Breast cancer typically comes back when treatment doesn’t destroy all cancer cells. Treatments can reduce tumors so much that tests don’t detect their presence. Even surgery to remove a cancerous tumor isn’t always 100% effective. Cancer cells can move into nearby tissue, lymph nodes or the bloodstream before the surgery.

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare type of cancer that forms in the thyroid gland.  It accounts for about 3% of all thyroid cancer cases and is treatable, especially is detected early.

Tubular carcinoma is a rare subtype of invasive breast cancer characterized by small, tube-shaped structures and generally has a favorable prognosis.  It originates in the milk ducts of the breast and can spread to surrounding tissues accounting for approximately 1% to 5% of all breast cancer cases.

Again, do your research.  There are many on-line resources available or have a serious talk with your doctor if you suspect any changes in your breast.  Have regular mammograms if needed and regular checkups.

Remember:  Cancer’s Tough, but so are you, no one fights alone. Come back next month for more Health Matters.