Like other forms of metastatic cancer, however, the symptoms can vary significantly from one person to another.
Some people will have many symptoms, while others may have very few symptoms or none at all.
The majority of people donotexperience all of these symptoms.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
This article looks at some of the signs and symptoms of metastatic breast cancer.
Fatigue
Some level offatigueis experienced by the majority of people with metastatic cancer.
Fatigue, though not life-threatening, is frustrating and is considered one of the most troublesome and annoying symptoms.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
There are many reasons for weight loss with advanced cancer.
It can be difficult to distinguish between normal grief and clinical depression.
Liver Metastases
Liver metastasesare often first suspected when blood tests show an elevated levels of liver enzymes.
Further workup will then often find the original tumor in the breast.
Some cancers, such as inflammatory breast cancer, are often metastatic at the time of the original diagnosis.
While these symptoms sound frightening, they are not all that common.
Rapid treatment is needed to preserve function of the nerves.
Symptoms may include rapidly progressive shortness of breath, and chest pain (often sharp) with inspiration.
Treatment includes inserting a needle to drain the fluid.
This condition is treatable, but prompt medical attention is necessary.
Symptoms offebrile neutropeniamay include a high fever, chills, confusion, cough, or pain with urination.
Treatment of chemotherapy associated infections has improved substantially in the recent past, but requires prompt medical attention.
Some of these symptoms, such as pain, are under-treated in people with metastatic cancer.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Summary
The symptoms of metastatic breast cancer vary considerably from patient to patient.
Some people will also experience symptoms related to the part of the body where the cancer spreads.
For example, bone metastases may cause bone pain, and brain metastases may cause dizziness or headaches.
It is also possible to experience symptoms related to breast cancer complications.
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