Metastatic breast cancer to the brain is breast cancer that spreads outside of the breast tissue to the brain. Doctors may refer to it as secondary breast cancer in the brain or brain metastases.
Once cancer spreads to the brain, a person’s life expectancy reduces considerably. Treatment can prolong a person’s life and improve their quality of life while living with cancer.
Although metastatic breast cancer in the brain currently has no cure, treatment can help control the cancer and help people live longer after diagnosis.
In this article, we look at the outlook and life expectancy for people with metastatic breast cancer to the brain, as well as at managing symptoms and finding support.
Metastatic breast cancer is breast cancer that spreads outside of the breast tissue. Up to 30% of people with metastatic breast cancer develop brain metastases.
This percentage can vary based on the biological characteristics, or molecular subtypes, of the cancer. For example, HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) have a higher likelihood of metastases to the brain than other subtypes.
Metastatic breast cancer to the brain is a type of stage 4 cancer. Doctors refer to breast cancer that has spread to parts of the body away from the breasts as distant cancer.
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It’s important to note that these figures only apply to the stage of the cancer when it is first diagnosed. They do not apply later on if the cancer grows, spreads, or comes back after treatment.
Breast cancer has relatively high survival rates. However, the survival rate once breast cancer metastasizes to the brain is lower.
In most cases, it is possible to treat but not cure this type of breast cancer.
A person’s chances of survival, as well as the length of time they may survive, depend on several factors:
- the type of breast cancer
- how well the cancer responds to treatment
- whether it is possible to operate on the cancer
- the person’s overall health and age
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Survival rates also depend on treatment. Even when cancer is not curable, treatment can prolong a person’s life.
Doctors may use the graded prognostic assessment to estimate how long a person might survive. This figure takes into account age, overall health, and the subtype of breast cancer a person has.
The lower the score, the shorter the estimated survival. Scores of 0 to 1 suggest survival of about 3 months. Scores of 3.5 to 4 predict a median survival of about 25 months.
Breast cancer metastasizes when it travels to the lymph fluid or the bloodstream, allowing it to spread to other organs.
While any type of breast cancer can metastasize if left untreated long enough, certain risk factors make metastasis more likely:
Type of cancer
TNBC and HER2-positive breast cancers are
Time of diagnosis
A
This suggests that the cancer spreads to the brain over time, so delayed diagnosis might increase the risk of finding cancer in the brain.
How aggressive the cancer is
Faster growing cancers may be more likely to travel outside of the breasts.
A doctor may suspect a person has breast cancer in the brain based on symptoms or because a person has a very aggressive breast cancer.
While not all people with breast cancer to the brain have symptoms, some experience neurological issues, such as:
Breast cancer that has spread to the brain is
This means a person has to weigh the benefits of treatment, which aims to prolong life, against the risks, which may include unpleasant side effects that could lower quality of life.
Also, understanding the cancer’s characteristics is crucial for determining the most effective treatment plan.
Some treatment options may
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy targets cancer cells. A person may get chemotherapy treatment in a hospital or take certain chemotherapy drugs.
- Targeted therapy: Targeted therapies aim to shrink tumors by targeting receptors on the tumor, especially hormone receptors. However, this is not suitable for TNBC.
- Surgery: Surgery may remove or reduce the size of a tumor, prolonging a person’s life or reducing the severity of their symptoms.
- Whole brain radiation: Whole brain radiation uses radiation to shrink cancer cells, but it can also damage healthy cells.
Treatment may also include strategies to support a person living with cancer. This may include:
- therapy
- counseling about the disease
- education about end-of-life care options
- support groups
At the end of a person’s life, some people find that hospice or palliative care relieves some pain and gives them a sense of control over their treatment.
Metastatic cancer in the brain can cause a range of symptoms, including neurological issues.
Treatment can also cause unpleasant symptoms, such as feeling sick or hair loss. Some options for managing symptoms include:
Medication
Doctors may be able to prescribe medications to help with cancer-related pain and to ease symptoms related to treatment, such as nausea. People can also ask their doctor about dietary changes that may help with nausea.
Social support
Support groups and education about metastatic breast cancer may help a person better understand their options and advocate for themselves.
Therapy
Some people may find a cancer diagnosis overwhelming. A therapist can help a person confront their concerns, identify their needs, and plan for the future.
Lifestyle changes
Some people find relief from lifestyle changes. Exercise may help, as can a modified work schedule or accommodations at work or school.
Every person’s needs are different. The right support can help a person better understand their own needs, advocate for themselves, and live as well as possible.
Options for support can include:
- Find a support group: People can ask their doctor for a referral to a patient support group. Some hospitals also have support groups.
- Consider finding support online: Virtual support groups can offer help without the need to travel to another location or rely on a healthcare professional to give a referral.
- Meet with a lawyer to discuss end-of-life needs: Regardless of a person’s financial situation, making a will can help protect their wishes. A living will helps identify their needs and desires for end-of-life care.
- Talk with loved ones about end-of-life considerations: Consider whether a person wants to prioritize comfort or aggressive treatment, time at home or in the hospital, and how a person feels about hospice care.
Talking with loved ones can empower them to make decisions on behalf of the person living with cancer if necessary.
Below are some commonly asked questions about breast cancer metastasis to the brain.
How long will a person live once cancer spreads to the brain?
Generally, the survival rate of brain metastases ranges from 3 to 35 months depending on where the primary cancer originates.
While some people may live much longer than average, most people have months to live by the time they receive a diagnosis.
What are the final stages of metastatic brain cancer?
In the final stages of metastatic brain cancer, people may experience severe neurological symptoms such as cognitive decline, seizures, and paralysis.
Other symptoms may include worsening headaches, nausea, vomiting, and changes in vital signs, such as blood pressure and heart rate.
As the disease progresses, symptoms can cause significant issues that lead to a decline in overall function and quality of life.
Palliative care becomes essential to manage symptoms and ensure comfort during this stage.
Ultimately, the progression of metastatic brain cancer varies for everyone based on factors such as their overall health and the effectiveness of treatments.
What happens when breast cancer spreads to the brain?
When breast cancer spreads to the brain, it can increase pressure and swelling in the brain. This leads to neurological symptoms like headaches, seizures, and other cognitive changes.
Breast cancer that metastasizes is not usually curable, but treatments can help prolong and improve quality of life.
People may find it easier to gather information about their condition gradually rather than trying to plan for everything at once.
With the right care, a person can live longer and more comfortably. People may find it helpful to talk with a support group.
People can also discuss any concerns, including about comfort and quality of life, with healthcare professionals.
