Our pages on secondary cancer include: secondary bone cancer Tell your doctor or specialist nurse if you're worried about a symptom or if it continues for more than a few days.
Sometimes people with secondary breast cancer can’t eat as much as usual. The lungs are attached to the inside of the chest wall by two thin layers of tissue called the pleura. It may also cause a dry cough and, occasionally, coughing up blood. You may also have some general symptoms.
Their risk is higher because of the cancer itself and some treatments for breast cancer. You can read our information for people newly diagnosed with secondary breast cancer, including where to find support. Phlegm can build up in the chest and throat and may be difficult to bring up. Find out more about pain and secondary breast cancer. Treatment for secondary breast cancer in the lung aims to relieve symptoms and slow down the growth of the cancer. She had bloating and back pain and started to vomit over christmas and new year so i made her come to hospital for further tests, they performed a CT scan which showed she had metastsis in her liver, kidneys and bones from her masses on both ovaries.
Whatever your worry or concern, our free Helpline is here to offer support and answer your questions. Everyone’s experience of being diagnosed with secondary breast cancer is different, and people cope in their own way. The medical term for this is dyspnoea. Secondary breast cancer may not spread to all or any of these places. see here ›, Example of how donations have made a difference 3.
7. Always let them know if you develop any new symptoms, especially if they last more than a week or two. For many people, uncertainty can be the hardest part of living with secondary breast cancer.
0800 CANCER | 0800 226 237, Cancer Information Helpline These recurrences are usually less serious than secondary breast cancer. After a diagnosis of secondary breast cancer, many people want to know how long they’ve got to live. Our content is available in other formats.
Secondary cancer isn’t the same thing as cancer coming back in the same place where it first started. One of the more common symptoms of secondary breast cancer in the lung is breathlessness. Many people find complementary therapies and relaxation helpful in managing their breathlessness.
Breathlessness does not cause harm but can be distressing and frightening, which can make your symptoms worse. Lymph nodes are part of a system of tubes and glands in the body that filters body fluids and fights infection. The most common places for breast cancer to spread to are the lymph nodes, bone, liver, lungs and brain. see here ›, Download our content in other formats. 6. You may find breathing is uncomfortable, or feel that you can’t get enough air into your lungs. Read our general information about clinical trials.
Sometimes the lymph channels in the lung can become blocked by breast cancer cells, causing inflammation and scarring. The liver is a large organ and can still work well even when it is affected by cancer. Sometimes people see their GP when they have symptoms such as pain or they are unusually tired. see here ›, Contact our Fundraising team Using a nebuliser can also help to loosen the phlegm, making it easier to bring up. Call 0808 800 6000. Some general symptoms that breast cancer may have spread include: Feeling constantly tired; Constant nausea (feeling sick) Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite; Download a quick guide to the signs and symptoms of secondary breast … Diagnosis is made by bone scan, X-ray and sometimes CT scan.
11. Secondary breast cancer can be diagnosed in a number of ways. Benefits and entitlements: What happens when you apply for Work and Income support? This Promise aims to reach 100 million women each year with vital information about breast cancer.
Some symptoms may be caused by treatment side effects. Secondary breast cancer occurs when breast cancer cells spread from the first (primary) cancer in the breast through the lymphatic or blood system to other parts of the body.
Registered Office: Fifth Floor, Ibex House, 42-47 Minories, London EC3N 1DY. Read more about diagnosis, treatments and living with secondary breast cancer, and find support. It might make you feel breathless but this can sometimes be eased by getting rid of the extra fluid.
Cancer Information Helpline Sitting forward with your arms and elbows on a raised, supportive surface can help you feel like you can breathe better. You may be at risk of a blood clot forming known as a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). 4. Breast cancer that has spread to the brain may cause symptoms of: • confusion, disorientation or personality changes (rare). Pain relief is a very important part of the care of many people with secondary breast cancer. But sometimes it’s found at the same time as the primary breast cancer, or before the primary breast cancer has been diagnosed. It may feel like a dull ache or a burning or stabbing pain. Breathlessness does not cause harm but can be distressing and frightening, which can make your symptoms worse. Breathlessness and a cough can be symptoms of a cold or flu-type illness. Breast cancer that has spread to the liver may cause symptoms including: • discomfort or pain around the liver (the right side of the abdomen), Diagnosis is made by blood tests or CT, ultrasound or MRI scan. Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite, Pain in your bones, which may get worse when lying down, Pain or tightness in the chest that doesn’t go away, A build-up of fluid in the abdomen (ascites), Nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting (being sick), Weakness or feeling numb down one side of the body, Unsteadiness or loss of balance and co-ordination, Changes in behaviour, mood or personality, A firm, painless nodule (small lump) or multiple nodules of different sizes. Find out more about the availability of treatments.
Breathlessness can happen for different reasons.
Secondary breast cancer is breast cancer that has spread from the breast to other parts of the body. Symptoms of secondary breast cancer. They are also in hospices and many general hospitals. Sometimes after a pleural effusion has been drained another procedure called a pleurodesis is performed. It may be caused by the cancer itself, or an infection. You may also be referred to the respiratory team, which specialises in treating people with breathing difficulties.
Breast Cancer Now is a company limited by guarantee registered in England (9347608) and a charity registered in England and Wales (1160558), Scotland (SC045584) and Isle of Man (1200). Your treatment will depend on the treatments you received to remove and treat the primary breast cancer. This makes the skin and whites of the eyes become yellow and skin feels itchy. It’s usually diagnosed using an MRI scan, but you may also have a lumbar puncture (a needle inserted into the spine) to take a sample of fluid to be looked at under a microscope. However, life expectancy is difficult to predict as each person’s case is different and no two cancers are the same. However, drugs called steroids and radiotherapy are used to treat the cancer. Very precise radiotherapy may be considered for some people with a limited number of small secondary cancers in the lungs who have a good level of general health and fitness. Managing symptoms of secondary breast cancer in the lung The breast service in surgery carry out surgery related to breast cancer. Physiotherapy can be helpful in treating breathlessness. This causes fluid to build up and press on the lungs which can make you breathless. You may also find exercise can help relieve breathlessness.
It can also affect your everyday activities and quality of life.
Seek medical attention immediately if you: Diagnosis is made by chest X-ray, ultrasound scan or CT scan.