Where is the first place breast cancer spreads?

The lymph nodes under your arm, inside your breast, and near your collarbone are among the first places breast cancer spreads. It’s “metastatic” if it spreads beyond these small glands to other parts of your body.

Do you feel sick with metastatic breast cancer?

Some general symptoms that breast cancer may have spread include: Feeling constantly tired. Constant nausea (feeling sick) Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite.

How long does breast cancer take to metastasize?

According to the Robert W. Franz Cancer Research Center at Providence Portland Medical Center, breast cancer cells need to divide at least 30 times before they are detectable by physical exam. Each division takes about 1 to 2 months, so a detectable tumor has likely been growing in the body for 2 to 5 years.

What type of breast cancer is most likely to metastasize?

Triple-negative breast cancer: This rare type of breast cancer lacks all three of the receptors (estrogen, progesterone and HER2) that are commonly found in the breast cancer cells. Triple-negative breast cancer tends to grow and spread more quickly than other types of breast cancer.

How do you know if breast cancer has spread to bones?

Symptoms and diagnosis of bone metastasis A sudden, noticeable new pain is the most common symptom of breast cancer that has spread to the bone. The pain may come and go at first but can become constant over time. It can be hard to tell the difference between bone metastasis pain and arthritis pain or exercise strain.

Can you feel if breast cancer has spread to lymph nodes?

The most common symptom if cancer has spread to the lymph nodes is that they feel hard or swollen. You might have any of the following symptoms if your cancer has spread to the lymph nodes: a lump or swelling under your armpit. swelling in your arm or hand (lymphoedema)

Does metastatic breast cancer show up in blood work?

Blood tumor marker tests. For metastatic breast cancer, testing may be done for cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3), cancer antigen 27.29 (CA 27.29), and/or carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). These biomarkers may be found in the blood of people with breast cancer.

What are the symptoms of breast cancer that has spread to the bones?

When it does occur, signs and symptoms of bone metastasis include:

• Bone pain.
• Broken bones.
• Urinary incontinence.
• Bowel incontinence.
• Weakness in the legs or arms.
• High levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia), which can cause nausea, vomiting, constipation and confusion.

Which bones does breast cancer spread to first?

More than half of people who develop stage IV breast cancer have bone metastasis. Although breast cancer can spread to any bone, the most common sites are the ribs, spine, pelvis, and long bones in the arms and legs.

How do you confirm metastasis?

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) uses radio waves and magnets to take pictures inside of your body. MRI can detect spinal cord damage or identify brain metastasis. PET scan (positron emission tomography) works to identify abnormalities anywhere in the body.

How do I know if my breast cancer has spread to my bones?

When it does occur, signs and symptoms of bone metastasis include:

1. Bone pain.
2. Broken bones.
3. Urinary incontinence.
4. Bowel incontinence.
5. Weakness in the legs or arms.
6. High levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia), which can cause nausea, vomiting, constipation and confusion.

How do you know if breast cancer has spread to chest wall?

You may have any of these symptoms if your cancer has spread into the lungs:

1. a cough that doesn’t go away.
2. shortness of breath.
3. ongoing chest infections.
4. weight loss.
5. chest pain.
6. coughing up blood.
7. a build up of fluid between the chest wall and the lung (a pleural effusion)