Search
metastatic breast cancer
Special laboratory:
- site of initial metastases should be biopsied to confirm diagnosis & assess estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, & HER2 status which may be discordant from primary neoplasm
- axillary lymph node biopsy insufficient to confirm metastatic cancer
- biopsy pulmonary nodule rather than axillary lymph node [1]
Management:
- metastatic breast cancer is not curable, but hormonal therapy can improve survival, alleviate symptoms, & improve quality of life for women with hormone receptor positive breast cancer
Related
Canadian support groups for patients with metastatic breast cancer study
General
breast cancer
References
- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 19.
American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2021