Symptoms can vary based on where the cancer spreads to. Treatment for stage 4 breast cancer aims to control the cancer, alleviate the symptoms, and ensure optimal quality of life for the person living with it.                                            

This article discusses the signs and symptoms of stage 4 breast cancer, the outlook, some treatment options, and more.                               

Symptoms.      

The exact symptoms that a person may experience can vary based on the location of the cancer.                  

Some possible symptoms include:.     

• Bone pain 

• issues with balance

• weight loss

• weakness anywhere throughout the body

• a constant dry cough

• confusion

• loss of appetite

• seizures

• severe headaches

• issues with vision

• a constant state of nausea

Spread to bones.                         

When breast cancer spreads to the bones, it can cause:

• • New and noticeable pain that comes and goes to begin with but becomes constant over time.                                               
  • Fractures, which cause sudden and severe pain.            
  • Back or neck pain.                       
  • Weakness and numbness.          
  • Difficulty urinating.                      
  • Difficulty passing bowel movements.                                  
  • Fatigue.                                            
  • Nausea.                                           
  • Weakness.                                        
  • Loss of appetite.                            
  • Dehydration.                                  

Spread to brain.                     

Symptoms related to cancer that spread to the brain include:

• • Headaches.                           
  • Memory problems.           

• • Seizures.                               
  • Changes in personality and mood.                                           
  • Stroke.                                   

• • • Slurred speech.                            
    • Blurred vision.                                  
    • Dizziness.                             
    • Issues with balance.           

Spread to liver.                    

When breast cancer spreads to the liver, it can cause symptoms such as:

• • Fatigue.                                 
  • Weakness.                             
  • Swelling in the legs.            
  • Weight loss.                          
  • Lack of appetite.                 
  •  Jaundice.                             
  • Abdominal pain.                 

Spread to lungs.                         

If breast cancer spreads to the lungs, a person may experience:

• Shortness of breath.                    
• A persistent cough.                      
• Wheezing

• Coughing up blood and mucus

• Pain in the lung.                            

What does 4 breast cancer mean, and how does it  progress      

Stage 4 breast cancer occurs when cancerous cells spread to other areas of the body beyond the breast and local lymph nodes?                

The American Cancer Society (ACS)Trusted Source notes that breast cancer most commonly spreads to the lungs, liver, and bones. It can also spread to other organs, including the distant lymph nodes, skin, and brain.                                                                                                                

A doctor may diagnose stage 4 breast as either a new case, referred to, or as a recurrence of a previous breast cancer.                                                      

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Survival rates.                 

The ACS uses the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program database to track 5-year relative survival rates.                            

A relative survival rate helps give an idea of how long a person with a particular condition will live after receiving a diagnosis compared with those without the condition.            

For example, if the 5-year relative survival rate is 70%, it means that a person with the condition is 70% as likely to live for 5 years as someone without the condition.                           

According to the ACS, the 5-year relative survival rate for stage 4 breast cancer is 28%Trusted Source for females and 22%Trusted Source for males.                               

The 5-year relative survival rate can also depend on the type of breast cancer a person has. For example, the 5-year survival rate for a person with triple-negative breast cancer is 12%Trusted Source, and it is 19%Trusted Source for those with inflammatory breast cancer.                                                     

The ACS states that survival rates are based on several factors but do not take into account every aspect of a person’s health and well-being.    

Some factors that survival rates do not take into account include:.           

• The person’s age and overall health.                                            
• The size of the tumor

• The cancer’s response to treatment.                                     
• The cancer’s HER2 status.          
• The presence of hormone receptors on cancer cells.          
• New treatment options that improve the long-term outlook.                                           

For this reason, it is important to remember that these figures are estimates. A person can ask a healthcare professional about how their condition is likely to affect them.                                                        

Is it curable?

According to one 2016 article, experts generally stage 4 breast cancer to be incurable. That said, treatments can help alleviate the symptoms, shrink the tumor, and prolong survival.                                      

A person with stage 4 breast cancer should work closely with a doctor to determine what treatment options may work best for them.         

Having stage 4 breast cancer means that cancer cells from the breast tissue have spread to distant parts of the body.                                   

Signs and symptoms can vary based on where the cancer has spread to. However, they may include bone pain, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, and severe headaches, among others.      

Stage 4 breast cancer is not currently curable. However, some treatment options can slow the progression of the cancer, alleviate the symptoms, and prolong survival.