Breast cancer is a prevalent and potentially devastating disorder. The National Cancer Institute reports that breast cancer lead to 40,510 deaths in the United States in 2009, as well as 194,280 new cancer diagnoses. Breast cancer develops when cells within the ducts, lobules or nipple of the breast develop mutations that promote uncontrolled cell division. As the cancer progresses, tumor cells invade neighboring tissue, and eventually circulate throughout the body and form tumors at distant sites, known as secondary tumors. The development of secondary tumors leads to the development of secondary breast cancer symptoms.
Swollen Lymph Nodes and Lymphedema
The first place that breast cancer cells spread to are the lymph nodes, a series of nodes found under the armpit. Lymph nodes are found throughout the body and help make up the lymphatic system, which makes up a part of the immune system. When breast cancer spreads to the lymph nodes, the nodes become swollen, so that they can be felt under the skin. As the cancer progresses, the lymph nodes enlarge to the point where they become connected and matted together due to the network of cancer cells, The lumps caused by swollen lymph nodes are generally painless, but they may be tender in some cases.
In severe cases, swelling of the lymph nodes can block the drainage of lymph fluid from tissue, leading to a condition called lymphedema. Lymphedema occurs when lymph fluid builds up in the arm on the affected side of the body, leading to pain, swelling and difficulty moving the fingers. Lymphedema required medical attention to treat the swelling.
Bone Damage
If the breast cancer spreads to bone tissue, the patient may experience secondary breast cancer symptoms of bone damage and fragility. The bones are constantly being remodeled by two major classes of cells that work in balance to remove old bone tissue and deposit new tissue. When breast cancer metastasizes to the bone and forms tumors on the bone, the normal balance of bone remodeling is disrupted, leading to bone damage.
Over time, patients with breast cancer that has metastasized to the bone will begin to feel joint pain in the affected bones. As bone deposition gets disrupted, the bone will also lose mass for an overall decrease in bone density, which leaves the bone vulnerable to fracture. The University of Florida reports that the use of drugs called bisphosphonate drugs can reduce bone damage to help manage the secondary symptoms of breast cancer.
Coughing and Difficulty Breathing
Breast cancer also commonly spreads to the lungs, so women with metastatic breast cancer will often experience secondary symptoms with breathing. A common symptom is difficulty breathing, as the growth of a cancer within the lung tissue decreases lung capacity. As the cancer progresses, the lungs may secrete excess mucous in response to damage, which induce coughing, and may lead to coughing up bloody sputum.
The Fox Chase Cancer Center reports that lung metastases can be treated by radiation therapy to treat the tumor. Patients experience severe difficulty breathing as a secondary symptom of breast cancer may wish to undergo palliative therapy to decrease their discomfort.
