During breast cancer metastasis, breast cancer cells enter the bloodstream of lymphatic vessels. They travel throughout the body and small populations of breast cancer cells colonize distant organs like bones, the lungs, liver or the brain. As the small population of cells grows within the new tissue, healthy tissue surrounding the tumor begins to undergo damage as a result of cancer growth. As a result, patients with metastatic breast cancer often experience a number of side effects related to their breast cancer.
Liver Damage
A common symptom of breast cancer metastasis is the eventual development of liver damage. Breast cancer cells deposited in the liver actively destroy surrounding liver tissue, leading to pain in the upper abdomen. Over time, breast cancer growth within the liver progresses, leading to extensive growth in and around the organ. Breast cancer cells also begin to grow into vessels connected to the bile duct, as well as within the bile duct itself. As a result, breast cancer patients with severe liver metastases may develop a yellow tint to the skin and eyes, called jaundice, when breast cancer growth completely blocks the bile ducts. Bile leaks into the bloodstream and the bile salts deposit in tissues, making the skin appear yellow. The development of jaundice indicates severe liver damage that requires immediate treatment.
Coughing and Breathing Difficulties
Breast cancer also commonly metastasizes to the lungs, leading to a number of lung-related side effects. As breast cancer grows, the tumor begins to take up space within the lungs, leading to a decrease in overall lung capacity. Cancer growth within the airways in the lungs can also hinder the flow of air into and out of the lungs. As a result, patients with metastatic breast cancer commonly suffer from shortness of breath and dizziness. Breast cancer growth in the lungs also damages healthy lung tissue, leading to abnormal bleeding and causing the patient to cough up bloody sputum. These side effects of breast cancer growth in the lungs can prove debilitating and potentially fatal, so breast cancer patients may undergo chemotherapy or radiation treatment to treat clusters of cancer growth in the lungs, reports MedlinePlus.
Injuries and Bone Fracture
The most common site of breast cancer metastasis is to the bone, says Imaginis. As a result, patients with metastatic breast cancer often suffer from side effects of cancer growth in bone tissue. Breast cancer growths in the bone are commonly osteolytic growths, meaning they lead to a breakdown of bone tissue. The cancer cells attack healthy bone tissue by recruiting cells called osteoblasts, which normally reabsorb bone. The excessive activation of osteoblasts in breast cancer metastases leads to a decrease in bone density and bone weakness, leaving the patient vulnerable to injury. In late stages of breast cancer metastasis patients may experience multiple bone fractures related to their cancer growth, which can prove debilitating. Patients with metastatic breast cancer experiencing bone-related side effects may receive drug therapy to help slow bone loss.
