Breast cancer afflicts mainly women, and when caught early, it is treatable. However, once breast cancer progresses past type 1, treatment gets harder. Type 4 breast cancer is the most advanced form. By the time the cancer has advanced to type 4, it has become invasive—spreading past the breast and the lymph nodes. While the breast cancer may be very advanced, treatment options are still available. Tumors in the breast can be treated with radiation, chemotherapy or surgery.
Size
When breast cancer advances to type 4, the tumor has grown to its largest size. According to the Mayo Clinic, the tumor size of a type 4 breast cancer is larger than 5 centimeters; when the tumor has reached 5 centimeters, it is classified as a type 3. The Mayo Clinic does not specify how much larger the tumor can grow, but the tumor can grow even larger if treatment is not sought.
Survival Rate
By the time the cancer has progressed to type 4, survival rates drop significantly. According to the Mayo Clinic, the five year survival rate is 20 percent. In comparison, the five year survival rate for type 1 is close to 100 percent, followed by 91 percent for type 2 breast cancer and 54 to 67 percent for type 3 breast cancer. The longer the time before treatment is sought, the lower the survival rate.
Metastasis
According to BreastCancer.org, when the cancer has reached stage 4, the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. Termed “metastatic at presentation,” the breast cancer has gone beyond the breast and the nearby lymph nodes. Places where the metastases of breast cancer can occur are the lungs, liver, bone and brain.
Treatment
Multiple treatment options are available for type 4 breast cancer. Surgery and radiation are both recommended by BreastCancer.org. Chemotherapy is another option, though it does have more side effects due to the medications used. In addition, treatment can be done on enlarged lymph nodes if they are producing uncomfortable symptoms.
Warning
Diagnosis and treatment are imperative with breast cancer. The longer a person waits before receiving treatment, the worse the prognosis is. Monthly self breast examinations and yearly mammograms can help diagnose it early. But keep in mind that because smaller tumors cannot always be detected by self breast examinations alone yearly mammograms after age 40 are crucial, or before 40 if you have a family history.
