When breast cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, tests are done to check if the cancer has spread to other organs, such as the lungs, liver and bone—called distant metastasis. Although the cancer starts in the breast, it can be carried to other parts of the body through the lymph fluid and/or the blood. Once cancer has metastasized (spread to other organs), prognosis is worse.
About five percent of women in the U.S. have distant metastases when they are first diagnosed with breast cancer [23]. Most people with metastases have been treated before for a breast cancer that then returned (recurred). For more on recurrence, see the Treatment section.
Shortness of breath, chronic cough, weight loss and bone pain can be symptoms of distant metastases. Tests must be done to confirm or rule out metastases. The three main tests are:
- A blood test to check for spread to the liver and/or bones
- Bone scans to test for spread to the bone
- X-ray/CT scans to test for spread to the chest, abdomen and liver
Positron emission tomography (PET) can be added as a test for distant metastases. Other tests may be done, depending on a person's symptoms and the findings of the three main tests.
Updated 10/26/09
