Every October 13 marks World Metastatic Breast Cancer Day, a date dedicated to raising awareness about one of the most complex stages of this disease.
Metastatic breast cancer occurs when tumor cells spread to other organs beyond the breast.
Although it is not currently considered a curable disease, recent medical advances have made it possible to extend survival and improve patients’ quality of life through innovative therapies, next-generation medications, and a more personalized approach to treatment.
What is metastatic breast cancer?
Metastatic breast cancer, also known as stage IV breast cancer, develops when malignant cells originating in the breast spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
It should not be confused with early-stage breast cancer, in which the tumor remains confined to the breast or nearby lymph nodes. In metastatic cases, the disease indicates that tumor cells have colonized other organs.
Differences between localized and metastatic breast cancer
- Localized breast cancer: The tumor remains in the breast and, in some cases, nearby lymph nodes.
- Metastatic breast cancer: The tumor has spread to other organs, most commonly:
- Bones
- Liver
- Lungs
- Brain
- Skin
Symptoms and diagnosis
Symptoms vary depending on the affected organ, but some of the most common include:
- Persistent bone pain
- Chronic cough or difficulty breathing
- Marked fatigue
- Abdominal pain or jaundice (in liver metastases)
- Headaches or neurological symptoms (in brain metastases)
Diagnosis is confirmed through imaging tests (CT, MRI, PET scans) and biopsies that help identify the type of tumor cells and possible mutations.
Early detection of metastasis is key to adapting treatment quickly and effectively.
Recent advances in treatments
In recent years, treatments for metastatic breast cancer have evolved with the goal not only of prolonging life but also preserving quality of life. Among the most notable advances are targeted therapies, which act on specific molecular alterations of the tumor such as genetic mutations or key proteins.
Recent examples include CDK4/6 inhibitors, PI3K inhibitors, and anti-HER2 therapies, which have shown improved progression-free survival and fewer side effects compared to conventional chemotherapy.
In particular, the antibody-drug conjugate trastuzumab deruxtecan has shown efficacy in patients with low HER2 levels, expanding access to targeted therapies for previously excluded subgroups.
Immunotherapy has also been a major breakthrough, especially for triple-negative metastatic breast cancer. The combination of pembrolizumab with chemotherapy has demonstrated improved survival in patients with high PD-L1 expression, as shown in the KEYNOTE-355 study.
In the field of research, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) represent a new generation of biotechnological therapies. Drugs such as sacituzumab govitecan and trastuzumab deruxtecan have shown efficacy even in patients resistant to previous treatments, and they are being evaluated in combination with immunotherapy and CDK4/6 inhibitors.
Another innovation, electrochemotherapy, is a minimally invasive oncological technique that combines chemotherapy drug administration with controlled electrical pulses to increase efficacy in tumors that are difficult to treat surgically or are radioresistant, such as cutaneous breast cancer metastases.
Impact of new treatments on quality of life
Metastatic breast cancer has evolved from being a disease with very limited options to one where patients can live longer and better thanks to more precise and personalized treatments.
Advances allow patients to:
- Reduce hospital stays
- Maintain daily activities
- Control disease-related symptoms
Each case is unique and requires close medical follow-up to adjust treatment at every stage.
World Metastatic Breast Cancer Day: Why it is commemorated
October 13 aims to give a voice to people living with metastatic breast cancer — a lesser-known and often invisible stage of the disease. The goals of this commemoration are to:
- Highlight the need for more research in advanced stages
- Promote social, psychological, and medical support for patients and their families
- Emphasize that medical innovation is key to transforming the disease into an increasingly chronic and controllable condition
At IVOQA, we work every day to provide our patients with the most advanced treatments and the support they need at every stage of their illness.