Secondary breast cancer usually affects the following parts of the body.
In the Bone / In the Brain / In the Liver / In the Lungs / In the Skin
When breast cancer cells spread to the bone it is commonly referred to as bone metastases or bone mets. The primary cancer cells that have spread to the bones are breast cancer cells, this is not the same as having cancer that originates in the bone. The bone is one of the most common sites for secondary breast cancer, with the bones that are most commonly affected:
If you have any concerns regarding symptoms you should contact your GP or local medical centre.
When breast cancer cells spread to the brain it can be commonly known as brain metastases or brain mets. On occasion secondary breast cancer can spread to the tissues (membranes) that surround the brain and the spinal cord. This is referred to as leptomeningeal metastases. Symptoms of secondary breast cancer which has spread to the brain can include:
If you have any concerns regarding symptoms you should contact your GP or local medical centre.
When breast cancer cells spread to the liver it is referred to a liver metastases or liver mets. The primary cancer cells that have spread to the liver are breast cancer cells, this is not the same as cancer of the liver. Symptoms of secondary breast cancer which has spread to the liver can include:
If you have any concerns regarding symptoms you should contact your GP or local medical centre.
When breast cancer cells spread to the lung(s) it is referred to a lung metastases or lung mets. The breast cancer cells travel through the blood stream or the lymphatic system to the lung(s). On occasion the lymph nodes within the middle of the chest can also be affected. The primary cancer cells that have spread to the lung(s) are breast cancer cells, this is not the same as having cancer that originates within the lung(s). Symptoms of secondary breast cancer which has spread to the lungs can include:
If you have any concerns regarding symptoms you should contact your GP or local medical centre.
Unbeknown to many, secondary breast cancer can also spread and form on or below the skin. This is commonly referred to as skin metastases or skin mets. Skin metastases will generally areas that are close to the original site of the breast cancer. More rarely skin metastases will form on other areas of the skin including the arms, legs, stomach, scalp and neck. Symptoms of secondary breast cancer which has spread to the skin can include:
If you have any concerns regarding symptoms you should contact your GP or local medical centre.