Metastatic breast cancer is breast cancer that has traveled away from the breast and nearby lymph nodes to other parts of the body, such as the bones, lungs, liver or brain. Though cancer at any stage can become metastatic, metastatic cancer is the term used to refer to stage IV cancer.

The goals of treatment are to:

• shrink or weaken the cancer, and prevent it from spreading further
• relieve symptoms caused by the cancer
• help you live every day with the fewest side effects and best possible quality of life

In this section, you’ll find a basic explanation of breast cancer, how it metastasizes, how metastatic breast cancer is different from early-stage disease and the emotional impact of stage IV disease.