We all know that cancer is a dangerous disease to be diagnosed with. Thankfully, advancements in the field of medicine have made it possible to get many different types of treatments today. The treatment plan recommended to you for breast cancer will greatly depend on the extent and severity of your illness. As always, it is better if this illness is detected at an early stage.
Otherwise, you may face many setbacks and complications along the way. You will need great mental and physical strength to undergo such treatments and experience their side effects. The important thing is you try to be positive, stay motivated, and never give up.
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Potential Complications You May Face in Stage 4 Breast Cancer
As you can see, private breast cancer treatment comes with many complications. Here are some possible complications you can face if you are diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer.
Physical Pain and Fatigue
In the later stages of cancer, patients often experience increased physical pain and fatigue. This is because the tumour grows and it puts greater pressure on the organs and nerves in your body. This results in sharp pains in the body.
Furthermore, certain types of cancer can also release harmful chemicals in your body which create a sensation of pain. If you are going through this, then you should discuss it with your doctor as they might prescribe you over-the-counter pain relievers to ease the pain.
Cancer Spreading to the Bones
Another complication of breast cancer is that it commonly spreads to your bones. This can cause aching in your bones and result in the gradual thinning of your bones over time. As a result, you become more prone to the risk of fractures which negatively impacts your overall wellbeing.
Hypercalcemia
The thinning of your bones will release increased levels of calcium in your blood. This is called Hypercalcemia and can lead to other troubles such as kidney stones, kidney failure, and neurological problems like coma and dementia.
Lung Tumours
In some cases, breast cancer can spread to your lungs and cause a lung tumour without any evident signs. You may simply experience shortness of breath, pain in your chest, and constant coughing. This can be treated with chemotherapy.
In other cases, the breast cancer cells may enter the fluid that surrounds your lungs. This complication is called a pleural effusion. In this case, the excess fluid has to be removed from your body.
Infected Livers
Many times, the cancer cells from breast cancer can travel to your liver and reduce its functionality. This can lead to a case of blocked bile ducts in your liver. In such a case, you will have to undergo a medical procedure to fix the problem.
Brain Tumours
Breast cancer cells can also spread to the brain and form tumours in it. Brain tumours can have a negative effect on your vision, memory, and behaviour.
Brain tumours are usually diagnosed through imaging tests like CT scans and MRIs. In some cases, the imaging test might not give clear results. In such situations, doctors have to perform a biopsy to confirm the presence of tumour in your brain. Once diagnosed, they can be removed.
Last Few Words
It is crucial for your wellbeing that you discuss any side effects or pain you experience with your doctor right away. This will help them identify any complications quickly and they will be able to treat you better.