What is the survivial rate of metastasized breast cancer? Stage 4?

[labattsbaby]

Hello, I am in a state of shock here and I need some help and answers. My mother was diagnosed two months ago with early stage II breast cancer and was to have a masectomy this morning. Yesterday her surgeon called after an all body bone scan was done last week and she was told surgery is cancelled. They unfortunately found that the cancer had indeed spread to hips, rib bones and spine and possibly lungs, God forbid. She and the whole family is in a stage of utter shock and bewilderment.

My question is this, why have they now cancelled the surgery and will do treatment? Is this the last resort now and not the removal? What is the survival rate of this treatment at her age of 74? What is the overall survival rate of anybody with stage 4 breast cancer? I have seen on sites that breast cancer is INCURABLE and most breast cancers resist treatment. Dont know if this is true.

Has anyone been there and survived? How was it and how long was treatment and followup? Please help.
thanks
lb

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear labattsbaby:  Stage 4 breast cancer is cancer that has spread outside the breast area to other organs.  Once the cancer has spread, it is generally considered incurable.  In other words, it is unlikely that the cancer will be cured.  However, this does not mean that the cancer is untreatable.  In fact, breast cancer, even when advanced, may respond well to treatment and some women will lead a “near normal” life for a period of time.  Of course, medical professionals cannot predict who will have a good response to therapy and who will not, nor can we predict how long a person will live.  We can only make educated guesses.  The reason to cancel surgery is because it is now more important to treat all of the disease in your mother’s body systemically (as in hormone therapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a combination of these, depending on the situation) rather than delaying treating her by waiting for a surgery to heal.  Removing the breast will not necessarily offer any advantage and will only delay treating the rest of your mom’s disease.  Age is not necessarily a factor in response to treatment.  Your mother’s general health is a more important consideration moving forward.

[boninclyde]

They cannot cure bone, liver, lung cancers but there are many drugs on the market that can keep the cancer under control for many years. Please go to breastcancer.org. Then community support and join the discussion board there. You will find many answers and support for your questions. You will also find many survivors that will tell you their stories and what meds have helped them. A wonderful site. I wish your mother well. She is lucky to have you help her through this journey.

[Mindi]

I am 41 and a single mom. At 35 Ihad stage 2,,,,,,,,,,,,,now at 41 it is in my bones as well. I am on Lupron hormone treatment .........I had taxotere and A/C  as well............Mastectomy and many bone scans,,,,,,,MRI's ,,,,,,,I am living and doing well, it has been over a year now

Love and Light
Mindi