Pain management in metastatic breast cancer

Pain – no matter how severe – can almost always be at least partly relieved through treatment. Well-coordinated pain management with regular adjustments is crucial for maintaining quality of life. It is one of the main medical treatments used in metastatic breast cancer.
Metastatic breast cancer treatment targets not only the cancer cells, but also the related symptoms such as pain and any possible side effects of more aggressive treatments.
The symptoms caused by breast cancer will depend on various factors, including the size of the tumor and the rate at which it is growing. A growing tumor can cause pain if the cells press against nearby nerves or damage healthy tissue. Large tumors may prevent organs from working properly if they grow deeper into the chest wall or the skin. The location of metastatic tumors also influences the kind of symptoms they cause. If your lungs are affected, you may have trouble breathing. Metastases in the bones can be painful and make the bones more brittle.
Pain often makes you feel tired and anxious, and can get you down. But medication can almost always help.