Stage IV breast cancer is also called metastatic breast cancer, or MBC. It is the most advanced stage of breast cancer and often metastasizes to various tissues including lungs, liver and bone tissues.
Radiation therapy no longer impacts the disease at this stage. Cancer extends past the axillary lymph nodes and into the other parts of the body where it continuously multiplies and develops.
Of all metastatic breast cancer cases in the United States, most are recurrences of the original breast cancer. You may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial. Some new treatments are only available through a clinical trial. Also, taking part can help researchers learn more about what kinds of responses to expect and why.
Other treatments include hormone therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and radiation therapy. Women whose tumors have positive hormone receptors (ER+) may benefit from hormone therapy.
Hormone therapy shrinks tumors.
https://www.empowher.com/breast-cancer/content/breast-cancer-stage-four